The Wrap Up: Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting 2012

On June 3, 2012, the Rhône Rangers welcomed hundreds of Rhône wine enthusiasts to the historic Vibiana for the annual Los Angeles Tasting Event.  The nearly sold-out event featured more than 45 wineries pouring over 200 wines from Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Monterey County and Washington State.

The Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting opened to the trade at noon, followed by a VIP lunch with the winemakers and local food truck favorites, Slammin' Sliders, Border Grill and Coolhaus.  At 3:30 p.m., volunteers opened the doors to hundreds of Angelenos for the Consumer Tasting.

With some many wineries present and not enough time to cover half of them, it was wise to set out with a list in hand of wineries to visit and wines to taste.  As of late, I have been enjoying more white Rhône blends and single-varietal wines, so there were ample options at each stop. It's summertime!

Earlier this spring, Alta Colina released new wines that are destined for stardom including the Marsanne-based 2010 "Claudia Cuvee" and 2009 Mourvedre.  Anglim Winery was pouring refreshing wines such as the 2010 Viognier (sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard) and the 2011 Rosé, which was perfect for the warm weather outside.  Speaking of refreshing and succulent, Victor and Jennifer Abascal of Vines on the Marycrest introduced their new white Rhône blend, the 2011 "At Last."  This blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc will quench your summer thirst during a hot afternoon in Paso Robles, with perhaps a serving of shellfish or Asian cuisine.  Better yet, grab a glass and enjoy a view of the vineyard from the deck of the new tasting room as soon as it opens to the public (fingers-crossed that it's soon!).  Ecluse Wines was also pouring quite a few new releases including single-varietal Rhône wines sourced from vineyards in Paso Robles.  The 2009 Petite Sirah was showing well and will continue to benefit from additional bottle aging and decanting.

Refugio Ranch made their debut at the Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting with two stellar wines: the 2010 "Ineseño" (Roussanne/Viognier) and 2009 "Barbareño" (Syrah/Petite Sirah).  Located on 415 acres in the Santa Ynez Valley, the property is perched on slopping hillsides covered by old oak trees and approximately 25 acre plantings of Rhône and Italian varietals.  If you are interested in trying all three estate wines, visit the new tasting room located in Downtown Los Olivos at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Highway 154.

Now, the highlight of this year's tasting was Wrath Wines of Monterey County.  Although I moved on from my love affair with Syrah wines to other varietals, Wrath brought back that loving feeling with their lineup of vineyard-designated, Santa Lucia Highlands-sourced Syrah wines.  In sum, the 2009 Syrah wines are opulent, layered, well-balanced and ready to enjoy now.

Finally, no Rhône Rangers tasting is complete without the antics of winemaker Larry Schaffer (Tercero Wines).  We have lost count as to how many wines Larry now produces, but one thing is certain: he's got a wine for very occasion and every type of cuisine.  Tercero Wines is producing a great GSM blend called "Cuvee Christie," along with single-varietal, vineyard-designated wines from renowned vineyards in Santa Barbara County.  One of my personal favorites is the 2009 Mourvedre (Camp 4 Vineyard).  If you have the patience, decant it over the course of an hour or longer. 

Regretfully, I missed out on Maison Bleue Winery, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Ridge Vineyards, and JK Wine Co.  I hope you got to try these wines and many more at the Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting Event in Downtown Los Angeles.  See you next year or on the road in the Central Coast.  Cheers!

RHÔNE RECOMMENDATIONS

Alta Colina 2010 Claudia Cuvee, Estate, $28
Alta Colina 2009 Mourvedre, Estate, $42

Anglim Winery 2010 Viognier, $26
Anglim Winery 2011 Rosé, Central Coast, $15

Ecluse Wines 2010 Viognier, $28
Ecluse Wines 2009 Petite Sirah, $36

Refugio Ranch 2010 White Blend, "Ineseño," $28
Refugio Ranch 2009 Red Blend, "Barbareño," $42

Tablas Creek 2010 Grenache Blanc, $27
Tablas Creek 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, $40

Tercero Wines 2008 Red Blend, "Cuvee Christie," $30

Vines on the Marycrest 2011 White Blend, "At Last," $24

Wrath 2010 Syrah, "Ex Anima," $25
Wrath 2009 Syrah, Doctor's Vineyard, $39
Wrath 2009 Syrah, Fairview, $39

Victor & Jennifer Abascal, Vines on the Marycrest

Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard

Wrath Wines, Monterey County

Paso Robles Wine Country Tours Los Angeles Redux

On March 2, nearly 40 wineries from Paso Robles converged at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles for the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour - Los Angeles.  Winemakers poured more than 150 wines, including 40 single-varietal wines and blends for Los Angeles wine enthusiasts and Paso Robles fans.

The former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, built in 1876, provided the spectacular backdrop for the Los Angeles Grand Tasting.  Winery booths lined the corridors where parishoners waited to enter the confessional booths or sat quietly in the pews during Sunday services.  Today, Vibiana is a premier event location in Downtown Los Angeles catering to posh award events and this afternoon/evening's wine tasting.   

Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance members are hitting the road throughout 2011 as part of the Grand Tasting Tour pouring award-winning wines from one of the most acclaimed wine regions in the country for wine enthusiasts in Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

During the nearly four hour Trade and Media tasting, I enjoyed some 50 wines from nearly a dozen wineries. In particular, these wineries poured some fantastic wines including single-varietal and blends of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, among other varietals.  Here is a selection of noteworthy wines from the tasting that exhibit complexity, depth, distinctive fruit characteristics and balanced acidity (and not overtly ripe for my palate), as well as price and quality for everyday drinking:

Adelaida Cellars
--2008 Grenache ($32)

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
--2008 Toasted Slope: 92% Syrah, 3% Viognier, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache ($40)
--2008 Old 900: 98% Syrah, 2% Viognier ($48)
--2008 Ann's Block, Petite Sirah ($48)

Ancient Peaks Winery
--2009 Merlot ($16)
--2008 Zinfandel ($16)
--2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Anglim Winery
--2007 Mourvèdre, Hastings Ranch ($34)
--2008 Zinfandel, St. Peter of Alcantara ($24)

Austin Hope Winery
--2009 Grenache ($40)
--2009 Syrah ($40)

Caliza Winery
--2009 Sidekick: 65% Roussanne, 35% Viognier ($25)
--2007 Azimuth: 53% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre ($45)

Kenneth Volk Vineyards
--2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmody McKnight Vineyard ($36)

kukkula
--2006 i.p.o.: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel ($24)
--2008 sisu: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre ($TBD)

Tablas Creek Vineyard
--2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc: 50% Grenache Blanc, 33% Viognier, 10% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne ($20)

Terry Hoage Vineyards
--2009 The Gap: 59% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 16% Picpoul Blanc ($38)
--2009 The Pick: 53% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre, 7% Counoise ($48)

Thacher Winery
--2007 Triumvirate, Zinfandel ($36)
--2007 Controlled Chaos: 42% Zinfandel, 37% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache ($33)
--2007 Syrah ($26)

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery - Superbly crafted wines!

Steffanie Anglim, Anglim Winery - Delicious wines!

Carl Bowker, Caliza Winery - Drink it, Love it!

The sun is always shining on Sherman Thacher (Thacher Winery)

The Rhone Ranger himself, Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard

Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles - Great setting for the Grand Tasting