Fine Weekend Wines

2011 "P2" from Copain. An Anderson Valley blend of 50% Pinot Gris and 50% Pinot Noir. Grown together, cofermented, etc. Delicious light summer "red" which reminded me very much of a good Cru Beaujolais. New convert to the School of Copain.

2009 Porter Creek Vineyard Syrah (Russian River Valley). Textbook Rhonesque Syrah...everything I like about syrah...some meatyness, earthyness, delcious berry fruit. Lovely texture. lower alcohol, too. Porter Creek remains one of my favorite Sonoma wineries...their Carrignane and Zin and Pinots were also outstanding, and very friendly staff!

2007 Dashe Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Boy...this was a fantastic bottle of cabby-cab. Licorice (anice!), dark fruit, lighter alcohol, textured structured mouth feel. Delicious and a bargain at 38!

2005 Serene Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. Made in Santa Cruz but sourced from Stags Leap. Fantastic red fruit (Stag's Leap typicite?) with noticeable tannins, a little more alcohol, definitely bigger wine than the Dashe...but all of his wines have wonderful acidity that make them very fresh tasting. The cork disintegrated on this one , but we were able to dig it out and filter the wine enough to enjopy it.

2009 Corison Napa Valley. Open three days and still a beautiful, beautiful mouthful of traditionalist Napa cab. Will be wonderful.

I picked up a few bottles of the Serene Cellars when I was in Santa Cruz in April. Good stuff and the owner also owns a coffee plantation in Kona and sells the coffee at the winery - also excellent stuff! I had a nice chat with him, as I was there when he opened, before he got busy - interesting character. He owns the vineyard in Napa, but likes Santa Cruz, so he makes the wine there.

I picked up a few bottles of the Serene Cellars when I was in Santa Cruz in April. Good stuff and the owner also owns a coffee plantation in Kona and sells the coffee at the winery - also excellent stuff! I had a nice chat with him, as I was there when he opened, before he got busy - interesting character. He owns the vineyard in Napa, but likes Santa Cruz, so he makes the wine there.

Yeah...he muttered darkly to me about the "My Italian Tuscan Farmhouse is bigger than your's" ethos of St. Helena.

Santa Cruz would actually be my ideal in many respects. Have to admit that is why I keep buying lottery tickets. A nice little bungalow off West Cliff Drive awaits.