White Hall Vineyards

We started out our tasting at White Hall, partly because of the area we were looking to go tasting in, they were the first one open, but also because I we hadn’t actually been out to the tasting room in many years. On the Saturday morning we stopped in they were pouring 9 different wines and my wife and I were happy to sample them all.

We started out with two Chardonnays, the 2008 Chardonnay ($15) and the 2008 Chardonnay Reserve ($24). The stainless steel Chardonnay featured all the usual citrus and pear notes I would have expected, but had a smoother finish than I anticipated, though certainly not “oaky”. The 2008 Reserve featured a bit of oaky nuttiness on the nose and while it had the “oaked” finish I would expect, it was subtle and even my wife, who doesn’t usually care for oaked Chardonnay, preferred it to the stainless steel.

Next up was the 2009 Viognier ($17) which offered a good floral nose with rose and honeysuckle in the mouth with just a hint of sweetness on the finish. This is a great summer wine and my wife and I did actually bring a bottle of it home with us. Following the Viognier was the 2008 Pinot Gris ($17) which didn’t have much nose to it but was a nice dry wine with a good minerality on the finish. Our final white was the 2008 Petit Manseng ($16) which like the Viognier had a floral nose with tropical notes in the mouth. The best way to describe this wine is as a less floral and more sweet Viognier. A good dessert wine though.

Moving on to the reds. We started with the 2008 Merlot ($15) which had a smoky nose but was lighter in the palate with raspberry flavors. I really enjoyed this one and we made sure to grab a bottle to bring home. Following that was the 2009 Touriga ($18) with a jammy nose and soft tannins. The 2008 Petit Verdot ($20) was a stand-out for me. It was a dark reddish-purple in the glass with smoke and pepper on the nose that carried through to the palate to mix with raspberry and a nice soft tannic finish. This was arguably my favorite wine of the tasting and we made sure to grab a bottle to bring home.

We finished up the tasting with the 2007 Soliterre ($17), a dessert wine with floral and apricot notes on the nose and candied fruit on the palate. With 6% residual sugar you had better make sure to pair it with something, but I will say that had I not known how much residual sugar was in the wine I might have guessed less as it certainly wasn’t syrupy.

Our tasting complete and some wines purchased we moved on to our next stop.

Mountfair Vineyards

I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that Mountfair was a big reason we headed out to do some wine tasting. Everybody in Virginia that’s been there has nothing but good things to say about it, and what’s not to love about a vineyard that specializes in small-batch red wines?

We started off our tasting with a few sparkling wines from Thibaut-Janisson, the Blanc de Chardonnay and the Virginia FIZZ. Mountfair sells these wines for them as they don’t have their own tasting room. They were both enjoyable, one a champagne style and the other a prosecco style.

As for the actual Mountfair wines, we started off with the 2009 Merlot ($20) which is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. With a peppery nose I expected more of it in the palate, but the Merlot does a good job of smoothing it out and makes this a great wine for just sipping on. We grabbed a bottle of this as well, bringing our Merlot total up to 2 in as many vineyards. Next was the other of their single varietals, the 2009 Cabernet Franc ($20) which is the opposite of the Merlot at 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. The wine was heavier in the mouth than I expected with a subtle pepper and smoke finish with good cherry notes leading the way in. We didn’t buy this one, but mostly because it lost the coin toss against the Merlot.

Next was the 2008 Indigenous ($25) a blend of 50/50 Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc with a velvety pepper nose and a tart finish that I attributed to the Cabernet Franc. Finally we sampled the 2009 Engagement ($25) a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a great wine for grilled food with a lot of the Cabernet Franc notes coming through, but with more body thanks to the Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

I really enjoyed Mountfair and before we left my wife and I even signed up for their wine club so that we’ll get shipments of their wine as their released. If you visit Mountfair or have at least tasted their wines I certainly recommend it as it’s a great value and a good way to get their signature wine, the Wooloomooloo, which pretty much sells out as soon as it’s released.

Pollak Vineyards

My wife and I had visited Pollak a few years back just after they opened their new tasting room (which is beautiful and has a patio and deck area perfect for a picnic lunch), but wanted to head back now that the new vintages were out, especially since I enjoyed what of them I was able to taste back in February at the Virginia Wine Expo. We started out with the 2009 Chardonnay ($19) which had a creamy nose with citrus and vanilla notes on the palate and a soft, light oak hint on the finish.

Next was the 2010 Viognier ($20) with a nose of honey and peach and floral notes on the palate. This was a light wine that will be good on a hot day. Next was the 2010 Pinot Gris ($18) which was so light in the glass as to be nearly clear. This was a medium dry wine and the only thing I can really say about it is that it was so-so, and nothing to get too excited about. Next was the 2009 Durant White ($16) a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Viognier, and 10% Pinot Gris. With a subtle floral nose and good tropical flavors this was easily my favorite white of the tasting and the only reason I didn’t grab a bottle to bring home is that I already have one.

Moving on to the reds we started with the 2009 Durant Red ($12) which is a 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Light red in the glass with pepper and a “meaty”, smoky aroma and a tart finish this is a good value wine, especially for those big cookouts that come up this time of year. Our next wine was the 2008 Cabernet Franc ($20) with a nose of pepper and generic red fruit with cherry on the palate.

Next was the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24) with a nose full of dark fruit and a juicy palate with soft tannins on the finish. This wine is just begging for a grilled steak and I bought a bottle to take home for just that reason. Our final sample was the 2008 Meritage ($25) a blend of 44% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 13% Petit Verdot that has a lot of dark fruit on both the nose and the palate with a nice smooth finish. It’s very “petit verdot-y” (according to my notes) and another great steak wine that we only didn’t buy because we decided to go with the Cab Sauv.

After staying at Pollak for a bit to eat some lunch on their deck area, it was on to our final stop.

Veritas Vineyards & Winery

Behind the Veritas tasting bar

I always have a soft spot in my heart for Veritas as my wife’s brother got married there and we had, quite frankly, one helluva time. Veritas lets you select either a white tasting or a red tasting, but since my wife and I were both there, we picked one of each and shared, starting off with the whites.

First was the Scintilla ($30) a French style brut sparkling wine with apple on the nose, big bubbles and a nice dry finish. Next was the 2010 “Saddleback” Chardonnay ($18) which is done in the Chablis style and has lots of tropical notes as well as some vanilla and apple. Following up that was the 2009 “Harlequin” Chardonnay ($25) which has spent 6 months in French oak. With a buttery/oak nose I was almost surprised at how much acid I found on the palate, though it certainly wasn’t a lot. That being said both my wife and I liked the “Harlequin” much better than the “Saddleback”.

Next we tasted the 2010 Viognier ($20). Floral and honeysuckle notes on the nose with peach on the palate and a slight hint of sweetness on the finish (.7% residual sugar) made this a very typical, but very enjoyable, Virginia Viognier. The 2009 Petit Manseng ($25) had kiwi on the nose and even with 10% residual sugar was sweet without being syrupy. The 2009 Kenmar ($35) is an ice wine style made from Traminette and offering rose aromas on the nose with honey and rose water on the palate. This is a very sweet wine, but a good dessert wine if paired correctly with something like pound cake.

Moving on to the reds, we sampled the Mousseux ($30) a sparkling wine using Merlot grapes with notes of strawberry and a tartness that I actually found rather refreshing. The 2010 Rose’ ($14) is made with 46% Cabernet Franc and 54% Merlot and features .5% residual sugar. A medium-light pink in color with a strawberry nose and a dry, slight pepper/spice note on the finish that makes this a good summer wine for pairing with something like grilled chicken.

The Red Star ($18) is a blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, and 26% Chambourcin. A nose of dark fruit and pepper and a palate of smoke and cherry make this a good wine to pair with burgers. The 2009 Claret ($18) is a blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Petit Verdot. The petit verdot really came through on this wine, with a nice juiciness to the wine and aromas of smoke and pepper that will make this another great wine for drinking with some gourmet burgers off the grill – which is why my wife and I grabbed a bottle.

Finally, the 2009 Vintner’s Reserve ($25) a blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in mostly new French oak barrels. A smoky aroma with tons of dark fruit notes on the palate a nice soft tannic finish makes this a great wine to pair with a steak.

My wife and I had a great time tasting all these wines, and everybody that we dealt with at the vineyards was incredibly pleasant, knowledgeable, and friendly. If you have the chance to visit any of these vineyards I highly recommend it, and I’m already looking forward to another trip out to Virginia Wine Country to visit some other vineyards and taste some more wines.

Related posts:

1. Virginia Wine Country Day 2
2. Virginia Wine Country Day 1
3. California Wine Country Day 1 – Napa Valley

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley – California – USA
Cost: $15 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: A wonderfully expressive wine that is rich and creamy, yet fresh. Ripe tree fruit flavors of peach, pear, and guava show on the nose and palate. Hints of lemon, subtle herbs, and brioche balance out the fruitiness, and there is a creamy and nuanced finish. Pairs well with herbed pork loin or pasta with your favorite cream sauce.

My Review: I always take a deep breathe before opening a bottle of Chardonnay that’s spent any time in oak (this one spent time in both French and American oak), as my wife is hit or miss on Chardonnay that’s spent time in barrels, preferring stainless steel. However, life is about new experiences, and as I enjoy oaked Chardonnay, sometimes she just has to suck it up (sorry sweetie). Fortunately, with the 2009 Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay we both won.

The wine featured some subtle citrus fruit on the nose, and while I did pick up the pear aromas, I also got a hint of pineapple that I’ve often found in Chardonnay before and enjoy. In the mouth, the wine started out crisp and clean, with good citrus notes balanced out with a bit of body. The finish is where you know the wine spent some time in barrels.

The typical buttery/oaky/brioche finish that one associates with oaked Chardonnay was subtle – present, but really only right at the finish, and did a great job of evening out the fruit and citrus on the front of the wine. With a dinner of pork tenderloin and stuffing, it was a good pairing, and necessary as the tenderloin we had picked up had a lot of pepper on it. Too much really.

I’ve been fortunate enough to review several Concannon wines over the last few years, and one thing they never do is disappoint. Whether you’re a fan of oaked chardonnay or not, the 2009 Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay is definitely one worth checking out. If you can’t find it at your local store you can follow this link and have some sent to your home or office.

Related posts:

1. Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay 2008
2. Franciscan Estate Chardonnay 2009
3. Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2009

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California – Napa Valley – USA
Cost: $18 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Pale yellow in color with aromas of Fuji apple, ripe pear, citrus and white nectarine fruit layered with rich notes of cream, toasted hazelnut, and vanilla. In the mouth the wine is silky and round with flavors of pear, apple, citrus, and honey with notes of rich creme brulee, mineral, and cream lingering at the finish. Pairs well with chicken dishes, soft cheeses, and cream based pastas.

My Review: I can always tell when the warmer months are upon us because the samples I receive change from big bold reds to lighter wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. It’s my little way of knowing that winter will soon be over and that I can finally put away my heavy wool coat. The first of such samples to show up at my office this time was a 2009 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay.

As you know, picking out Chardonnay is a bit of a trial in my house as my wife doesn’t like overly oaked Chardonnay. Fortunately I think that a) her tastes are evolving and she’s getting more into oaked Chardonnay, and b) we’re finding plenty of Chardonnay that’s spent time in oak, but doesn’t beat you over the head with the oak flavors. The 2009 Franciscan definitely falls into that category.

With a pale yellow-gold color in the glass, I wasn’t too worried about there being too much oak for my wife, and while I got some of the aromas of vanilla that I typically associate with oaked Chardonnay, and make no mistake that this wine has spent time in oak (7 months in small French and American oak barrels, 20% new oak), the flavors of citrus at the front of the wine were nice and bright and refreshing before leading into a more rounded wine with notes of vanilla and creme brulee on the finish.

Paired with our dinner of seasoned and broiled chicken and roasted Yukon Gold potatoes, it was a great compliment to the food, with the citrus cutting through the initial bit of heat from the spices my wife used to season the chicken, but the creaminess of the finish on the wine complimenting the herbs on both the chicken and the potatoes.

This is definitely a wine I would recommend picking up for anybody that’s looking for a more robust Chardonnay, but isn’t looking for something that’s lived its entire life in oak barrels. If you can’t find it at your local store you can follow this link to have it shipped to you, or you can always go and visit the tasting room if you’re on the West Coast (something I plan to do when I head out there later this year).

Related posts:

1. Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
2. Robert Mondavi Chardonnay 2008
3. Terra Andina Chardonnay 2008

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California – USA
Cost: $20 (SRP)

Golden in color with aromas of pears, Gala apples, stone fruits, and pineapple.  Hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, panna cotta, and hazelnuts that all carry through to the palate.  Pairs well with chicken, seafood, and pork dishes as well as some softer cheeses.

Recommendations: I’ll admit that with the colder weather I’ve been on somewhat of a red wine kick, not the least of which has to do with my food selections.  However, when the bottle of 2008 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay showed up at my office the other day, I will admit that I was happy for it as A) I don’t have a lot of white in the house at the moment, and B) I was kinda in the mood for a nice Chardonnay.

If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time you know that I have a bit of trouble picking out Chardonnays because my wife doesn’t like oaked Chardonnay.  While the Robert Mondavi has spent some time in French oak to age, it was fermented in stainless steel, and so I was hoping that the distinctive finish wouldn’t be too bad for her.  It wasn’t.

The wine was clear and gold in the glass, and the aromas of apple and pineapple jumped right up into my nose with just a hint of nutmeg on the end of it.  In the mouth the wine was light and crisp, with apple, pear, and pineapple flavors carrying through, and then a nice, subtly creamy finish from the time in French oak with some nutmeg and hazelnuts on the finish.

Paired with a dinner of mustard and herb chicken, salad, and creamy garlic pasta side, it was a great compliment to everything on the table, and was enjoyable by itself, a feature that can be hit or miss for me with Chardonnay that’s spent some time in oak.  If you’re like my wife and don’t like oaked Chardonnay, I would still recommend giving the 2008 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay a try as it’s subtle and might help usher you in to enjoying them.

Also, if you can’t find the wine at your local store (which honestly shouldn’t be a problem), you can always click on this link and have it shipped right to your home or office.

Related posts:

1. Simi Chardonnay 2008
2. Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
3. Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay 2008

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Region: California – Sonoma County – USA
Cost: $21

Lighter red in color with aromas of cherry and flavors of rose petal, pomegranate, and cherry.  Time in French Oak barrels adds a hint of toasted spice on the finish.  Pairs well with lamb, pork, chicken, steak, mild cheese…pretty much anything.

Recommendations: Ah Pinot Noir…my one true love (of wine – I love my wife very much).  I’m always in the market for a good Pinot, and back in July, during a tasting at my local wine shop, I had the opportunity to try, and then buy, this Rodney Strong pinot noir.  To be honest, I had almost forgotten it was on my wine rack until the other day when grilling some pork chops and I kicked myself for forgetting about it.

Nice and light in the glass, aromas and flavors of cherry were the most noticeable to me, with just a hint spice on the end.  When paired with the grilled pork chops, the wine held up well, adding a counter note of cherry to the grilled flavor and marinade that I had added.  In short, it was a good pairing.

Most importantly, after the meal was done, the wine continued to be excellent on its own.  Pinot Noir is easily one of my favorite varietals because of how well it pairs with food or with nothing at all, and the Rodney Strong pinot did just that.  My only complaint with this bottle was that it was only 750 ml and not a larger bottle because I was definitely craving another glass after the last drop had been poured, and in the end, that’s the true mark of a good wine.

Definitely one worth picking up, especially for fans of pinot noir.

Related posts:

1. Pinot Evil Pinot Noir
2. Waterstone Pinot Noir 2007
3. Kenwood Vineyards Pinot Noir

Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: California – Livermore Valley – USA
Cost: $15

Light golden in the glass with pear and guava on the nose and flavors of fresh peach, guava, and pear with hints of lemon, herbs, and brioche with a creamy finish.  Pairs well with pork loin or pasta with cream sauce.

Recommendations: I’m always wary of opening a bottle of Chardonnay to share with my wife as she doesn’t like oaked Chardonnay (she doesn’t like the buttery finish).  However, when fixing a dinner of pork tenderloin, the bottle of Concannon Chardonnay called out to me.  I got a bit of pear on the nose, and flavors of peach.  The finish was nice and mellow, with just a hint of the typical buttery finish that you associate with Chardonnay that has spent time in oak barrels.

Paired with our dinner it was a winner.  The slight acid of the wine did a great job of cutting through the richness of the pork tenderloin, and the hints of lemon and herb complimented the herbs that we had added to the tenderloin.  While this wine certainly doesn’t break new ground, it’s a nice, solid Chardonnay that’s worth picking up and is a great pairing with pork.

Related posts:

1. Waterstone Chardonnay 2008
2. Four Vines “Naked” Chardonnay
3. Chateau St Jean Chardonnay

Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: California – Carneros – USA
Cost: $18

Bright, concentrated citrus, pear, green apple, and nectarine with just a touch of oak on the palate.  Pairs well with chicken, pork, and seafood.

Recommendations: When this wine first showed up I was looking over the tasting notes and saw that it had spent 9 months in French oak and instantly thought that maybe my wife wouldn’t like this wine as she doesn’t typically like oaked Chardonnay.  Fortunately we opened it to pair with some grilled pork chops and she gave it a try.  She was glad she did.

Green apple and a bit of pineapple were noticeable on the palate, with just a hint of oak on the finish so that you know it’s not a stainless steel Chardonnay, but not enough to turn off those that don’t like oaked Chardonnay.  When paired with some grilled pork chops and sides of corn, potatoes, and green beans it was the perfect pairing to add a touch of acidity to counter the food, while still having some richness to compliment it.

For the price this is hands down one of the better Chardonnays I’ve had in a while and I definitely recommend giving it a try whether you’re a regular Chardonnay drinker or not.  A good wine and a great value.

Related posts:

1. Four Vines “Naked” Chardonnay
2. Gray Ghost Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay
3. Veritas “Estate Bottled” Chardonnay 2008

Our second day of tasting began when we arrived King Family Vineyards.  A beautiful estate that is almost hidden (GPS makes it easy to find) off several small roads, we spent some time tasting their wines – the Roseland 2008, a blend of Chardonnay and Viognier offers the best of both wines, and their Crose 2009, a Provence style dry Rose’ made from Merlot grapes, were both especially enjoyable – and looking around the small shop within their tasting room.  While this was April and my first stop, this would have been an ideal spot to stop for lunch, as King Family Vineyards has several items available for purchase that, when paired with wine, would make an excellent picnic lunch.

Our second stop on the day was Pollak Vineyards, with their new tasting room with a patio perfect for relaxing with a bottle of wine.  A dry Rose’ stood out amongst the lighter wines, but their 2008 Durant Red, a 50/50 blend of their Merlot and Cabernet Franc, made me regret not getting to taste their Merlot (they were sold out) as the flavors I got that weren’t Cab Franc were quite enjoyable, with a bright flavor that still showed a bit of earthiness at the same time.

After relaxing for a bit, you have to pace yourself when wine tasting after all, April and I got back into the car and headed on to our next stop, Veritas Vineyards.  Now, this was not my first trip to Veritas, as April’s brother (that’s my brother-in-law for those following along) had been married there coming up on 3 years ago.

However, on my last trip we weren’t wine tasting, and so I hadn’t had the opportunity to sample all of their wines.  Veritas offers both a red and a white tasting, and being the good couple that April and I are, we decided to get both and share them.  Ain’t love grand?

From the white tasting several wines stand out.  The first thing we sampled was their Scintilla, a sparkling brut that was excellent, with a mineral flavor that was both dry and crisp and quite refreshing.  Next up was their Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal that you don’t see much of in Virginia.  Light and refreshing I liked it, but found myself craving the bolder flavors of South American Sauvignon Blanc.  That said, this was still an excellent wine and one worth buying.

The other white to truly stand out was the 2008 “Estate Bottled” Chardonnay.  The addition of some Viognier to this wine adds a floral nose and flavor that both April and I found very nice.  We actually purchased a bottle of this to go home after having a bottle opened to enjoy with our lunch on the stunning grounds of Veritas.

From the reds, the 2008 Merlot was dry and earthy with flavors of black cherry and it was at this point that I think April officially became a fan of Virginia Merlot.  The bottle that came home with us, however, was their 2008 Claret with it’s pepper nose (thanks to the 35% Cab Franc) and smooth finish (thanks to the 5% Petit Verdot).  It’s a great wine for pasta, hamburgers, or just because.

Our final stop of the day was in part thanks to the suggestion of our pourer at King Family Vineyards.  When asking about our day we told her what we had on our list and she suggested Afton Mountain Vineyards over our other choice (which I will not name) because of the wine selection and what she perceived to be our palates.  It also helps that Afton Mountain is just down the road from Veritas, while the other place is not.

At Afton Mountains they also offer two different tastings (a House and a Reserve), and as at Veritas, April and I decided to get both and share.  From the House Tasting, the Gewurztraminer was so impressive, with its dry, mineral flavors, that we actually bought a bottle of it to take home.  The Cabernet Sauvignon from this tasting was also very nice with a good earthy flavor.

From the Reserve Tasting the Tete de Cuvee brut we started with had a nice mineral (which seemed to be a theme for the weekend) and their Festa di Bacco is nothing if not a great pasta wine.

Like all good things, this weekend came to an end.  While this will not be my last trip to Virginia Wine Country, or several of these vineyards to be honest, I do hope that anybody that is in Virginia and reading this (and my previous post) that hasn’t gone out and spent some time in Virginia Wine Country will do so.

Thanks to all of the vineyards across both days for being your hospitality and your wine.

Related posts:

1. Virginia Wine Country Day 1
2. California Wine Country Day 2 – Sonoma
3. California Wine Country Day 1 – Napa Valley

Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: California – Sonoma County – USA
Cost: $14

Aromas of stone fruit with flavors of pear and sweet melon with a clean finish.  Pair with seafood or chicken.

Recommendations: Having set long enough in my wine fridge since coming back from California with my wife and I, this bottle of Chardonnay was finally opened this week to pair with a meal of ricotta and herb stuffed chicken.

A nice, slightly buttery flavor (thanks to 5 months in French and American oak), was a great final note to the flavors of pear and sweet melon.  That being said, even with the time in oak, the wine still exhibits a very clean, crisp finish after the buttery notes.

A great wine to pair with well-seasoned white meat or seafood, this is a great everyday white wine that’s good for just about any occasion and is priced for it as well.  A great one to pick up for dinner for two or a dinner party for a dozen people.

Related posts:

1. Yellowtail Chardonnay
2. Four Vines “Naked” Chardonnay
3. 2006 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

Our first stop was at Viansa Winery & Marketplace.  The tasting room and grounds at Viansa are nothing short of spectacular, and I recommend stopping in there just for the view.  We tried several of their wines, including their Senza Chardonnay, an unoaked Chardonnay that was light and crisp, the Reserve Chardonnay, featuring lots of butter on the nose, and a Pinot Noir that was velvety right up to the end where it showed a bit of bite.

We also tried a Zinfandel with that was jammy, with lots of cherry flavors but very little pepper and spice on the finish, much different than the Prindelo, which was very full-bodied and not at all jammy.  The Sangiovese offered a spicy nose with fruit and tannins on the palate.

We finished up at Viansa with two Cabernet Francs.  The 2004 Cab Franc was dark with with a fruity, jammy nose, and was the closest to a Virginia Cab Franc I had experienced on my trip.  The 2005 Samuele Cabernet Franc was more robust, with a peppery nose and a dry, tannic finish.

Our next stop, right down the road, was Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.  If you’re a fan of olive oil, I would recommend a stop to Jacuzzi for that alone.  They have a great selection of flavored and unflavored olive oils that are worth the drive.  But let’s be honest – that’s not the only reason I went there.

My wife and I started off with a taste of Carneros, which had a fruity nose, but was light and refreshingly crisp with flavors of citrus, peach, and cinnamon.  From there we jumped into the reds with Pinot Noir, which was dry moreso than fruity, and featured a bit of spearmint on the palate.  Next up was a Sangiovese that was very light on the palate and smooth.  We took a bottle of this wine home.

Next was a Nero d’Avola, which is a Sicilian varietal, that offered strawberry on the nose and palate.  The last two that we tried were a Barbera that had a smoky finish and is a great steak wine if there ever was one, and a Primitivo which had a very dry nose, but was very jammy and fruit forward on the palate.

Next we stopped at Sebastiani for some tasting and lunch.  Before settling down for lunch, we tried several samples, including a Carneros that showed white peach and green apple with a hint of white pepper.  Very refreshing, my wife and I bought a bottle of this to enjoy with our lunch.

Before we made it to said lunch, we also tried a very mellow Chardonnay and a White Pinot Noir that was effervescent, as well as a Pinot Noir with a great deal of spice on the nose, though not so much on the palate.  The Barbera offered anise, black cherry, and licorice and is perfect for pizza.

Finally we tried the Zinfandel, which I found to be very smooth and would be great with BBQ, and the Cabernet Sauvignon which was soft and earthy.

Our lunch finished, we traveled to Ravenswood.  To be perfectly honest, the only thing to say about Ravenswood is this:  Zinfandel.  If you’re a fan of Zinfandel than this is a stop worth making, if you’re not you’ll probably want to pass.

From there we traveled to Ledson Winery, located at a converted mansion that was absolutely beautiful.  First up was a Sauvignon Blanc with melon on the nose and a white peach, semi-sweet flavor.  This was followed by a Carneros Chardonnay, the Tres Frais, with a green apple nose and banana finish.  Very light, very balanced acidity.

From there we moved into the reds with a Sonoma County “Old Vine” Zinfandel with raspberry on the nose and leather, spice, and raisin on the palate.  This was followed by a Merlot with cherry and smoke, a Malbec with a black cherry nose and leather notes on the palate, and finally a Petite Sirah that was nothing so much as dusty and rough.

Our final stop of the day was Chateau St. Jean.  Another beautiful estate, it was only enhanced by great wine.  First up was a Pinot Blanc that was surprisingly robust for a white wine.  Next was a Chardonnay that was amazingly light for having spent 15 months in French Oak.

Next we sampled an excellent Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon with a very smoky nose.  Our final red was a Syrah before trying a Gewurztraminer that was off-sweet and refreshing.  I’m not a fan of Gewurtztraminer and I found this one enjoyable and would certainly recommend it as a deck wine.

Unfortunately, like all things, my trip to California had to come to an end.  If you’re already in California I certainly recommend a trip to any of these vineyards, and if you’re not in California…what are you waiting for?  I want to thank all of the vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma that were so welcome to both my wife and I, and I look forward to coming out to try even more wine.

Related posts:

1. California Wine Country Day 1 – Napa Valley
2. Friends.Red Sonoma County Red Wine
3. Trinity Oaks Vineyards California Pinot Noir