), the one positive is bicycling is comfortable into December this year. 
So, I was bicycling through the beautiful Carneros region when I discovered, literally across the road from the Taitinger Abomination (that horrible, horrible cheezy faux-chateaux) a beautiful family-owned winery, Cuvaison. This building was stunning...a classic current take on Mid-Century Modern. Located on a knoll, full view of the rolling vinyeards (and you cannot even view Chateau Fromage across the road!), this was a beautiful, comfortable room for a tasting.
And, I quite liked the wines. The Kite Hill Chardonnay HAD undergone full malolactic and plenty of new oak, so the caramel and vanilla was there in spades at this young, young age. BUT...and this is a big but...the fruit was so vibrant that the wine was singing quite nicely. Brilliant, prickly acidity. A very lonnnnngggg finish as well. It should not be my style, but it was so vivaciouss and pretty. It actually went well with Thai food later! The Pinot was also delicious. Again, quite rich, but also showing great acidity and cut and a nice finish. Not too much Carneros cherry candy character....more balanced and earthy and Burgundian. Not as clearly Burgundian as the Folk Machine below, but still very nice.
2011 Folk Machine Architect and Buoy Pinot (Sonoma Coast). 2011. 12.3% ABV!!!! Kenny L's wonderful light, tangy, "Burgundian" take on Pinot was a nice, nice wine. I'm not sure I would pick this as a California wine if tasted blind. Lighter ruby color, reticent nose, plenty of acid, definitely on the "forest floor," plum skin, sour cherry side of things. Light and tangy/sour. Delicious stuff!
2012 Harrington Wines Secatour. Wow. This is a strange wine! If I remember correctly, it has Nebbiolo and Trousseau and NEGRETTE in the blend. Who grows NEGRETTE in California? Why?
Wow. Anyway, this was an interesting, interesting blend which tasted to me notably of Southwestern France. It has that ferric character to it...but maybe I was just looking for that character??? My friend John bought me a bottle.
Preston Family-Club Shipment
The Sauvignon Blanc was fantastic...very tangy and not at all New Zealandish! Closer to Sancerre, I think. Great minerality.
The Madam Preston white blend was rich and tangy.
The 2012 Old Vine Carrignane was very rich and earthy while retaining that bright herbal, "weedy" note I love in Carrignane. Pretty impressive, more depth of character than some C wines I have tried...up there on my pantheon of Carrignanes!
However, it was the 2012 Unsulfured Syrah that really, really impressed me. Amazing depth of Syrah fruit, high toned and floral. Even with no Viognier in the blend. Lower alcohol as well (13.2%) This was a wow wine for me. I have been trying some amazing Syrahs during the last couple of months, and this wine really sung! If the Preston Family wines had a heyday, they must have been remarkable, because I like them now quite a bit!