I guess this started out as an All California Wine Tasting but Oregon and Washington wines were added to the line-up. ( I regretted that this year's Charlotte Food and Wine weekend put so much emphasis on California wines and Cabernet Sauvignon--I enjoy it more when European wines get equal or almost equal billing and since this event is only held in even-numbered years, I will have to wait until 2018 for a crack at a European wine tasting in Charlotte.)
We had twelve wines with vintners present.
1. Darioush 2014 Viognier. Some new French oak finished in stainless. Warm vintages in 2014 and 2015. These grapes were picked in September. Bottled about two weeks ago. Pleasant drinking. The only white in the line-up. Sold out of Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. Elk Cove 2014 Pinot Noir Mt. Richmond Vineyard, Oregon presented by Adam Campbell. I had had this wine the evening before at the Elk Cove Wine Dinner. Northern part of Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Cool nights. Pick in late October or even November. Steep hillside vineyard with sandy, well-drained soil. Planted in 1996 with a Pommard clone. Black cherry, spice and higher tannins than some of the other Elk Cove single-vineyard designated wines.
3. Barnett 2013 Merlot Spring Mountain District presented by David Tate. Sold out of Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyard started 30 years ago; still a family-owned operation. Wine had a lengthy finish, viscous. Volcanic rock; stressed vines. Only two people handling production. Smaller berries; extraction very quick requiring less maceration or skin contact; 12 days on skins.
4. Clos Selene 2012 Hommage A Nos Pairs Reserve presentede by Guillaume Fabre. The fruit nose struck me as unusual or unique--mystery resolved--I thought we would be sampling a Cabernet and instead it was a Syrah. From the west side of Paso Robles. I inquired about the alcohol level and it was 15.8 abv. Somewhat tannic, long finish, spicier than the previous wines. Company makes mostly Rhone variety wines. This was 93% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 2% Viognier.
5. Favia 2013 Rompecabezas presented by Kimberly Perricelli. The name is the Spanish word for jigsaw puzzle. 44% Grenache, 30+% Syrah (I didn't catch the rest but it had some Mourvedre.) The vineyard is in Amador County, CA. Aged in concrete containers and neutral oak. The Grenache and Mourvedre grapes are picked at the same time although the Mourvedre is not as ripe and then co-fermented with the Syrah being added later. Grenache is whole cluster.
6. Anderson's Conn Valley 2012 Eloge presented by Todd Anderson. This vintage was 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Mellow; not very tannic at all. Eisele clone. Todd started making wine in 1987. 6000-7000 cases annually. The wine was slightly chewy on the finish. One of my favorites of the tasting.
7. Arietta H Block 2012 Hudson Vineyard presented by Fritz Hatton. Juicy, vibrant, very young tasting. Wouldn't you know my favorite of the tasting would be the most expensive one. Offered at $206 or $185 on a mixed case. I wouldn't pay that much, but I did really like this and it was the one pour that I drank completely. Cabernet Franc dominant with Merlot. Vineyard tasting requires advance appointment.
8. Andrew Geoffrey 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain presented by Peter Thompson. Wine company named after his sons. 78% C.S., 18% C.F., 4% Petit Verdot. This wine tasted lighter to me than almost all the other wines. It was a difficult vintage in 2011 with a lot of moisture and wetness. Winemaker says a slightly green element in the '11 vintage.
9. Doubleback 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon presented by Drew Bledsoe! Walla Walla, WA where Drew grew up before playing in the NFL with Patriots and two other teams. Raspberry flavors; fruit forward. Drew says the fruit there tends toward a more feminine style. Chris Figgins from Leonetti Cellars was winemaker for Doubleback in its early years. Estate vineyards are actually in Oregon. Current winemaker is Josh McDaniel (or McDaniels?) 91% C.S., 6% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and `1% Merlot.
10. David Tate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Street presented by David's partner and fiancee Suzanne Gay (moderator joked about his gay lover.) Grapes from valley floor in St. Helena. `100% Cabernet Sauvignon. David Tate worked under Paul Draper at Montebello.
11. Round Pond 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon "Rutherford" presented by Diane Cline. Volcanic, gravelly soil. Partly new barrels. Dollop of Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Family owned and operated in middle of Napa Valley. Planted 92% to Cabernet Sauvignon. Also grow some Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
12. Turnbull 2013 Fortuna Cabernet Sauvignon presented by Burroughs Blind. Family owned in middle of Oakville. Mainly sold directly to consumers. Darkly colored; opaque. Owned now by Patrick O'Dell. One of the older Napa vineyards once part of Christian Brothers. Some spiciness and red cherry fruit; easily drinkable.
Two auctions were held for one full bottle each--a Charlotte Food and Wine board member won; auction of remainder of opened bottles--Drew Bledsoe won (I think at $1800.) Money goes to children's charitable causes in Charlotte.
