This is a continuation from my story last week, and we had left off tasting some stellar Stars of California vintages at a WineLA.com tasting event. This is the slideshow for those that want to skip ahead.
The Pour List (continued) at Press Time, my notes are in italics:
MIURA VINEYARDS
Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir, St. Lucia Highlands 2012
Pinot Noir, St. Lucia Highlands 2014
Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2013
Antiqvs Syrah, Garys Vineyard, St. Lucia Highlands 2009
NEAL FAMILY
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012
2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Howell Mountain, Napa 2015
Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Dust Vineyards 2006
Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa 2007
PAX MAHLE WINES
‘The Hermit’ Pax Syrah, North Coast 2013
Grenache, James Berry Vineyard, 2012
Syrah, Castelli-Knight Ranch, Russian River 2011
Loved The Hermit for its dainty floral finish, unexpected for me in a Syrah, and the Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah for its earthiness.
POMAR JUNCTION
Viognier, Paso Robles 2015
Cotes De Pomar Blanc, Paso Robles 2015
GSM, Paso Robles 2013
Merlot, Paso Robles 2013
ROUND POND ESTATE
Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford 2015
‘Kith and Kin’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014
Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Estate 2013
Another fave I had already tasted recently. Especially the Kith and Kin that was gifted to me by a fellow wine lover.
RUED WINES
Pinot Noir, Russian River 2012
Zinfandel, Dry Creek 2013
Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek 2015
Chardonnay, Russian River 2015
TOLOSA
Rosé of Pinot Noir, Tolosa Vineyards, Edna Valley 2014
‘Pure’ Chardonnay, Tolosa Vineyards, Edna Valley 2014
‘1772’ Pinot Noir, Tolosa Vineyards, Edna Valley 2014
‘Marley Anne’ Pinot Noir, Tolosa Vineyards, Edna Valley 2014
VINEMARK CELLARS
Primitivo, Paso Robles 2013
‘Mezzanotte’ Red Blend, Paso Robles 2013
Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles 2013
Buona Miscela, Paso Robles 2014
A favorite from my judging stint for the Long Beach Grand Cru. A 2013 Petite Sirah was an add-in and simply awesome, as well as a 2014 Port-style Petite Sirah. The showstopper was the Buona Miscela Sangiovese from Monterey – look for that one too.
WESTERLY WINES
Bentrock Chardonnay, Santa Barbara 2014
Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Barbara 2012
Côte Blonde, Santa Barbara 2012
I’ve only tasted Westerly wines once before, at Pour d’Vino in Lancaster, this time I became a fan of their Cab (Santa Barbara!) and Côte Blonde, which is a Syrah with a little Viognier.
WORKMAN/AYER
“De Facto” Red Wine, Central Coast 2012
“Ipso Facto” Viognier, Central Coast 2014
Wonderful reconnecting with Michel Ayer – first met and tasted with this cool winemaker at a Garagiste event in Union Station – his wines are always so wonderfully balanced. This time the Viognier was lovely, no high acid to take over, just brilliant fruit that had benefitted by stainless steel and no malolactic fermentation. The Red blend was all chocolate and violet. Need to order both.
YATES FAMILY
Viognier, Mount Veeder 2014
‘Fleur de Veeder’ Merlot, Mount Veeder 2013
‘Cheval’ Cabernet Franc, Mount Veeder 2013
‘Alden Perry Reserve’ Red Blend, Mount Veeder 2012
Paso Robles CAB Collective
I have to admit that this was my all-time favorite table. Love that the Cab Collective members sent their best bottles for sampling.
Adelaida
Viking Red Wine 2013 – Quite well done, liked the dry finish.
Ancient Peaks
Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Calcareous
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 – Lots of chocolate layers to enjoy.
Cass
Signature Cabernet 2013
Chateau Margene
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2013 – I had met Michael Mooney a few years back, and then again when the Cab Collective had just begun. He impressed me when he showed a map of where he sourced his grapes – throughout many sub-AVAs of Paso – and at this tasting I learned, from his son Jon, that they have removed some old vineyards and planted their own. So soon we will be seeing a Chateau Margene Estate wine. The Cab today was perfectly balanced, with nice dark notes on the back palate for the finish.
DAOU
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2013 – Who isn’t a fan of DAOU? This reserve Cab was all tobacco, dark and dry and good to go.
Eberle
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2013
J Lohr
Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2013 – Thanks again for another great Hilltop Cab! Bringing on the spice and the fruit, I was ready!
San Antonio
San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2012
Sextant
Kamal, Paso Robles 2013 – a very well done Paso blend.
The Farm Winery
LPF 2012
Vina Robles
Suendero 2012 – Big, just the way I like it, thanks again to winemaker Kevin Willenborg.
Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association
I skipped this section as I had been to Carmel tasting not too long ago.
Blair Estate
Chardonnay, Delfina’s Vineyard, Arroyo Seco 2013
Rose of Pinot Noir, Delfina’s Vineyard, Arroyo Seco 2014
Pinot Noir, Delfina’s Vineyard, Arroyo Seco 2012
Carmel Ridge Winery
Merlot, Monterey County 2012
Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2013
Pinot Noir, Sonoma 2012
Carmel Road
Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2014
Barrymore Pinot Grigio 2014
Drew’s Blend Pinot Noir 2013
Cima Collina
Antle Chalone Pinot Blanc 2013
Lockwood Oaks Meritage San Antonio Valley 2010
Antle Chalone Pinot Noir 2011
De Tierra Vineyards
Vindegard Chardonnay, De Tierra Vineyards 2013
Russell Estate Pinot Noir, De Tierra Vineyards 2012
Russell Estate Pinot Noir Mesa Del Sol Syrah 2013
Scheid Vineyards
Metz Road Chardonnay 2013
Reserve Monterey Pinot Noir 2012
VDR 2013
Wrath
‘Fermata’ Chardonnay 2013
‘Tondre’ Grapefield Pinot Noir 2013
KW Ranch Syrah 2013
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
