CA trip thoughts

[Florida Jim]

I just got back from a trip to the west coast. Brought home enough flu for both Diane and I but still had a good time.

Several items of interest:

Caparone is a 3,000 cases winery in the Paso area specializing in Italian varietals, although they also make cabernet sauvignon (fair), merlot (pretty green) and zinfandel (quaffable and 13.4% alcohol. Their nebbiolo was varietally correct, under 14% but showed a little VA; even so, I liked it. Their aglianico was also under 14% and showed the tannins typical of the grape. Best was their sangiovese which was about 13.5%, beautifully textured and typical of a Rosso di Montacino. All their wines were $14/bottle; 10% off for 6; 20% off for a case. Worth a taste.

I tasted the components of the 2006 Bevan Cellars, syrah and they show great promise. Much of the fruit is sourced from the Westerhold Vineyard in Bennett Valley. That fruit will go exclusively to Westerhold Family Vineyards wine starting in the 2007 vintage; 100% Alban clone syrah. IMO, this vineyard has a distinctive signature, both aromatically and in the mouth, and is planted with the grape best suited to let that show through in the wine. One to watch.

For those who enjoy big cabernets, the coming vintages from Bevan Cellars and Showket Vineyards (where Russell Bevan is now winemaker) are not to be missed.

The 2007 Dry Stack Vineyards (which will be renamed Grey Stack – thank the good folks at Dry Sack Sherry for that one) will be comparable to the 2006 in texture but will carry more citrus and grapefruit skin flavor. A dandy.

I visited a winery in the Paso area that charged $10 to taste three wines, all of which were 15.8% alcohol or more and one of which, a blend containing mostly grenache and zinfandel, cost $68 a bottle. Even though I like folks that are proud of their wines, this was patently absurd. And the wines were just as hot as you’d expect. Who buys this stuff?

And who puts up with this kind of arrogance? Not me.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned that I made a barrel of syrah last year; this trip gave us our first chance to taste it after being in barrel. I was pleased and hope it continues to come together – hopefully, another pretty Bennett Valley syrah.

Even with heavy rain, gale force winds and a sinus infection, a trip to CA wine country is always instructive. Thanks to all who were so kind to us.

Best, Jim