posted 05-02-2011 01:51 PM            

Next was an unscheduled stop at a winery someone at Dutcher Crossing had suggested (one of the other guests). Truett-Hurst, which is right along the road between Dutcher Crossing and Unti. Another attractive tasting room and friendly staff. Several Zinfandels and a Petite Sirah - we came home with one of the zins and the petite sirah, but I’ll have to wait until we open them to tell you anything about them I was pretty close to the end of my palate, and I was chatting with a very friendly couple from Atlanta, so I wasn’t paying as much attention to the wines - I know I liked them, but who knows how much? That is one of my problems - I get to having so much fun talking to the other guests that I forget to focus on the wine But I have fun!!

Final stop of the day was in Healdsburg. A nice tasting room just down from the square - Stephen & Walker. Charming hostess and we did enjoy the wines. We came home with a Petite Sirah, two Zins and a blend. Again, looking forward to opening the wines so that I can remember what we liked.

posted 05-02-2011 01:47 PM            

Next was Stryker - we enjoy their wines and their tasting room. Our hostess was new to us, but very knowledgeable and friendly. A one point, Jen, the assistant wine maker came in (along with her German Shepard puppy). It was fun to visit with the two of them, and we had a chance to taste Jen’s Red - a 2004 blend that was her very own. Our friend bought a bottle and Jen signed it for her We came away with a couple of bottles of the E1K: Their description - This vintage represents two kinds of varietals (88% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot) and fruit from three different mountain top appellations: Monte Rosso from Sonoma Valley, Two Moon from high above Dry Creek Valley, and Speedy Creek from Knight’s Valley. Balanced acidity, elegance, subtle notes of sweet cherry, cola, anise, and a nose of roast coffee, pinewood shavings and eucalyptus characterize this dreamy wine.

Our lunch stop was at Coppola. We had lunch first and then a tasting. Since it was a Tuesday, things weren’t quite so crushed - much calmer. Rustic was delicious as always, and thus fortified, we went back over to the tasting bar. As I have said before, we do enjoy the Director’s Cut wines, but we aren’t wild about the Diamond Collection or the Sofia. The Francis Coppola Reserves have also been good - they have the arty faces on the label. And the Archimedes is wonderful. Here is their description: Archimedes is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and Cabernet Franc from Knights Valley. Atypical of most Cabernet Francs, ours is darker and more opaque than our Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredibly smooth, with velvety tannins and intense aromas of dark sour cherries, cranberries and sandalwood, this rich, robust wine exudes an amaz­ing array of berries and cassis, plus a tapestry of wood, spices, and tobacco.

So the rest of the afternoon was spent at new to us places! Here we go:
Dutcher Crossing - you all have to go We REALLY enjoyed all of their wines. Lovely tasting room, very good host, other guests were friendly and chatty - so we had a great time. Joined the club - we came home with a case made up of 2 each of the following: 08 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay, 09 Saralee’s Vineyard Chardonnay, 07 Taylor Reserve Cab, 07 Proprietor’s Reserve Cab, 07 Maple Vineyard Zin, and 09 Proprietor’s Reserve Zin. Loved their wines. While we were tasting, we noticed a group out back - eventually a man came in and, standing next to me, asked the host to hand him a bottle of Merlot that they could use for blending. I graciously handed him the dump bucket and said “Looks like there is some wine in here”. He laughed and said “I like a little better control on my blending”. Then our host introduced us to the Wine Maker!! oopsie - me and my silly smartypants ways He was quite charming and we do enjoy his wines.