Weekend Tasting-Feb. 20-21-Vineyard

R oger was so excited about the special Physicians Assistant Fundraiser tasting on Sunday he forgot to post the wines from his regular weekend tasting in his newsletter.
Six wines, that included a sparkler, was presented. Two wines, I have tried before at a wine dinner at the old Bistro 491, were from Jocelyn Lonen Wineryd, which Roger was sad to say, has closed. These are some of the last Jocelyn Lonen wines available. Now the demise of Jocelyn Lonen was reported by the local wine distributors who sometimes get their facts wrong. I did a Google search and found nothing there or at winebusiness.com. Their website hasn’t changed much in a few years but there’s no mention of its demise.
If, true then it’s sad. The Jocelyn Lonen Chardonnay is a nice grassy appeal, nice acid, but doesn’t overpower with any heavy oak.. Their Napa Cabernet was nice especially with the peppered salami Roger had out.
I was also surprised by the Secco Italian Bubbles Pinot Noir Rosé. This sparkler was much drier than I expected (anytime you sample something that looks a little like white zin you think sweet. I would enjoy this one at a party.
I really liked the Stratton-Lummis “The Magician Red.” I actually bought a bottle. Nice fruit but not over the top. A bit smokey.

All and all a nice tasting. Average value was $22 a bottle so for $10 a nice way to try these wines. Good conversation with friends, new and old. (I stopped by Friday afternoon around 5). Don’t forget about the tasting at the Vineyard from 4-7 on Sunday.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463
When: Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, 4:30-6:30PM. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, 3 to 6 pm.
Cost: $10
Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):

1. Secco Italiian Bubbles Pinot Noir Rosé 2013
2. Jocelyn Lonen Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2012
3. Stratton-Lummis “The Magician” Red
4. Tikal Patriota Malbec-Bonarda 2012
5. T-Vine Zinfandel 2011
6. Jocelyn Lonen Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Here are the detailed wine notes:
Secco Italiian Bubbles Pinot Noir Rosé 2013 | Ponte di Piave, Veneto, Italy
Grower-driven, vintage-dated, pure and fresh, Secco Italian Bubbles denes the “dolce vita.” Growing up in Rome, Italy, Ginevra and Olivia Casa
always had an infatuation for Prosecco. In 2010, after the change in laws pertaining to Prosecco production, the Casa sisters jumped on the
opportunity to champion both the noble varietals and the growers of Chardonnay and created a new category of sparkling wine called Secco Italian Bubbles. Enter Charles Smith, Washington state’s rock star winemaker and fellow lover of Prosecco. “Who can resist a big fat glass of cold Italian bubbles?” said Smith. And as Ginevra Casa advises, “Drink Secco to celebrate everyday life!” Brilliant color, rich strawberry and Italian cherry with subtle biscotti and a hint of red vines and Necco Wafer.…ne bubbles, highly drinkable! 100% Pinot Noir.–From their Website
Cost: $13.99
Jocelyn Lonen Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2012 | California
Website
Cost: $21.99
Stratton-Lummis “The Magician” Red | California
Ripe black cherries mingle with traditional dark red fruits, smoky oak and exquisite spices. This wine is complex. Its flavors will linger and yet it is crisp, surprisingly fresh and easy to drink. Drink it now, but it will taste great for many months to come. The Magician, a California red blend, like Stratton Lummis’s “The Riddler” (a Napa red blend), is multi-vintage because our winemaker thinks that creates far more interesting wines with multiple layers of flavors and sophistication. It increases uniqueness. The wine just tastes better. The most luxurious wine in the world, Champagne, is also multi-vintaged. –From their Website
Website
Cost: $13.99. Grapes: Cabernet Dorsa, Maxime Rouge, Drunkenfelder, Petite Sirah, Shiraz, Petite Verdot
Tikal Patriota Malbec-Bonarda 2012 | Mendoza, Argentina
Deep reddish purple with aromas of bright berry/cherry fruit. Like swallowing a whole bowl of mixed ripe berries at once. Big body yet very balanced, with luscious layers of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa flavors. Just a hint of baking spice at the end brings it all together. Pairs well with grilled meats such as beef and pork, smoked ham, and even pizza with meat toppings. Incredibly fun to drink!
Website
Cost: $21.99. Grapes: 60% Malbec, 40% Bonarda
T-Vine Zinfandel 2011 | Napa Valley, California
We take pride in making Zinfandel from the Napa Valley, and our signature medley includes fruit from several notable sources. We taken blend Zinfandel from the Nichelini, Mancini, Frediani and Black Sears vineyards, encompassing several different terroirs, to create a big, intense and complex Zinfandel worthy of the T-Vine name.
The 2012 vintage has a wonderfully deep nose of blackberries and blueberries and hints of licorice and BBQ spices. On the palate, loads of dark berry, spice, pepper and star anise flavors coat every inch of your mouth leading to a smooth, long finish. Our Zinfandel will forever be a great companion to red meat. 20 months in French & 50% New American Oak. 875 produced.–From their Website
Website. Cost: $34.99
Jocelyn Lonen Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 | Napa Valley, California
Website.Cost: $26.99