WTN: 2006 Curtis Heritage Blanc

• 2006 Curtis Heritage Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast (9/19/2007)
  
  A 50/50 blend of Vigonier and Roussanne, there is no RS. Rich florals on the nose and palate. Pear, peach and mineral vie for attention. A clean line of acidity makes this refreshing. At $12 for wine club members, this is a no-brainer. We drink lots of Rhone whites, and this is one of the better we have had from CA ... (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[Jenise]

That's one of the first complimentary reviews I've seen of a Curtis wine. Are you a member of their wine club?

We just recently became members, yes. I can honestly say that, at their price point and for my palate, they are very good wines. We had a couple of years back the1999 Ambassador's Vineyard Syrah that was just amazingly good.

I don't hear or read much about this winery. It is now, I think, separate from the Firestone operation that ran it before (which has been sold off to Foley Estates)... the winemaker, Chuck Carlson, seems to know what he is doing... we've been at the tasting room 2-3 times.. and I really like everything they do.....and Jason Hagen says Chuck has his own label that is also quite nice.. ..

First off....did you get me any of this?

.....and Jason Hagen says Chuck has his own label that is also quite nice.. ..

Yes, chuck makes pinot from Arroyo Grande (I think one of the Talley properties). A big pinot. Not for everyone but very balanced. I think it is called Carlson.

Chuck also makes a syrah called Rock Hollow. Good stuff.

Jason

Under immense pressure on the home front, I ordered a 6 pack of this, Jason.... so we can open one at a VLG soon.

Maybe an all Carlson tasting...

[Jenise]

Jim, I remember visiting the Curtis tasting room like 15 years ago. It was just a little house somewhere in that Santa Ynez valley, and IIRC it was a side project of one of the Firestone women, a wife or a sister in law or something. I also remember not liking any of the wines--which has nothing to do with anything (my palate's changed, and perhaps they make better wines now) except to explain why I've been carrying around a negative impression all these years.

These wines are not Alban or Saxum....but they are not everyday plonk either... the whites are very good, complex, on target as varietals....the reds have some complexity and balance that makes them good food wines...

They are no longer a shack. Have a very nice tasting room down the street from Firestone...and are now a separate entity...

I'd say these Curtis wines fall in between the everyday, no challenge QPR and the upper echelon. They offer interest and value. Next time you are in the Los Olivos area, I think they are worth another try.... and they are close enuff to Mess Parker's for you to compare!!

They were part of the Foley purchase ... correct?

Doug Margerum makes his wines at the same place IIRC.

Jason

Firestone was bought by Foley.. Curtis was not part of the deal, as I understand it.
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-foley5sep05,1,1863859.story?coll=la-headlines-food

And, yes, Doug makes his wines at the Curtis facility. In fact, on some weekends, he is pouring out on the patio.

They are no longer a shack. Have a very nice tasting room down the street from Firestone...and are now a separate entity...

Separate entity but owned by Firestone ... Correct? Thought I would try again.

Jason

[Jenise]

Firestone was bought by Foley..

Firestone. Now there's a winery I never had a single good wine from. Again--it's been years since I've been there or tasted one of their wines, but I always found the wines harsh or awkward, and inconsistently so. Not that I've ever given it any thought, but I would presume from the fact that no one else ever shows up bearing their wines, that others have found little there that impressed.