Event: This was a nice little tasting that featured some very nice wines and beers. My favorite was the Federalist Visionary Zinfandel. Full-bodied and very typical Zindanfel that doesn’t lack anything. The Charles & Charles Rosé is a nice little rosé that does live up to the motto from the winery “Yes, you can drink Rosé and still be bad ass.”
As for the brews Sam Adams has an excellent Spring seasonal. I had tried it several weeks ago at the World Beer Festival in Columbia. Their Alpine Spring is nice and citrusy. No lingering aftertaste.

I was quite surprised at the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. I’ve had it before. I liked it but I think its a flavor that you got to be in the mood for and I was in the mood.

The RJ Rocker’s Bald Eagle Brown was interesting but the Chocolate and Black Malts were obvious at the finish. It seemed light at the start which is where I normally expect those flavors. The color wasn’t as dark as I expected either. I guess the beer world doesn’t really need another super dark brown beer with bold taste. This beer to me is one of those intro beers that might be light enough to introduce non-dark drinkers to darker brews.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463

When: Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. 4:30 to 6:30pm, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. 1 to 6 pm.
Cost: Determined by Flight

Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):

1. Independent “La Bourgeoisie” Chardonnay
2. Charles & Charles Rosé
3. Liberty School Red Cuvee
4. Independent Vineyard “La Bourgeoisie” Merlot
5. Freedom Cellars Revolution Red
6. The Federalist Visionary Red Zinfandel

The Beer Line Up:

1. Sam Adams Alpine Spring
2. Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
3. R.J. Rockers Bald Eagle Brown
4. 21st Amendment Bitter American Ale

Here are the detailed wine notes:
Independent “La Bourgeoisie” Chardonnay
What: Classic northern latitude west coast style. angular, sharp, and grown for food consumption. apple, flint, and stone round out the palette. a true place of origin wine. The House of independent producers is a project aimed at showcasing some of the best vineyard sites using single vitis vinifera grape varieties. The project is directed under Christophe Hedges, who feels that some of the larger, independently owned vineyards, need RECOGNITION in single vineyard wines. the house of independent producers is a catch-all phrase to describe the independent nature of the grower and the vintner. no advertising and no scores. Independent producers strives to save place of origin in wine. The new luxury model for wine definition is authenticity. When we can, this wine is always marked by a specific location, typically the size of a certain vineyard terroir, however, due to shortages of supply, it is not uncommon for us to produce a less specific wine, which focuses on AVA terroir.
La Bourgeoisie defined is the middle class. this is our target market. the armorial, is symbolic of the death of snobbery towards this ancient product.

From: Columbia Valley, Washington
Winery: The House of Independent Producer

Charles & Charles Rosé
From: Columbia Valley, Washington
Winery: Charles & Charles

Liberty School Red Cuvee
What: The Liberty School Cuvée displays bright red fruit flavors on the nose. With accents of smoke and pepper, the fruit-forward blend shows fine grain tannins which are reminiscent of wines from the southern Rhone Valley. The predominant grape, Syrah, shows off its jammy, strawberry and plum-like flavors. Petite Sirah adds deep ruby color and tannin structure. Smaller amounts of Grenache soften the wine and add needed balance. Mourvèdre brings an element of spice to the blend, while small amounts of Viognier add floral aromatics and color stabilization. Well balanced and full-bodied, this wine can be cellared for five to seven years.
From: Paso Robles, California
Winery: Liberty School

Independent Vineyard “La Bourgeoisie” Merlot
What: Classic northern latitude west coast style. Soft with some angularity, focused acid, disciplined, and picked early for food compatibility. blue fruits, pencil lead, dried herbs, cold metal spoon, and earth. An AVA / vineyard focused place of origin wine. the 2009 vintage is characteristic of the Goose Ridge Vineyard plot, not more than 5 miles south of the Red Mountain AVA, lying
on flat terroir.
From: Columbia Valley, Washington
Winery: The House of Independent Producer

Freedom Cellars Revolution Red
What: ark purple in color, with a nose of sweet spice box and white pepper, the wine coats the palate with fresh fruit – sweet red and black cherries, black currant, and blackberries. Smooth and integrated tannins in the finish contain abundant dried cherry, white pepper, cassis, and just a hint of brine and minerals.–From their Website
From: California
Winery: Freedom Cellars

The Federalist Visionary Red Zinfandel
From: California
: 2Sons WInery

Sam Adams Alpine Spring
What: Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor.–From their Website
From: Boston, MA
Brewery: Sam Adams

Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
What: Ale brewed with cherries. Crisp and fruity with a hint of honey. Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat® follows the centuries old American tradition of brewing beer with native ingredients, in this case Michigan cherries. The sweet, fruitiness of the cherries is balanced against the crisp, cereal note from the malted wheat and the subtle citrus flavor from the Noble hops. A touch of honey is also added for sweetness. The end result is a sweet, refreshing beer that is light on the palate but long on complexity.–From their Website
From: Boston, MA
Brewery: Sam Adams

R.J. Rockers Bald Eagle Brown
What: A traditional English-style brown ale, but with more body. Its deep b–From their Websiterown color comes from a combination of Chocolate and Black malts. Tall, dark and smooth – the perfect cure for the domestic beer blahs.
From: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Brewery: RJ Rockers

21st Amendment Bitter American Ale
What: If you’d been rocketed into space against your will, you might be a little bitter too. Bitter American is our long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere. This American session ale packs a lot of hop and malt flavor into a refreshingly lower-alcohol brew, making it the perfect beer to have on hand when you have a little history to make.–From their Website
From: San Francisco, California
Brewery: 21st Amendment

It was kind of a dreary day that called for something to brighten things up. I think this tasting did just that. Wine World once again selected six nice complementary wines that made for a great evening.

Right off the bat the first wine of the lineup was mentioned as one of their favorites by more than half of the tasters I talked to. The slightly sweet Spanish Besitos Moscato had just enough sweetness and sparkle to please probably both white and red drinkers.

Dick and Sally had recommended this wine to be paired with Stilton with mango and ginger which happened to be one of the cheese selections of the night. Trudy reported they had sold out of the cheese with exception of a small wedge they were using for samples. A great pairing indeed. (The cheeses also included Havarti Dill, Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar and Castello Soft Blue Triple Cream).

From the red table the Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the favorites of tasters Jennifer and John. Sally Benjamin had decanted this wine. I was able to taste a sample before and after decanting and it started to open up nicely and bring out the ripe black currants and Big cherry flavors. The tasting notes mention aromas of mint with this wine but to me and another taster the finish had a hint of mint flavor as well.

Several tasters who frequent the Wine World tastings said they had Renwood Wines before at Wine World tastings but realized that this was the first time they had tried the Barbera.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522

When: Thursday, February 16, 2011, 5 to 8pm
Cost: $5 per person with rebate on purchase of a featured wine.

Here are the wines presented (click to see more):

1. Besitos Moscato 2010
2. Selbach “Incline” Riesling 2010
3. Lander Jenkins Chardonnay 2010
4. Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2010
5. Renwood Barbera 2008
6. Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Here are the detailed wine notes:

Besitos Moscato label

Selbach “Incline” Riesling 2010
With just a touch of residual sweetness, this excellent riesling is an outstanding example of Mosel rieslings from an outstanding producer. It’s vibrant, with floral, fruit and citrus aromas, flavors of green apple, citrus and hint of honey. Refreshing acidity and classic minerality (from the Mosel’s slate soil). Johannes Selbach chose the name “Incline” for his modest-priced riesling as a reminder of the extremely steep slopes on which these vines are grown—and hand-harvested. Aperitif. Versatile food wine.
From: Mosel, Germany
Winery: Selbach
Year: 2010
Goes with: Great match for Asian, Thai, sushi, Cajun. Pork & braised sauerkraut Alsatian style. Havarti with Dill.

Lander Jenkins Chardonnay 2010
A bright Chardonnay with lots of appeal. Aromas & flavors of apple, pear, apricots, pineapple with citrus and vanilla notes. Creamy texture and long finish. Lander-Jenkins wines are from the Rutherford Family Portfolio produced from sustainably farmed vineyards in select North Coast,
Monterey County and Central Valley vineyards (Lodi, Trinity, and Napa).
From: California
Winery: Lander Jenkins (Rutherford Wine Company)
Year: 2010
Goes with: Pasta in a creamy sauce with salmon. Herbed roast chicken. Crab cakes. Chicken salad with apples or peaches or mangoes.

Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2010
Pretty aromas and tasty fruit. Earthy aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry and blackberry, with medium body and medium tannins. A little more pepper, spice and forward fruit than in many earlier vintages. An elegant, good value, Pinot Noir. The appellation is Coteaux du Verdon (in the hills about 70 miles north of St Tropez).
From: Southern France
Winery: Louis Latour
Year: 2010
Goes with: Grilled tuna, beef, rare lamb chops, lamb meatballs with Moroccan seasonings. Cablanca Goat Gouda.

Renwood Barbera

Renwood Barbera 2008
This ruby-red colored wine has aromas of black cherry, plum, hints of peppery earth, and a touch of oak. On the palate the wine has some really nice fruit flavors reminiscent of cranberries, black cherries, and red currants.
From: Sierra Foothills, California
Winery: Renwood
Year: 2008
Goes with: Pairs very well with spaghetti or pizza made with a sweet tomato basil marinara and a crust brushed with olive oil. Will enhance many hearty dishes. Grilled meats, sausages. Pasta with mushroom ragout. Gruyere cheese. Leyden.

Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This good-value cab gives lots of pleasure. Aromas of blackberry, plum, cranberry with mint and chocolate hints. Flavors suggest ripe black currants and Bing cherries. Full-bodied with well-integrated tannins. Lander Jenkins wines are part of the Rutherford Family Wine portfolio.
Steaks, burgers. Grilled eggplant & peppers. Cheddar cheeses. Blue Castello.
From: Central Coast, California
Winery: Lander Jenkins (Rutherford Wine Company)
Year: 2009

The Stilton Cheese with Mango and Ginger was very popular

Campo Viejo Rioja

Campo Viejo Rioja 2010, Spain

Cost: $9-11

This is a velvety beauty that goes well with many different foods and many different occasions. Campo Viejo Rioja would be a good thing to bring home this week if you didn’t impress your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.

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The wine is a beautiful, intense ruby red with pleasant aromas of black fruit, vanilla and some cherry. The first taste seems pretty mellow, but the wine gets more intense as you drink it.

It has bright cherry fruit flavors with some blackberry, strawberry and spice. There is even a hint of bacon, which you might miss if you aren’t looking for it. There are sturdy tannins and nice acidity to make a balanced wine.

The wine is made from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes from Rioja in northern Spain. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and spent four months in American oak. Tempranillo is the predominant red wine grape variety from Rioja, the best known wine region in Spain.

Winery: Founded in 1959, Camp Viejo is the premier winery in Rioja. It was created by two winemakers from La Rioja, Beristain and Ortigüela. They had worked in the region for years and were respected for their knowledge of Rioja.

The winery name comes from the area where Ortiguela grew up, an emblematic spot in Villar de Arnedo. For generations the area was called Campus Veteranus, an area of vineyards which was historically given to the veterans of the Roman legion as a reward for their service.

Even today, the town’s inhabitants use the name “campoviejeros” for the descendants of families that have lived in the area for centuries working the land and its vines passionately.

The company built a state of the art winery on a high plateau close to the city of Logrono, south of Bilbao in northern Spain. It uses many innovative winemaking techniques, and is built partly underground.

Camp Viejo offers a variety of wines including a white, a rose, three levels of Tempranillo, a premium wine called Dominio, a sparkling wine (Cava) and a Rose sparkling wine.

Goes with: My fiancee Teri and I had it with grilled pork chops and bean nachos that we threw together. It was a wonderful pairing, going equally well with both dishes. The lively fruit flavors played off the salsa in the nachos and the smokiness was a nice complement to the barbecue sauce on the pork chops.
You can drink this versatile wine with red or white meat, roasts and cheese. It’s nice with everything from chicken to burgers, and all kinds of meat on the grill. I think it might go nicely with paella.

Dick pours at the second station

If the first 45 minutes of this tasting was any indication of the total attendance I hope they had enough to last the whole 3 hours. This was a really nice tasting that had a great variety but tended to stay toward the dark and malty side. With that said this was a great Wintertime Brew tasting (nevermind that our “Winter” lasted for about 10 hours in early January).

There was a steady crowd starting right at the 5 PM start with the crowd steadily growing until I left at 5:45. Before leaving I asked several tasters what they liked. Chris had just tried the Fort Collins Kidd Black Lager (a smoked porter) that he said it would be excellent with fish and chips. All that did was make me hungry.

I asked Matt, Brett and Scott what they liked (as they were selecting some brews for purchase) and they basically liked everything but several stood out. Matt and Scott both picked the the Kidd Black and the 1825 Original Porter. Matt also added Wychwood King Goblin and the Ft. Collins Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat. Scott added the Urthel Samaranth 12 Quadrium Ale and the St. Louis Framboise Fruit (Raspberry) Lambic. Brett selected the He’brew Bittersweet RIPA and the Ft. Collins Double Chocolate Stout.

The Fort Collins Major Tom is different for sure. It starts off hoppy and finishes with the distinctive pomegranate flavor.

After trying all 10 brews it’s difficult to select a single favorite. I think my favorites were the Ft. Collins Double Chocolate Stout, 1825 Original Flag Porter and the Butte Creek Organic Pale Ale. Those pretty much ran the gamut from heavy to light (with light not implying a “Lite” styled beer).

The cheeses were also excellent, several with beer underpinnings. Tonight they had Red Dragon English Cheddar (with wholegrain mustard and ale), British Cotswold, Cablanca Goat Gouda and Celtic Vintage Irish Cheddar with Porter Beer.

Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522

When: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, 5-8pm
Cost: $5 per person. You get a $3 rebate with the purchase of 6 bottles of the featured brews

Here are the brews presented (click to see more):

1. Fort Collins Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat
2. Butte Creek Organic Pale Ale
3. Butte Creek Organic IPA
4. Fort Collins Kidd Black Lager
5. Wychwood King Goblin English Strong Ale
6. 1825 Original Flag Porter
7. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout
8. He’brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.
9. Urthel Samaranth 12 Quadrium Ale
10. St Louis Framboise Lambic

Here are the detailed brew notes:
Fort Collins Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat
What: “Our take on an American Classic is refreshingly crisp Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat. This unique creation is brewed with real pomegranates and filtered to a bright finish. The result is a striking straw blonde color and sweet-tart finish The perfect session beer
From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Brewery: Fort Collins Brewery

Butte Creek Organic Pale Ale
What: Butte Creek Pale Ale is medium bodied with a hint of caramel sweetness complemented by a generous hop flavor and aroma. It is 5.0% alcohol by volume.
From: Mendocino, California
Brewery: Mendocino Brewing

Butte Creek Organic IPA
What: Butte Creek India Pale Ale is full bodied with a mild caramel malt flavor and liberal hop presence. A delight for all hop-heads. It is 6.4% alcohol by volume.
From: Mendocino, California
Brewery: Mendocino Brewing

Fort Collins Kidd Black Lager
What: Schwarzbier was crafted to taste much lighter than it looks. Chocolate malt lends Kidd its color while German Tettnang hops create the minimal bitterness of this brew. We’ve added a dash of smoked malt to make our Schwarzbier slightly more complex.
From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Brewery: Fort Collins Brewery

Wychwood King Goblin English Strong Ale
What: Brewed only on a Full Lunar Moon. As the moon casts its eerie light over the shadowy old Eagle Brewery, a magical brew gurgles forth from the casks. A beer enlivened by the energies of the universe, when the elements are converging into a harmonious alignment. Truly a brew fit for a celestial majesty.

King Goblin is hand crafted from roasted chocolate and crystal malts, with a timely infusion of fuggles, sovereign, styrian and cascade hops to produce an indulgently rich, full, smooth beer of exceptional quality and character.

A full, rich, sublimely fruity and satisfying indulgent beer; a beer for the connoisseur of the finer things.–From their Website
From: Oxfordshire, England
Brewery: Wychwood Brewery

1825 Original Flag Porter

Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout
What: The current seasonal brew for Fort Collins. Big chocolate and roast flavors abound as subtle hop bitterness evens out the sweetness of a rich malt profile in our most decadent brew yet. This blushing black beer is complimented by a thick tawny head and lively chocolate nose.–From their Website
From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Brewery: Fort Collins Brewery

He’brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.
What: Ladies and Gentlemen, Shmaltz Brewing Co. is proud to present Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. Brewed with an obscene amount of malts and hops. Shocking flavors – far beyond contemporary community standards. We cooked up the straight dope for the growing minyans of our nation’s Radical Beer junkies. Judges may not be able to define “Radical Beer,” but you’ll damn well know it when you taste it. Bruce died, officially declared a pauper by the State of California, personally broken and financially bankrupt simply for challenging America’s moral hypocrisies with words. The memorial playbill read: “Yes, we killed him. Because he picked on the wrong god.” -Directed by, the Courts, the Cops, the Church… and his own self-destructive super ego. Like Noah lying naked and loaded in his tent after the apocalyptic deluge: a witness, a patron saint, a father of what was to come. Sick, Dirty, Prophetic Lenny: a scapegoat, a martyr, a supreme inspiration.From Burlesque to Broadway, Carnegie Hall to the Courtroom, Long Island to Lima, Ohio to L.A., savor the provocative spirit of Lenny’s R.I.P.A., our HE’BREW monument to the richness, the bitterness and the sacred sweetness that is life… L’Chaim!. Jeremy Cowan, proprietor. –From their Website
From: New York
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company

Urthel Samaranth 12 Quadrium Ale
What: Urthel Samaranth 12 Quadrium Ale is a malty, full-bodied special Ale, brewed in a way that only Belgian Brewers can. Huge mouthfeel and layers and levels of flavor make Urthel Samaranth the perfect beer for the end of a meal or at the finish of a special day. And when you want something different, Urthel Samaranth 12 Quadrium Ale is with its fine bitterness, definitely something different… Try it! First brewed at Van Steenberge, now brewed at Koningshoeven – La Trappe brewery.

From: Netherlands
Brewery: La Trappe

St Louis Framboise Lambic

St Louis Framboise Lambic
What: he pours were from a 750ml size bottle similar to one used for sparkling wines, using a cork and a wire seal. The From their website: “Premium Raspberry is a beer made from traditional Gueuze Lambic, to which 25 per cent of fresh raspberry juice and natural sugar is added. A clear, dark red beer is obtained with a pink head. With an alcohol content of only 2.8 per cent and its fruity character, this is a beer which is a tempting tipple, when drunk young or old. The elegantly-shaped glass reinforces the image and symbolizes the natural charm of this full-bodied Raspberry (a raspberry beer).”
From: Belgium
Brewery: Van Honsebrouck Brewery

Colome Torrontes

Colome Torrontes 2011

Cost: $14-16

White wine isn’t the first thing you think about when talking about wines from Argentina, and that’s a shame. Torrontes, the signature Argentine white, is an outstanding grape, and the Colome version of it is great.

It’s versatile, pairing with a wide variety of foods. It also can be a pleasant sipping wine, especially on hot summer afternoons.

This wine is a gorgeous pale straw color in the glass, with aromas of fresh flowers with citrus tones. On the palate there are some floral notes with nectarine and bright fresh citrus flavors, especially grapefruit. There is good acidity, but it is a round, balanced wine that has a long, pleasant aftertaste.

It tastes best when slightly chilled. I took it out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving, and it was fine. This is a complex and graceful, elegant wine.

Torrontes dates to the first Argentine vineyards in the early 1800s, but its origin isn’t really known. Some thought it was brought to the country as a raisin variety. DNA testing showed it to be a cross between the Spanish mission wine grapes and Muscat.

The vines thrive on mountainsides above 5,000 feet in the northern part of Argentina. As drinkers around the world discover Torrontes, it is being widely exported.

Winery: Founded in 1831, Bodega Colomé is one of the oldest wineries in Argentina.
Located in the Upper Calchaquí Valley in Salta, the winery is home to the world’s highest vineyards, sitting between 7,200 and 10,200 feet above sea level, and to the exquisite boutique hotel Estancia Colomé.

The breathtaking views and the vast expanses of untouched terrain make Colomé one of the jewels in the crown of Hess Family Estates, a family-run business made up of 7 wineries across the world

Goes with: This Torrontes paired perfectly with a quick meal of steamed shrimp and salad, but I think it would be terrific with many dishes. I think it would be great with spicy Asian dishes, Mexican food and any number of seafood dishes. Teri and I thought it was a spectacular dinner wine.

When: Friday, Feb. 10 2012. 4:30 to 6:30pm, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. 1 to 6 pm.
Cost: Determined by Flight

Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):

1. Allure White California Bubbly Moscato
2. Allure Pink Moscato
3. Petalo Il Vino dell’Amore
4. Turn Me Red
5. Mon Couer “My Hear” Cotes-du-Rhone
6. Bitch Red
7. Bitch White
8. Temptation Red Zinfandel

Here are the detailed wine notes:
Allure White California Bubbly Moscato
What: A combination of floral bouquets and ripe fruit greets the senses. Aromas and flavors of gardenias, apricot, honeysuckle, and peach are profuse. The lively bubbles are accompanied by a slightly sweet finish. “Very pleasant to sip by itself, Allure Bubbly Moscato is a welcome addition to the table where food is being served. Its convivial nature adds festivity and refreshment to any setting.” —Winemaker, Bob Stashak–From their Website
From: California
Winery: Allure Winery

Allure Pink Moscato
What: “Bright pink color indicates the wine will be very festive in nature. Apricot, peach, bergamot, and mint flavors give our Pink Moscato a fresh and lively demeanor. The combination of bubbles and off-dry balance enhance the refreshment enjoyed with each sip. This is a very easy wine to drink by itself. However, its cheery nature suggests it is welcome at celebrations and where gatherings might include a variety of dishes. It should be on the table ready to serve throughout the meal, including dessert.” —Winemaker, Bob Stashak–From their Website

From: California
Winery: Allure Winery

Petalo Il Vino dell’Amore
What: Romeo fell in love with Juliet while he was drinking a special wine, symbol of eternal love. Seven centuries later, with the grapes of the Veneto hills, we produce our “Il Vino dell’Amore” (The Wine of Love), a sparkling Moscato dedicated to young Italian lovers.–From their Website

From: Italy
Winery: Petalo

Turn Me Red
What: “Turn Me Red” Red Wine Austria – Blend of Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon. Very approachable and charming to drink, Turn Me Red is a robust burst of seductive fruit. The smooth edge of the tannins create a lust of subtle cocoa, cherry fruit, anise, and plums.

From: Austria
Winery: Turn Me Wine

Mon Couer “My Hear” Cotes-du-Rhone
From: France
: Jean-Louis Chave

Bitch Red
From: Australia
Winery: R Wines

Bitch White
From: Australia
Winery: R Wines

Temptation Red Zinfandel
What: Temptation Zinfandel is rapidly becoming one of America’s most popular zinfandels. The casual easy drinking wine that blends zinfandel from our three favorite zin regions – Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Solano County. Wine and Spirits Magazine calls this a “BEST BUY” and one of the Years Best Zinfandels in February 2011. On the nose you will find aromas of plum, red cherry, dark fruits, spice, a touch of oak and vanilla. The 2009 has a round full mouth feel with jammy ripe fruit flavors of dark fruits, cherry, black plum, black pepper, dried orange peel and frozen strawberry. This is a great wine to enjoy with equally casual foods like pizza, pasta, burgers and ribs.–From their Website
From: California
Winery: Alexander Valley Vineyards
Grapes: 84% Zinfandel – 8% Sangiovese – 4% Syrah – 4% Petit Sirah

Sponsor: Ninth Street Wine Market, Augusta, GA 30901
706-724-1442

When: Wednesday, Feb., 8 2012, 6pm-8pm
Cost: $15 plus tax and tip. 706-724-1442

Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):

1. Villa Sorono Pinot Grigio 2010
2. Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne 2010
3. Allan Scott Pinot Noir 2009
4. Ventisquero Gran Reserva Queulat Carmenere 2008
5. Cune Crianza 2008

Here are the detailed wine notes:
Villa Sorono Pinot Grigio 2010
What: A first-rate wine with a light, fruity aroma and a soft, dry, well-balanced and harmonic taste. Serve as an aperitif, as well as with fish soups and grilled fish, both sea and fresh water.
From: Delle Venezie, Italy
Winery: Villa Sorono
Year: 2010

Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne 2010
What: Brilliant colour with light green tints, signs of freshness and youth. The nose is moderately intense but many-layered and with ripe tropical fruit aromas at first sniff. Fine floral and herbaceous notes are also perceptible. Greater intensity is present on the palate, where the fine balance between the freshness of the aromas and the fatness imparted by ageing on fine lees are to be savored.
From: France
Winery: Domaine de Pellenhaut
Year: 2010

Allan Scott Pinot Noir 2009
What: Fruit driven, this wine is rich and dark with red cherries, raspberries and violets on the nose, along with well integrated French oak and creaminess from the malolactic fermention. Subtle smoky oak characters and bright berry fruit flavours on the palate and a nice velvety finish make this a delightfully harmonious Pinot Noir
From: Marlborough, New Zealand
Winery: Allan Scott
Year: 2009

Ventisquero Gran Reserva Queulat Carmenere 2008
What: This cherry red carménère with burgundy notes showcases an intense, alluring aroma, with a bouquet charged with ripe black and red fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, redcurrant, strawberries and cherries, enhanced with spicy notes that blend harmoniously with touches of chocolate, coffee and tobacco. The mouth offers a rich structure, well-balanced and full-bodied, with fat, velvety tannins which give it that full, round finish with an aftertaste evoking chocolate and tobacco.
From: Maipo Valley, Chile
Winery: Viña Ventisquero
Year: 2008

Cune Crianza 2008
What: Cherry color with violet hues. The nose is a very young wine which red fruits and licorice have a predominant character of the aromas from the parenting providing funds remain well integrated coconut and vanilla with a sweet tooth. The palate is light, soft, round and balanced aftertaste with us reminiscent of freshly picked berries.
From: Rioja, Spain
Winery: Cune
Year: 2008

Roger Strohl tastes some of Dr. Tom Kenefick's wine at the Vineyard Wine Market.

It’s great fun when a famous winemaker comes to Augusta to show off his latest wines. When Dr. Tom Kenefick showed up this week, he had a number of fans at two wine shops.

I met him at the Vineyard Wine Market in Columbia County before he went to the Ninth Street Wine Shop in downtown Augusta. He looked like a man who knew he made good wines and was pleased that other people knew it.

Dr. Kenefick is a retired San Francisco neurosurgeon who came west after graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1969. He started visiting wine country on weekends and became interested in the business.

He bought some land, went to school at night to learn about wine making, and as his interest grew so did his investment. He bought his current 125 acres in Calistoga in 1978. Over the next 25 years he replaced all the Italian varietals on the property with Bordeaux varietals.

In 2000 he quit his medical practice to devote full time to growing grapes, and two years later he decided to make his own wine.

Dr. Tom Kenefick.

Now his vineyard grows some of the most sought-after fruit in the Napa Valley. He sells to such wineries at Etude, Merryvale, Behrens & Hitchcock, Joseph Phelps, Shafer and Caymus.

Dr. Kenefick said he decided to make his own wine because sometimes it was hard to convince the other wineries just how good his fruit was.

Some of the tasters enjoying Kenefick Ranch wines.

“A lot of the other wineries were just blending it in with other people’s fruit, and it took a few years to convince them to make wines from just this vineyard,” he said. “Then a couple of wineries decided to go in another direction and use only their own fruit. I knew this was good land and we could make good wine from the grapes.”

Although the Cabernet Sauvignon is the big gun in Dr. Kenefick’s arsenal, he is making some terrific wines with the other Bordeaux varietals, particularly the Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Both are powerful, full-bodied wines loaded with tasty fruit.

Dr. Tom Kenefick and Roger Strohl.

“Our Cabernet Franc may very well become our signature wine or the thing we’re known for,” he said.

The winery also makes a Picket Road Red, a blend of four Bordeaux varietals that Dr. Kenefick said allows the winemaker to be creative and show some style. They also have a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc.

Other ventures include a white blend of Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Sauvignon Musquet.

All of the Kenefick Ranch wines are made from grapes grown on the estate. Eventually Dr. Kenefick said he would like to build a winery and bottle all his own wines.

Some of the Kenefick Ranch wines.

When: Friday, February 24 2012, 7pm.
Cost: Cost TBA. Reservations suggested. Tickets at the door provided space is available.

More than 60 tasters stopped by for some great wines Monday night

This was a very special tasting with a very special guest Dr. Thomas Kenefick who happens to be the inventor of the heart stint and owner of Kenefick Ranch Vineyard.

Dr. Kenefick joined a San Francisco Neuro Medicine group and soon fell in love with Napa Valley. He acquired 125 acres in Calistoga and has sold grapes to Shafer, Joseph Phelps and Pride Mountain, among others. The Vineyard consists mostly of Bordeaux varietal’s, but they also grow Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc for white wine. They source fruit to Etude, Plumpjack, Merryvale, Caymus, and other small producers. Wine Maker Kent Jarman, formerly with Duckhorn, has an obsession with consistency and quality.

Plus there were a great selection from Kunde Wines that had something for everyone.

Where: Ninth Street Wine Market
12 Ninth Street, Augusta, GA 30901

When: Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, 5:30-7:30 pm
Cost: $10 per person. 706-724-1442.

W. Kyle Gailor speaking with Dr. Thomas Kenefick

Here are the wines to presented (click to see more):

1. MacRostie Sonoma Chardonnay 2009
2. Luli Pinot Noir 2010
3. Tres Picos Borsao Garnache 2010
4. Tarima Hill Alicante Monstrell 2009
5. Renacer Enamore Amarone 2009
6. Kunde Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2010
7. Kunde Estate Chardonnay 2007
8. Kunde Estate Syrah 2005
9. Kunde Sonoma Merlot 2006
10. Kunde Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
11. Kunde Sonoma Zinfandel 2006
12. Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2010
13. Kenefick Ranch Merlot 2008
14. Kenefick Ranch Caitlin’s Select Cabernet Franc 2007
15. Kenefick Ranch Chris’ Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
16. Kenefick Ranch Pickett Road Red 2006

Here are the detailed wine notes:
MacRostie Sonoma Chardonnay 2009
What: Pale straw gold in color, with ripe pear and bright honeydew melon aromas, and just a touch of vanilla. In the mouth it is full and round, with baked apple, fresh pineapple, and hints of rich lemon pie. The long clean finish begs for another sip.
From: California
Winery: MacRostie
Year: 2009

Luli Pinot Noir 2010
What: Luli Pinot Noir captures the best of Santa Lucia Highlands.  This wine has bright aromatics, lots of fruit and floral notes, and a very full bodied, velvety texture.

Grapes for this wine are sourced from different vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Sourcing from diverse locations within the appellation adds to the wines flavor profile.  In the winery the grapes undergo a long cold soak for maximum flavor extraction and a subsequent fermentation by native yeast.  The wine is aged for eleven months in French oak barrels before being bottled, without fining or filtration.  A very low percentage of new oak barrels are used in order to maintain the bright vineyard flavors.–From their Website
From: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Winery: Luli Wines
Year: 2010

Tres Picos Borsao Garnache 2010
What: Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, is the most daring creation of the new phase of the winery. It is the result of new technologies that have been applied but without disregarding the wise tradition of wine making in the region. It has a dark ruby colour with shades of purple. At the nose there is a rich aroma of ripe berries with hints of floral tones typical of the Garnacha, a unique variety. In the mouth, it is a full bodied rich wine with a taste of blackberries, strawberries and hints of leather, vanilla and plums. It is perfectly combined with a sweet and pleasant tannin that leads to a long, balanced and smooth finish.–From their Website
From: Campo de Borja, Spain
Winery: Bodegas Borsao
Year: 2010

Tarima Hill Alicante Monstrell 2009
What: The passion fruit flower was chosen as the winery’s emblem because its intricate details and mesmerizing qualities mirror our wines and winemaking techniques. Monastrell grapes are hand-harvested from small plots of low yielding old vines scattered across the hills of the Sierra de la Sima in the heart of Alicante. The wine exhibits deep garnet color with flashes of violet and a bouquet of dark red cherries and leather. On the palate the wine achieves its full potential, offering notes of black berries, plums and licorice with an elegant but persistent finish.–From the Winery
From: Spain
Winery: Bodegas Volver
Year: 2009

Renacer Enamore Amarone 2009
What: Intense and deep ruby red, structured, full of aromas of spices and ripe fruits.–From their Website
From: Argentina
Winery: Bodega Renacer Enamore
Year: 2009
Grapes: Malbec 62%, Cabernet Franc 11%, Cabernet Sauvignon 14%, Syrah 4% and Bonarda 9%

Kunde Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2010
What: The 2010 vintage of Kunde’s Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc has proved to be one of the most exciting in years. A long, cool growing season gave us ripe flavors at lower sugars with crisp acids—everything we want in Sauvignon Blanc! A new block of Semillon contributed some extra weight and body to the blend, giving an exotic fruit salad of flavors: Mango, guava, grapefruit, and pineapple aromas fill the room when the wine is poured, and flavors of tangerine and peach join those aromas. Oysters, scallops, ceviche are all great matches for the powerful fruit flavors packed into Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc.–From their Website
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2010

Kunde Estate Chardonnay 2007
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2007

Kunde Estate Syrah 2005
What: This wine has big and rich written all over it. From the first glimpse of its deep purple color to the aromas of rich blackberries and mint, you’ll know this is not your father’s Syrah. The flavors are of rich berry and chocolate, but then the gentleness takes over with a velvety, plush mouthfeel and a hint of cedar. Steak with peppercorns or a hearty vegetable stew are the meals you’ll want to serve up with this beautiful wine. Let us know what time to show up for dinner!–From their Website
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2005

Kunde Sonoma Merlot 2006
What: The 2006 harvest brought a very even, steady flow of Merlot grapes into the winery at Kunde Family Estate. The measured pace of the harvest allowed us to avoid any hurried picks and truly cherry-pick each block when the fruit was fully ripe. Our 2006 Merlot is supple and balanced, opening up nicely to reveal complexity and depth in its layers of flavors. The wine shows the classic varietal aromas of tea leaf with ripe plums, black cherries, and toasty oak. We recommend serving it with a garlicky lamb roast or a creamy polenta filled with wild mushrooms. You’ll find other great flavors to match with our 2006 Merlot.–From their Website
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2006

Kunde Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
What: More than any other grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown at Kunde Family Estate produce a unique and distinctive flavor profile year after year. This 2007 vintage of Cabernet maintains that tradition. From the opening aromas of raspberries and rosemary, you’ll know this wine couldn’t be from anywhere but Kunde. The flavors of cherries and cocoa powder reflect the distinctive red soil of our estate. Pasta with a Tuscan-style meat sauce or beef tenderloin prepared with a paprika infused wine sauce will bring out the fruit flavors of this velvety wine.–From their Website
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2007

Kunde Sonoma Zinfandel 2006
What: Mother nature presented us with a challenge in 2006 here at Kunde Family Estate. A rain storm in September led us to pick a portion of our Zinfandel grapes just before it hit, but we let the majority of fruit ride it out to attain riper, fuller flavors. The strategy worked: we produced a balanced, elegant wine that is varietally-correct and compliments fine dining. Intense aromas of black pepper, spice, and boysenberry fruit leave no doubt about what wine is in the glass. Pork tenderloin with a spicy rub would be just the match for this beauty; a well- mannered but slightly wild combination. In fact, that sounds just like the description for our 2006 Kunde Zinfandel.–From their Website
From: Sonoma County, California
Winery: Kunde Estate
Year: 2006

Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2010
What: This 2010 Kenefick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc immediately boasts orange blossom, mandarin zest, and stone fruit on the nose. The palate is rich in texture and depth showing vanilla bean, cream, and white peach notes. The finish is clean and crisp with an excellent balance of acidity, and texture from sur lie aging.–From their Website
From: California
Winery: Kenefick Ranch
Year: 2010

Kenefick Ranch Merlot 2008
What: This Merlot is not your average Merlot. It packs a copious amount of beautifully rounded tannis supported by dense notes of currants, fresh cranberry, anise, and sage. The aromatics are incredibly complex with a solid base of cherries outlines by dark chocolate. 200 cases produced.

From: California
Winery: Kenefick Ranch
Year: 2008

Kenefick Ranch Caitlin’s Select Cabernet Franc 2007
What: Caitlins Select possesses a complex aromatic contour of dark chocolate, Maraschino cherry, fresh raspberries, and a subtle hint of cracked Pink Peppercorns. On the palate, bold notes of Black Cherry and Currants are finely balanced by subtle hints of anise and vanilla bean. –From their Website
From: California
Winery: Kenefick Ranch
Year: 2007
Grapes: 100% Estate Grown, 91% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Kenefick Ranch Chris’ Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
From: California
Winery: Kenefick Ranch
Year: 2007

Kenefick Ranch Pickett Road Red 2006
What: The Pickett Road Red has extremely deep complex aromas of cassis, ripe currants, plum, cinnamon, and a hint of floral blossoms. The palate consists of copious layers of ripe blueberry and fresh blackberries, tamarind, and hints of baker’s chocolate.–From their Website
From: California
Winery: Kenefick Ranch
Year: 2006
Grapes: 100% Estate Grown , 45% Merlot, 43% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon