Tasting Notes

Tasting notes for individual wines.

Arizona Wine Tasting Trip Update

Over the next several weeks we will have several posts profiling the wineries we are visiting here in Southern Arizona. However, I just wanted to post a little update until we can get those written. The last two days we spent in Willcox which appears to have some of the best vineyards in the state. There are several wineries in […]

Wines From Purple Wine Company

Almost everyone looks for good value with every purchase they make. Wine is no exception. Do we all enjoy those special $40 and above wines? Absolutely. But the reality is most of us cannot afford to drink them on a daily basis. So, we look for the best value possible for our every day wines, so we can still afford to drink those more expensive wines for special occasions. Purple Wine Company knows this about us. And to that end, have produced a line of inexpensive, everyday wines for us to enjoy.

Wine and Music — Of Course They Go Together

Karl Wente is fifth-generation winemaker at Wente Vineyards, and was recently named in Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 40 Under 40: America’s Tastemakers. Winemaking isn’t Karl’s only passion, he also has a serious interest in music. Let’s see how wine and music go together.

Summer Sippers

The theme for Thursday night’s wine tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton was “Summer Sippers”. George and Gail put together a group of six wines that meet their definition of Summer Sippers, that is white wines with lots of flavor, good acidity and not much perceivable sugar.

Wente Vineyards and Sustainability – An Online Tasting and Conversation

The other day we were sent some wine as tasting samples from Wente Vineyards for an online tasting. Wente Vineyards and Charles Communications do this every so often. It is a lot of fun plus we get to taste some nice wine. A group of bloggers are sent samples and we all get online at the same time to taste and share notes.

Tannat — One of Our New Favorites

This is a varietal we were introduced to by our good friend, Dave. One Monday night, a couple of years ago, he brought a bottle of 2008 Pasos Vineyards (1) Tannat. It was inky dark, had complex dark fruit flavors with eucalyptus and perfumed scents. The tannins were substantial, but well integrated. We loved the combination of fruit flavors and big tannins. This experience with Tannat was enough to prompt us to look for it on wine lists and in wine stores.

Chile — Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon

The tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton last Thursday night was all about Chile. We tasted six wines, two of which George told us were Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Carmenere. Our assignment for the evening was to identify the two Cabernets. As an aside, George wanted us to think about whether Carmenere could be a substitute for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pasos Vineyards – A Winery Profile

We had the good fortune to spend some time recently visiting with Antonio Pasos of Pasos Vineyards. His tasting room is located in Vino Piazza, The Winery Plaza in Lockeford, California.