2009 Alpha Omega Unoaked Chardonnay ***
2008 Alpha Omega Chardonnay *
2007 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red
2009 Roth Sauvignon Blanc (Alexander Valley) – excellent choice at only ~$15
2009 Lancaster Sauvignon Blanc Samantha’s (Alexander Valley) *
2008 Dos Lagos Cabernet Sauvignon (Atlas Peak) – Bob Foley made
2009 Beltane Ranch Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma) **
2008 Bialla Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
2008 Bounty Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon To Kolon (Napa) – as yet unreleased

I don’t get to taste many wines when working an event like this, but here are a few I got to try and that I would recommend.  The number of asterisks indicates the “strength” of the recommendation.

2006 Rugg Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) **
2006 Moon – Tsai (Luna/Napa) *
2006 Martin Estate Bachanal (Napa) *
2006 Martin Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ***
2008 Luna Sangiovese
2006 Pamelita Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) **
2002 Delgadillo Cellars *

Right now I am at the San Francisco Vintners Market.  It’s like a Farmers Market, but with wineries… 200 of them.

Come to Fort Mason Center today or tomorrow.  I’m at table 24 in the Reserve Room.

The third and final installment of my day in the Napa Valley when I took my video camera along for the ride.

By the way, this picture is a painting of a conceptual design made when we were designing our label.

Not long ago I went up to Napa to conduct some tastings.  I kept my video camera with me the whole day. (Part 1 of 3)

2007 Kapcsandy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville (7/24/2010)
A massive, brooding wine with dark fruit, cassis, espresso, wood smoke, tobacco box, and unsweetened cocoa powder — all in perfect balance. As another taster alluded to, it’s a modern style done right with a sophistication that rivals pre-1997 Napa vintages. Delicious with a lush mouthfeel, fine tannins frame the flavors elegantly and promise even better things in the years ahead. Circumstances required a pop and pour this time but this wine deserves 2-3 hours in the decanter and/or 2-3 years in the cellar. (97 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com

A great view and a glass of wine… what could be better?

[Show as slideshow]

• 2007 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (11/4/2010)
  Decanted and consumed over the course of 4+ hours. Extremely dark color. Initially dominated by ripe, sweet plum — even prune — flavors, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried cherries, ginger bread… Christmas spices. Opens up to show wood smoke and pine. Slightly hot nose gives way to lush dark fruit. This concentrated wine has a firm tannic backbone that while not obtrusive now, certainly indicates that its best days are 5 years down the road. Balanced and enjoyable throughout the evening. Excellent. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com