Posts Tagged ‘Zinfandel’

W.E.T.C.O.W. Wine Tasting Event #11 – Galo Personal Selections

terraces cabernetThese wines were all savored by the Galos on their CA vacation and present to us for our sampling.

 

The Wines:

Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2009 – $23.00

Tasting Notes:
The ’09 Santa Barbara, released on the heels of the lauded 2008, is every bit as fresh, balanced, and delicious. The fruit comes from primarily Santa Maria Valley (Bien Nacido, Rancho Vinedo) and Los Alamos Vineyard. It is whole cluster pressed and fermented in neutral Francois Freres French oak barrels and was matured sur lie in the same barrels for 9-10 months. It was bottled without filtration. This natural, non-technological, stylish and traditional winemaking consistently produces elegant, textural, complex and food-enhancing Chardonnays. The ’09 reminds me of the ’85,’89,’92 and ’99, and ’02 wines. It has aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and custard apple. The flavors are smooth and integrated, creamy and tense, with apricot, golden delicious apple and lemon verbena nuances. This wine is the 28th in a series of ABC Santa Barbara County Chardonnays and embodies the same regional style that we have refined over the years.

 

Point Break – North Coast Red Blend 2008- $24.00

Tasting Notes:
A Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and a bit of Zinfandel Blend designed for layered complexity. This wine focuses the influences of a few red varieties (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Zinfandel) and seamlessly integrates them into an expression of aromas and flavors that reflect the climate of Northern California.

 

Grgich Hills Cellar Zinfandel 2007  – $39.00

Tasting notes:
We grow our Zinfandel naturally, without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, at our estate vineyard in Calistoga, nestled in the northern tip of Napa Valley. This food-friendly Zinfandel’s flavors of strawberries, licorice and a hint of white pepper make it the perfect match for grilled meats, Lasagna, pizza topped with tomato sauce and beef stews.

 

The Terraces Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – $39.00

Tasting Notes:
he Terraces is a family-owned, small producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel in the eastern foothills of Rutherford. We also make a limited quantity on Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. Our ranch is known as Quarry Vineyards in deference to the 125 year old rock quarry on the property. Although we grow grapes for several other Napa Valley wineries, we reserve seven acres of our oldest and best vines to produce The Terraces wines. The Terraces Zinfandel clone taces its roots to the vines planted on the ranch in the 1800s. This clone, the “Werle” clone produces an open cluster with small berries, which is recognized and coveted for its intense color and distinctive aromas and flavors. The Cabernet clones were selected from Caymus and Grace Family Vineyards. We firmly believe that the character of our wines, their intensity and their color are the results of our viticultural practices which produce very low yields per acre and are picked at optimal maturity. We produce 1500 cases annually.

 

The Scores:

 

Taster

Au Bon Climat Chardonnay – Santa Barbara, CA 2009 $23.00

Longboard Vinyards Point Break North Coast 2008 $24.00

Grgich Hills Cellar Zinfandel – Napa Valley 2007 $39.00

 

The Terraces Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley 2007 $39.00

 

 

Al B.

85

82

86

87

Sue B.

92

87

82

87

Eric D.

83

84

89

89

Felix G.

93

87

94

95

Lisa G.

89

84

93

97

John M.

84

75

88

89

Marlene M.

88

77

86

82

John O.

89

85

92

94

Angie O.

90

87

95

88

 
Average Score:

88.1

83.1

89.4

89.8

 

 

 

 

SCORING RESULTS (All) Galo Cali Vacation – Oct. 2011

 

 

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