Category Archives: Uncategorized

Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard

Livermore Valley, Uncategorized, Wine and food pairing, Wine Product Review, Wine Reviews, Wine topics, Wine Variety, Winemaker, , , , , , ,

Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard  is a hidden unknown gem in Livermore Valley, California.

Producing some of the best wine grapes and wines in California. And although most true wine loving aficionados and California wine country enthusiast ‘think’ they really know “Wine Country” well, I would bet most would be hard pressed to tell you much about Livermore Valley, or Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard.

Well (pardon the pun) Let’s Change This Travesty!

Murrieta’s Well Estate Winery is in Alameda County, and  is one of the oldest original wine estates in California, having 1st began growing grapes in the late 1800’s. Started by Louis Mel in 1884, he and his wife built a Gravity Flow Winery and planted grapevines. But not just any grapevines…

The vineyard has very prestigious pedigree having started from cuttings from the famed Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux vineyards in Bordeaux France!

Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard continues today to produce the highest quality fruit, and the some of the original vines from Bordeaux still grow on the estate today! In 1933 Louis Mel sold the property to his friend Ernest Wente, where it is still to this day part of the Wente Family Estate.

In 1990 Philip Wente & Sergio Traverso together began reviving the original winery. They named the winery Murrieta’s Well paying homage to the rich history of the property.

Fast forward to today and you find the UC Davis trained Winemaker Robbie Meyer. He is dedicated to spending as much time and effort as needed growing fruit in the vineyard, caring for it in the winery, and crafting into amazing wines. Robbie believes the wines are primarily made in the vineyard. Then after harvest; patiently and artistically blending the wines until they are exceptionally pleasing and intriguing at the same time.

“You have to be attentive to all that happens around you in the vineyard and winery. Be flexible, draw on your experiences, trust your instincts and have faith in your palate.”

Robbie Meyer, Head Winemaker

The wonderful Snooth Media sent several samples to me a few weeks back, and we did a Virtual Tasting with Snooth, many of the Wine Bloggers across the US,  and Winemaker Robbie Meyer. Here are my thoughts and tasting notes on the wines:

2017 Small Lot Sauvignon Blanc

Not your average Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel fermented  and Lees aged give it a med body. Complex & layered with Ruby Red Grapefruit, Apricot, Minerals, and Floral. Great acidity and body make this a special bottle. Retail $35 / 14.2 Alc.

 

 

 

 

2017 The Whip

Blend of 33% Sauv Blanc, 24% Semillion, 21% Chardonnay, 12% Orange Muscat, 10% Viognier. Aromatics from the Orange Muscat & Viognier. White Peach & Apricot plus richness  and body are byproducts of the Chardonnay & Semillion. White Peach, Apricot, and floral dominate the nose and the palate. While great with food, I think a beautiful summer sipper on the patio is what comes to mind! Retail $26 / 13.5% Alc.

 

2017 Dry Rosé

2017 Dry Rose

42% Grenache, 39% Counoise, 19% Mouvedre. This is an opulent wine! Not your light weight quaffable Provence wine, this is a unabashed lavish rosé. Salmon in color. Strawberry, Watermelon, Minerals, great acidity and LONG finish! Beautiful dry wine. Retail $30 / 13.5% Alc.

 

 

 

 

2015 The Spur

Blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Sirah, 18% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Each varietal is fermented and produced individually, then blended with care and patience. This is a powerful red wine, dark & mysterious in the glass. Blueberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Vanilla, and a hint of tobacco and spices on the palate and nose. Full body and smooth integrated tannins. This wine begs for a big juicy Rib Eye! Retail $35 (a steal) / 14.5% Alc

 

 

 

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Black fruits, Dark Chocolate, Black Cherry, Olive, Vannila, and fresh cut wood on the nose. Full body, medium tannins, balanced and refined. This is a big wine that is drinking great now, but I would love to lay down for about 15 years to see it’s brilliance evolve.  Very small production at 27 barrels total! 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cab Franc, and the blending is amazing. Think a more fruit forward version of Left Bank Bordeaux that can be enjoyed now! Retail $58 (are you kidding? Napa would charge $150+) / 14.2% Alc

 

Admittedly these were samples sent to me to review. But any of you that really know me understand if the wines are not up to par they will never be featured on these pages.

I have been a big fan of the wines from Murrietta’s Well Estate Vineyard for several years.  The quality overall that is being produced in SMALL LOTS in Livermore Valley are amazing. These wines are all very limited production and great values.

You can order wines  and get more information about the entire portfolio of Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard by clicking HERE.

Thank you Murrietta’s Well Estate Vineyards and Snooth Media for the opportunity to enjoy and share  these wines with my followers. Leave a comment below so I will know you were here, and share  your thoughts of these wines and my article please!

Terry Hill is the TEXAS WINEAUX!

Winemaker Markus Niggli

Lodi, Uncategorized, Wine Reviews, Winemaker, , , , , ,

Winemaker Markus Niggli is an amazing talented man with a real deep seated passion for his craft. He has been making astounding aromatic white wines at the “Oldest Independent Family Vineyard” in Lodi;  Borra Vineyards.

Bad News: Lodi’s historic Borra Vineyards closed at the end of 2017

Good News: Markus Niggli, bought everything and has began producing his own line of wines at the brand new MARKUS WINE COMPANY.

Steve Borra, a 3rd generation Grapegrower in Lodi started making wine from his families vineyards in 1967. In 1975 he started the “First Bonded Winery in Lodi” in a tiny shack off Armstrong Road and the legends of winemaking in Lodi were started.

Fast forward to a few years ago; Steve was ready to retire. And since his kids didn’t want to make wine, he decided to concentrate on the more profitable area of his family business; growing prize winning grapes and selling them for other winemakers and wineries. Markus and Partner Jon Bjork were the perfect fit to purchase everything for the winemaking side of the business,  and they began their own Lodi story.

Swiss born Markus Niggli started his wine carrier near Perth, Austalia where he studied viticulture, learning that the best wines are truly made in the vineyard.

“I’m a firm believer that you need to understand what is going on in the field”.

Later he arrived in Santa Rosa, CA where he started as a Viticulture Technician for Atlus Peak Winery.  While he started at the bottom. He didn’t stay there long. Talent, hard work, and a desire to learn have served Markus very well.

“As a winemaker, you must listen to the vineyard. You need to know the story of the fruit to make a great wine,” Markus Niggli

LoCa The Wines Of Lodi, Ca!

He moved to Lodi, California in 2006 because he knew he could learn and move up quickly in the up and coming Lodi AVA. He was hired by Steve Borra as as Cellar Assistant at Borra Vineyards. Steve Borra recognized his skills and work ethic and put him to work, increasing his responsibilities until eventually turning over the Winemaker title.

Soon afterward Markus convinced Bob & Brett Koth, owners of nearby Mokelumne Glen Vineyards to let him experiment with their unsold German grapes such as Kerner. That is when Markus really began pushing the envelope of Lodi wines, blending them with Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Bacchus grapes. It wouldn’t take long before the wine enthusiasts were beating a path to Lodi to try his unique dry, acidic, and incredibly aromatic white wines.

Wine Writer W. Blake Gray of the Gray Report said of the 2011 Intuition:

“This is a great wine, one of the best California white wines I’ve tasted this year. It’s delicious. And complex. And constantly interesting. Every sip was worth savoring. And it was even more delicious the next day”  

I first met Markus in September of 2016 when I was invited by the Lodi Winegrape Commission for a Press Trip. You can read more about that trip by clicking HERE. I tasted some damn incredible wines, and met the 4-5 generation Grapegrowers of Lodi off and on for 3 days. Markus so graciously hosted us under a grove of shade trees right next to the vineyards, and poured his aromatic white wines for us. I was blown away and an instant convert.

Markus pouring his wines for us on Press Trip

So when Markus contacted me and announced he was expanding to make four red wines all under his label Markus Wine Company, you can imagine I was beyond excited and asked him to send me samples ASAP!

Markus Wine Company

Here are my thoughts:

2015 Markus, Lodi Domo: 75% Carigan 15% Petite Sirah 10% Sirah. This is true OLD VINE Carignan from Borra Vineyards Church Block planted in 1920’s. Light weight and semi translucent in the glass. Cherry pie, Cranberry, clove, and spices. Great acidity and depth, and med tannins. Long finish.

2015 Markus, Lodi Zeitlos: 76% Syrah with just a dash of Viognier at 4%. The Syrah and Viognier were picked and co-fermented the same day in the old Rhone Valley tradition of France. The remainder of the blend is 12% Old Vine Carignan  and 8% Petite Sirah. This is a big wine, and possibly my favorite (see below). Deep purple in the glass. Med-heavy weight and firm tannins beg for lamb chops or roasted meats! Raspberry, Floral, Cherry, and Herbs dominate the nose and on the palate. I wish I had several bottles to cellar. I would love to taste this wine in 10 years, It should age beautifully.

2015 Markus, Lodi Blue: 90% Zinfandel from the Borra Vineyard planted about 50 years ago, with 5% Petit Sirah, and 5% Petit Verdot. THIS IS A BIG WINE! At 16.5% Alc , BLUE is reminiscent of big Zinfandels from Lodi, but more layers. Black Cherry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Spicy Pepper,  Plum, with a hint of Cedar. Tannins are velvety, and Blue will reward you with a long, long  finish of Pepper, Cedar & blue fruits! Well done.

2015 Markus, Lodi Sol:  42% Petite Sirah, 37% Syrah, and 21% Mourvedre all blended from the three best barrels of each varietal. Amazing nose of Blue fruits (Blackberry, Blueberry), Cocoa, and Wet Forest Floor. “SOL” is French for soil, and the name is perfect for this wine. As juicy & succulent of a red wine as this is, the earthiness that is so intertwined with the juicy fruits is brilliant. It begs for a big juicy sizzling ribeye steak fresh off the grill. I know I said I thought Zeitlos may have been my favorite of the 4 wines, but I could easily change my call to SOL… YES, It is that great.

As I stated earlier, I love Markus’s aromatic and acidic white wines. They are NOTHING like typical California butter bomb Chardonnay, and that is a good thing. I will still continue to love them. But understand the Markus Red Wines are outstanding, and even more outstanding is the suggested retail is $39  for each! That is a great price for red wines of this caliber. THAT is the beauty of LODI! The values that are coming out of the Lodi AVA are astounding. If you are ever in the area please send me a note and I will send you taste damn special wines made by damn special people!

Go to his website here for more information and to purchase his wines: http://markuswine.com/

Thank you again for taking your time to read my article. Please leave a comment below so I will know you were here, and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

Terry Hill is the Texas Wineaux!

 

 

 

 

 

Evening with Martin Ray Vineyards and Winemaker Bill Batchelor

Uncategorized, Wine and food pairing, Wine Dinner, Wine pairing, Wine Reviews, , , , , , , , ,

 

Martin Ray and Angeline wines poured tonight!

I have been a big fan of the incredible wines of Martin Ray Vineyards for many years. In my humble opinion Martin Ray Vineyards makes some of the best wines not only in California, but in the world. Their wines are constant 90-95 point scores in Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines year in and year out. And here is the biggest reason I love Martin Ray:

Martin Ray wines are great buys for the quality and priced for the average consumer!

In fact I dare say the overall portfolio of Martin Ray Vineyards and Angeline Vineyards are some of  the very best values in wine today.

My friend Robert Larsen of the Larsen Projekt said he was coming to Dallas, and he invited me to have dinner. I said yes immediately because Robert is such a great guy. He knows his wines, very funny and engaging, and never forgets that wine should be fun and not always so serious. He let me know he was bringing Winemaker Bill Batchelor and samples of the great wines of Martin Ray. So you can imagine that I was beyond excited!

I met Robert and Bill at Dallas Chophouse in downtown Dallas. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Dallas Chophouse, but had never actually visited. So I was thrilled when Robert suggested this beautiful place. The atmosphere was dark and luxurious, and the aged steaks were delicious. I highly recommend the food if you are in downtown Dallas and want a great meal.

I love meeting a winemaker personally. I have to admit I am somewhat of a wine geek. So when I get the opportunity to chat with them and pick their  brains, I am in my own personal heaven.  And I have to tell you; In my opinion Bill Batchelor really knows his craft. He has a very large portfolio to take care of with Martin Ray and Angeline and he personally gets involved in all aspects of the winemaking process. Yet he is very easy to talk to and you can really tell he has a tremendous passion for his craft.

HISTORY:  Martin Ray Vineyards history dates back to 1943 in the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains in California. The current home was originally Twin Fir Winery and established by William Hill in the geographic heart of Russian River Valley in 1881. This makes them one of the oldest continuously operated wineries in California. This winery later became Martin & Prati and was well known for good jug wine.

The current owner Courtney Benham purchased Martin Ray in 1990. He then moved the brand and custom crush facilities at Martin & Prati and purchased the property. He then changed the name to Martin Ray in 2007. In the coming years Courtney modernized practically every facet or production, and also turned the property into one of the most beautiful wineries in the area. I have made attempts to visit on my winery trips in the past, and I cannot wait to visit on my next trip!

We began the evening tasting through the Angeline Vineyards wines. These are wines that Martin Ray produces and are more “Value Priced”.

Angeline Vineyards

2016 Angeline California Rose of Pinot Noir:  Both whole-cluster & saignee method used to produce this dry rose. Floral notes along with watermelon, nectarine, and ruby red grapefruit. Crisp and acidic. Perfect for the pool or beach!

Angeline Rose

2016 Angeline Sonoma Coast County Sauvignon Blanc: Mostly Russian River Valley fruit with Dry Creek sourced as well. Not grassy like some SV, more Sonoma-like. Aromas of white peach, nectarine, and green apple. Minerals are present, but not overwhelming. Crisp, clean and lingering finish of green apple and peach. Ave retail will be in the $12-$14 range so a great summer everyday wine.

2016 Angeline Reserve Pinot Noir: Fruit sourced from Mendocino County, Russian River Valley, and Carneros.  Silky tannins and med light body.  Juicy strawberry, raspberry, black fruits, and cherry cola dominate with a clean finish of caramel and black fruits. Nice wine!

2016 Angeline Reserve Pinot Noir

Martin Ray Vineyards

2015 Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountains Bald Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay: Fruit is 100% from the steep hillside vineyards of Bald Mountain. Cool climate and high elevation define this chardonnay with crisp acidy and an underlying minerality. This is a graceful and elegant wine with fruit notes of key lime, golden apple, asian pear with crème brulee and hints of vanilla. 40% new French Oak, and lees are sired bi-weekly for first year to enhance complexity. 250 cases produced. Ave retail $35

2015 Martin Ray Bald Mountain Vineyard Santa Cruz

2015 Martin Vineyards Green Valley of Russian River Valley Chardonnay: Fruit from possibly my favorite AVA in Sonoma; Green Valley AVA. Only 300 cases produced so if you get your hands on this buy several! Hand picked, whole cluster pressed. Racked in French Oak barrels for fermentation. Lees stirred bi-weekly to maximize mouthfeel. Aged 12 months on 40% new French Oak. Traditional and elegant chardonnay. Complex layers of green apple, honeydew melon, key lime, grapefruit, and vanilla cream. NOT a butterbomb! Crisp, med-light body, great acidity and long finish. AT $30 suggested retail, not cheap but worth every dime.

2015 Martin Ray Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: Primarily sourced from the incredible Dutton Ranch in the heart of the Green Valley AVA. Primarily Dijon Clones from Marty’s Vineyard and Hallberg Vineyard. Basket pressed and put into barrel for 12 months in 50% new French Oak. Anyone that knows me has heard me claim: “Russian River produces some of the finest Pinot Noir in the world”, and I believe this to be true! Med light body, bouquet and notes of cranberry, red cherry, boysenberry, Jasmine and vanilla, baking spices. Juicy palate and fine silky tannins. This is a truly great example of Russian River Pinot Noir, and I love this wine. Average retail is $40, and this may be a little rich for some. I for one think this is a steal considering this is Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir! Only 250 cases produced.

2015 Martin Ray Green Valley or Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon: Fruit comes from the tiny plot on the South face of Ben Lomond Mountain, from the distinguished Bald Mountain Vineyard. This site produces small compact clusters, and the long growing season allow the grapes to reach maturity late in the season, with deep color, concentrated flavors, and bright acidity. This is a big bold cabernet, with notes of ripened black cherry, boysenberry, mushroom, lavender, and dark chocolate. Healthy solid tannins and great acidity and graphite minerality give a strong hint of long cellar time possible for this big wine. In fact I would love to have this wine again in 10 years because it should age beautifully. Only 450 cases produced. Suggested retail of $75.

2014 Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2014 Martin Ray Synthesis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: This is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cab Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Fruit is sourced from the best of the best from vineyards in Rutherford (35%), Stags Leap District (30%) and Diamond Mountain (20%) for a very special “Synthesis” of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon! This Cali Cab begs for a big juicy steak, and that is what I enjoyed this wine while cutting into a big delicious juicy Ribeye at Dallas Chophouse. Dried herbs, black cherry, and baked plums on the nose. Chewy tannins are evident, but not nearly overpowering as you normally find in mountain cabernet. Blueberry, black cherry, red plum, along with ever so slight  oak and dried figs. I highly recommend this cabernet sauvignon.  At $50 suggested retail that is a great buy for a true Napa Cab! 2200 Cases total production.

2014 Martin Ray Synthesis Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank you again Robert Larsen and Bill Batchelor for a wonderful evening, and thank you Dallas Chophouse for the wonderful dry aged steak!

Winemaker Bill Batchelor and Robert Larsen

And thank you to my followers for reading and sharing this post. If you would like more information on any of the wines poured and how to find them please contact me at friscokid8758@yahoo.com.

And please…leave a comment below so I will know you were here, and come back from time to time!

Terry Hill is the TEXAS WINEAUX!

 

 

An Evening With Winemaker Stephanie Cook and Wonderment Wines

Napa, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, Uncategorized, Wine and food pairing, Wine Dinner, Wine Product Review, Wine Reviews, Wine Tips, Wine topics, Winemaker Interview, , , , , , , , ,

This is the story of an evening with Stephanie Cook and Wonderment Wines.

Sharing gourmet food and great wines with a beautiful talented winemaker is a hard life…

But someone has to do it!

Stephanie Cook of Wonderment Wines
One of the most exciting things I get the opportunity to do on occasion is meet Winemakers in person. I enjoy as they share their passion with me  on how and why they make this beautiful nectar of the gods called wine. I enjoy this, well… mostly because I am a wine geek deep down inside.  I love talking wine, and I get to pick their minds about their theory and process of making wine. Mostly I admire them greatly for doing what I secretly would love to do myself; grow grapes and make wine. However most meetings with Winemakers and producers of wine are short and to the point. Rarely do I get to spend time with them and get to know what really makes them who they are.
And then there are exceptional evenings like this!

About 6 weeks before this fun evening my good friend Samuel  shared a bottle of  Wonderment Bacigalupi Vineyard Petite Sirah, and quite frankly… It blew me away.

Samuel Rickords has a Wine Distributorship based in Dallas by the name of Redoux Wine. He specializes in boutique wines from small talented producers. He is also a member of the wine group I started many years back called the Dallas Wineaux. I had asked him to let me know if the Winemaker for Wonderment was ever in the Dallas  area. So, ever the idea man, Samuel put together a tasting menu at Jaspers Gourmet Backyard Cuisine in Richardson, TX and arranged for Stephanie Cook to fly in to join several of us from the Dallas Wineaux group.

Jaspers Richardson. Photo by Swan Photography

First let me start by saying Jaspers Richardson is brand new, state of the art, high tech, and absolutely beautiful. You can see and read more on Jaspers Richardson and the location by clicking here! Most of the restaurant is bar area, with high top seating and upscale area that would be perfect for a small groups of 4-8. It sure makes me want to grab the Dallas Wineaux group and head to Happy Hour. The Chef Evan Tanner had a terrific spread of appetizers, charcuterie, and small plates to nibble on. Everything was scrumptious.  And I assure you we will be back to Jaspers soon!

Gourmet plates courtesy of Jaspers Richardson!
Dallas Wineaux Wine Group At Jaspers Richardson

I had done a little research on Wonderment Wines and about Stephanie Cook beforehand.  So I had an idea she was a beautiful woman. But when she walked in you understand immediately she is even more lovely than her pictures. Her beautiful smile and stunning looks are dramatic. But after a few moments you realize she is also very intelligent, talented, extremely gracious, and very engaging. And her passion for Wonderment Wines is evident immediately.

After a quick meet and greet with the other Dallas Wineaux including Kelly Nolan of www.winedowndallas.com and Lori Sullivan of www.loristwistedcork.com Stephanie started pouring her wines and telling her story.

Talking wine with Stephanie Cook! Photo by Swan Photography

Stephanie is a very driven woman and is not one to take no for an answer. I loved as she told fascinating stories of traveling the world as a Fashion Model in Milan, London, and more. Then going back to school where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University. Soon after turning her sights to winemaking. She literally informed Bob Biale of Robert Biale Vineyards that she was coming to work for him and furthermore, he was going to teach her how to make wine! After stints at Spottswood and in New Zealand for Spy Valley Wines and then at Staglin Family Vineyards she felt like she was ready to make her mark in the glorious world of winemaking.

The rest as they say is history… or as she likes to say a “balancing act!”

Balance and terroir is the key to everything Stephanie does when it pertains to wine. She makes 7 wines, and about 1500 cases per year total.

She insists on getting only the best fruit available from premium sites, and so every wine she makes is a “vineyard designate”. So…No Blending!

Wonderment Wines. Photo by Swan Photography

Any real wine enthusiast will recognize these incredible vineyards that Stephanie is sourcing her fruit: Oak Knoll, Dutton-Campbell, Dr. Stan’s, Bacigalupi, Rockpile, and Burton Ranch just to name the few that she brought for tasting!

Tasting Notes from Wonderment Wines at Jaspers Richardson. Photo by Swan Photography

Tasting Notes:

2015 Oak Knoll Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Stainless steel fermented. Floral on the nose with a citrusy lemon, grass, Asian pear, and a terrific saline quality. Floral, grapefruit, and saline/stone  finish. I like this wine, and I really need a few bottles for this summer at the pool!

2013 Dutton-Campbell Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Very juicy fruit forward style from Green Valley AVA. Floral notes and black cherry dominate the nose.  Supple silky tannins. Black cherry, strawberry, cranberry, current, with touch of oak  and spice. This is a very sexy and sensual  style of Pinot Noir. Trust me when I say “you will like it”.

2013 Dr Stan’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Carneros. Dr. Stan’s Vineyard only has 1-1/2 acres of Dijon Clone 115 that was grown primarily for a certain well known sparkling wine producer (I promised not to tell for whom). Translucent in the glass, but definite tannins give a good to great structure.  Juicy bing cherry and slight cola on the palate turn to mushroom and earth. This earth & mushroom character gives the wine somewhat a Burgundian feel that I was not expecting. Very nice wine!

2013 Bacigalupi Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel Russian River come from 40-50 year old vines. It is a “Feminine Zin” if you can have such a thing, in that it is very floral  zinfandel (Lilac). Integrated silky tannins, incredible acidity. Red & black fruits such as black cherry, strawberry, blackberry,and slight white pepper with a LONG finish. Outstanding.

2012 Rockpile Zinfandel was more of what most people would think of when you think Sonoma Zin, but it has a very restrained edge. Very balanced with black cherry, cola, and a long spicy finish that goes for days. Impressive.

2013 Burton Ranch Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel Lake County. This is a BIG wine, but plenty of finesse as well. Truly “old vine” from plantings from Lake County dating back to 1890’s.  Tannins are evident in this young wine so plenty of structure and a real aging potential in my opinion. Sweet cherry compote, Asian spices and white pepper. Classic Zinfandel in every way except only 14.5% alc (most big zins are closer to 16% alc). If you are a Sonoma Zinfandel fanatic this Old Vine Zin fits the bill!

2011 Bacigalupi Vineyards Petite Sirah Russian River Valley This was my favorite. I am a sucker for a great Pitite Sirah, and this one hits all the marks from the nose to the long finish! Deep Dark Devilish of a red wine that isn’t for wanmby pambies! Full bodied with black fruits and a spicy finish that just keeps going and going in your mouth long after you have swallowed. Absolutely stunning wine from start to finish!

Across the board these wines from Wonderment are very good to outstanding. It is exciting to think what the wines from Wonderment will be when Stephanie has decades of vintages behind her.

You can find Wonderment Wines in select restaurants and order direct here. They are very fairly priced, especially considering the quality of the wines and across the board ‘Vineyard Desinate” only wines.

Pictures of the event are all courtesy of Asher Swan and Swan Photography.  If you would like to contact him click here or call him at 707-217-4381.

Wonderment Wines. Photo courtesy of Swan Photography

Wonderment Wines Mission Statement

“Wonderment Wines represent intelligent effort, value and balance which create a sense of ‘Wonder’. Our wines are focused on specific terroir where each wine represents the vineyards distinctive style and expression. Thru artisanal methods and minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar along with a focus on environmental and social consciousness we look forward to providing each customer no less than exactly what they desire.”

Every Wonderment cork has a great message! Photo by Swan Photography

Go to her web sight and buy her wines. And tell her the Texas Wineaux sent you!