Meandering in Apple Hill
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:22 pmTook the short drive with some friends to Camino aka Apple Hill area. Fall is in full swing here and the children had fun picking apples, while the adults punctated the time with some wine tastings.
Fenton Herriott Vineyards- a new one for me in this area which includes Madrona, Boeger among the well known ones.
2010 Gewurztraminer- nice nose of pears, and Christmas spice but on entry a sweeter side of what I prefer. Predominantly pears with quite a short finish. Would hav benefited from a little more acid and little less RS
2009 Barbera- here the fruit and acid was well balanced although a bit heavy on the oak treatment. A pretty nice wine actually.
2009 Tempranillo- nose of smoke, wood and vanilla. Alas a little short on mouthfeel and finish. Again with the oak.
Lot3 Jake way- A blend (I remember it as Sangiovese, Syrah and something else). Quite a nice wine with berries and cocoa and not all that much oak.
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon- I have a soft spot for good cabs that come from the Eldorado Hills/Placerville area. This was not a bad version cherries, cassis and vanilla. The oak treatment was not bad.
2009 Petit Sirah- A fav among several of those who tasted it, but alas I found it rather cloyingly sweet and flabby. Red fruits dominated and I couldn't keep my focus on it much.
Lava Cap winery- I havent had a Lava Cap wine in a long time. It was a beautiful day yesterday in the mountains. We were at the tasting bar before the bus and limos arrived. The pourer was extremely stingy with how much she poured. Granted that I tend to taste and dump generally, but 5 drops is usually not a fair amount to make a judgement. I had to frequently remember to ask the pourer to add some more to my glass!
2009 Sangiovese- a lean wine with bright acidity and enough fruit to go well as an addition to lunch or dinner.
2009 American River Cuvee-Cab Franc, Merlot, Syrah. Another well structured wine. easy drinker.
2009 Petit Sirah- Muscular without being flabby. Firm tannins and fruit to make it even more interesting in a few years. I liked it a lot.
2009 Reserve Zin- black and blue berries. Good mouthfeel. nice finish
I liked the Lava Cap line up. I had a couple more which I enjoyed but dont remember the notes to post
By the time we were preparing to leave, the tasting was simply too packed. I should come here when it is not apple picking season. We stopped at Boa Vista Orchards and picked up a couple of pies. We were in Apple Hill after all. Nice, enjoyable day.
-Shaji
Fenton Herriott Vineyards- a new one for me in this area which includes Madrona, Boeger among the well known ones.
2010 Gewurztraminer- nice nose of pears, and Christmas spice but on entry a sweeter side of what I prefer. Predominantly pears with quite a short finish. Would hav benefited from a little more acid and little less RS
2009 Barbera- here the fruit and acid was well balanced although a bit heavy on the oak treatment. A pretty nice wine actually.
2009 Tempranillo- nose of smoke, wood and vanilla. Alas a little short on mouthfeel and finish. Again with the oak.
Lot3 Jake way- A blend (I remember it as Sangiovese, Syrah and something else). Quite a nice wine with berries and cocoa and not all that much oak.
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon- I have a soft spot for good cabs that come from the Eldorado Hills/Placerville area. This was not a bad version cherries, cassis and vanilla. The oak treatment was not bad.
2009 Petit Sirah- A fav among several of those who tasted it, but alas I found it rather cloyingly sweet and flabby. Red fruits dominated and I couldn't keep my focus on it much.
Lava Cap winery- I havent had a Lava Cap wine in a long time. It was a beautiful day yesterday in the mountains. We were at the tasting bar before the bus and limos arrived. The pourer was extremely stingy with how much she poured. Granted that I tend to taste and dump generally, but 5 drops is usually not a fair amount to make a judgement. I had to frequently remember to ask the pourer to add some more to my glass!
2009 Sangiovese- a lean wine with bright acidity and enough fruit to go well as an addition to lunch or dinner.
2009 American River Cuvee-Cab Franc, Merlot, Syrah. Another well structured wine. easy drinker.
2009 Petit Sirah- Muscular without being flabby. Firm tannins and fruit to make it even more interesting in a few years. I liked it a lot.
2009 Reserve Zin- black and blue berries. Good mouthfeel. nice finish
I liked the Lava Cap line up. I had a couple more which I enjoyed but dont remember the notes to post
By the time we were preparing to leave, the tasting was simply too packed. I should come here when it is not apple picking season. We stopped at Boa Vista Orchards and picked up a couple of pies. We were in Apple Hill after all. Nice, enjoyable day.
-Shaji