Wine & Cheese Tasting
September 1st & 3rd
Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 12 PM – 5:00 PM
Mountain View Chardonnay 2009
Origin: Monterey County, California
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: “Chardonnay fruit originating from highly-regarded vineyards in the cool microclimates of the region has yielded a quintessential Monterey offering - as we have produced since 1985. The rich tropical fruit aromas and ripe varietal flavors are balanced by the crisp acidity prized by wineries throughout the state. This wine is sure to please a wide range of palates as it develops in the bottle.”
Food Pairing: This Chard pairs well with Crab, Shrimp, Salmon, Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Veal, Pork, D’Affinois, Gouda, and Parmesan. The following spices bring out the best in this Chardonnay: Basil, Thyme and Saffron.
Victor Hugo Les Mis Rose 2010
Origin: Paso Robles, California
Varietal: 70% Syrah and 30% Malbec
Tasting Notes: The wine was aged on its lees passively for 5 months in seasoned French oak prior to bottling. This process produced a richer mouthfeel and allowed the wine to be bottled with minimal filtration. Only 175 cases produced. Fresh, very pure and really elegant, the nose brings out clean, delicate and engaging fragrances of freshly picked red fruits (wild strawberries, raspberries and blackberries). A full, tasty and smooth impact; the mouth reflects great continuity with the fruits unveiled by the nose, developing towards smooth and warm flavors (red fruit coulis, raspberry jelly).
Food Pairing: This is a rosé that is sure to delight many a palate. Perfect for the summer and fall cookout season; it pairs well with chicken, turkey, tuna, swordfish, lobster and most other seafoods and salads.
Garnet Monterey County Pinot Noir 2009
Origin: Monterey County, California. Planted on western benchlands near the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, the Pinot Noir vineyards dip in and out of the fogline during the ripening season, and though they are very much influenced by the cool fog, they get enough heat to express full, forward fruit character.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe strawberry and red cherry are followed by plump, generous fruit flavors that are pure, complex, focused and balanced. It gains depth and complexity in a long, resonating finish. All of the vineyard lots were fermented and aged separately in French oak for 9 – 14 months.
Food Pairing: Pinot
Noir is well-suited to pair with poultry, beef, fish, ham, lamb and pork. It will play well with creamy sauces, spicy
seasonings and may just be one of the world's most versatile food wines.
Mountain View Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 100% Napa Valley fruit. 87% Rutherford appellation Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot
Tasting Notes: The renowned Rutherford “dust” character is exemplified in this recent release which shows the warm earthly spice and black currant overtones characteristic to the region. The moderate tannins give way to generous fruit and an alluring mouth feel. The wine is eminently enjoyable in its youth, but will certainly broaden in texture and depth with age. Aged 14 months, in 35% new French oak. “Some of the best values in the marketplace have come from Mountain View. Smart consumers should be buying these wines by the case…” - Robert Parker
Food Pairing: This wine is the perfect partner with steaks, venison, standing rib roasts, braised short ribs, strong cheeses and fresh grilled salmon.
Turnbull “Old Bull” Napa Valley Red 2008
Limited Quantities Available – we should make it through the Saturday tasting.
Origin: Napa Valley, California.
Varietal: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 28% Syrah, 4% Barbera, 4% Zinfandel and 1% Sangiovese.
Tasting Notes: With the Old Bull they blended several grape varietals to create a wine that is more compelling and richer than the sum of the parts. This wine is rich with aromas of plums, berries, dried cherries, and a touch of mocha, with dense dark flavors of blackberry and cocoa. Wine Enthusiast 91 points.
Food Pairing: This
is a great red that will pair well with red meats of all types as well as
strong cheeses and full flavored pasta dishes
.
Ironstone Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel Deaver Vineyard 2007
Origin: Amador County, California
Varietal: 100% Zinfandel. Located at an elevation of 1,100 feet, Deaver’s ancient Zinfandel vines were planted in the Shenandoah Valley during the late 19th century.
Tasting Notes: This Amador County Zin is everything you’d expect including this regions’ signature of abundant pepper and spice immaculately integrated into this exquisite wine. Big and rich, it’s filled with aromas and flavors of raspberries and cranberries with nuances of chocolate and cherries. Its well-rounded tannins and exquisite structure provide a long, lingering dark, fruit finish. 500 cases made. Wine Enthusiast - Strong and assaultive now in massive fruit, spice, oak and minerals, this old vine Zin offers a flood of wild blackberries, mulberries, red currants, licorice, cocoa, violets, black pepper and sandalwood, and the list goes on and on. It’s tannic and dry and very complicated, a Zin that changes by the second. Should last for many years. Now, with rich fare, and through 2019. Score:92. —Steve Heimoff, April 01, 2010.
Food Pairing: The
dark fruits, sweetness and peppery spices in this Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel
will pair perfectly with a creamy and herbaceous fettuccine pork Bolognese or a
rich, braised beef dish with lots of hearty vegetables. Zin is a perfect barbecue food match as well
as a traditional pairing with hearty pasta dishes. This is also a great pairing
with a juicy steak.
Graff Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2005
Origin: Ürziger Würzgarten, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany.
Varietal: 100% Riesling. The Ürziger Würzgarten (spice garden of Ürzig) with its weathered red volcanic and slate soil produces unique wines with exotic, spicy aromas and mesmerizing earthiness.
Tasting
Notes: Like
only few other wines from the Middle Mosel, the Ürziger Würzgarten reflects the
unique features of this vineyard site. A delicate spiciness combined with the
typical fruity characteristic (peach of blossom) of the Riesling grape and a
mouthwatering apple like acidity.
Food Pairing: Appetizers to desserts, pork, poultry or fish. Rieslings are also able to handle the spice and zest of flavored Asian foods.