The Friday afternoon tasting sessionA nice change of pace heading up the coast to Oregon. Several fo the past few tastings have been featuring California wines. The A to Z Wineworks’ motto is “Aristocratic Wines at Democratic Prices.”
Amen brother. The Riesling is medium sweet, as per their tasting notes. To some palates it’s very sweet. To me is was too sweet, and was just right. The Pinot Gris was also very flavorful much like the Pinot Gris from last week’s tastng. I think it is a keeper. The Pinot Noir was nice as well, having some body and flavor. I would have to say it was my favorite.
[quote type=”center”] Aristocratic Wines at Democratic Prices [/quote]
All this with the U.S. Open playing on the big screen above.
Nice little tasting.
Here’s some history about A to Z that Roger included in his newsletter this week:
“A to Z Wineworks’ partnership blends unique skills. Bill Hatcher brought an extensive background in strategy and finance to the Oregon wine industry and Domaine Drouhin Oregon, which he managed for 13 years before co-founding A to Z. Debra Hatcher spearheads marketing, promotion and design. Sam Tannahill and Cheryl Francis, winemakers respectively for Archery Summit and Chehalem for 8 years, bring surpassing creativity and technical expertise resulting in the same quality at 120,000 cases as with the inaugural 2,500 that earned them Food and & Wine Magazine’s award for the best American Pinot Noir under $20.
In 2006, a widely experienced Michael Davies joined the winemaking team and Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, became a partner representing his Rock & Hammer Pinot Noir. Charlotte Mischel runs the day-to-day operations with her organizational and problem solving skills. In 2007, A to Z and more minority partners purchased Rex Hill Vineyards, a 25 year old winery at the northern tip of the Willamette Valley, and their staff expanded with the hired Amy Prosenjak Amy Prosenjak as CFO.
Founded in 2002, the company is Oregon’s fastest growing winery. The business model is simple: to produce and market Oregon’s best wine values by concentrating on core competencies of acquisition, blending and marketing.
These wines are a great precursor for the kick off of Summer and Father’s Day. Excellent quality wines for the price. This tasting should not be missed!”
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463
When: Friday, June 15, 2012. 4:30 to 6:30pm, Saturday, June 16, 2012. 2 to 6 pm.
Cost: Determined by Flight
Here are the wines presented (click to see more):
- A to Z Riesling 2011
- A to Z Pinot Gris
- A to Z Chardonnay
- A to Z Rosé
- A to Z Pinot Noir
- Carters’s Cabernet Sauvignon
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Here are the detailed wine notes:
A to Z RieslingA to Z Riesling 2011
The brilliant gold 2011 A to Z Riesling has fresh aromas of lime blossom, tangerine, green tea, mint and wet stone that evolve to nuances of petrol, white currants, jasmine and melon. In the mouth, the wine mirrors the aromatics and is rich and impeccably structured through racy acidity and a touch of sweetness. The finish is long and complete giving a final glimpse of minerals and white flowers. This wine should have no problem aging and gaining complexity over the next ten years although it is already drinking great now. A VERSATILE FOOD WINE, it pairs exceptionally well with spicy foods which play nicely against the dynamic layers of this Riesling. THIS RIESLING IS: medium sweet.–From their Website
From: Dundee, Oregon
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
Year: 2011
A to Z Pinot Gris
The 2011 A to Z Pinot Gris is bright with tropical aromas of lime, kiwi, orange blossom, and tangerine as well as complex aromas of rose, melon and talc. The attack is lively, juicy and pure with wonderful lush fruit and mineral notes. Tangy citrus flavors combine with ripe peach, pear and quince notes to produce a very pretty and seamless mid-palate. The wine has good weight and great length that ultimately ends with a clean, crisp finish. –From their Website
From: Dundee, Oregon
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
A to Z Chardonnay
The 2010 A to Z Chardonnay opens with aromas of white flowers, tangerine, lime, quince, wet stone and minerals that develop further into nutmeg, honey, green apple with hints of ginger. A mineral laden attack is bright, mouthwatering and intense. The nuanced mid-palate carries on with flavors that mirror and amplify the aromatics. The finish is long, clean, crisp and juicy with flavors of honeysuckle, citrus and wet stone. This wine exemplifies classic Oregon steely Chardonnay. 2010 was an exceptional vintage for white wines in Oregon and this sophisticated terroir driven wine is no exception; bright, tangy and intense it will deliver over the next 5 years.–From their Website
From: Dundee, Oregon
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
A to Z Rosé
he The A to Z Rosé has vibrant aromas of strawberry, watermelon, red currant, wet stone and violets developing into deeper aromas of ripe red raspberry, magnolia, Rainier cherry and blueberry. On the palate, the wine has a bright, juicy mouthfeel and more floral and ripe fruit flavors, finally finishing crisp and leaving one wanting another sip. Pure enjoyment! A to Z Rosé is made with intention from grape to glass: single vineyard selection, specialized equipment and craft winemaking.–From their Website
From: Dundee, Oregon
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
A to Z Pinot NoirA to Z Pinot Noir
Elegant and complex aromas of bing cherries, cranberries, red currants, raspberries and strawberries, a combination of wild flowers and fresh forest berries that epitomize Oregon Pinot Noir. The juicy red fruit flavors open the attack then evolve in the mouth to darker fruit flavors with spice and mineral overtones. The wine shows ripe tannins and a succulent texture that give definition and lift to the surprisingly long finish. Although the 2010 A to Z Pinot Noir is drinking well now, it has the focus, balance and intensity to age and will become more complex over the next 5-10 years.–From their Website
From: Dundee, Oregon
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
Carters’s Cabernet Sauvignon
The Carter Cellars 2009 vintage possesses our signature qualities of bright fruit with intense structure and age worthiness, alongside a deep and true representation of the vineyards from which they were sourced. We were gifted with an ideal growing season and a long, mild summer. Our grapes were harvested fully ripe before the heavy October rain storms which preserved their finesse and deep concentration.–From their Website
From: Napa, California
Winery: Carter Cellars
