Syndicate
RATING SYSTEM
The Rating System
(95+) LOVE
IT!~EXTRAORDINARY Platinum Medal - An exceptional, ravishing wine that sets the standard against
which other wines are judged
(92-94)
SUPERB ~ REMARKABLE Double Gold Medal
(90-92)
DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT Gold Medal- A complex,
concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement
(87-89) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD Silver Medal (85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD Bronze
Medal - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness (82-84) OK ~ SATISFACTORY (80-82) NEUTRAL~ FAIR - A simple
quaffer for everyday drinking (77-79) DISAGREEABLE ~ MEDIOCRE (75-77) DISLIKE IT ~ DEFICIENT - An inferior, innocuous wine that borders on the
flawedRanking: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
May/June Membership Events
Sunday, May 19th
11:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
We will pick our 'Best of Show' among art on wheels and in the wine glass. We will evaluate a dozen different picnic wines for our annual outing plus some munchies.
We will join the Fifth Annual Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, as we return to a bygone era when Hollywood set the world’s stage; men were men, women were glamorous and the cars they drove were as dazzling and exciting as the lives they led.
Come see the infamous 1960 Rolls-Royce Cloud ll Drophead Coupe owned by Elizabeth Taylor and purported to have played a significant role in her blossoming affair with Richard Burton.
Picture yourself seated next to Mae West in her 1934 Duesenberg J-370sharing a laugh about how “when you’re bad, you’re better.” Imagine Jean Harlow driving her 1932 Packard 903 Sport Phaeton, wind in her hair, a winsome smile on her face or Dick Clark, listening to the latest Top 40 hit on the radio of his 1966 Cord 8/10 Sportsmen.
Featured vehicles for 2013:
- Vintage automobiles formerly owned by Hollywood Legends
- Modern bespoke automobiles from local avant-garde designer Steve Moal
- Corvette Sting Ray in celebration of the 50th Anniversary
- Lamborghini in celebration of the 50th Anniversary
- Japanese Manufacture
- Vintage Italian motorcycles
- Classic wood cars and station wagons
- Vintage campers and trailers
Second Annual Concours Couture Awards and dress etiquette:
For both ladies and gentleman, this year’s Concours attire is unequivocally about the hat. Large, small, floral, fantastic – no matter your preference the hat is a sensational accessory to mark the importance of the occasion. Encouraged dress is‘garden party attire’ – elegant blazers, vibrant ties, sweaters and slacks for the men; sundresses with weather appropriate sweaters, jackets and gloves for the women. On the day of the event, Concours Couture Awards will be presented for Best Hat, Best Ensemble, Best Dressed Coupleand Best Period Ensemble.
General Admission to Concours: $20 ~ Wine Tasting: $15 plus processing fee. Limited to 15 who prepay.
To purchase tickets to the Concours please click here. For the tasting click below (disregard shipping box, just bring receipt):
1/2 Off Eighth Annual Uncorked! Tasting
...Food and wine lovers will gather at the historic Ghirardelli Square to enjoy wines from more than 50 top-tier wineries, live entertainment, and cooking demonstrations by top San Francisco chefs. wine.coop will have its own booth.
Just added, Food Truck Court on Beach Street!
Uncorked! has once again partnered with local nonprofit organization, Save The Bay, and will donate a portion of proceeds raised from ticket sales to support the organization’s efforts to protect, restore, and celebrate the San Francisco Bay.
Tickets cost is normally $50.00 to participate in wine tasting. Ghiradelli Square management is extending to members of the Bay Area Wine Society/wine.coop a limited number of 1/2 off tix. Go to http://ghirardellisquareuncorked.eventbrite.com/ and enter the promotional code BAYAREAWINESOCIETY.
Here is a partial list of wine and food purveyors
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Berryessa Gap
Calstar Cellars
Canoe Ridge Vineyard
Capay Valley Vineyards
Concannon Vineyard
Cornerstone Cellars
D & L Carinalli Vineyards
Darms Lane
Dashe Cellars
De Novo Wines
Dogwood Cellars
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Ellipsis Wine Company
Fenestra Winery
Frey Vineyards
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Ghost Pines
Hannah Nicole Vineyards
Julie LePla Winery
Longboard Vineyards
Louis M. Martini
Martin Ray Winery
Matchbook Winery
McGrail Vineyards and Winery
Moreno BHLB Sparkling Wine
Mutt Lynch Winery
Navarro Vineyards
Quady Winery
Roadhouse Winery
Robert Mondavi Winery
Rockwall Wine Company
Rosa D’Oro Vineyards
Route 3 Wines
Sanel Valley Vineyards
Séka Hills Winerey
Simas Family Vineyard
Six Sigma Ranch and Winery
Skinner Vineyards
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Spicy Vines Spiced Wine
Steven Kent Portfolio
Taproot Wines
Terra Savia Organic Wines
The Bubble Lounge San Francisco
The Winery SF
TR Elliott
Turkovich Family Wines
White Oak Vineyards
wine.coop
Donfino Cheese
Farm Fresh to You
Fins on the Hoof Gastrotruck
Ghirardelli Chocolate
Kind Snacks
Repicci's Italian Ice of the East Bay
The Melt Bus
Ultimate Kitchen Grater from Italy
Vita Coco
The Wine Xchg
3g Designs
Alex & Ani
Launching of wine.coop at a remarkable SF urban winery
1559 Custer Avenue, San Francisco, CA (map)
For our inaugural wine.coop event we are featuring the extraordinary new releases, library gems, and barrel samples presented at an open house by Harrington winery located in San Francisco's India Basin south of Dogpatch just off of 3rd St., three blocks from a light rail station.
The tasting fee is being waived for Meetup/wine.coop members who will also receive a special 25% discount off with the discount potentially going even lower--"prices drop as more members shop".
The focus of this open house event will be on recently bottled 2012 white wines. Mr. Harrington will be pouring the following wines along with light appetizers.
Fiano Luna Matta Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2 wines, sulfite and no-sulfite
Fiano Fratelli Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley
Chardonnay Bald Mountain Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains
Muscat Canelli Fratelli Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley
Pinot Noir SVD wines from Wiley, Stori, Thompson Vineyards
Nebbiolo Luna Matta/Berardo Vineyards, Paso Robles
Negrette Calleri Vineyard, Cienega Valley, barrel sample
Trousseau Siletto Vineyard, Cienega Valley, barrel sample
Teroldego Fratelli Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, barrel sample
Charbono Fratelli Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley, barrel sample
Lagrein Berardo Vineyard, Paso Robles, barrel sample
Carignane Lovers Lane Vineyard, Mendocino, barrel sample
MORE ABOUT THE NEW WHITE WINES
Two 2012 Fianos hail from the organically-farmed Luna Matta Vineyard in Paso Robles; the Terrane version – as always – is bottled without sulfites. Remarkably different wines. Come compare and contrast.
A third '12 Fiano sourced from the Fratelli Vineyard will also be offered. This is the same vineyard source as the 2011 Fiano which roused a bit of a fan base last summer. A rich wine with clear aging potential.
White Burgundy fans will appreciate the new 2012 Chardonnay from Bald Mountain Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard is situated on a rare limestone outcrop and the effect of the white stony soil is evident in the crisp, lively flavors of this no-oak Chardonnay.
Besides being a source for Fiano, the Fratelli Vineyard has also become one of Bryan's favorite vineyards for “oddities” like Teroldego and Charbono, so he went all-in on a Muscat Canelli as well. A wine with spicy, seductive aromatics, Muscat is one of the oldest and most exotic of the cultivated grapevines. With such beguiling perfume, it is easy to understand why this grape has been around so long.
_____________________________________________________
For information on our consumer buying cooperative, go to, yes,http://wine.coop .
April Event ~ "Mint & Mingle"
Mint & Mingle: Viewing a 'Fashionable' Exhibit at the Old Mint Followed by a Taste-off of Wines from Nevada and Placer Counties
Saturday, April 20 & 27th, 2013
Kurt Nystrom, Executive Director of the Old Mint discusses the features of the building
Rating wines on April 20th at the Pickwick Hotel and the 27th at 54 Mint restaurant
This historic building, which opened in 1874, was turned over to the City by the U.S. Treasury in 2003 and used only sporadically for private events and the occasional exhibit, while it tries to raise funds to turn it into a city history museum. See the wonderful photos of the mint down through time on the Museum homepage
The exhibit was entitled San Francisco Style, showcasing the styles and fashions of San Francisco from the 1850s to the 1970s. Fashion is the ultimate artistic expression of individual style, and San Francisco has had an influence on the way people dress dating back to the 19th century.
This was a rare chance to view the interior while enjoying an enticing exhibition. Afterward, we crossed the street to the Bogart Room in the Pickwick Hotel to rate and rank green/ natural/ sustainable/ organic wines with an array of munchies. The following weekend we accommodated those who were prevented from attending on the 20th due to limited capacity. Our hosts, the owners of the Roman restaurante 54 Mint, provided excellent appetizers to complement the white and red wines.
Because of the linkage to the Old Mint, and in keeping with Earth Day, we featured limited production, ecofriendly wines from the Gold Country (we also gave away a bottle of organic wine produced by the Frey family in Mendocino). Wines are being considered an candidates for inclusion in the wine.coop store.
Our monthly multi meetup mingles ("Winegles") seek to offer occasions for people to socialize over new and different wine styles and flavors. Why nurse a glass of a single varietal or be limited to a flight of three at a high markup wine bar like Press or W, when for the same amount of money you can savor and learn about a range of wines.
Our unique approach is based on the premise that certain special wines have an appeal to many types of personal paletes which too often rarely please the refined tastes of the wine pros. We want to offer attendees--who represent a cross section of those who buy wine for dinner--the opportunity to decide on their choices.
We broke this tasting down into four flights, we sampled a variety of wines from microwineries sourced mostly from grapes grown near Auburn, Grass Valley and Nevada City. As the results show below, members and guests were quite pleased with the quality and value of the vino. These wines deserve wider exposure At least our members and their guests now know that there is more to the Sierra Foothills than El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras counties. We were glad to make the introduction to these lesser known wines, which are being considered as candidates for inclusion in the wine.coop online club.
The prices attached to each of the medal winning wines are winery retail. More information with links on each winery listed below and each county AVA can be found at::
http://www.sierravintners.com/
A SELECTION OF WINES FROM NEVADA AND PLACER COUNTIES
(90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT - A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement Gold MedalAvanguardia 2011 Cristallo white blend Nevada County Sierra Foothills $14
Avanguardia 2009 Premiato red blend Sierra Foothills 20
Bent Metal Winery 2009 Barbera Sierra Foothills 22
Bent Metal Winery 2009 Syrah Sierra Foothills 23
Le Casque 2010 Rousanne Amador County 22
Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Estate Sierra Foothills 16
Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve Estate View Forever Vineyard Sierra Foothills 38
Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Estate View Forever Vineyard Sierra Foothills 38
Mt. Vernon 2011 Cuvée Blanc blend Sierra Foothills 22
Nevada City Winery 2010 Barbera Nevada County Sierra Foothills 30
Nevada City Winery 2010 Sangiovese Nevada County Sierra Foothills 28
Popie Duarte Family Vineyards 2009 Barbera Estate Sierra Foothills 24
Sierra Starr Vineyard & Winery 2009 Zinfandel Phil's Selection Sierra Foothills 25
Smith Vineyard 2008 Merlot Estate Sierra Foothills 21
Solune Winegrowers 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Bear River Vineyard Sierra Foothills 24
Solune Winegrowers N/V Port Style Wine C'est si Bon Sierra Foothills 21
Vina Castellano 2008 Abuelito blend Estate Sierra Foothills 22
(87-89) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD Displaying special qualities of finesse and flavor Silver Medal (85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness Bronze Medal
Lone Buffalo 2010 Zinfandel "Thunder Beast" Sierra Foothills 26
Smith Vineyard 2010 Syrah Estate Sierra Foothills 23
Wine Tasting is Bullshit Except When it is Done by Us
March Events ~ Pinot Noir Summit/Showdown/Tasting
March Mingle: Discount tix to the Pinot Noir Summit, Showdown & Grand Tasting
February Events~SF Chronicle Competition Comparison
Multi Meetup Wine Mingle: Judging wines from the SF Chron Competition
Multi Meetup Wine Mingle: Judging wines from the SF Chron Competition
- February 28, 2012
- 6:00 PM
This month at our smaller event we taste a variety of the most talked about medal winners from the mighty SF Chronicle Wine Competition --"the largest competition of American wines in the world." As part of our plan to select wines for our venture wine.coop, we will evaluate an array of varietals, both red and white, from different price points and regions. And as with many of our other vinous showdowns we will do it blind with ballots. And some tasty nibblesThe gallery will also have different artists on display this month: "art on the wall and in the glass" as our slogan says.
Our monthly multi meetup mingles ("Wingles") seek to offer occasions for people to socialize over new and different wine styles and flavors. Why nurse a glass of a single varietal or be limited to a flight of three wines at a high-markup wine bar when for the same amount of money you can savor and learn about a range of wines while enjoying the gallery's ever changing artist exhibits.
AND THE TASTING IS JUST ONE BLOCK FROM BART WITH DISCOUNTED PARKING RIGHT OVERHEAD.
Our unique approach is based on the premise that certain special wines have an appeal to a broad range of different palates which rarely please the refined tastes of the wine pros. We want to offer attendees--who represent a cross section of those who buy wine for dinner--the opportunity to decide on their choices.
We will draw raffle prizes from the tickets used for the ranking of wines. You will also be able to purchase additional tickets to enhance your chances of winning a bottle of wine.
VOTING RESULTS
The results combine two flights and don't always reflect the results reached by the professional judges. The medal designated at the end of the listing was awarded by the SF Chron competition. Also shown is the category each wine was judged in and the winery retail price. Bear in mind that all these wines can be found for less at various retail outlets. The Ahnfelt "Provocative" Cab, for example, can be found for $19.99, well below the winery retail of $29. Check out www.wine.searcher.com to find the best prices.
The wines are listed by the rating and ranking of the participants within each broader taste appeal category. So following our scoring system of five glasses, the Waterstone scored higher than the Deerfield, but both made the cut of four out of five glasses. We are not interested in all the distinctions that go into, say, the Davis 20 pt system. We are only interested in how much pleasure the vino gives our taste buds: they're "yum" factor and the prices. We always like to see giant killers like the Fetzer Gewurztraminer, though some of its appeal is no doubt due to its off-dry quality.
(90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT - A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement Gold Medal
Waterstone
Wines Cabernet Sauvignon - $60.00 &
Over 2009 Reserve Napa Valley 60.00 Gold
Fetzer
Vineyards Gewürztraminer 2011 California
$9.99
Double Gold
Ahnfeldt
Wines Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to
$29.99 2010 Napa Valley
Provocative $29.00
Double Gold
Deerfield
Ranch Merlot - $30.00 to $39.99
2008 Sonoma Valley Morrison Vineyard $38.00
Gold
(87-89) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD Displaying various degrees of finesse and flaor Silver Medal
The Crusher Cabernet Sauvignon - $15.00 to $19.99 2010 Clarksburg Wilson Vineyard $15.99 Best of Class
Berryessa Gap Vineyard Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over 2009 Yolo County $21.00 Silver
Berryessa Gap Vineyard Zinfandel - up to $19.99 2009 Yolo County $19.00 Silver
Silkwood Wines All Other Red Varietals NV California Alicante Bouschet $39.00 Silver
Rancho Sisquoc Merlot- $20.00 to $24.99 2009 Santa Maria Valley Flood Family Vineyard $20.00 Silver
Ceja Vineyards All Red Blends - $15.00 - $24.99 2009 Napa Valley Vina del Sol Vino de Casa $20.00 Bronze
Ca'Momi Wines All Red Blends - Up to $14.99 2010 Napa Rosso di Napa $12.95 Double Gold
Field Stone Winery & Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - $15.00 to $19.99 2009 Alexander Valley $18.00 Gold
Handley Cellars Gewürztraminer 2011 Anderson Valley Gewürztraminer $18.00 Silver
Envolve Winery Sauvignon Blanc - $20.00 & Over 2011 Sonoma Valley $20.00 Gold
Girasole Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2011 Mendocino $13.00 Gold
McFadden Vineyard Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99 2011 Potter Valley McFadden Farm $16.00 Double Gold
TR Elliott Chardonnay $30.00 to $34.99 2011 Russian River Valley Three Roses Herrick Vnyd $32.00 Silver
(85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness Bronze Medal
Davis Bynun Chardonnay - $25.00 to $29.99 2011 Russian River Valley River West, $25.00 Silver
Beringer Vineyards Founders Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - up to $14.99 2010 California $9.00 Gold
January Cabernet Event~Pit Your Palate Against the Pros
For many wine enthusiasts, the start of the year is associated with a major tasting of Zinfandels. Now Cabernet fans can indulge their passion after the start of the new year in one of the most dramatic settings in the Bay Area - The Winery SF on Treasure Island. And enjoy the experience of this fundraiser without the crowd crush of the mega tastings or Passport weekends.
Over a number of weeks in the fall, Affairs of the Vine convened a select panel of 41 wine makers, writers, retailers, educators, and consultants to judge the 7th Cabernet Shootout among mostly limited production family owned Cabernets, Cabernet Francs and Cabernet blends from over 50 different appellations. Without regard to price, vintage or region, this group of experts moved 64 wines to the final round selecting 32 "best of the best."
These finalists were then evaluated in a blind tasting by wine lovers attending the Bay Area Wine Society sponsored Cabernet Shootout Challenge
Starting at 1:30 pm, each Cab lover selected their favorites in one of two flights of 17 and 18 Cabs containing five of the top 10 wines chosen by the panelists.
In this Pro/Am competition, the results of the professionals' Cab Shootout were compared to the tally of the amateurs' Cab Challenge, both tabulated by gender.
This distinctly different format provides a unique opportunity to compare your taste preferences to those of the 'experts' in the wine industry. It also allows participants to sample other than the usual suspects and rate rising star wineries
During the afternoon, attendees were also able to mingle and meet with many of the vintners from the wineries that participated in the Cabernet Shootout in an open walk around tasting accompanied by various nibbles.from such notable vendors as Fabrique Délices.and the Vineburg Deli in Sonoma.Attendees could meet Vintners from such artisanal stalwarts as Cass, Cuda Ridge, Vigilance, Rocca Family, HeartSmart, Muscardini, Fernwood, Peju, Rodney Strong, Signorello, Petroni, Field Stone, Shannon Ridge, and last year's SF Chronicle Best Red, McGrail.
In addition,starting at noon the Cabernet Shootout Challenge offered two concurrent VIP panel sessions of winemakers who explored how this noble varietal is influenced by the terroir of different grape growing areas. One session focused on the distinctive features of representative Old World Bordeaux Cabs vs some of California's New World versions discussed by winemakers from Sol Rouge, Rahn Estate, EnGarde, and Auburn James.The other workshop examined how the viticultural characteristics of several regions in the state differ and guide winemaking decisions. Winemakers from Eberle (Paso Robles), J Pilar (Murrieta, South Coast AVA), Deerfield Ranch (Kenwood, Sonoma Valley), and Rodrigue Molyneaux(Livermore).
We also raffled off bottles of Cab from the participating wineries to raise funds for One Brick that assists charities with temporary manpower needs. And since 26 wineries poured in the walk around tasting, and no more than 280 tickets were sold, the odds were quite good that one could walk away with a special bottle of vino.
Thanks to Barbara Drady, Chief Wine Evangelist of Affairs of the Vine, for putting this unique event together and to Katherine Bernitt who expertly sourced, prepared, presented, and orchestrated the volunteers who assembled the munchies and kept the beautifully decorated food table stocked. John Lyle did his usual efficient and friendly job of checking in attendees. And to the One Brick Volunteers for all their assistance including set up and break down. Terrific teamwork all around.
The Challenge Finalists
Red Team
Edna Valley Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $15
Rahn Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $55
Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, California $6.99
Rocca Family 2009 Collinetta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, Napa Valley $85
Shannon Ridge 2010 High Elevation, Cab Sauv, Lake County $22.99
Lucas & Lewellen 2009 COTE DEL SOL Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley $32
Great Dane 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Coombsville $110
Deerfield 2007 Zukowski Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley $60
The Winery SF 2008 Beatty Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Vly/Howell Mtn $150
Field Stone 2010 Staten Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $40
Edge 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast $20
Rodrigue Molyneaux 2009 Reserve Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley $45
BOYANCI 2009 Stagecoach Vineyards Red Blend, Napa Valley $110
Petroni Vineyards Petroni Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $70
Cannonball Wines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, California $15
AuburnJames 2009 Bella Vista Blocks 1&4 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $75
J Pilar 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Coast $40
Cass Winery 2009 Cass Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $45
White Team
Sol Rouge 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County $32
En Garde 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley $88
BOYANCI InSpire 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $60
Muscardini Cellars Madrone Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $39
McGrail Vineyards Estate Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley $39
Arroba Winery 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $40
Louis M. Martini 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County $18
Martin Ray Winery 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District $55
Field Stone 2009 Vineyard Select Wally’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $30
Signorello 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $90
Ghost Pines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa/Sonoma/Lake $23
PEJU 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $45
Eberle 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $34
Rocca Family Vineyards 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, Napa Valley $50
Venteux Vineyards 2009 Starr Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $20
Shingleback The Davey Estate 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $22
Rodney Strong 2008 Rockaway, Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Alexander Valley $75
Best of Challenge combining male and female scores and both flights together
First Place (with twice as many votes as the 2nd place wine):
AuburnJames 2009 Bella Vista Blocks 1&4 Cab Sauvignon, Napa Valley $75
230 cases produced
Professional judging panel: There is a prevalent earthiness on the brooding nose of dried fruit. Mushroom and cassis flavors on entry with coffee notes adding further dimension. The acidity of this wine rocks! The tannic backbone and dusty fruit are in total balance with the whole. Exciting and intense aromas emanate from the glass. The well balanced palate shows black cherry and black currant flavors with a lovely spice accent. A definite sense of place, no doubt...Napa Valley.
Second Place (tie)
: The Winery SF 2008 Beatty Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley /Howell Mtn $150 /
100 cases produced
Professional judging panel: A serious quiet fireside wine with tangy red cherry, anise, soft cocoa, and soy aromas that replicate on the palate. Evolves in deeper versions through the long finish. Engaging black fruit aromatics. Gorgeous mid-palate of fruit and spice with supple sexy tannins.
Muscardini Cellars Madrone Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $39
217 cases produced
Professional judging panel: The red fruit nose has dried herbs and some dustiness. Blackberry with smoky notes throughout. Inky, blue/black in color. Nose of soft red fruit and cassis. Front palate of cherry and earth, mid moves to cassis and leather. The long finish shows cassis and red fruit. "I'll definitely buy this."
3rd Place (and Best Value)
: Ghost Pines (Louis Martini) 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa/Sonoma/Lake Counties $23--though it can be found in retail outlets for as low as $16 at places like The Wine Club.
129,100 cases made!
Professional judging panel: Black plums, soy, coffee, and bitter chocolate show on the reserved and pleasant nose. The fruit is accented with coffee, earth and integrated wood notes. Nice finish. Not an overly aggressive style. Baked dark fruit - plum, raisin - and spice on the nose. Nice chalky mouthfeel. Lots of ripe fruit with attractive spice mid to late.
Other higher scoring (Consumer Choice Competition) wines across both sexes:
Aroba, En Garde, Field Stone Reserve, Lucas & Lewellen , PEJU, and Rodrigue Molyneaux
Compare these ratings and rankings to the results from the professional Shootout which includes the finalists of both the critics and consumers competitions by gender.
The Rating System
(95+) LOVE IT!~EXTRAORDINARY Platinum Medal - An exceptional, ravishing wine that sets the standard against which other wines are judged (92-94) SUPERB ~ REMARKABLE Double Gold Medal (90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT Gold Medal- A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement (87-89) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD Silver Medal (85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD Bronze Medal - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness (82-84) OK ~ SATISFACTORY (80-82) NEUTRAL~ FAIR - A simple quaffer for everyday drinking (77-79) DISAGREEABLE ~ MEDIOCRE (75-77) DISLIKE IT ~ DEFICIENT - An inferior, innocuous wine that borders on the flawedRanking: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
November Events
4th Street , the Metreon, San Francisco, CA (map)
Our monthly wine mingles seek to offer occasions for members and guests to socialize over new and different wine styles and flavors. Why nurse a glass of a single varietal with some cheese and crackers, or be limited to a flight of three wines at a high mark up wine bar when for the same amount of money you can enjoy and learn about a range of wines with fine cuisine?.
This month we celebrated the stupendous achievements of the Giants during October leading up to the sweep of the World Series.We featured new releases from urban wineries within 210 miles of PacBell AT&T Park.
The wines were matched with a grazing meal taken from the innovative and tasty menu of a hot new bistro, Split Bread restaurant located in the Metreon, another downtown facility, which we visited in September but which some members couldn't attend.
We rated and ranked the various releases. Our unique approach is based on the premise that certain special wines appeal to a broad range of different palates but which rarely please the refined tastes of the wine pros. We want to offer attendees--who represent a cross section of regular wine drinkers who buy wine to have with their dinner--the opportunity to decide on their preferences not the "gatekeepers."
The fries taste like the authentic French version
The sandwiches use rotisserie lamb and chicken
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD
Harrington Wines 2011 Pinot Noir Stori Vineyard Russian River Valley $40 (Ranked highest, tie)
Leaf & Vine 2010 Petite Sirah Vista Luna Vineyard Lodi $27 (Ranked highest,tie)
LIKE IT ~ GOOD
Bluxome Street Winery 2010 Pinot Noir Russian River $32Stein Family Wines Just Joshin 2007 Tempranillo Sierra Foothills $30
Stein Family 2010 "Arleyna" red blend Napa Valley $59 (Ranked highest, tie)
Stein Family 2010 Just Joshin red blend $20
Bravium 2010 Chardonnay Thompson Vineyard Carneros-Napa Valley $19
Bravium 2007 Syrah "Midnight Oil" Santa Lucia Highlands $24
Passaggio Wines 2011 Rosé of Zinfandel California $17
Passaggio 2011 "New Generation" (unoaked) Chardonnay California $23
Sol Rouge 2009 "Gypsy Rouge" Lake County $24
OK ~ SATISFACTORY
Harrington 2010 Nebbiolo Paso Robles $30
The Winery SF 2008 "People's Blend" red table wine $16
Stein Family 2010 "Vaquero" Chardonnay (unoaked) Sonoma County $16
The Rating System
Ranking: 1st, 2nd, 3r (95+) LOVE IT!~EXTRAORDINARY Platinum Medal - An exceptional, ravishing wine that sets the standard against which other wines are judged (92-94) SUPERB ~ REMARKABLE Double Gold Medal (90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT Gold Medal- A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement (87-89) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ VERY GOOD Silver Medal (85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD Bronze Medal - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness (82-84) OK ~ SATISFACTORY (80-82) NEUTRAL~ FAIR - A simple quaffer for everyday drinking (77-79) DISAGREEABLE ~ MEDIOCRE (75-77) DISLIKE IT ~ DEFICIENT - An inferior, innocuous wine that borders on the flawed
1/2 Price Tix To Wine Tasting Talk With Renowned NY Times Critic Eric Asimov
ASIAN FUSION CUISINE PAIRED WITH EAST BAY WINES IN OLD TOWN OAKLAND
It's way past due that we gathered on the other side of the Bay . We sampled delicious Asian Fusion dishes at Le Cheval, paired with white and red varietals from urban wineries running from Berkeley to Oakland and Alameda.. We showcased 11 different varietals from the East Bay Urban Vintners association curated by El Presidente. As usual rated and ranked the wines.
As with other venues we select, the restaurant is less than two blocks from a BART station and near a parking structure.
To attend required advance payment so the food and wine pairings could be properly planned. We SOLD OUT. cost: $21.50 all inclusive (tax and service). Refunds were given up to Tuesday, Oct. 23rd.
Le Cheval, located in Old Oakland, introduced new Asian flavors into America, particularly Vietnamese cuisine. This style incorporates the French, Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking concepts of preparing wholesome, nutritious and special dishes that emphasize quality with quantity. Fresh vegetables, nuts and spices are all essential ingredients to preserve this tradition of cooking. Everyone knows that the secret to healthy living is good nutrition and a balanced diet. So it’s no coincidence that a combination of any of these will be found in almost every dish. Le Cheval is proud to continue that tradition and is dedicated to maintaining the harmony between mind and body through healthy eating.
The favorite wines will be available for sale to raise funds for your preferred charity which could be yourselves. The approach is described at pairings-sf.com .
The wines were well received, though no home runs to stay in season. The Urban Legend Riesling "won" as favorite of the evening if we take out the scores of those 'judges' who don't like the fruitiness of the wine irrespective of how well it goes with Asian food.
Also the JC Cellars presents an interesting situation. Jeff Cohen makes a superb Marsanne, however..... I would opine while the pros like it, and it goes well with food, consumers are less enamored of its taste profile. It's a difficult sell, particularly at $38. And this shows in the response across the board, and why I prefer to get the reactions from the people who buy the wine not the "gatekeepers".
The five star system was converted to the 100 pt. system which can be done when there are multiple scores. The second score represents the 'favorite factor' when 1.5 scores are eliminated, I translate this score to mean the person doesn't like a style of wine and would not buy it. Also the two members who are going for their CWE credentials tend to mark lower and don't represent the middle of the bell curve consumer.
We asked participants to rank as well as rate. There was a departure here. Stage Left was the clear winner when ranking.
RATING AND RANKING IS BASED ON HOW MUCH THE DINERS ENJOYED THE WINES WITH THE MENU~The number in parenthesis represents the order tasted. Prices are winery retail. The wines can often be found for less in stores.
Rating system
(95+) LOVE IT!~EXTRAORDINARY Platinum Medal - An exceptional, ravishing wine that sets the standard against which other wines are judged
(90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT Gold Medal- A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement
(85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD Bronze Medal - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness
(80-82) NEUTRAL~ FAIR - A simple quaffer for everyday drinking
(75-77) DISLIKE IT ~ DEFICIENT - An inferior, innocuous wine that borders on the flawedWe Get Naked
Our monthly wine gatherings, paired with distinctive experiences, seek to offer occasions for Meetup groups to socialize over a new and different range of wine styles and flavors. We taste a variety of wines for the cost of a glass or flight of three wines at a high mark-up wine bar. AND THE TASTINGS ARE ALWAYS CLOSE TO BART WITH PARKING ALSO NEAR THE VENUE.
Schedule
2:30 - 3:30 The Smithsonian Magazine, as part of its national Free Museum Day program, sponsored admission to the 75th Anniversary exhibit on the designing and building of the Golden Gate Bridge at the California Historical Society.
3:45-5:00 p.m. Sampling of boutique wines offered by the new kid on the block, Naked Wines which supports winemakers by inviting wine drinkers to become investment angels at $40/month. We conducted our September taste-off at a new restaurant inside the Metreon -Split Bread. Terrific nibbles to go with the wines.
This much talked-about resto offered hot spit roasted meats, fresh artisan baked breads, locally sourced produce for salads, house made pickles and spreads, and truly remarkable sandwiches. A deli it ain't (more like a sandwich bistro). They laid out a showcase spread costing much more than we we paid
Find out more about Split Bread here:
Serious Eats: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/08/first-look-split-bread-san-francisco.html
Yelp's live-in-primetime photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yelp/sets/7215763153764549
And the wines--presented by Naked Wines: The clear standout was the more expensive Napa Cab crafted by noted local winemaker, Ken Deis. All the wines--named mostly after the winemaker who crafted them--appealed, with even the lower scoring William Henry Sauvignon Blanc made from Mendocino grapes receiving a "Satisfactory." The South African Cab also scored well at half the price of the Deis. Ditto the Tempranillo from Spain.
If you put in your $40 "angel" investment each month you can purchase most of the wines at half price, wines that are not available anywhere else. The wines are already priced very reasonably so you stand to quickly make back your investment while supporting rising winemakers and scooping up varietals at super low prices. Go to their website to learn more about this fascinating business model.
WINES TASTED retail/Angel price SCORE
Rod Easthope 2011 Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand
$25/13
G 85
Credence 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Lake County
$12/7.50
VG 87
Semilla 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Lake County
$13/7.50
G 85
William Henry 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County
$12/7.50
S 83
Accord 2009 Chardonnay Santa Maria
$11/6.50
G 85
Da Da DA 2010 Merlot Lodi
$10/6
G 86
F. Stephen Miller 2011 Shiraz Angel's
Reserve Lodi
$15/7
VG 87
Benjamin Darnault 2011 Shiraz, Grenache
blend Minervois France
$15/6
VG 88
Arabella 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Western
Cape South Africa
$15/7
VG/E2 89
Ken Deis 2011 67% Cabernet Sauvignon 33% Merlot Napa Valley
$30/15
E 92
Bear & Crown 2010 Petite Sirah Sonoma
Valley
$15/9
G 86
Montaria 2011 Trincadeira, Aragonez 20%
Alicante Bousché Portugal
$15/6
G 86
Kimbao 2011 72% Carmenere, 26% Cab, 2%
Merlot Chile
$15/6
G 85
Trigales NV Rioja Tempranillo &
Tempranillo Blends Spain
$15/9
VG/E 89
Matthew Iaconis 2011 Moscato California
$12/7
VG 87
Rating system
(95+) LOVE IT!~EXTRAORDINARY Platinum Medal - An exceptional, ravishing wine that sets the standard against which other wines are judged (90-92) DELICIOUS ~ EXCELLENT Gold Medal- A complex, concentrated wine that balances lush fruit flavors with refinement (85-87) LIKE IT~ GOOD Bronze Medal - A pleasing wine with varietal distinctiveness (80-82) NEUTRAL~ FAIR - A simple quaffer for everyday drinking (75-77) DISLIKE IT ~ DEFICIENT - An inferior, innocuous wine that borders on the flawed
