My daughter was competing in dressage week at the Del Mar National Horse Show at the end of April so we were there for most of the week, staying in Solana Beach. While perusing the web for fun places to eat, I spotted a building labeled on Google maps as a winery. Closer investigation revealed a small, urban operation with a tasting room. Since daughter was only riding one horse at the show we had lots of free time and decided to visit Carruth Cellars.
2010 Lake County Encanto Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc - This incredibly pale wine had a pleasant grassy nose with a hint of citrus. In the mouth it was delightfully refreshing, light, but with full flavors of melon, peach and citrus dancing over the tongue.
2010 Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay - Aged in French and Hungarian oak, this wine displayed some vanilla, marzipan and spices over a bed of lemon and apple. Not well served by the 14.9% abv.
NV Solana Beach Red Tape Table Wine - The least favorite of the wines tasted, and at $30, not one I'd buy. Maybe at $10, but Laurel Glen Reds in that ballpark is so much better.
2008 Paso Robles Solana Vineyards Petite Sirah - Nice example of what this grape can do, black fruit, a hint of chocolate and substantial tannins with a tart finish. Throw some red meat on the grill and enjoy with this wine.
Lake County St Olof Vineyard Malbec - Dark berry fruit, floral notes and Eastern forest leaf mold. Well worth the $40.
2010 Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir - Cranberries, mushrooms, a little dirt and spices. Mouth-watering tart finish. No hint of the pop-tart character I find too often in California Pinots. I bought 2 bottles of this to take home.
I didn't catch which of the Cabernets that was poured, but it was nicely made with the oak dancing around and not getting in the way of the red berries, black plums and dark chocolate.
We also got a taste of a Bordeaux style blend from a cask. The blend was not yet finalized and hadn't been in the barrel yet, so this was all primary fruit and tannins from the skins. It showed a lot of promise and I look forward to trying the final product when released.
I joined the 2-bottle wine club (every other month) and got my first 'shipment' right there. One bottle was the SB and the other was a Tempranillo, which is in the "cellar" waiting to be opened.