THE “SPRING ARRIVES” TASTING
Friday marks the first day of Spring, 2015. To mark the occasion, we’ll enjoy a selection of fresh, lively wines ~ from California Friday, and from Europe Saturday ~ with the caveat that one of the Saturday wines is made from the California estate of one of Spain’s largest wineries, Torres.
We’ll begin Friday with a Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay, then enjoy a crisp Rose from Luli. Following, we’ll sample two great Cabernets ~ a Round Pond from Rutherford, and a rising star, Hidden Ridge Cabernet with its sparkling 94 pt rating! Lastly, we’ll see how a big Napa Syrah is tasting after 8 years in bottle.
Saturday, we’ll kick things off with an Alsatian Riesling, then enjoy the Marimar Pinot Noir from Marimar Torres, a 90 pointer that Robert Parker says “tastes just like premier cru Burgundy.” Afterward, northern Italy shows off the classy Produttori Barbaresco, followed by Guigal’s Cotes du Rhone. The finale will be one of Spain’s most powerful wines, the Numanthia Numanthia from Toro!
See you this weekend!
Patrick
Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:
Friday, March 20th, 2015 5pm – 7pm – $20/person
Saturday, March 21st, 2015 3pm-5pm – $15/person
759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
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Friday, March 20th, 2015 5pm – 7pm – $20/person
The “Spring Arrives” Tasting
Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay 2013 ($22.99 During Tasting)
- Originally sourced from one small block of Sangiacomo Vineyard’s famed “Home Ranch,” the vineyard sources have expanded to several of Sangiacomo’s best blocks. This cool, windswept vineyard has an ideal location bordering San Pablo Bay where the grapes slowly mature developing intense varietal character, while retaining excellent acidity and structure.
Luli Rose 2014 ($34.99 During Tasting)
- Crisp and fresh. Made in a vin gris style, the red grapes are pressed immediately when they arrive in the winery. The juice is not allowed to sit on the skins, limiting the amount of its color. A beautiful, vibrant wine results.
Round Pond Cabernet 2012 ($31.99 During Tasting)
- Intense, with vibrant, snappy, extracted dark berry, underbrush, fresh earth, black licorice and cedar notes. Maintains focus and ends with a persistent push of flavors. Drink now through 2021. Wine Spectator’s Top Value
Hidden Ridge Cabernet 2012 ($49.99 During Tasting)
- “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degrees Slope exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as beautiful, sweet crème de cassis, Asian plum sauce, licorice and forest floor notes. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, and impressive concentration, texture and length, this superb Cabernet can be drunk early in life because of its velvety opulence or cellared for two decades.” 94 Points Robert Parker
Venge Syrah 2006 ($34.99 During Tasting)
- Aims for succulence and opulence and delivers, with a wealth of blackberry jam, plums, carob, pepper, thyme and cedar. Definitely in the New World-California style, which is soft, superripe and fruity-sweet.
Saturday, March 21st, 2015 3pm – 5pm – $15/person
The “Spring Arrives” Tasting Part 2
Dopf Riesling 2012 ($17.99 During Tasting)
- Fresh, with white flowers and slightly mineral (gun flint). Well balanced, with a good acidity. Lemon, grapefruit and green apple aromas and a hint of mineral. A very typical Riesling with a nice acidity (freshness) and a good fruitiness.
Marimar Pinot Noir 2010 ($32.99 During Tasting)
- “The 2010 Pinot Noir La Masia’s red apple skin, cherry, plum and foresty notes are very premier cru Cote de Beaune-like. In the mouth, broad, savory, medium-bodied flavors reveal excellent softness as well as enough definition and freshness. This is a dead-ringer for some of the premier cru Cote de Beaunes from Louis Jadot and Joseph Drouhin I used to drink when they were inexpensive and widely available in the late seventies. 90 Points Robert Parker
Produttori Barbaresco 2010 ($32.99 During Tasting)
- “Beautiful aromas of white truffles, plums and berries. HInts of spices. Full to medium body with fine tannins and beautiful licorice, berry and fennel seed. Very pretty length.” 92 Points JS
Guigal Cote du Rhone 2011 ($15.99 During Tasting)
- Full with a long finish and plenty of elegance and finesse due to the well balanced tannins and fruit.
Numanthia 2008 ($44.99 During Tasting)
- In the glass it reveals its voluptuous proportions, savory flavors, and outstanding volume. Like all previous Numanthias, this is hugely structured and tannic, with ripe berry, spice and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes massive, with mocha, coffee and toast. Grabby and hard now, but delicious. 93 Points Wine Advocate
