Here’s how this works: each winemaker or rep has 5 minutes to pour and talk about the wine, and we have the same amount of time to drink and write about it. 12 rounds. Here we go…
Monthaven Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast)
Octavin technology — an eight-sided “box” guaranteed to be good 6 weeks after initial opening, all parts recyclable
$23.99 for 3L package (4 bottles)
Blackberry nose, medium-bodied fruit with long finish and moderate tannin
Doolhof Wine Estate
2009 Dark Lady of the Labyrinth
Retail: $19
Breakfast (coffee & bacon) nose, smooth fruit and more coffee/mocha, done in toasted oak
Magnificent Wine Company
House Wine 2007: 32% Cab Sauv, 31% Syrah, 30% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Zinfandel, 1% Cab Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Retail: $13
Dark fruit nose, a little light-bodied with regard to flavors, but would be a nice, light summer sipper
Ortman
2008 Sangiovese (Paso Robles)
Fruity-earthy nose, Sangiovese flavors, but not as acidic as one would expect from a Sangiovese; has a hot-climate backbone of cedar
Pairing suggestion: Tomato-based sauces
Louis M. Martini (owned by Gallo)
2006 Lot No 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mountain AVA’s in Napa Valley)
Retail: $120 (Srsly!)
Smooth and elegant with long, fruity/oaky finish
Isenhower Cellars
Bachelor Button Cabernet (Walla Walla): 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
Retail: $28
Great berry/butter nose, old vine grapes, kind of delicate for a Cab, but still good w/nice structure
Don Sebastiani & Sons
2008 The Crusher Petit Syrah
$12 Retail
Berry and toasty nose, great mouth full of dark berry fruit, good balance w/ adicity
Desert Wind
2008 Ruah: 46% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc
Retail: $20
Fruity, coffee nose; big fruit, a little chewy with buttery finish
Guessed hot, right with 14.5% ABV
Duck Pond Cellars
2008 Red Blend (Wahluke Slope, WA): 52% Merlot, 29% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon
Retail: $15
Bright fruit nose with leather, savory & chewy fruit, maybe a little bitter on the finish, but overall good; would be great with food
Molly Dooker
2009 Velvet Glove Shiraz
Retail: $180 (yes, srsly)
Ripe fruit with a little licorice on the nose, wow — very smooth and savory fruit, velvety
ABV %15.5
Trio Vintners
2007 Riot: 52% Sangiovese, 36% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre
Very smooth nose for a Sangiovese, but has the acidity of the Italian grape and roundness of the others
Ponzi Vineyards
2008 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
Earthy nose, earthy flavors continue on the palate with some interesting effervescence on the end of the tongue with typical Pinot cherry flavors
I think I just hit my tolerance, but that’s also 12. Oh, wait, can’t disappoint this guy…
Stoller
2007 Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
Retail: $25
Another super earthy Pinot. Light- to medium-bodied, but nicely balanced. I’m done.