posted 03-10-2011 11:35 AM            

FREEMARK ABBEY WINERY - In all the years we have been visiting the valley, we have never tasted here. We chose to do the Cabernet Comparison tasting at a fee of $20.00 and shared the tasting. We tasted the 06 Sycamore Vineyard, 06 Bosche Vineyard, 06 Partners and a Library Bosche Vineyard. All were less than 2000 case production. Of the four, we chose to purchase the 06 Sycamore Vineyard Cab. You get a taste of berries and spice, a nicely balanced bodied wine with a lingering smooth finish. We purchased one bottle because of it’s price tag of $70.00, but evidently the tasting fee is waved with a purchase.

REDMON WINERY - A new, and exciting find for us. We were met by Lisa Redmon and guided to a small tasting room in a “small red barn”. We were given the history of Redmon Winery from it’s humble beginnings as a hobby winemaking enterprise in their garage just a few years ago to the outstanding production of two wines today, of which the 06 Cab received a 97 point rating from Wine Enthusiast. We started with the 08 Carneros NV Chardonnay which was crisp and fruity with a nice citris crispness and a very nice finish. There are only 185 cases produced and at $35.00, we considered it a great buy. The style is that which we like and not the buttery Chard that many make, although I understand that more are getting away from that style. The second to taste was the 07 St. Helena NV Cab, and WOW, what a Cab it was. It is 100% Cab grapes with lots of fruit and an elegant lingering finish. They only make 254 cases, so you can see that this is a small winery. They were almost sold out of the 06 St. Helena NV Cab, but we were able to purchase a bottle of it along with a bottle of the 07. In 2011, they will be releasing a Cab blend of 80% Cab, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Although it has enough Cab in it to be consider a Cab, they elected to call it a blend. Look forward to tasting it. Since we made a purchase, we were not charged a tasting fee. I would consider this a “MUST” visit in the Valley.

We were near Taylor’s Refresher so we decided to have lunch. I will never again order a chocolate shake at Taylor’s. We felt that the palate was lacking considerably especially at the $8.00 price point. I have had a lot of good wines for $8.00 per glass.

DEL DOTTO - A fun, happening place. I did get the name of our host, but misplaced his card somewhere. We began with the 09 Sonoma Coast, Cinghiale Vineyard Chard, a nice crisp green apple with a nice citris nose. The 08 Sonoma Coast, Cinghiale Vineyard Pinot had a very nice fruity palate and nose. Very nice but could have a little more body for our palate. Next, the 05 Caves Merlot was tasting extremely well that day. A Cab drinkers Merlot at a good price point of $39.00 which we purchased to bring home. I thought the ‘08 NV Cab was outstanding and would have purchased it had we have had more room. At the end of the tasting, a cave tour was just starting and the host asked if we would like to join them, which we did. Nice tour with a couple barrel samples. I am not sure what the tasting fee was, but with the purchase, we were not charged a fee.

PROVENANCE VINEYARDS - We still have an 04 and an 06 Rutherford NV Cabs in our cooler which happen to be some of our favorites. We tasted the 07 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cab which was very flavorful. Then we tasted the 06 Rutherford NV Estate and liked it much better. Then I noticed they had two previous vintages on sale. We tasted the 06 Bekstoffer To Kolon Cab which was on sale at $45.00 (half price) which we enjoyed immensely . Then they brought out the 05 Rutherford Estate Cab and it just blew us away. Lots of bold fruit and a nice silky finish. At $42.50 (half price) we thought it a great deal . . . then Poohh6 writes that they purchase it at Cosco for $38.00. We shipped half a case home. Now, remember, with the 04 and 06 in our cooler, we can have a 3-year flight tasting. Awesome! Even with the purchase of six bottles, they still charged the $20.00 tasting fee.

ELIZABETH SPENCER - The tasting notes have disappeared somewhere and I remember that some of the wines were decent, but nothing that I would want to bring home. The tasting room was quite small and cramped. A small crowd would make it impossible. I don’t even remember what the tasting fee cost.

ROUND POND ESTATE - Somewhere I misplaced my tasting notes from RP. All I can really tell you is that we purchased the 08 Estate Cab that was a blend of Cabernet Savignon and Petit Verdot which made for a very rich, dark glass. We liked this one very much and made a purchase. Even with a purchase, they still charged the $25.00 fee. We probably will not taste here again even though the wines were good, but there are just too many out there with less than $25.00 tasting fee.

That was our day! We had had it! Our palate had had it. All in all, a good day. Probably the two highlights were Redmon and Provenance. Our favorite, Redmon by far.

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 03-11-2011).]