Eve's Wine 101

Seeing (and Tasting) the STARS of Napa

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On March 2, at the beautiful Beverly Hills Peninsula hotel, once again organizer Ian Blackburn of WineLA.com brought together the most acclaimed STARS of the Napa Valley wine scene. And, as we all know how stars can be bright or fade from view, leave it to Blackburn to select shining stars year in and out in all of his STARS events, including STARS of California Wine, STARS of Pinot Noir, STARS of Italy, STARS of Cabernet…

Now, for this current STARS event I attended the media and trade “pre-show” that had all of the same vintners the public would taste from later in the evening. Some of which, like Del Dotto Vineyards, are rarely seen at tasting events.

With my wine glass and cell phone camera in tow (see the event via this YouTube slideshow in under 2 minutes) I made my way through much of the incredible lineup below. And, as usual, I bolded the wines that I loved, some of which I was told I couldn’t miss by Sommelier/Wine Distributor/Consultant George Skorka (Schweiger Vineyards) and wine critic/author/ radio personality Anthony Dias Blue (AVE Winery).

Eve and WineLA.com founder Ian Blackburn

Eve and WineLA.com founder Ian Blackburn

 

Wine List

Acumen Wine

Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Acumen Red Wine 2011

Acumen Sauvignon Blanc 2014

 

Mt. Brave
Mt. Brave Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

 
La Jota
La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

 
COHO Wines
Pinot Noir, Stanly Ranch  2013
Headwaters (Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot) 2012
Merlot,  Michael Black Vineyard  2012
Cabernet Sauvignon, SummitVine Ranch 2012

 
Round Pond Estate
Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Kith & Kin Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 
Fisher Vineyards
Mountain Estate, Chardonnay 2013
UNITY, Pinot Noir 2013
Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

 
AVE Winery
Mt. Veeder “Crouse Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Beckstoffer G111 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Mt.Veeder “Crouse Vineyard” Merlot 2014

 
Del Dotto Vineyards
2013 Cave Blend

2009 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Ft. Ross Seaview

2013 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Ft. Ross Seaview

2013 Piazza Del Dotto Pinot Noir

2013 Piazza Del Dotto Chardonnay

 
Eleven Eleven Winery
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Laki’s Vineyard, Oak Knoll AVA, Napa Valley 2013
Pinot Noir, Bacigalupi Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2013
Chardonnay, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley 2013
Estate Syrah, Oak Knoll AVA, Napa Valley 2013
Neal Family Vineyards

 
Napa Valley Cabernet 2011
Rutherford Dust Cabernet 2006
Rutherford Dust Zinfandel 2013
Rutherford Dust Petite Syrah 2010

 
Patland Estate
Sauvignon Blanc, Tench Vineyard 2013
Rosa 2014
Proprietary Red Wine, Stagecoach Vineyard 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard 2013

 
Raymond Vineyard
Raymond Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Sommelier Select 2013
LVE Cabernet  2012
Generations 2012

 
Coup de Foudre
Pinot Noir 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Cuvee 2012
Sauvignon Blanc 2014

 
Alpha Omega Winery
ERA 2012
Alpha Omega Chardonnay 2012
Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Alpha Omega Proprietary Red 2012

 
JH Collection
Clark Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Clark Claudon “Eternity” Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The Debate 2012
Michel Rolland Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

 
Krupp Brothers Wines
Krupp Brothers Chardonnay 2014
Krupp Brothers M5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Krupp Brothers Black Bart’s Bride 2014
Krupp Brothers “The Doctor” 2013

 
Oberon Wines
Oberon Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Oberon Los Carneros Chardonnay 2014
Oberon Napa Valley Merlot 2013
Oberon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 
Michael Mondavi Family
M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Animo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Emblem Oso vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2011

 
Kenefick Ranch
Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Calistoga’ 2012
Merlot ‘Calistoga’ 2012
Pickett Rd White 2014

 
B Cellars
Blend 23 (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier Blend) 2013
Maldonado Chardonnay 2013
Blend 24 (Cabernet, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah Blend) 2011
Ehrlich Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 
Tres Sabores
Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Tres Sabores Por que no? Napa Valley Red Wine 2012
Tres Sabores Zinfandel, Rutherford Estate, Napa Valley 2013
Tres Sabores Petite Sirah, Guarino Vineyard, Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012

 
Frank Family Vineyards
Chardonnay, Lewis Vineyard  2013
Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013
Pinot Noir, Carneros 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley  2012
Petit Sirah 2012

 
Schweiger Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Chardonnay 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Dedication 2011

 
Bougetz Cellars
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
2013 Jovana Merlot/Cabernet Franc
2012 Eminence Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Amaryllis Cabernet Sauvignon

 
Merryvale Family of Wines
Merryvale 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Starmont 2013 Chardonnay, Carneros
Starmont 2013 Pinot Noir, Carneros
Forward Kidd 2012 Napa Valley Red Wine

 

Oakville East
Oakville East Exposure – Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Oakville East Core Stone – Red Blend 2012
Oakville East Franc ‘N Stern – Cabernet Franc 2012

 

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Will You Join us for the Valencia Wine Company Holiday Wine Tasting? It’s Their 12th Time!

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There is one annual event that my husband Eddie and I have never missed in the past 11 years, even the one year it had to be postponed a week due to a shut down of the 5 freeway:

The classiest annual holiday wine tasting is at our very own, locally owned, Valencia Wine Company on Towne Center Drive in the Westfield Valencia Mall. This year the event will be held on the afternoon of Saturday November 14 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (You can stop in the wine bar or call to reserve a ticket: 661-254-9300.)

vwc info on holiday bannerUnique Tasting/Eating/Educational Opportunity

Guests will have plenty of time to taste wine from both domestic and imported sources – see our growing wine list below.

All of the wines will be paired with both savory and sweet treats catered by the one and only Martha Aguilera, owner of Kokolita.

Besides having the three hours to taste wine and food, guests will have a special treat – education, if desired, from the winery representatives.

George Skorka – a wine representative serving during the event, that so happens to have a stellar wine pedigree as a sommelier and wine judge – has been devoted to Valencia Wine Company’s education program for many years. This is an event that guests look forward to as it’s an opportunity to learn and taste with George.

The many wine representatives that will join George are very educated about the wines they are serving, so it’s pretty much a sure thing that if you want to learn more about what you are tasting, you will!

One more thing: You should be able to get some of your necessary holiday shopping done! Each guest is given a tasting booklet that is several pages long; listing out all of the wines and their prices. And though my husband usually goes for a case (there is always a nice discount for buying a full case) I can’t be positive that all of the wine we purchase will be gifted to others.

Keep your eyes peeled to the Facebook event page for Valencia Wine Co.’s 12th Annual Holiday Tasting because…I will be posting teasers there until the event takes place on November 14!

Some of the Wine Selections, at Press Time

Champagne                                                                                                                      

POL ROGER BRUT NV

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT ROSE 2009

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT 2008

White wines                                                              

REGNARD CHABLIS GRAND REGNARD 2013

SCHLUMBERGER RIESLING SAERING 2010

LATOUR MONTAGNY LA GRANDE ROCHE 1er Cru 2013

BRASSFIELD PINOT GRIS HIGH SERENITY 2013

MER SOLEIL CHARDONNAY RESERVE, SANTA BARBARA 2012

CARPE DIEM CHARDONNAY 2013

GARY FARRELL CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2012

Red Wines                                                                 

CH DE PEZ  ST ESTEPHE 2011

HENRY FESSY FLEURIE CHT LABOURON CrU BEAUJOLAIS 2011

FAIVELEY MERCUREY CLOS MYGLANDS 2011

JL COLOMBO CORNAS TERRE BRULEES 2012

MARQ MURRIETA RIOJA RSV 2010

DELAS ST JOSEPH TOURNON 2013

ETUDE PINOT NOIR 2013

FLOWERS PINOT NOIR 2013

CARPE DIEM PINOT NOIR 2012

MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBERA 2013

HANNA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013

THORN MERLOT 2012

Remember, the event is coming up fast, November 14, so you best call 661-254-9300 to reserve. We did!

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com