From: lund@vms.macc.wisc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.food.drink
Subject: Wine Tasting in California
Date: 22 Jul 92 01:59:17 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin Academic Computing Center


	I thought that folks might be interested in some comments re a recent 
tasting trip to California's Napa and Sonoma valleys.  A friend and I tasted at 
around 30 wineries over the course of 4 days.  The majority of the wines we 
sampled were red (predominantly Cabernet and Zinfandel).  I hesitate to call 
these tasting notes, as I don't intend to get into detailed comments.  I'll 
simply list some of our impressions re the wineries and wines.

Excellent but pricey:
	Chateau Montelena 85 Estate Cab.  Yes, that's what a $5.00 tasting fee 
got us.  I was ecstatic.  The finest wine I've ever tasted (though I haven't 
tasted many wines of this stature).  $75.00 a bottle made this out of the 
question for us, but it sure was fun.  Complex, long, ready to drink, but also 
great potential (hell, it should for $$)

	Hess 88 Est. Cab.  One of the better 88s.  Good fruit, but somewhat 
one-dimensional (as were most of the 88s). Great art collection at the winery.

	Silver Oaks Alexander Vly.  Vertical tasting 89, 88, 87 Cabs.  We 
actually liked the 88 the best.  The 87 was a bit rough.  May come around with 
time, who knows.  The 89 and 88 were delightful, full bodied and around $30.00 
per.

Excellent but NOT pricey: (In other words, what I bought)
	William Wheeler 85 Reserve Cab. (Norse Vineyard).  One of only a few 85s 
we were lucky enough to taste.  The general high quality of this vintage was 
obvious (even to us).  Though excellent now, there are still some tannins to 
carry this wine further.  We spoke with one of the wine-makers, and he suggested 
drinking over the next 5 plus years.  We felt this was a great buy at $18.00.  
One of the very best Cabs we tasted at any price.
	
	William Wheeler 86 Reserve Cab.  Ready to drink.  Tasted mature, rich 
and smooth.  Bought a few for $12.00.

	Willam Wheeler 88 Reserve CAb.  Fruity, young.  Showed some potential 
for an 88.  Bought a few at $14.75.

	Caymus Zinfandel 1990.  $10.00  Big, great fruit, some spice (though not 
as much as Ridge).  This was my favorite zin, right along with the 1989 Ridge 
Howell Mountain, which was spicy, spicy, spicy.  Loads of fun, a great change of 
pace from the Cabs and Merlots we'd been tasting.

	Ridge Zin (1989 Howell Mtn.)  See above.  Hey, I know that I'm supposed 
to like Lytton Springs better, but this Ridge really appealed to me.  My friend 
preferred the more balanced Lytton Springs 1989 Sonoma County. 

	Sebastiani 1987 Wildwood Meritage (48% Cab, 52% CAb Franc).  $14.00. 
Interesting medium-bodied wine.  Herbaceous aroma, though not at all unpleasant.
One of the better blends we had, and at a fair price.  A lot going on compared 
to the 88 CAb, Bell Ranch, and Cab Franc that we also tasted.

Other good stuff (though I can buy here in Madison)
	Villa Mt Eden Cab.  Nice price and consistent quality.  Tasted 86 and 
87.

	Kenwood 1988 Cab Sonoma Vlly. $15.00 We liked this better than the more 
expensive Jack London or Artist's Series.  It was bigger with more tannin.  The 
others were nice, but a bit understated in comparison. Cabs for cab lovers.  
Nothing too subtle, big and brawny. 

	Well, gotta go, this is too long already. Post any comments you might 
have.  Please keep flames down, I know these are unsubstantiated opinions, but I 
didn't really feel like getting into details.
					*******************
					-Mitch Lundquist
					-lund@macc.wisc.edu