I just got back from a quick trip to attend the Santa Barbara Wine Cask Futures tasting on Saturday. It was my second year to scope out new talent at this long running event now in its 19th year and also see what some of the established wineries will be showing me over the next 8 to 12 months. Attendance seemed to be off a liitle this year, both for vintners who were there last year and also for public. The first person I saw after jumping the queue in the lobby to exercise the "journalist early entry" was the former owner of Wine Cask, Doug Margerum. currently the consultant for the Futures events to new Wine Cask owner, Bernie Rosenson. We didn't have long to chat because I knew that even with the extra 20 minutes it would be challanging to weave my way to all of the tables I wanted to see.
Wine Cask Futures is an important event for Vinfolio to attend as it puts us in front of small producers who are just on the cusp of the market at this time who will inevitably grow to somewhat larger commercial releases. We find tremendous value for our clients to bring new wines of this type to your attention ahead of other retailers and the printed press.
Here are the top new wineries I tried.
2006 Alta Maria Grenache Santa Maria Valley (***)
Technically this isn't a new winery since I tasted the Pinot (****) at WOPN three weeks ago. It is however the first Grenache I have tasted from them. The blend is 77% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. Gushing with black raspberry in the nose running over into full lushness on the palate coupled with firm acidity. Only miniscule quantities were produced here. With any luck we will have some to offer.
2007 Blair Fox Viognier Paradise Road Vineyard Santa Barbara County (**)
I got the chance to meet Blair Fox (yes, he is a real guy) at a reception in Shell Beach earlier this month and he mentioned i should stop by and taste his wine at Futures
The Viognier was concentrated and rich in the nose with a firm profile of acid, apricot and mineral on the palate. Blair explained that the Zaca Fire that burned for weeks this vintage stressed the grapes and was responsible for smaller yields.
2005 Blair Fox Syrah Paradise Road Vineyard Santa Barbara County(*)
Destined for release in the Fall, this wine was textbook Syrah in the nose with fresh blackberry and currant. The flavors were somewhat narrow and lean at the moment. I look forward to revisiting this wine closer to release.
2006 C3 Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Crazy 8's Santa Barbara County (*)
The new project from Dave Corey (Core), and his sisters Melanie Corey-Ferrini and Sherri Corey-Pinero is comprised of 80 % Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. I expect this wine will shed some of the youthful tightness and be more accessable in Fall when released.
2006 Cimarone Cabernet Franc Blend "Le Clos Secret" Santa Ynez Valley (**)
This is the estate wine from Roger and Priscilla Higgins with Doug Margerum as consultant. It is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petite Verdot and 5% Malbec. The nose of violet and herbs is very attractive. The palate shows promising structure and needs only time to flesh together. Destined for Fall release, this will be one to watch.
2007 Coquelicot Sauvignon Blanc Estate Santa Ynez Valley (**)
The firsr release from Wine Cask owner, Bernie Rosenson and Louis van Tonder, who worked under Doug Margerum as assistant winemaker. This is a serious project in its infancy and I think they will do exceedingly well. Of all the wines I tasted (4), this was the one I liked best - A mineral and mint nose, refreshing acidity with bright grapefruit sprinkled with herbs. Slated for a summer 2008 release.
2006 Demetria Pinot Noir Cuvee Sandra Sta. Rita Hills (***)
John and Sandra Zahoudanis established this brand in 2005 with the purchase of vineyards including the formerly named Ashley's Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. A blend of Pommard, and three Dijon clones, it comes across as a beautifully focused cherry and flint nose with delicate finesse on the palate. Very nice stuff.
2006 Departure Wine Company Syrah East Meets West Santa Ynez Valley (***)
Three guys from Santa Barbara; Tom Grubb, P.J., and Jason Miele began making wine in 2004 with the help of Joey Tensley. They may just be ready to make believers out of their early adopters. A blend of Zotovich from Sta. Rita Hills, and some from the Cimarone property in Happy Canyon, it shows a beguiling structure; firm and very focused on beautiful black fruits. I certainly look forward to trying this closer to release.
2007 Departure Wine Company Grenache Alta Mesa Vineyard (**)
Harvested from Dave Corey's Cuyama Valley site. The fruit is forward and ripe with the exuberent freshness I love to find in Grenache. Black raspberry and pepper work nicely together.
2006 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills (***)
Location, location, location. Sometimes it is important to be counter-intuitive and poke around the dim edges of a room to find the treasures. I found Dragonette in the same obscure, poorly positioned corner where I discovered Vino V, one of my top discoveries last year, Dragonette was a very pleasant surprise. Almost chocolate like in the nose, the palate shows that hard-to-define delicate grip that is so lovely to find in Pinot. A pleasant surprise. Sourced from Gaia (formerly Ashley's) and Fiddlestix. The release will be in summer.
2006 Noble Storm Pinot Noir "Le Bon Climat" Santa Maria Valley (**)
Sourced from the Clendenen organic jewel box vineyard in Santa Maria and all clone 113 the nose is delicate cherry and herb with flavors of wild strawberry and spicy cherry with nicely integrated acidity
2007 P2 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard Santa Barbara County (***)
Winemaker Mike Padrick works with Brian Loring as assistant winemaker and has an amazing fruit source thanks to Peter Cargasacchi. The wine is focused on the blue fruit and graphite end of Pinot Noir, the lovely delicacy and richness dancing together.
2006 Tercero Grenache Watch Hill Vineyard Santa Barbara County (***)
This is the first wine I tasted on the day. Miniscule amounts of Larry Schaffer's first commercial release will be available for the summer release. I will consider myserlf fortunate if I get offered a case. Fear not, because there are plenty of new wines in the pipeline for next vintage. The nose is bright cherry and raspberry with a bit of licorice. The palate shows fresh garden fruits with bright acidity. All Tercero wines are bottled under screwcap.
2007 Turchi Malbec Reserve Santa Barbara County (****)
Another Dave Corey project with his mom and uncle was the find of the day. This is as close as I have gotten to the fine benchmark Malbec coming out of Argentina. Clean and vibrant with a delicate herbal aromatic structure. The palate is strong and exotic with full bodied fruit and herbed meat framework.
2006 Tyler Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (****)
This is the second release from Justin Willett, but new to Wine Cask Futures and I am pleased he is finally getting noticed for his work from this world-class site. Garnet in color, the nose shows pretty aromas of cherry and violet sachet balanced with a deceptively delicate palate. The structure overall is a beautifully integrated wine with velvet-like texture to the cherry and black fruit. Vinfolio is the only Northern California retailer for the 2005 Tyler Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard available at Vinfolio
