The
Family Winemakers of California annual tasting in San Francisco is a
first-class tasting event, focusing on the many good wines that come from small
and medium sized wineries. I tasted dozens of wines and recommend the
following. Most are available directly
from the winery, some are available in wine shops, and a few sell out quickly –
so don’t delay ordering if these sound good to you. |
| Diane of Auriga |
Diane
Stading of Auriga Wine Cellars poured their 2010 Zinfandel among other
wines. This wine, made from El Dorado
County grapes grown on 35 year old vines on the ridge of the Sumu Kaw Vineyard near
Placerville, features an intense fruitiness. It is big and bold and juicy, well balanced with bright notes and good
acidity. The flavor also had notes of
Bing cherry, with deep grape flavors, nice spices and pepper tones along with
vanilla and oak on the finish. “This is one of my finest zinfandels,” said the
winemaker. 15
per cent alcohol. $24/ bottle. www.aurigawines.com
 |
| Larry of Frog's Tooth, left, pours for a taster |
Another
nice Zinfandel made from El Dorado grapes, in this case the Gold Hill
Vineyards, is the 2010 Zinfandel from Frog’s Tooth Vineyards, Murphys, CA. 15
percent alcohol. $26/bottle. www.frogstooth.com
 |
| Marilee of Urban Legend |
Marilee
Shaffer of Urban Legend Winery poured a 2010 Dolcetto made with grapes from the
LBS Ranch/Lava Cap vineyards near Placerville.
Aroma of black cherry and plum, and cherry flavor dominates. There’s a
bit of red raspberry flavor too, and on the finish a tad of mocha and hint of
almond. This 2010 Dolcetto, of which 125 cases were produced, sells at $25 a bottle. 14.6 percent alcohol. www.ulcellars.com
 |
| Suzi of Vino Noceto |
Suzy
Gullett of Vino Noceto, Amador County, poured the 21st vintage of
their Sangiovese, made in a Chianti style. Flavor is fruit forward cranberry
and cherry character, and a hint of chocolate. Highly versatile with food, and
lauded as the best Sangiovese in California!
14% alcohol. $18. www.noceto.com
C.
G. DiArie featured their new Summer Breeze, an El Dorado blend of Zinfandel,
Primitivo and Barbera. This wine was
served chilled “on the tap” via a bladder system within the barrel developed by
Chaim Gur-Arieh, a well known food scientist.
A huge hit with consumers at the tasting, and although to date Summer
Breeze is only available in the keg-with-tap system, I suspect it will be in
their regular wine offerings soon. www.cgdiarie.com
 |
| Jana Harvey of Scott Harvey Wines |
Jana
Harvey of Scott Harvey wines, Amador County and Napa, poured their 2010
Zinfandel from Ancient Vines, the “1869”. This Amador wine is a briary zin with flavor
of deep blackberry, fig, pomegranate, and violets.
The hint of coffee and currant make it truly delicious. 14.5% alcohol, $45 the bottle. www.scottharveywines.com.
This review first appeared in my Wine Time column in The Tahoe Weekly on September 4, 2013.
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