On Friday we have a special guest, John Dragonette, here to present five wines from Dragonette Winery. They focus on Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Rhone-style blends, primarily from Syrah and produce wines of the utmost quality and purity from the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County. We will begin with their highly acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc before moving on to four reds. They include the Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, a small production single vineyard Pinot Noir, and two of the aforementioned Syrah based Rhone style blends. It will be a great event.
On Saturday we will enjoy five red wines from Paso Robles, highlighting Chronic Cellars Winery. Chronic Cellars was a vision of Josh and Jake Beckett. “The concept of Chronic Cellars came about in the midst of harvest in 2004. We had used the term “The Chronic” to describe likable objects before, but we had never considered it a suitable descriptor for wine. We sat alongside the crush pad one evening in our wine stained clothes and wet boots laughing about the idea of a wine that targeted a casual lifestyle.” We will sample three of Chronic Cellars Rhone Style Blends before finishing with a Wine Spectator Top 100 wine, Austin Hope Syrah and the well received Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge which received an astounding 94 Points from Robert Parker.
- Jason Perry
Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:
Friday, February 21st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map
Friday, February 21st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person
Featuring “Talbott Winery”
2012 Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon ($29.99)
- “An outstanding white, the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc offers up subtle grassy notes as well as white peach, cream and citrus blossom to go with a medium-bodied, richly textured palate that stays pure and fresh. Barrel-fermented and aged just under eight months on lees, it has notable richness, yet never seems heavy or cumbersome. Enjoy it over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.” Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate 91 Points!
2011 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills ($44.99)
- Kicking off the reds and a deep, slightly earthy effort, the 2011 Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, elegant red that has solid length and texture. Showing plenty of spice, underbrush, earth and darker-styled fruits, it has wonderful freshness and should provide prime drinking for another 5-6 years, possibly longer. Drink 2014-2019.” Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate 89 Points!
2009 Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce ($49.99)
- “The 2009 Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce Vineyard emerges from the glass with layers of dark fruit, crushed flowers, hard candy and French oak. It is another perfumed, juicy wine endowed with a generous personality and plenty of style. Only a slightly bitter note on the finish keeps the score from going higher. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017.” Galloni Wine Advocate 90 Points!
2011 “Seven” ($39.99)
- This wine (95% syrah, 3% grenache and 2% mourvedre) is inky ruby with smoky aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, cola, olive tapenade and floral oils. It is very syrah-like, offering gently sweet blueberry and cassis flavors that provide impressive palate coverage. Becomes spicier and more floral with air and finishes smooth, sweet and long, with only a suggestion of tannins.” Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar 92 Points!
2007 MJM Syrah ($49.99)
- “Two solidly made red wines from Dragonette Cellars include the 2007 MJM, a blend of 96% Syrah, 3% Grenache, and 1% Viognier. Its attractive dark ruby/purple color is followed by sweet black currant, black cherry, damp earth, and forest floor-like aromas. Medium-bodied with good to excellent concentration as well as a slightly clipped finish, it should be drunk over the next 4-5 years.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate 88 Points!
Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person
Featuring “Chronic Cellars & Paso Robles Wines”
2012 Chronic Cellars Purple Passion ($17.99)
- Purple Passion is a blend of 73% Zinfandel, 18% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 3% Grenache, and 3% Counoise. A dark purple hue with romatics of Vanilla, Mocha, Dark Cherries, White Pepper, Roasted Almonds and Cedar. On the palate lots of juicy fruits, ripe strawberries, chocolate and leather. It is fullbodied with dark richness, mild tannins and balanced acidity.
2012 Chronic Cellars Sofa King Bueno ($24.99)
- What else do you get from Chronic Cellars, than a big, juicy Rhône-style blend with más sabor–this one’s 43% Syrah, 32% Petite Sirah, 11% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache and 6% Tannat. From Chronic Cellars; “The Rhone King! We take the best of the best, carefully blend them together – and you get Sofa King Bueno. Dark Color, black and red fruits, big game, full tannin and savory flavors are a dream come true.”
2012 Chronic Cellars Dead Nuts ($27.99)
- A blend of 63% Zinfandfel, 15% Tempranillo, 14% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 2% tannat. Zinfandel is California’s heritage grape. At Chronic Cellars we love Zin and love to blend with it even more. It has all the fruit that one could want and is always accepting to bring in some friends to play with. The added spice of Tempranillo compliments the white pepper of the zin. Then there’s the meat, smoke and leather of Syrah, which one can never go wrong with. Add in petite sirah and tannat with its big tannins, and it will always be a game winner.
2010 Austin Hope Syrah ($44.99)
- This red exhibits pure, rich, ripe and concentrated layers of blackberry, boysenberry and black licorice, with tannins that give the flavors depth and traction. Drink now through 2022. 1,175 cases made. –James Laube Wine Spectator 93 Points!
2008 Tablas Creek De Beaucastel Esprit ($54.99)
- The 2008 Esprit de Beaucastel flows with sweet dark cherries, flowers, tobacco and spices. It is a beautiful, classically built wine graced with striking inner perfume, lovely mid-palate juiciness and a round, utterly harmonious finish. Well-integrated, silky tannins linger on the close. This is a fabulous wine from Tablas Creek. My sense is that the wine should be tasted upon release and then again only after a number of years in bottle. In 2008 the blend is 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Counoise. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate 94 Points!
Hope to see you all out this weekend!
