Day One:
Red Car - nice enough stop, but no futures or wine boughtSiduri - A case of futures of the Papera Ranch Zinfandel and a couple of odds and ends
Benovia - Nice stop. No futures, but we picked up 3 bottles of their Zin.
Russian Hill - Just picking up our futures from two years ago. They don't participate in barrel tasting anymore. Moved on to the next winery.
Joseph Swan - Picked up the futures from last year (Trenton Syrah). The 6 wines they were pouring weren't showing all that well, although the Tannat was interesting.
Sunce' - OMG. There were 20+ wines to drink here. The Cab Sau from Knights Valley was compelling enough to buy on futures.
Went back into town to try to catch Carol Shelton before they closed. We failed. Instead, we ended up in a little warehouse (in the same complex as my wine locker, All Ways Cool).
Premonition Cellars - Young, upstart winemaker has got a touch for Pinots. The case that we bought on futures was worth every penny times TWO! If you find the place, you'll pull out your wallet and spend your last dollar for a chance to claim this wine for your own.
Colagrossi - The pinots are good, but the star of this show was a blend called Vino Rosso. We left with 3-4 bottles of it, it was so good.
Desmond - This is a very small winery with fewer than 300 cases. They grow and sell their grapes to Colagrossi, among others. I think they do a better job of making Pinot with their grapes. 3 bottles here was a no-brainer.
Day Two:
This was a slow day, but only because we spent time at Windsor Oaks at a seminar.Windsor Oaks - The futures weren't as good as last year, but the Sauvignon Blanc was worth it. We bought a case for next year's release. The Realm of the Senses was the highlight of the stop. A blind, Ph. D. student blindfolded us and walked us through several scents that we later associated with five wines. I don't want to spoil the ending, but two of the wines we tasted were worthy of significant purchase. As Club Members, we continued our tasting in the VIP Room were we tasted another 8 or 9 wines. The noshes were paired very nicely with the wines, so if you're hungry (and a club member) then you'll sate your appetite.
Sbragia - This is the first time in recent memory that they actually put their futures up for sale. The three wines they were tasting were really worth the futures price. We didn't buy, but our friends did. These wines get better and better. You should know that this is a fun stop, by now, or you haven't been paying attention. It's out-of-the-way, but sack-up and get out there.
Mazzocco - Stopped to pick up futures from last year. They hadn't released it, so it was a wasted stop. The four wines they were tasting out of the barrel were not up to par. I'm so done with this place.
Day Three:
Trione - They had a couple of wines in the barrel, but they don't sell their wines on futures. No big deal, though, the tasting of their current releases were compelling enough. As usual, it was easy to leave with a case, particularly the Cab Sau Reserve was work 1/2 of a case. Since you should be starting your tastings at the furthest geographic location, this is your best place to start.Dutcher Crossing - Two wines were being poured on futures; one pinot noir and one zinfandel (Bill's Block). The zinfandel futures were worth buying if you enjoy Maple Vineyard zins and I do...
Truett-Hurst - Now this was a nice party, with food and three nice wines in the barrel. None of them compelled me, but this is a good stop on any day.
Mauritson - The best wine was in the club member's area (as was all the food!). The Uncle's Block zinfandel is awesome! A case of futures will be thoroughly enjoyed by all! I can't wait!
Stephen & Walker - This is a little place in Healdsburg that we came across while trying to find Selby (which we failed to do). The three wines they were selling on futures were not noteworthy. Move along.
Topel - They were pouring four wines out of barrels, but the cabs at the bar are why we stop here. If you can fit in 20 minutes, this is a good filler stop.
Pezzi King - This is a great alternative to Rosenblum's big, jammy zinfandels. This has some really nice wines, both in the bottle and in the barrel. It's worthwhile to taste these if you enjoy the bigger, fruit bombs for zinfandels.
Sapphire Hill - Secrets and Lies. This is what I carry out of this winery. There are two wines in the barrel, here that you'll likely enjoy (or will you?). The 2011 Dry Creek Zin and the 2009 Syrah are about to be released from the barrel (or will they?). The Zin needs more time in the barrel, but the syrah has been in the barrel for 3.5 years and is so ready to be bottled. This is a nearly perfectly balanced syrah with very complex flavors and an earthy finish that lasts forever. It's a classic, to be sure (or is it?). The proprietor (Lisa) was behind the bar and was very hospitable. As they were closing up, she shared some wines from their stock that weren't on the list. I can't tell you about them all, but I'll say that their Montrachet was worth a half case, the Cabochon blend was worth a couple more bottles, and I put my money down on a wine that is yet to be released, but will be one of the shining stars of my cellar. They simply call it "The Q" and it's not yet labelled, bottled, or anything, but it is the most sublime wine I've had in years. I normally use Turley as the gold standard for zinfandel, but they've been unseated! Retail, the 90 cases of this wine will sell for $140 a bottle, but the special few of us who are club members enjoy a special discount. Sign-up and you'll see for yourself (or will you?).
