Vintage Eve Circa 6/2018: Henry Wine Group’s TASTE THE WORLD 2018

January 5, 2021 by evebushman

A grand tasting showcasing the Wines and Spirits of The Henry Wine Group. Over 300 producers from around the world…the owners…people behind the scenes…

This is not the first time I’ve been to the grand Taste of the World event put on by the Henry Wine Group. I got wind of it a few years ago when my contributing editor and VP Michael Perlis attended. Soon we both were attending, and eventually, as I learned my way around we agreed: I would cover the spirits and Michael would cover the wines. As the wineries have a larger presence you may agree that Michael got the better gig, but as he has to write about it all, I’d say I got the best deal. LOL.

Henry Wine Group now uses the name Winebow.

Fun Factoids: Within 30 minutes of tasting and spitting out…my lips got numb. Kind of a new phenomenon for me. With wine your teeth and tongue get more stained in tasting and spitting than in drinking alone. In both instances you don’t swallow. You usually don’t swirl some spirits (in one class I learned that swirling “makes an angry scotch angrier”) but you do smell, then taste, hold in your mouth to let it do its thing, expectorate it all, pour out any remainder in the tasting glass and then rinse your glass with water if changing spirits. (This is a good time to drink some water too.) Even with all that, I did not make it through all of the spirits in the tasting lineup. I purposely skipped any I had had before as well as many in the last couple of tables as palate fatigue (tongue now numb) had set in. So if you are a rum, tequila or Absinthe lover (I’m an Absinthe lover for anyone making the perfect Sazerac) you can stop reading now, and please accept my apologies!

What I Tasted (if you just want photo coverage go here for three grids)

Osco Oakland Spirits Company, Glasshouse brandy – think Vodka flavored like the botanicals found in Gin, and then some – I enjoyed the Spicy Chinese Mint, Marjoram, Trade Winds (yes, salty air and the sea were an inspiration) and Shiso (as in the savory Umami in Japanese foods).

Rough Rider Double Cask Rye Bourbon, Three Barrel Rye, Cask Strength Straight Bourbon and Cask Strength Rye.

Pine Barrens Barrel Aged Gin (barrels held single malt whisky prior to the gin) and American Single Malt Whiskey.

Del Professore Vermouth Blanco and Vermouth Rosso. Both had amazing flavors and made me think of the past, where people sipped Vermouth on its own, over ice, in a little glass. I think this is a trend we could see again – especially with these Vermouths. The distillery was founded in Italy in the late 1800s.

Sibona Grappa Riserva, Port Wood Finish.

POLI Dal 1898 Grappaioli, Cleopatra and Sarpa – all excellent Grappas.

Bache Gabrielsen VSOP and XO Cognac (The XO was to die for)

Spirit Works Distillery – the entire lineup – Vodka, Gin, Barrel Gin, Straight Wheat Whiskey, Straight Rye Whiskey and a surprise: Sloe Gin made from macerated Sloe berries (think of a small round berry, blackberry in color, and adding both color and sweetness to Gin. Read more here) which was great alone but would also lend itself well in a cocktail.

Tullibardine Single Malt Whisky: both The Murray and the 25 year old. There were three others I tasted that were all less than 10 years old, none with an age on the label, but tasty just the same so keep an eye peeled for those: 225 Sauterne Finish, 228 Burgundy Finish and Sovereign finished in ex-Bourbon barrels.

Meletti Liqueurs I’d had before but the family member that I had met years before had returned, so I dove in to taste a few of their newer liqueurs: 1870 Bitter Aperitivo, Anisette and Dry Anisetta.
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All excellent!

And that, as they say, is all she wrote.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, 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.

Perlis Picks: Taste The World

July 7, 2018 by Michael Perlis

Every two years, trade and media has the opportunity to “taste the world” with distributor and importer Henry Wine Group. In a large ballroom at the Westin Bonaventure filled with wine and a small section devoted to spirits [covered by Eve in a recent article] we got to sample literally hundreds [if one were so inclined] of offerings from a wide variety of domestic and international producers.

Upon entering the event, we were provided with a wine tasting glass and a 158 page book – I told you there were a lot of wines to taste! Here were some of my favorites…

Ancient Peaks – I always love the Renegade and the Oyster Ridge blends, and the 2015 and 2014 of these, respectively, were both excellent.

Andrew Murray Vineyards – Another old favorite, one of the wineries that first got me into Rhones. The 2016 Enchante did it for me today.

Dashe Cellars – They’ve expanded their fun carbonic maceration line and continue to make great Zinfandels, including my usual favorite Todd Brothers Ranch (2015 this time).

Elizabeth Spencer Winery – I wasn’t really familiar with this Mendocino based winery but getting introduced to their delicious 2016 Grenache solved that problem.

Joullian Vineyards – One might not expect great Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Monterey Peninsula, but this winery in the Carmel Valley belies that notion with their 2013 ‘Sias Cuvee’ Zin and 2014 Estate Cab.

Mettler Family Vineyards – I liked all three of the wines this Lodi winery was pouring – the Estate Cabernet, the “Epicenter” Old Vine Zinfandel and especially the Estate Petite Sirah, all from the 2015 vintage.

Mundovino – This importer had a whopping 10 tables at the event. Admittedly, I tend to focus on domestic producers but I wanted to try some Argentinean Malbec. I tasted some very impressive wines from Catena at all price points, especially the 2014 Catena Zapata Alta Malbec and the 2015 Catena Zapata Argentino Malbec.
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Pestoni Family Estate Winery – Another new to me winery, I enjoyed everything they poured – 2016 Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 “1892” Field Blend and the 2013 and 2014 Howell Mtn Cabernet Sauvignons.

Saucelito Canyon Vineyards – Great Zinfandel from the Arroyo Grande Valley? You better believe it. Their 2015 Estate Zinfandel comes from a vineyard that was originally planted in 1880.

Shafer Vineyards – Shafer’s Cabernet Sauvignons are legendary and I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to taste them. Loved both the 2015 One Point Five Stag’s Leap and of course the 2013 Hillside Select Stag’s Leap as well.

Sinor-Lavallee – Bringing this list full circle, this is Ancient Peaks’ Director of Winemaking Mike Sinor’s own project. The Pinot Noirs were great but I was admittedly here for the Syrahs – the 2013 White Label – Bassi Vineyard, 2015 SLO/Estate and 2014 Black Label – Bassi Vineyard were all outstanding.

There was obviously a lot more I could have tasted [158 pages, after all] but I probably spent too much time catching up with various members of the trade who I’ve known over the years. My biggest takeaway from all this is that Henry Wine Group represents some excellent wineries. If you see their name on the label as distributor or importer, you can be assured you are getting quality, regardless of the price point.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Vintage Beacon Circa 9/2012: The Henry Wine Group Taste the World

July 5, 2016 by evebushman

By now you readers are used to these “virtual tastes” from my various tastings. But, in case you are here for your first sip, a media/trade tasting, by definition, allows the wine/spirit maker or winery/spirit representative (rep) the opportunity to “sell” their product by talking about their offerings and pouring a small sample to writers, restaurant owners and shop owners.

wine tasting sign

The Tasting

Now, onto some outstanding wines and spirits that were represented at the Henry Wine Group tasting. The total list of suppliers is below this text. I had 236 pages in my Tasting Book. And this time, instead of deciding in advance what to try, I walked over the entire tasting room at the Beverly Hills Hotel and then doubled back to sample just a few, very remarkable, wines and spirits when I saw that the reps were free. Suffice it to say in my three-hour-tour I missed quite a bit but there was no way I could taste for the full five-hours they had invited us for.

WINES

Clear Creek Distillery, Portland Oregon (The rest of the strictly spirit category is just below this section.)

Sent over by another rep to try their Grappas, I loved the Muscat for what the rep deemed was a great “starter” Grappa. I was lulled in by the sweetly scented nose, a more traditional taste and a slightly sweet finish. I followed that with their Pinot Noir Grappa and noted, “Gotta have it!” The other liqueur I noted was a new-for-me refreshing Eau de Vie Douglas Fir “tree spirit”. I might have to contact Steve McCarthy, the man behind some of these libations for “further study and review” as they were that amazing.

Donum

(The rep explained it was pronounced Don-um and means donation in Latin.) ‘10 Estate Chardonnay, three Pinot Noirs: ‘08 Carneros, ‘09 West Slope and ‘09 Russian River were all outstanding. I was able to make a brief note on the Chard for its creamy nose followed by a balanced acidity and grapefruit on the palate.

Kistler

It was one of a few wineries that day that I not only knew but also didn’t have a crush of media clamoring, just yet, for a taste. I was able to sample all ‘10 Chardonnays: Sonoma Mountain, Vine Hill and McCrea and the ‘10 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. I stepped away from the tasting table and jotted down a couple of notes on the Pinot: aromas of tart black cherries, green fruit…and something that reminded me of a cool breeze off a lake. On the mouth that same tart cherry, green tomato…or something else green and vegetal, a dry finish that left my palate tingling.

Long Shadows Vintners

Out of Washington, the rep gave me an education on the state’s wines and boasted that his winemakers were experienced and knowledgeable. I enjoyed ‘08 Saggi’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah, ‘07 Pirouette blend, ‘07 Chester Kidder, 08 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘08 Pedestal Merlot, and the ‘07 Sequel Syrah with its deep fruit aromas.

Terra Valentine

I had been to the winery this past year, but the rep gave me a taste of the newly released ‘09 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. Outstanding.

David Bruce

Another winery I was familiar with, so I restricted myself to the latest release, the’ 09 Santa Maria Pinot Noir. Exceptional.

Mills Reef

I enjoyed an ‘09 Merlot/Malbec reserve blend. Will keep my eye out for this wine.

Saucelito Canyon

A reader had suggested I try these wines when they were offered a couple of years ago at the LA Wine Fest and they did not disappoint. I was equally happy to discover that they still didn’t! I enjoyed the ‘11 Cote de Blanc blend, ‘11 San Luis Obispo Backroads Zinfandel and ‘10 Arroyo Grande Valley Estate Zinfandel.

Shafer

‘10 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay had a beautiful full-mouth viscosity with flavors of lemon-lime, grapefruit, apple and a touch of minerality (due to some of its fermentation in stainless steel.) I followed that with a ‘09 Merlot that had a mouth full of dark plums, black pepper and a smooth, dry, finish. Next came great fruit in the ‘09 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon, a perfect nose and a taste I had a hard time tossing out in the ‘09 Relentless blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. The final was, a ‘08 Hillside select, I simply described as “stellar.”

Swanson

I had dinner with Chris Phelps, the winemaker at Swanson, a few years ago and was anxious to re-taste Alexis. Today I sampled and enjoyed the ‘10 Napa Valley Pinot Grigio, ‘08 Oakville Merlot, ‘08 Alexis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and the Instant Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The “instant” according to the reps, was supposed to take you to Napa instantly. I liked the subliminal message…and it worked.

Uvaggio (pronounced Oh-Vaggio)

Two very affable reps, one was the winemaker and the other the sales rep I believe, were very entertaining, as was the wines I tried: the refreshingly crisp ‘10 Vermintino, ‘10 Moscato Secco, ‘10 primitive and ‘09 Barbera.

Vinum

One of my top picks for the day was the Vinum Veritas label that included the ‘11 White Elephant Rhone blend, a ‘10 Red Dirt Red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre (GSM) blend that proved to be one of my fave GSMs that day, with The Scrapper Cabernet Franc was a close second.

Under the Vinum label alone, with prices under $15 per bottle, I enjoyed the ‘11 Chenin Blanc Viognier, ‘10 Monterey Chardonnay, ‘10 Pinot Noir with its interesting mint-ish nose, ‘08 Merlot, ‘08 Cabernet Sauvignon and ‘09 Petite Sirah.

Zuccardi

An Argentinean winery, I liked two Series A: ‘10 Torrontes that I noted for honey and floral notes on the nose with a beautiful full mouth feel of nice acidity and fruit, and the ‘10 Malbec. I had another Malbec, a ‘10 that I noted was “lovely.”

I loved the sweet buttery floral aromas and fruity taste of their ‘11 California Chardonnay.

Zotovich

This was my actual favorite winery of the day and I think it may have been the 10^th wine (translates to pretty early in the tasting) I had tried. The three the winemaker brought included an ‘09 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay that I found refreshing and steely, the ‘09 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir for its traditional cherry and stem flavors without a ton of alcohol or tannin (things I don’t like that some seem to be reaching for in Pinots) and the ‘09 Sta. Rita Hills Syrah that was both soft and then sturdy on the back palate. Want more.

SPIRITS

I saved the few spirits I wanted to taste before my 45-minute forced sit-down to rest before considering the drive home. The spirit tasting was done in small relish-style cups, just enough to whet your palate, with plenty left over – to pour out. Here’s what rang my bell after my palate had been wHined:

Boyd and Blair Potato Vodka

The 151-proof vodka was shown with three flavor additives, so mixologists could see how it would lend itself to their own flavored simple syrups. I tried it straight first, and I found it very clean with a little sweetness, with the flavors I found it irresistible: rhubarb, roasted pumpkin and clemencello.

Dancing Pines

Husband and wife team, Kimberly and Kristian, had a little funny story to tell me about their distillery name: Kimberly had written a song for Kristian called Dancing Pines. If romance has anything to do with distilling, from their town of Loveland, Colorado, these too had blended an outstanding lovechild in their Bourbon. I wished I had tried more…

Meletti

I met Matteo Meletti (He had traveled from Italy to share his liqueurs) and I for one didn’t miss a single one: a sharp Anisette, lingering Sambuca, new-to-me and very interesting Amaro (herbs and botanicals), thick Cioccolato and refreshing Limoncello. I hope to find these locally, and soon.

Smooth Ambler

I enjoyed their Old Scout Bourbon, Gin and Rye. I especially enjoyed having John Little, the VP and master distiller, there to talk about his products. When he mentioned, “pipe tobacco” in regards to the Bourbon, he had me. I hate when reps tell me what I’m going to taste in their wine, maybe it’s because I just want to find flavors myself, but as a Bourbon-novice, Little’s help was appreciated.

VAD Premium Vodka

Smooth and easy to drink, I was enamored with some of their marketing ideas: the cap could double as a shot glass and, their Thrive label had additives of vitamin B complex, vitamin C and electrolytes to stave off hangovers!

2012 Suppliers Attending

Adelsheim, Alfredo Roca, Alice Bonaccorsi, Allan Scott, Altadonna, Altozano, Alvear, Ancient Peaks, Andeluna, Andre Brunel, Andrew Murray, Araucano, Argiano, Arido, Avive, Bargemone, Bastianich, Bellafina, Benton-Lane, Beronia, Bessaret de Bellefon, Billhook, Bisol, Blue Rock Vineyard, Bodega Noemia, Bodegas Alto Moncayo, Bodegas Avanthia S.L., Bodegas Borsao, Bodegas Breca, Bodegas Fernando Remirez de Ganuza, Bodegas La Cana, Bodegas Luis Canas, Bodegas Muga S.A., Bodegas Nekeas, Bodegas Ordonez, Bodegas Sierra Cantabria, Bodegas Venta Morales, Bodegas Volver, Brandini, Broglia, Ca’ del Bosco, Cain Vineyard & Winery, Calera (So Calif. Only), Camigliano, Cantele, Capture, Carneros Highway, Carpineto, Castello di Meleto, Cataldi Madonna, Caves i Vins El Cep SA, Chateau de Lancyre, Chateau de Parenchere, Chateau Pey, Chateau Segla, Ciacci Piccolomini, Cimarone Estate Wines, Claiborne & Churchill, Clear Creek Distillery, Clos de los Siete, Colosi, Contratto, Damilano, Dashe, David Bruce, De Martino, Del Fiore, DiamAndes, Dinastia Vivanco, Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils, Domaine Cazes, Domaine du Tariquet, Domaine Gournier, Domaine Villa Ponciago, Domaine William Fevre, Dominio De Eguren, Donum Estate, DouRosa, Dourthe, Dr. Thanisch, Due Torri, E. Pira, Elvio Cogno, Exem, Fattoria del Cerro, Finca Allende, Finca Constancia, Finca La Anita, Finca Nueva, Finca Sandoval, Fire Road, Flor, Font du Vent, Francois Montand, Gagilole, Gonzaga, Gonzalez Byass, Graham Beck, Grande Cassagne, Hanzell Vineyards, Heggies, Heinz Eifel, Henriot Champagne, Henschke, Hermanos Lurton, Highway 12, Hope Estate, Jean Laurent, Jim Barry, Joullian, Jules Taylor, Karly, Kistler Vineyards, La Fiera, La Mozza, La Noble, La Spinetta, Lander Jenkins, Langmeil, Le Salette, Lechthaler, Lola Kay, Long Meadow Ranch, Long Shadows Vintners, Longboard Vineyards, Luisa, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Marenco, Mas Carlot, Mas de Guiot, Mas Fi, Mas Igneus, Maso Poli, McManis, Medlock Ames, Milbrandt Vineyards, Millsreef, Ministry of the Vinterior, Monteverro, Montgravet, Mountain View, O’Fournier, Pali, Paolo Scavino, Pecchenino, Penya, Pepper Bridge Winery, Pewsey Vale, Pierre Boniface, Plan Pegau, Pratsch, Predator, Principe Corsini Le Corti, Produttori del Barbaresco, Puydeval, Quinta de la Rosa, Quinta Nova, Red Car, REDS, Resso, Rhiannon, Rocca del Principe, Rocca di Frassinello, Rose’s, Round Hill, Round Pond, Rubissow, Ruca Malen, Rutherford Ranch, Saint Clair, San Michele, Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Julia, Saucelito Canyon, Scott Family, Selby, Selection Laurence Feraud, Senorio de San Vicente, Shafer Vineyards, Staete Landt, Ste Eugenie, Suavia, Swanson Vineyards, Tenuta di Ghizzano, Terlano, Terra Valentine, Terredora, Teso la Monja, The Four Graces, Three Creek Vineyard, Three Sticks, Tiamo, Tierra Divina, Tolaini, Tomero, Tortoise Creek, Tower 15, Travis, Trolley, Txakoli Txomin Etaniz, Uvaggio, Vasse Felix, Verget, Vida Organica, Vie di Romans, Vilarnau, Villa des Anges, Villa Rosa, Vina Ventisquero, Vinas del Vero, Vinum Cellars, Vistalba, White Hart, Wild Earth Vineyards, Woollaston, X. Monnot, Yali, Yalumba, ZaZin, ZD Wines, Zotovich Cellars, Zuccardi…

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Perlis Picks: Henry Wine Group Taste The World 2016

June 25, 2016 by evebushman

There are certain wine and spirit distributors that are known for representing a lot of producers of, well, plonk, and keeping strangle holds on their regions that prevent higher quality products to be available for the consumer.

wine tasting sign

Henry Wine Group is absolutely not one of these kinds of distributors.

Per their website, Henry Wine Group focuses on “authenticity and integrity of product”, and I think this is borne out by what I tasted recently.

Every two years, HWG hosts its Taste The World event at the Beverly Hills Hotel, providing wine buyers for restaurants and retail stores, as well as members of the press, the opportunity to sample from a wide variety of the wines and spirits they represent and distribute.

Eve already reported on the spirits here.

For wineries, there was so much to choose from, as all these wineries and/or importers were represented:

Acre Wines / Adelshem Vineyard / Amavi Cellars / Ancient Peaks Winery / Andis Wines / Andrew Murray Vineyards / Banville Wine Merchants / Bespoke Collection / Blue Rock Vineyard / Bodegas Arzuaga / Bodegas Borsao / Bonded Winery No. 9 / Cain Vineyard & Winery / Calera / Claiborne & Churchill / Clos Bellane / Clos LaChance / Coravin / Craft + Estate / Curious Cork Imports / Dark Star Imports / Dashe Cellars / District 3 / Domaine Select Wine & Spirits / Dutton Estate / Elizabeth Spencer Wines / Eighty Four Wines / Fabio Viviani Wines / Fine Estates from Spain / Hand Picked Selections / Head High Wines / Henriot, Inc. / Heron Wines / Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery / Indigenous Selections / Joullian Vineyards / Laely Wine / Lafond Winery / Left Coast Cellars / Lola Kay / Long Meadow Ranch Winery / Lumen Wines / Luna Vineyards / Lynmar Estate / MacRostie Winery and Vineyards / Madness and Cures / Martian Ranch & Vineyards / Medlock Ames / Mettler Family Vineyards / Michael Pozzan Winery / Milbrandt Vineyards / Mindego Ridge / Negociants USA / Nuclear Wine Company / Pali Wine Company / Paolo Scavino / Pepper Bridge / Quinta Vale d. Maria / Red Car Wine Company / Riverbench Vineyard and Winery / Round Pond Estate / Rubissow / San Francisco Wine Exchange / San Lorenzo Winery / Santa Barbara Winery / Saucelito Canyon / Selby Winery / Shafer Vineyards / Sinor-LaVallee / Small Vines / Staete Landt Wine Co. / Stemmler Winery / Stewart Cellars / Taft Street Winery / Thomas Fogarty Wines / Three Sticks Winery / Tierra Divina Vineyards / Titus Vineyards / Vias Imports Ltd. / Vintage Wine Estates / Volker Eisele Family Estate / Warner Henry Offerings / White Hart / Winesellers, Ltd. / ZD Wines

Admittedly, for the first few minutes I wandered around a little shell-shocked, trying to figure out where to start. Then I locked eyes with Andrew Murray of Andrew Murray Vineyards and I was “off to the races”. Andrew’s wines were some of my first Rhones and I am always very fond of them. Especially liked the 2015 Esperance Rose [100% Cinsault] and the 2013 Esperance red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. I also lucked out that he had brought his Toasted Slope Syrah as well.

After that, in semi-alphabetical order, here are some of the other standouts for me:

Amavi Cellars is based in Walla Walla. Their Estate Walla Walla Valley 2013 Syrah was delicious.

Ancient Peaks Winery and Sinor LaVallee – I always enjoy seeing winemaker Mike Sinor at these events. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there but his wife Cheri LaVallee Sinor was, who I would have recognized sooner if I had bothered reading her nametag. [See below for another nametag faux pas on my part.] Anyway, here’s what I liked from Ancient Peaks and Sinor LaVallee –

Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Ancient Peaks Renegade 2013 [93% Syrah, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot]

Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge 2012 – always my favorite from Ancient Peaks, this year’s blend was 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

Sinor LaVallee Syrah SLO County 2014

Sinor LaVallee Syrah Black Label 2013

Dashe Cellars – Michael and Anne Dashe are known for their stylish zinfandels [Todd Brothers Ranch Old Vines is always a favorite]. Anne was pouring the 2013 of this along with other wines, including a few from Dashe’s Les Enfants Terrible series [a Grenache and two Zins] made in a semi-carbonic maceration method using whole clusters and berries. Fun wines. And for once I didn’t wait until the end to taste the late harvest Zin; I always plan to and never make my way back. Glad I didn’t wait – delicious.

District 3 – nice lineup of affordable wines from the Sonoma Coast. Really likes the 2014 Chardonnay.

Joullian Vineyards – from Carmel Valley. Enjoyed the 2015 Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and the 2013 Sias Cuvee Zinfandel.

Lumen – and now for my second nametag blunder of the day. I didn’t not realize that Lumen is famed winemaker Lane Tanner’s current project, and I didn’t recognize her immediately. When I finally noticed her nametag, I asked “Are you that Lane Tanner?” Duh. Anyway, loved the 2014 Grenache and the 2013 Sierra Madre Vineyard Pinot Noir. An added treat was tasting the 1990 Lane Tanner Pinot Noir from the same vineyard.

Lynmar Estate – I’ve reported on winemaker Shane Finley’s other projects but had never tasted the Lynmar wines. Really liked the 2013 Estate RRV Chardonnay.

Mindego Ridge Vineyard – winemaker Ehren Jordan [formerly of Turley and now his own Failla label] brings his genius to this Santa Cruz mountain label. The 2014 Chardonnay was outstanding.

San Lorenzo Winery – Peter Seghesio’s project. Excellent 2014 RRV Chardonnay under the Journeyman label as well as an outstanding 2014 Zinfandel from the San Lorenzo Vineyard.

Shafer Vineyards / Eighty Four Wines – Doug Shafer himself was there pouring some truly outstanding wines. Loved everything I tasted: 2013 Merlot, 2013 One Point Five, 2013 Relentless as well as the 2012 Malbec and 2010 Petite Sirah under the Eighty Four Wines label. An added bonus was the 2005 Hillside Select. Wow!

Big thanks to HWG for hosting this. Always a great event.

An Invitation to TASTE THE WORLD (of spirits) 2016 with Henry Wine Group

May 20, 2016 by evebushman

We recently enjoyed a “grand tasting showcasing the Wine and Spirits of over 300 producers from around the world”, at The Beverly Hills Hotel and hosted by The Henry Wine Group, a “Fine Wine and Spirits distributor serving California since 1985.”

In this event, just as we’ve done in the past, I covered the spirits’ portfolio while my business partner, Michael Perlis, did his best to cover probably four or five times as much in the wine section.

The Distilled Beverages

Of note for me in the whiskey category was Kinahan’s blended and 10 year-old single malt Irish whiskies, Edradour 10 year old single malt whiskey, Signatory single malt bottlings of Clynelish 17 year old (my personal new favorite), Highland Park aged 16 years and Bruichladdich 22 year old.

I discovered Northern California’s Charbay’s Ruby Red Grapefruit, true-to-taste Meyer Lemon and Green Tea flavored vodkas, a Tahitian vanilla rum, the “Nostalgie” Black Walnut liqueur as well as two interesting hop-flavored whiskies.

Bainbridge stole the show with their organic wheat vodka, organic wheat whiskey and organic wheat gin. And the real surprise in the flavor category for me was taking that already-killer vodka and infusing it with real vanilla bean. Would be perfect over ice alone in my opinion.

Under “other” I liked the Blackwoods Small Batch Gin; three Amaros: Meletti, Montenegro and Monte san Costanzo; the subtle differences between Meletti’s Anisette and Sambuca; getting a broad education on tequila, rustico, anejo and reposado from the Haas Brothers over some really smooth Don Amado; rums from Panama-Pacific; revisiting Clear Creek Distillery goodies and finding my fave Douglas Fir Brandy dialed down a notch – in a good way.

Genever stole my heart from Diep 9, both the “young” and “old” versions. Like gin kicked up a notch, if that can be done, this spirit is distilled from grain with herbs, the older version with the addition of French oak barrel aging. The Smooth Ambler Greenbriar gin was great as well.

Most of what I enjoyed can be seen in this short YouTube slide show.

SPIRIT LIST AT PRESS TIME

Alvear / Avuá Cachaça / Bodegas Baron / Caribbean Spirits Inc. / Charbay Distillery & Winery / Clear Creek Distillery / Craft + Estate / Domaine Select Wine & Spirits / Elixir / Flemish Lion / Haas Brothers / Imbue / Indigenous Selections / Meletti (Opici) / Montanero Mezcal / Siebra Spirits / Smooth Ambler Spirits / Total Beverage Solution / Vias Imports Ltd.

WINE LIST AT PRESS TIME (Look to Michael Perlis’ coverage on the wine portion of this event.)

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. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com