La Jolla Wine Tasting Selections 12/20/13-12/21/13

On Friday we will be featuring wines from Owen Roe Winery, which produce a number of quality wines in Oregon and Washington. In fact, Yakima Valley boasts some of the best grape growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest.  Owen Roe founder and winemaker, David O’Reilly, has been championing winemaking in the Yakima Valley since 1999 from their Oregon winery. However, in 2011 with the purchase of Union Gap Vineyard he began to lay the foundations for Owen Roe in Washington and is ecstatic to finally call it home.  The two featured wines are a Chardonnay and Cabernet from the legendary Dubrul Vineyard, a two-time winner of Vineyard of the Year in the state of Washington.

On Saturday we will be featuring wines from Australia.  Although no grape varietals are native to Australia, they are now the fourth largest exporter of wine in the World.  The major grape varieties of Australia are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling.  We have 5 highly regarded wines on tap for the evening, four of which have yet to be poured at a Jonathan’s wine tasting.  The evening is highlighted by the John Duval Syrah, which was awarded 95 Points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and MollyDooker’s Enchanted Path, which was awarded 94 Points.

I hope to see you all this weekend!

~ Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, December 20th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, December 21st, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, December 20th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring the Wines of Owen Roe Winery

Yakima Valley boasts some of the best grape growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest.  Owen Roe founder and winemaker, David O’Reilly, has been championing winemaking in the Yakima Valley since 1999 from their Oregon winery. However, in 2011 with the purchase of Union Gap Vineyard he began to lay the foundations for Owen Roe in Washington and is ecstatic to finally call it home…

2011 DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay ($54.99)

  • Aromas of red anjou pear, pineapple, sweet corn and toasty brioche leads to a leaner, more mineral driven palate. Flavors of lemon curd, lime pithe and wet cement. Light, fresh with singing acidity and a clean finish “Combines deft balance with explosive flavor, offering layers of pear, white peach, floral and crème fraîche that sail smoothly over refined acidity into a long and expressive finish. Drink now through 2017.” Wine Spectator 94 Points!

2012 Sharecropper Pinot Noir ($24.99)

  • Sourced from some of our favorite vineyards in the Willamette Valley, this wine showcases the bright floral and red berry fruit flavors predominant in this region. The Sharecropper’s Pinot Noir of 2012 is aromatic with hints of black licorice, candied fruit, spiced hazelnut and rose petal. Flavors of toasted baguette, black cherry, clove and cinnamon are elegantly balanced with the refreshing acidity on the palate. Enjoy now through 2017+.”

2012 Abbot’s Table ($24.99)

  • Reminicent of the bold Abbot’s Table blends of past vintages, this 2012 bottling is predominately blended with the following varietals (Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Malbec, Lemberger and Merlot). This Yakima Valley red wine has mouthwatering aromas of plum, raspberry, white pepper and herbaceous undertones. The mouth-feel has lovely depth and richness with bright acidity, rounded out with hints of vanilla, dark cocoa nibs, robust violet and spice.

2012 Sinisters Hand ($24.99)

  • A dark story needs a dark wine, which is why we created this blend, typical of a traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This blend of 70% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault has lovely aromas of black cherry, cranberry, clove, orange zest and dusty earth. The palate has notes of cocoa balanced with cranberry spice cake and gingerbread flavors. The finish has a refreshing structure with fine tannins.

2010 Dubrul Vineyard Cabernet ($74.99)

  • Good bright ruby-red.  Sexy aromas of redcurrant, graphite, licorice, cocoa powder, mint and new oak.  Broad, lush and sweet, with terrific concentration and subtle perfume to the very ripe dark fruit flavors.  Textured, ripe wine with terrific finishing breadth and a nicely restrained sweetness.” Steven Tanzer – 93 Points! 

 

Saturday, December 21st, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring the Wines of Australia

2010 D’Aremberg “The Hermit Crab” ($17.99)

  • A spicy, refreshing white, brimming with citrusy pear, nutmeg and lychee flavors. Lingers easily on the polished finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. –HSWine Spectator 89 Points! Wine Advocate 88 Points!

2006 Tir Na N’og Grenache ($24.99)

  • Lithe and distinctive for its orange peel-accented black cherry and licorice flavors, lingering harmoniously on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2014. 550 cases imported. –HSWine Spectator 91 Points!

2011 Torbreck Cuvee Juveniles ($24.99)

  • Smooth and vibrant, with spicy clove and green olive overtones around a dark core of dried blueberry and allspice, lingering on the generous, expressive finish. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Drink now through 2018. 1,500 cases imported. –HSWine Spectator 91 Points!

2010 John Duval Entity ($54.99)

  • “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Entity Shiraz is scented of ripe blueberries, mulberries and Chinese dried plum with vanilla pod, dark chocolate, cedar, violet and fruit cake nuances. This full-bodied wine is densely packed with black berry preserve and baking spice flavors, has a refreshing acid line to add lift and medium to firm levels of rounded tannins. It has a long length with some oak poking through on the finish. Drink it from 2014 to 2024+.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 95 Points!

2010 Mollydooker Enchanted Path ($59.99)

  • “Blended of 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Enchanted Path was matured for 12 months in 85% new oak (97% American and 3% French). Very deep purple-black colored, it gives notes of ripe cassis and black cherry compote over hints of smoked bacon, dark chocolate, espresso, cedar and cloves. Very full bodied, densely packed and opulent in the mouth, it has a medium level of grainy tannins, very crisp acidity and a long finish with some mintiness coming through. Drink it 2014 to 2022+.” Wine Advocate 94 Points! Wine Spectator 93 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment

El Cajon Wine Tasting Selections 12/20/13-12/21/13

Our them this Friday and Saturday at Harvest Ranch El Cajon is all about good wines and celebrating the season with all of you.

We will be showcasing a terrific line-up of highly rated wines that all have “Santa” in the name, such as Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Lucia!

It’s sure to be a great time ~ we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

~ Patrick

El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, December 20th, 2013  5pm – 7pm
Saturday, December 21st, 2013  3pm – 5pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Featuring the Santa Wines

This weeks selections: $15.00

Morgan Metallico Chard  SANTA Lucia   ($18.99 During Tasting)

  • “Pure and ripe, offering juicy notes of honeydew melon, ginger, spice and nectarine, ending with a sustained finish that echoes the core fruit flavors.” 90 Points – Wine Spectator

Lea Pinot SANTA Rita Hills    ($25.99 During Tasting)

  • Perfumed and loaded with fruit, it offers up beautiful purity, vibrant acidity and a pure silk texture that’s hard to resist. 92 Points – Robert Parker

Tensley Syrah SANTA Barbara   ($19.99 During Tasting)

  • Pepper, chocolate and jammy blackberry and purple plum flavors. This wine is drinking very well already but should age nicely over the next 3 to 5 years.  A vineyard blend, the single vineyard version received 96 points from Robert Parker!

Clos de Gilroy SANTA Cruz   ($12.99 During Tasting)

  •  ”The Bonny Doon Grenache, as good a value as you’ll find, is firm and richly flavored, with gripping tannins wrapped around vibrant wild berry, plum, and savory dried herb notes. Ends with a long, deep finish. 91 Points – Wine Spectator

Jaffurs Pet. Syrah SANTA Barbara   ($34.99 During Tasting)

  • A knockout effort that offers up thrilling aromas of smoky black and red raspberries, tar, licorice, mineral and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, tannic and structured, yet also seamless and silky. 94 Points – Robert Parker

 

See you all this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for La Jolla 12/13/13-12/14/13

On request this Friday night we will do a battle of domestic Pinot Noir.  We will begin with a fantastic lush and creamy Longwood Chardonnay before diving into four Pinot’s from various regions.  They include the Santa Barbara County 2012 Lea, the Russian River 2010 Athair, the Willamette Valley 2009 Domaine Serene, and finally the Sonoma Coast 2011 Flowers.  Come and join us to see which Pinot Noir will rein supreme.  All featured wines are available 15% off for one day only.

The Wine Spectator magazine recently released its 2013 Top 100 Wines.  On Saturday our fortunate wine tasters will get the opportunity to taste five of the wines that made the list.  It is an opportunity we rarely get the chance to do.  The wines consist of one white (a Washington Riesling from Charles Smith Wines) and four reds.  The Reds include: A-Z Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Greywacke New Zealand Pinot Noir, Epoch Estates Red Blend, and finally Hewitt Napa Valley Cabernet.  The Hewitt landed in the top 10 this year!!! The wines are very limited, and I cannot guarantee that we will have many available for purchase, and therefore we will not be offering them at the 15% off discount for this one time tasting event.

~ Jason

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, December 13th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, December 14th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, December 13th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

The Battle of Domestic Pinot Noirs

2011 Longwood Napa Valley Chardonnay ($34.99)

  • “There’s plenty to admire in this Chardonnay, from the dryness and acidic structure to the subtle, complex range of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. The creamy, leesy mouthfeel makes it lush.” Steve Heimoff – Wine Enthusiast 89 Points!

2012 Lea Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir ($29.99)

  • The 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills is a winner. Perfumed and loaded with fruit, it offers up beautiful purity, vibrant acidity and a pure silk texture that’s hard to resist. Crushed berries, flowers and spice are just some of the nuances here and this has a decidedly upfront, delicious profile that will be ideally suited for drinking over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92 Points!

2010 Athair Russian River Pinot Noir ($34.99)

  • This wine wonderfully expresses the “terroir” of the Russian River Valley, with bright red fruit dominating but accompanied by earthy undertones. It shows flavors of bright raspberry, currant, dark cherry and vanilla. Hints of tobacco leaves and cloves merge with the vibrant fruit flavors creating an intricate and rich balance ending in a long dark finish.

2009 Domaine Serene Willamette Vly Pinot Noir ($44.99)

  • “It is firm in texture, featuring mildly chewy tannins around the butterscotch-accented blackberry flavors. The wine finishes with refinement. Will drink best from 2013 through 2017. 5,000 cases made.” –HS  Wine Spectator 89 Points!“The Serene 2009 Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvee offers sweeter red berry flavors than does the corresponding 2010, with brown spice accents and nicely integrated tannic chew. Pure-fruited and with ample finishing juiciness, this betrays none of its vintage’s weak sides and ought to drink well for another several years.” JS Wine Advocate 89 Points!

2011 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($49.99)

  • A model of total elegance and class, the 2011 Pinot Noir from Flowers is absolutely gorgeous. Savory herbs, crushed flowers, licorice, salt, orange peel, mint and plums are all woven together in the glass. Today, the 2011 is impeccably crafted and flat-out gorgeous. Although very much a medium-bodied wine, I would not at all be surprised to see the 2011 blossom with more time in bottle. This is an impressive effort. Unfortunately, the Sonoma Coast was the only 2011 Flowers Pinot I was able to taste, but based on this effort, 2011 is certainly shaping up well here. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021.” Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate 91 Points!

 

Saturday, December 14th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Wine Spectators 2013 Top 100 Wines

2012 Charles Smith Kung Fu Riesling ($12.99)

  • Lovely, expressive, bright and vibrant, with apple, lime and citrus blossom flavors, persisting enticingly as the off-dry finish lingers against natural acidity. Drink now through 2015. 70,600 cases made. –HS Wine Spectator 90 Points!

2011 A to Z Pinot Noir ($19.99)

  • This sleek red is tightly packed, with delicate layers of cherry, tobacco and cocoa flavors that mingle against refined tannins, persisting pleasantly on the light-stepping finish. Drink now through 2017.—H.S. Wine Spectator 90 Points!

2011 Greywacke Pinot Noir ($39.99)

  • Elegant, with supple, fresh and lively flavors of raspberry and cherry, meshing harmoniously with details of clove, forest floor, tobacco leaf, pepper and dried lavender that echo on the long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2024. 500 cases imported.—M.W. Wine Spectator 93 Points!

2010 Epoch Estates Red Blend ($49.99)

  • Combines richness with subtlety and finesse, weaving together fresh earth, chocolate-covered espresso bean and vivid dark berry flavors with touches of hazelnut, gliding to a long, graceful finish. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo. Drink now through 2022. 1,699 cases made.—James Laube Wine Spectator 93 Points!

2010 Hewitt Cabernet ($99.99)

  • Deliciously pure, rich and deep, featuring tiers of spicy red berry, blackberry and red and black licorice flavors, with pretty wilted rose scents and a long, seamless finish that slowly reveals an underlying tannic grip. Drink now through 2026. 2,592 cases made.—James Laube Wine Spectator 95 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for El Cajon 12/13/13-12/14/13

This weekend at El Cajon we’re excited to host our annual Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines tasting!

We have a stellar lineup of wines that each received the coveted Top 100 Wines of the World award from Wine Spectator.

Most of these wines are already sold out, so our stock is severely limited.  However, we want our loyal customers to have the opportunity to sample these wines, so come early!  Some will be limited to just one bottle to pour.

See you this weekend!

~ Patrick

El Cajon Wine Tasting Event:

Friday, December 13th, 2013  5pm – 7pm
Saturday, December 14th, 2013  3pm – 5pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

This weeks selections: $15.00

Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2012   ($11.99 During Tasting)

  • Expressive, bright and vibrant, with apple, lime and citrus blossom flavors, persisting enticingly as the off-dry finish lingers.  #51  TOP100

A to Z Pinot Noir 2011    ($15.99 During Tasting)

  • Sleek and tightly packed, with delicate layers of cherry and cocoa flavors mingling against refined tannins, persisting pleasantly on the finish.  #55 TOP 100

Rockaway Cabernet 2010   ($72.99 During Tasting)

  • “Exhibits gorgeous dark berry flavors in a big yet graceful style, turning elegant and supple on the finish, where touches of spice, mocha and light oak come into play. “  #64 TOP 100

Epoch Estate Blend 2010     ($39.99 During Tasting)

  • “Combines richness with subtlety and finesse, weaving together chocolate and vivid dark berry flavors with touches of hazelnut, gliding to a long graceful finish.” #25 TOP 100

Seghesio Cortina Zin 2010     ($42.99 During Tasting)

  • “Big, very ripe and long on essential blackberry fruit, Seghesio’s Cortina bottling is a generously filled wine that succeeds on the strength of both balance and richness. It is quite full in body but is always alive, and its ample acidity affords it plenty of room for improvement with age.”  #23 TOP 100

 

See you all this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for La Jolla for 12/6/13-12/7/13

Hello Friends!

Throughout the history of wine-making and viticulture, the differences in quality between one plot of land and another have been closely observed. For instance, in Burgundy for decades now the highest quality vineyards receive the “Grand Cru ranking.”  In the United States, however, single vineyard wines are recent phenomena.  Laws vary slightly, but a single vineyard designated wine is a wine produced entirely (or nearly entirely—U.S. law is 95 percent) from that vineyard. Therefore many estates select the very best grapes from their very best vineyards when bottling single vineyard wine.  Indeed, specific vineyards have become famous for their production and often grapes from these vineyards are sold to various “rockstar” winemakers who are eagerly seeking the highest quality grapes.

On both Friday and Saturday we will try five different single vineyard wines.  Both nights will feature five different wines (two white and three reds). The wines are entirely different on both evenings so feel free to join us for both tastings if you like.  On Friday the featured wine is the 2009 Wedell Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay, and on Saturday the 2009 Hawyood Los Chamizal Vineyard Cabernet will be our grand finale.

See you this weekend!

~ Jason Perry

 

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, December 6th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, December 7th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, December 6th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Single Vineyard Produced Wines”:

2012 Alma Mia Leveroni Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($15.99)

  • At Levernoni Vineyards, Cooling afternoon winds and summer evening fog help create conditions that produce wines with classic acidity and structure, while displaying the lovely depth of flavor for which Carneros wines are renowned. This Wine has a nose of apricot, ripe pears, honey, and pineapple; The palate Shows rich peach, green apple, grapefruit, and green olives, with bright acidity crispy complex and well balanced finish.

2009 Wedell Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay ($79.99)

  • The Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay is all about Terrior. The wine is unlike any other Chardonnay from the Edna Valley Appellation. Although it has undergone 100% malolactic fermentation there is no hint of butter; and while it has been aged for a considerable amount of time in new French oak, the oak is complimentary but not overpowering. This Chardonnay has an incredible rich mouth feel, immersing you in a spectacular balance of oak, fruit and acidity with a lingering complex finish. Because it is so balanced, it is enjoyable now will age and mature beautifully for many years to come.

2009 Hitching Post Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir ($29.99)

  • Planted in 1973, the Bien Nacido Vineyard is one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the region, consisting of over 800 acres of planted vines. The maritime-influenced climate is conducive to growing the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the state. This wine is bright red in color with an expressive high-pitched bouquet that evokes red berries, cherry and dried rose, along with a spicy overtone. Sweet, oak-spiced raspberry and cherry flavors are firmed by notes of black pepper and licorice, with silky tannins adding support. Finishes with lingering floral notes.

2009 Casa Lapostolle Apalata Vineyard Cabernet ($24.99)

  • Apalta Vineyard is located in the wine-producing region of the Colchagua Valley, 200 km southwest of Santiago, 68 km away from the Pacific Ocean, between the Andes mountain range and the Coastal Cordillera. Juicy, showing a nice briary edge to the black cherry, red currant and roasted vanilla notes. This offers good grip on the finish, with the briar note hanging on. Drink now. – JM Wine Spectator – 88 Points

2008 T-Vine Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet ($49.99)

  • Nestled in the majestic Mayacamas Mountain range nearly 1,000 feet above the Sonoma Valley, is this vineyard that has been producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon for three generations. Situated on the bright red, volcanic soils of Mt. Veeder that give it its name, the Monte Rosso Vineyard is a California Heirloom vineyard, first planted in the 1890′s. The Tvine Cab has a nose that is captivating, with wild, spicy aromas and a hit of rose petal surrounding a core of rich dark fruit. The palate is full and round with a velvety mouth-feel and long, lingering finish. This is a special Cabernet. Only 200 cases made.

 

Saturday, December 7th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Single Vineyard Produced Wines”:

2011 Saxon Brown Cricket Creek Vineyard Semillon ($24.99)

  • Planted over 25 years ago at the north east end of the Alexander Valley, the vineyard is dry farmed and has a yield of less than two tons per acre, sitting on a bench that was once the Russian River. Nose: Pear, fig, ripe apple and slight melon with some sweet citrus & white blossom. Mouth: very bright entry, with a rich fruit cream finish.

2012 Talbott Sleepy Hallow Vineyard Chardonnay ($24.99)

  • Located in the stunning Santa Lucia Highlands, 13 miles south of Monterey Bay, this 565-acre hillside vineyard is divided into three separate vineyard parcels, Sleepy Hollow West, Sleepy Hollow South and Sleepy Hollow North. The juicy, lively 2011 Chardonnay Logan is a great value. It offers up great aromas of ripe peach, citrus, kiwi, toast and crushed stone to go with a medium-bodied, balanced mouthfeel that gains in richness and depth with air. Enjoy this rock-solid white over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate – 90 Points

2007 Miura Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir ($49.99)

  • Nestled between the dry creek beds and hills in the southern Santa Lucia Highlands are the vines at the Pisoni Vineyard and are intensely monitored by Gary Pisoni and his family. Like most of the wines from that vineyard, it has beautifully pure black raspberry and floral-infused black currant fruit with some sweet cherries, underbrush, and forest floor. With distinctive richness, full-bodied power, and an underlying earthiness (no doubt contributed by both the vineyard and the use of stems), this deep ruby/purple-colored wine actually needs about a year or two of bottle age, but it should drink well for up to a decade.” – Robert Parker

2005 Casa Lapostolle Las Kuras Vineyard Syrah ($32.99)

  • Las Kuras vineyard is located in the Cachapoal Valley, 100 km south of Chile’s capital, Santiago near the Andes Mountains range. This vineyard has 115 hectares of vines, planted from 1992 to 2000, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. It is dark, but pure and focused, with espresso-tinged tannins carrying the dark plum, briar, fig cake and bittersweet cocoa notes. Long, muscular finish is fine-grained and should cellar nicely- 2,070 cases made. –JM  Wine Spectator – 91 Points

2009 Haywood Los Chamizal Vineyard Cabernet ($54.99)

  • Los Chamizal Vineyards, located in the foothills above the city of Sonoma, was first planted in the 1970′s. Los Chamizal is sustainably farmed, using permanent crop cover, compost and organic fertilizers to nurture the soil. The Haywood 2009 has a ripe, opulent style, with rich, juicy plum, blackberry and wild berry flavors, showing touches of licorice, spice, cedar and light dusty earth. Tightly focused, offering mild tannins that give the flavors the right amount of traction. Drink now through 2024. 120 cases made. –James Laube Wine Spectator – 93 Points

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for El Cajon for 12/6/13

Hi Folks!

This weekend’s wines for your tasting pleasure will have a distinct French accent to them although they won’t all be from La Belle France! Highlighting the tasting will be classics from Bordeaux and Burgundy but we’ll also see how winemakers in other parts of the world are crafting French-style wines with great success from Paso Robles to Sonoma County to the Mendoza highlands in Argentina.

Please join us for another exciting adventure through the wonderful world of wine.

~ Patrick Campbell

 

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting:

Friday, December 6th, 2013  5pm – 7pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

French Style

This weeks selections: $15.00

Adelaida Pavanne 2009   ($23.99 During Tasting)

  • Delicious white Southern Rhone blend of  predominantly Roussanne with Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier.  Nice white fruit with a hint of floral & vanilla nose. 90 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Joseph Drouhin Burgundy Pinot Noir 2006   ($44.99 During Tasting)

  • This Pinot Noir comes from Chambolle-Musigny, in the heart of Côte de Nuits, between Morey-Saint-Denis and Vougeot. Fine lace and silk are the words most often associated with this wine. Bright, intense colour and complex aromas evoking violet, black cherry and damp earth. 89 Points – Robert Parker

Reignac Bordeaux Superior 2005   ($32.99 During Tasting)

  • “Another top-notch effort from the home property of the brilliant Yves Vatelot. Has a dense ruby/purple color and notes of graphite, black currant, some sweet cherries, and spice box. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with beautiful concentration, decent acidity, and ripe tannin. 90 Points – Robert Parker

Domaine Dureiu Chateauneuf du Pape 2005     ($42.99 During Tasting)

  • Classic Red Southern Rhone blend consisting of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre in varying proportions. Lovely garnet in color. Big, but balanced. Lovely grenache/cherry fruit wrapped in a cloak of juicy acidity and tons of garrige with the tannins underneath it all. Long sweet finish. 90 Points – Robert Parker

Farrier Alexander Valley Presshouse 2009     ($17.99 During Tasting)

  • This is one of California’s nicer Bordeaux-style blends from Sonoma County that has rich flavors and is a powerful wine that’s ripe in blackberries, black currants and mocha. 90 Points – W&S

Enamore Allegrini/Renacer 2011     ($25.99 During Tasting)

  • Bordeaux blend of Malbec (60%), Cabernet Franc (20-25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), done in the Amarone style! Wine not yet rated!

 

See you all this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for La Jolla for 11/22/13-11/23/13

On Friday we will sample wines of Argentina. Argentina ranks 5th world wide in wine production.  In the past Argentinean winemakers focused on quantity as opposed to quality; however that has changed in more recent times.  The major wine regions of Argentina are located in the western part of the country among the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Torrontes is the most common white varietal, and Malbec, brought by the French, has clearly become the most important red varietal.  Therefore, we will begin with a great little inexpensive Torrontes that scored an amazing 92 points from Robert Parker before moving to the four red wines of the evening.  We will taste a Norton Privada red blend, two entry level wines from the highly acclaimed Achaval Ferrer, and finally, the Paul Hobbs assisted project Bramare Cabernet.

On Saturday we will head north to sample wines from Washington.  While its neighbor Oregon focuses primarily on Pinot Noir, Washington produces a broad spectrum of wines, many of high quality, similar to California wine production.  Washington has seen a drastic rise in recognition over the last few decades, perhaps best exemplified by Quilceda Creek winery, which has received three 100 Point Wine Spectator ratings.  Only fifteen other domestic wineries, all in California, have received that ranking.  We will begin with two Chardonnay’s highlighted by the 94 Point 2012 Owen Roe Dubrul Vineyard Chard (The Dubrul Vineyard is a two time Vineyard of the year recipient). We will finish with three reds culminating with the 93 Point 2010 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet.

See you this weekend.

~Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, November 22nd, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, November 22nd, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “The Wines of Argentina”:

2012 Hermanos Torrontes ($16.99)

  • “Beginning with the entry-level Hermanos range, the 2012 Hermanos Torrontes from Cafayate in Salta is from 26-year-old vines. It has a superb bouquet of peach skin, pear and a hint of lime flower that has a Riesling-like personality. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins and a precise, mineral-rich finish that shows what Torrontes can do in the right hands. Excellent. Drink now-2016.” Neal Martin Wine Advocate 92 Points!

2010 Norton Privada Red ($27.99)

  • “A dense, smoky red, showing a creamy edge to the spicy kirsch, plum sauce and grilled fig notes that mingle with hints of baking spice and medium tannins. Fine length. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 6,500 cases imported.” –NW Wine Spectator 91 Points; Wine Enthusiast 91 Points; Wine Advocate 89 Points!

2011 Achaval Ferrer Malbec ($29.99)

  • “Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015. 13,000 cases imported.” –NW Wine Spectator 92 Points; Wine Advocate 89 Points!

2012 Achaval Ferrer Cabernet ($29.99)

  • “The 2012 is a juicy red, showing a candied edge to the racy raspberry and cherry fruit, with cedar and mineral accents to the chewy finish. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.” –NW  Wine Spectator 88 Points!

2008 Bramare Cabernet ($74.99)

  • A Paul Hobbs project, “The 2008 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon Marchiori Vineyard is a bit more reticent aromatically. Spice box, cedar, violets, black currant, and blackberry aromas are followed by a ripe, elegantly styled Cabernet with complex flavors and enough underlying structure to evolve for 2-3 years, Drink this suave Cabernet from 2012 to 2023.” Jay Miller  Wine Advocate 92 Points; Wine Spectator 92 Points!

All Featured Wines available 15% OFF Friday only while supplies last!

 

Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “The Wines of Washington”:

2012 Gordon Estate Chardonnay ($19.99)

  • Our 2012 Estate Chardonnay is a joyful expression of youthfulness and vibrancy – the wine exhibits just a hint of green hue reminiscent of new spring growth. This Chardonnay has aroma in abundance with melon, papaya, honeysuckle, ripe fresh grapes and touches of vanilla. A soft inviting texture with flavors of lemon meringue pie, hints of wood smoke and snicker-doodle spice. A lively and lingering finish makes this wine a perfect accompaniment to an easy summer evening. Enjoy!

2012 Owen Roe Dubrul Vineyard Chard ($54.99)

  • “It combines deft balance with explosive flavor, offering layers of pear, white peach, floral and crème fraîche that sails smoothly over refined acidity into the long, expressive finish. Drink this now through 2017. 191 cases made.” –HS  Wine Spectator 94 Points!

2011 Gordon Estate Cabernet ($29.99)

  • “The raspberry and cherry and currant flavors are nicely defined and deep, underscored with crisp acidity, and showing the sort of youthful concentration that suggests further cellaring is in order. Nonetheless, it’s a wine to enjoy right away simply for its luscious, exuberant fruit –P.G.” Wine Enthusiast 91 Points!

2010 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red ($19.99)

  • Similarly styled, with a delicious, medium-bodied, easy drinking profile, the 2011 Firehouse Red is a kitchen sink blend of 26% Merlot, 24% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and smaller parts of Sangiovese, Malbec, Zinfandel and Grenache. Big, fleshy and well textured, with plenty of red and black fruit, pepper, underbrush and spice box qualities, it should be consumed over the coming handful of years. Drink now-2016.” Jay Miller  Wine Advocate 87 Points!

2010 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet ($39.99)

  • “My favorite of the 2010s I was able to taste and one serious bottle of wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is classic in every way. Exhibiting textbook black currant, tobacco, thyme and hints of leather, it rounds out on the palate and possesses age-worthy structure, medium to full-body, integrated acidity and a big, mineral-tinged finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following decade or more. Drink 2017-2027.” Jeb Dunnuck  Wine Advocate 93 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment

Wine Selections for El Cajon for 11/22/13-11/23/13

Friday night in El Cajon, we will re-engage our plan from last week and welcome Kit Bartlet from Wine Warehouse.  Kit will pour his California favorites from their book, and he won’t stop raving about Boz Scaggs and the wine he makes from his Napa Valley home.  So, of course, we’ll be tasting that jewel!

We’ll begin with the incredible Nickel and Nickel Chardonnay, then it ramps up with two Pinot Noirs and two Cabernet’s, and ends with Boz’s Montage blend from Mt. Veeder.

Maybe if we sell enough of his wine, we can get Boz to come down next time?

We will also be pouring the same wines on Saturday afternoon as well, so if you don’t get a chance to join us Friday night, then we look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

~Patrick

 

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting:

Friday, November 22nd, 2013  5pm – 7pm
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 3pm – 5pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

The Lowdown Wines

This weeks selections: $15.00

Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay 2012   ($47.99 During Tasting)

  • Sommeliers will love this Chardonnay for its lean, Chablis-like elegance. The lemon and passion fruit flavors stand alongside stony minerality and a leesy, sourdough bread tartness, while the brisk acidity makes the mouth water. Elegant rather than opulent, this gathers momentum as it warms in the glass. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast

Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2011      ($21.99 During Tasting)

  • This wine is just easy to drink. Whether with fresh grilled salmon or left-over roast chicken or just in a glass by itself, the pretty plum and spring strawberry flavors of ABC SB Pinot are simply delicious. There is nothing pretentious here, just well balanced, nicely textured, brightly fruity wine.

Bridlewood Pinot Noir 2011   ($12.99 During Tasting)

  • Displays lush floral aromas that extend to the palate and combine with dark fruit flavors of raspberry and dark cherry with hints of caramel and toffee.

Educated Guess Cabernet 2011     ($24.99 During Tasting)

  • Rich, ripe and focused with juicy blackberry and cherry fruit, cocoa and hints of mint all tied together with a creamy french vanilla middle and a finish that in a word is… lingering. Educated Guess fills all the requirements that a serious cabernet lover is looking for.

Martini Sonoma Cabernet 2011     ($15.99 During Tasting)

  • That’s right, the world’s greatest and most powerful wine critic, Robert Parker, just wrote that the 2011 Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet is the “Best Cabernet in the world for its price range!

Boz Scaggs Montage 2010    ($37.99 During Tasting)

  • A blend of classic southern Rhone varietals: mourvedre, grenache , syrah and counoise.  From Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley, and yes this is the Boz Scaggs you’re thinking of who did the Lido song.

 

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment

Wine Fest Special Tasting Event 11/21/13

In conjunction with the San Diego Wine and Food Festival, Harvest Ranch El Cajon presents an exclusive winemaker event this Thursday, featuring Carol Shelton.

Carol has been named the “Most Awarded Winemaker in California”, and enjoys a huge following of loyal fans.  One taste of her wine, and you know why!

Thursday, from 5 to 7pm, we’ll enjoy an evening with Carol along with a food pairing to six of her wines.

$20 per head gets you some great tasting wines, paired with some of our great Harvest Ranch signature items.

Seating is very limited so we hope you will make your plans to join us.

~ Patrick Campbell

For more information about the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Fest, click here.

 

Wine Fest Wine Tasting Event:

Thursday, November 21st, 2013  5pm – 7pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

Event selections: $20.00

Coquille Blanc 2011   ($18.99 During Tasting)

  • Multi-dimensional (many layers), a hard-to-describe range of aromatics, intriguing, almost mysterious! In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy and round and full-bodied, nice almond paste on crisp-yet-juicy pear fruit.

Carneros Pinot Noir 2011       ($34.99 During Tasting)

  • Rich black cherry fruit, nice black pepper spice and touch of earth.  Firm tannins cloaked in velvety plush silkiness, nice spicy finish.  More fruit than a lot of Pinot Noirs—a Zin-lover’s Pinot!

Wild Thing Zin 2010   ($21.99 During Tasting)

  • Aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberry fruit combine with a beautiful hint of vanilla-oak loveliness, smoothly textured in mouth, very creamy and round, the finish is long and has lush jammy fruit — this wine is dangerously good!

Monga Zin 2010     ($21.99 During Tasting)

  • Very bright pomegranate cherry fruit, brown sugary-caramel oak.  Fragrant Asian spices—Chinese 5-spice in milk chocolate/cocoa; Mouthfeel is still a bit young and chewy, but quite drinkable now. 91 Points Wine Spectator.

Karma Zin 2009     ($21.99 During Tasting)

  • Very complexly layered spice and black fruits, lively!  Dark chocolate, Creamy oak, a bit of vanilla cola, brown spices-nutmeg/cinnamon.  Rich in mouth, good structure for aging, a bit chewy in its youth.

Black Magic Late Harvest    ($18.99 During Tasting)

  • Inky blue-purple in color, yummy deep razz-blackberry jam and luscious dark chocolate of oak spices, sweet but not clumsy, pleasingly balanced with a bit a tartness, not at all hotly alcoholic, bit of warm vanilla at finish.French and 20% American oak, all new, used to age his wines, which are now justly celebrated throughout the world.  Previous vintage received 93 pts.

Hope to see you all Thursday!

 

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment

Wine Tasting Selections for El Cajon for 11/15/13

Friday night in El Cajon, we’ll welcome Kit Bartlet from Wine Warehouse.  Kit will pour his California favorites from their book, and he won’t stop raving about Boz Scaggs and the wine he makes from his Napa Valley home.  So, of course, we’ll be tasting that jewel!

We’ll begin with the incredible Nickel and Nickel Chardonnay, then it ramps up with two Pinot Noirs and two Cabernets, and ends with Boz’s Montage blend from Mt. Veeder.

Maybe if we sell enough of his wine, we can get Boz to come down next time?

~Patrick

 

Harvest Ranch El Cajon Wine Tasting:

Friday, November 15th, 2013  5pm – 7pm

759 Jamacha Road
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-442-0355
View Map

The Lowdown Wines

This weeks selections: $15.00

Nickel & Nickel Chardonnay 2012   ($47.99 During Tasting)

  • Sommeliers will love this Chardonnay for its lean, Chablis-like elegance. The lemon and passion fruit flavors stand alongside stony minerality and a leesy, sourdough bread tartness, while the brisk acidity makes the mouth water. Elegant rather than opulent, this gathers momentum as it warms in the glass. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast

Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2011      ($21.99 During Tasting)

  • This wine is just easy to drink. Whether with fresh grilled salmon or left-over roast chicken or just in a glass by itself, the pretty plum and spring strawberry flavors of ABC SB Pinot are simply delicious. There is nothing pretentious here, just well balanced, nicely textured, brightly fruity wine.

Bridlewood Pinot Noir 2011   ($12.99 During Tasting)

  • Displays lush floral aromas that extend to the palate and combine with dark fruit flavors of raspberry and dark cherry with hints of caramel and toffee.

Educated Guess Cabernet 2011     ($24.99 During Tasting)

  • Rich, ripe and focused with juicy blackberry and cherry fruit, cocoa and hints of mint all tied together with a creamy french vanilla middle and a finish that in a word is… lingering. Educated Guess fills all the requirements that a serious cabernet lover is looking for.

Martini Sonoma Cabernet 2011     ($15.99 During Tasting)

  • That’s right, the world’s greatest and most powerful wine critic, Robert Parker, just wrote that the 2011 Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet is the “Best Cabernet in the world for its price range!

Boz Scaggs Montage 2010    ($37.99 During Tasting)

  • A blend of classic southern Rhone varietals: mourvedre, grenache , syrah and counoise.  From Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley, and yes this is the Boz Scaggs you’re thinking of who did the Lido song.

See you all Tonight!

Posted in Wine Blog | Leave a comment
Page 28 of 42« First...1020262728293040...Last »