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This was my third time attending one of these Vintners Market events, where wineries come not only to taste consumers on their wines, but also to sell directly to them. I continue to be impressed by the strong consumer turnout at these events, especially by young, hip looking 20- and 30-somethings from the San Francisco Bay Area. The wineries that participate seem to be happy, too, with the consumer exposure and sales these events generate, and I find that most of those participating seem to return. Since I already tasted and reported on the wines of many of the prior participants, my focus for this tasting (and there was only an hour of media and trade tasting, before the large crowds of consumers arrived) was on producers that were new to me and/or new to this event. As a result, I got to __ producers and tasted a total of ___ wines.
The producers whose wines showed the best from what I tasted, with at least one wine I rated 91 points or higher, were Argot, Armanino Family, Canard, Courtesan (Omerta), Four Cairn, Kale, La Jota, Chateau Montelena, Qualia, Roadhouse, Rugg Family and Von Holt.
Argot 
- 2009 Argot Chardonnay Old Habits Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Light yellow color; rich, apple, baked apple nose; rich, baked apple, apple butter, baked pear, creme brulee palate; medium-plus finish (22 mos. in new French oak; tasted much better than the last time I tried it) (89 pts.)
- 2009 Argot Happenstance Sonoma County - USA, California, Sonoma County
Light lemon yellow color; intriguing, lemon, banana custard and pear nose; tart pear, tart banana, banana custard palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (70% Roussanne, 30% Chardonnay; 10 mos. in barrel, 70% new oak; a little botrytis)(I see the stats on the cepage and oak treatment are a little different than I was told at an event earlier in the year--I don't know what's up with that) (88 pts.)
- 2009 Argot Pinot Noir The Fence Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Dark cherry red color; rich, raspberry puree, tart cherry nose; tasty, poised, soft, juicy, tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (Pommard clone, 22 mos. in 100% French oak, the two best barrels) (90 pts.)
- 2008 Argot Syrah Opening Salvo Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Opaque red violet color; rich, baked plum, black fruit nose; tasty, tart black fruit, plum, baked plum, spice palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish 91+ points (31 mos. in barrel) (91 pts.)
- 2010 Argot Pinot Noir The Vagrant Bennett Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Pre-release (spring 2012 release) - Dark cherry red color with pale meniscus; intense, candied red fruit, cinnamon nose; soft, tasty, tart cherry, cinnamon, baked cherry, rhubarb palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (Mariafeld clone with 20% Pommard clone; 100% new French oak) (91 pts.)
Armanino  
- 2008 Armanino Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Pointer Ink Grade Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Very dark red violet color; tobacco, cedar, tart currant nose; tasty, youthful, brooding, tart currant, interesting oak, cedar, tobacco palate; medium-plus finish (75% new French oak, 22 mos.) (92 pts.)
- 2008 Armanino Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Hunter To-Kalon Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Opaque red violet color; appealing, tart black fruit, berry, tart blackberry nose; tasty, tight, tart black fruit, tart blackberry palate; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish (100% new French oak) (92 pts.)
- 2009 Armanino Family Cellars Zinfandel Paesani - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Very dark red violet color; poised, red berry, black currant nose; tasty, smooth, tart blackberry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
- 2010 Armanino Family Cellars Pinot Noir The Pintail Doctor's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Very dark ruby color; nice floral, roses, tart raspberry, baked raspberry nose; soft, tart cherry, tart raspberry, tart raspberry puree palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ points (11 mos. in 50% new French oak) (91 pts.)
- 2010 Armanino Family Cellars Pinot Noir The Whitewing Amber Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Dark ruby color; intense, tart cherry, tart raspberry, rosehips nose; soft, plush, tart cherry, tart raspberry, rosehips palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 92+ points (11 mos. in oak) (92 pts.)
Baldwin - 2008 J. Baldwin Wines Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Dark purple red violet color; intriguing, creosote, roasted berry nose; soft, creosote, smoke taint, black fruit palate; medium finish (with 9% Petite Sirah) (84 pts.)
- 2007 J. Baldwin Wines Zinfandel Dawn Hill Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Dark red violet color; chocolate, rich black fruit nose; soft, black fruit, tart chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Canard 
- 2008 Canard Vineyard Zinfandel - USA, California, Napa Valley
Medium red color with pale meniscus; ripe red currant, dried currant nose; tart black currant, tart berry, bramble palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
- 2007 Canard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red violet color; tart berry, light menthol nose; tart cassis, menthol, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
- 2007 Canard Vineyard Zinfandel - USA, California, Napa Valley
Medium dark red violet color; tart black currant, red plum nose; poised, tart black currant, grippy palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
- 2008 Canard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
Medium dark red violet color; baked red plum, cassis nose; rich, tart cassis, tart red plum, palate with spice and character; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
Carlotta - 2010 Carlotta Cellars Blanc - USA, California
Medium golden yellow color; odd, tangy, dried orange nose; dried orange, tart baked lemon palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (Roussanne and Viognier, co-fermented on skins) (83 pts.)
- 2009 Carlotta Cellars AD 2009 - USA, California
Dark cherry red color; brett, tart red fruit nose; bretty, tart red fruit, currant palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan) (85 pts.)
- 2010 Carlotta Cellars Grenache 2010 AD - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Light orange color; tart orange nose; tangy, tart orange, grapefruit palate; medium-plus finish (85 pts.)
Charles Heintz - 2008 Heintz Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Light golden yellow color; pineapple, baked apple nose; baked apple, pineapple palate; medium finish (disappointingly ripe) (84 pts.)
- 2008 Heintz Syrah Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Dark red violet color; roasted plum, black fruit nose; tasty, roasted plum, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Heintz Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium red color with pale meniscus; tart cherry, tart red fruit nose; tart cherry, tart strawberry palate; medium finish (100% Swan clone) (89 pts.)
Courtesan 
- 2006 Courtesan Cabernet Sauvignon Brigitte - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red violet color; opulent, black fruit, blackberry nose; soft, tart blackberry, black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
- 2008 Omerta - USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red violet color; appealing, mulberry, berry, rich black fruit nose; tasty, focused, rich blackberry, mulberry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
- 2006 Courtesan Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Dark red violet color; cassis, tart berry, tart black fruit nose; sur maturite, mulberry, black currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
Cult Vines - N.V. Cult Vines Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Dark purple red violet color; cassis, red berry, menthol nose; cassis, red berry, menthol palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Dogwood 
- 2010 Dogwood Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Hummingbird Hills - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Light yellow color; gooseberry nose; lightly smoky, tart gooseberry palate; medium-plus finish (11 mos. in neutral French oak, no malolactic) (89 pts.)
- 2008 Dogwood Cellars Blendo - USA, California, North Coast
Very dark red violet color; smoky, roasted plum nose; tart roasted plum, processed smoke taint palate; medium finish (52% Petite Sirah, 22% Mourvedre, 16% Zinfandel, 8% Carignane, 2% Syrah) (83 pts.)
- 2007 Dogwood Cellars Zinfandel - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Dark red violet color; bramble, tart berry, currant nose; bramble, tart berry, currant palate with a hint of pepper; medium-plus finish 90+ points (20 mos. in American oak, 50% new) (90 pts.)
- 2007 Dogwood Cellars Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Dark purple red violet color; baked plum, roasted black fruit, violet nose; soft, baked plum, black fruit, violet, oak palate; medium finish (20 mos. in French oak, 40% new) (87 pts.)
- 2006 Dogwood Cellars Meritage - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Dark red violet color; appealing plum, French oak, black currant nose; tasty, rich, black currant, ripe plum, cedar palate; medium-plus finish (50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon; 3 years in oak, 1 year in bottle) (90 pts.)
- 2010 Dogwood Cellars Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Light yellow color; tart guava, light green fruit nose; soft, tart guava, green fruit palate with low acidity; medium finish (100% malolactic; 11 mos. in neutral French oak) (83 pts.)
- 2006 Dogwood Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Dark red violet color; tart black fruit, eucalyptus, tart currant nose; tasty, soft, tart cassis, eucalyptus, iodine palate; medium-plus finish (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot; 30 mos. in oak, 50% new; 1 year in bottle) (88 pts.)
Four Cairn 
- 2009 Four Cairn Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Very dark red violet color; intense, baked plum, floral, blackberry nose; tasty, creamy textured, baked plum, blackberry, creosote palate; medium-plus finish (17 year old vines; 16 mos. in French oak, 45% new) (93 pts.)
Georg Rafael - 2009 Rafael et Fils Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley
Light lemon yellow color; ripe lemon, tart pineapple nose; soft, pineapple, ripe pear palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
Joseph Gary - 2009 Joseph Gary Cellars Pinot Noir - USA, California, Central Coast
Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; tart cherry, orange peel nose; soft, orange peel, tart raspberry palate; medium-plus finish (10% new French oak) (87 pts.)
Kale 
- 2008 Kale Wines Syrah Samantha's Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Opaque purple red violet color; violet, tart black fruit, charcoal nose; odd, tart black fruit, charcoal, smoke palate that doesn't quite hang together; medium-plus finish (82 pts.)
- 2009 Kale Wines Home Run Cuvée Kick Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County
Pre-release - very dark purple red violet color; pretty, violet, ripe black fruit, berry nose; lovely, luscious, berry, blackberry, violet palate; long finish (65% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 5% Viognier) (93 pts.)
Kitson - 2010 Kitson Wines Pinot Gris - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Light yellow color; tart peach, apple nose; soft, pear, oak, apple palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
- 2010 Kitson Wines Pinot Noir - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Medium red color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; tart, spicy cherry, dried cherry nose; soft, spicy cherry, dried cherry palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
- 2007 Kitson Wines Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red violet color; unusual, chili pepper, tart currant nose; tart currant, dried chili peppers palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
La Jota - 2005 La Jota Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Dark red violet color; intense, ripe red currant, red plum nose; ripe red currant, ripe plum palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
- 2005 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Dark red violet color; ripe currant, cassis nose; soft, tasty, ripe black currant, cassis, light menthol palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
- 2005 La Jota Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Dark red violet color; nice, menthol, red currant nose; tasty, poised, red currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
Maldonado - 2009 Maldonado Chardonnay Parr Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County
Light yellow color; pineapple syrup, poached pear nose; pineapple syrup, poached pear, low acid palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
- 2008 Maldonado Chardonnay Los Olivos Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
Light yellow color; pineapple, poached pear nose; pineapple, poached pear palate with a touch of acidity; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2008 Maldonado Proprietary Red - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark ruby color; menthol, tart cassis nose; tasty, juicy, tart cassis, currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Syrah) (88 pts.)
- 2007 Maldonado Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red violet color; red currant, light menthol nose; tasty, intense, tart currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
- 2006 Maldonado Syrah Los Olivos - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Dark red violet color; baked plum, roasted black fruit nose; tasty, plush, roasted black fruit, baked plum palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2008 Maldonado Late Harvest - USA, California, Napa Valley
From 375 ml - light medium golden color; dried apricot, sugared lemon peel nose with lift; soft, plush, sugared lemon peel, ripe apricot, low acid palate; medium-plus finish (50/50 Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) (89 pts.)
Montelena - 2007 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga
Dark red violet color; tart currant, menthol nose; tasty, tart currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
- 2010 Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley
Very light yellow color; smoky, lemon grass nose; smoky, lemon grass, tart gooseberry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
Qualia 
- 2010 Qualia Wines Sauvignon Blanc Indian Springs Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Very light yellow color; light peach nose; tart peach, citrus palate with very good acidity; medium finish (from 25 yr old vines) (89 pts.)
- 2008 Pavo Syrah Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Opaque purple red violet color; rich, spicy, baked plum, baked berry nose; tasty, rich, youthful, baked plum, spicy, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (30% whole cluster, 30% new oak; 18 mos. in barrel, 6-8 mos. in bottle) (92 pts.)
- 2009 Qualia Wines Syrah Grenache - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Dark purple red violet color; roasted plum, tart cherry nose; tasty, roasted plum, tart black fruit, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (60% Syrah, 39% Grenache, 1% Zinfandel) (90 pts.)
Rivino 
- 2009 Rivino Sangiovese Estate - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
Medium red color with pale meniscus; soft tart cherry, red berry nose; tart cherry, red berry palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
- 2007 Rivino Sedulous - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
Medium red color with pale meniscus; tart red fruit, currant nose; tasty, tart red fruit, currant palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
- 2009 Rivino Viognier - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
Light yellow color; tart pear, floral nose; tart pear, floral palate; medium finish (85 pts.)
Roadhouse - 2009 Roadhouse Winery Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Dark red violet color; baked currant, brambly nose; tasty, brambly, tart black currant, dried red currant palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
- 2009 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Medium red color with pale meniscus; baked currant, baked cherry nose; tasty, tart black currant, tart cherry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
Robledo - 2009 Robledo Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc The Seven Brothers - USA, California, North Coast, Lake County
Light yellow color; oak, gooseberry nose; ripe gooseberry, oak palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
- 2007 Robledo Family Winery Pinot Noir Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Medium red color with pale meniscus; tart cherry, brett nose; tart cherry, brett palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
- 2006 Robledo Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon El Rey - USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County
Dark red violet color; tart currant nose; tart currant palate; medium-plus finish (84 pts.)
- 2006 Robledo Family Winery "Los Braceros" - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Dark red color; smoky, braised beef nose; oak, roasted fruit palate; medium finish (1/3 each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah) (82 pts.)
Rugg 
- 2007 Rugg Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red violet color; maturing, baked berry, black currant nose; tasty, black currant, berry, light menthol palate; medium-plus finish (with 1% Petit Verdot) (91 pts.)
- 2006 Rugg Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red violet color; rich berry, black currant, light menthol nose; tasty, rich, tart black currant, menthol palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
Think Tank 
- 2009 Think Tank Grenache Rosé Carriage Vineyards - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Medium pink color with 2 millimeter clear meniscus; ripe cherry, red berry nose; juicy, ripe red berry, currant palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
- 2008 Think Tank Syrah White Hawk Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Very dark red violet color; expressive, roasted plum, black fruit nose; tart black fruit, roasted plum, creosote palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
- 2008 Think Tank Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Very dark red violet color; ripe cassis, plum nose; plush, ripe cassis, plum, berry palate; medium-plus finish (with 5% Petit Verdot; 2 yrs in oak and 1 in bottle) (89 pts.)
- 2008 Think Tank Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Dark cherry red color; brett, spicy nose; bretty, tart cherry, savory palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Von Holt 
- 2009 Von Holt Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Light medium red color with pale meniscus; subtle, tart cherry, raspberry nose; soft, tart cherry, tart berry palate; medium finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
- 2009 Von Holt Pinot Noir Suacci Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; nice cherry, roses nose; tasty, tart cherry, roses, tart raspberry palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
- 2008 Von Holt Syrah Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Dark red color with pale meniscus; appealing, red plum, lavender nose; lavender, roasted plum, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (good value at about $20) (91 pts.)
- 2010 Von Holt Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Light yellow color; ripe pineapple, floral nose; soft, ripe pineapple, citrus palate with low acidity; medium finish (83 pts.)
- 2008 Von Holt Syrah Old Lakeville - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Dark ruby color; tart berry, oak, ripe black fruit nose; baked berry, black fruit, roasted meat palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
Wren Hop 
- 2009 Wren Hop Pinot Noir Omens & Prophecy - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Dark red violet color; spicy, tart baked cherry, baked black fruit nose; spicy, tart baked cherry, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (777, 667 and Swan clones) (90 pts.)
- 2009 Wren Hop Pinot Noir Siren's Lure - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium dark cherry red color with pale meniscus; intense, tart cherry, spicy cherry nose; baked cherry, spice palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
- 2009 Wren Hop Chardonnay Shipwreck Savior - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Light yellow color; rich, baked lemon, apple nose; baked apple, cinnamon, apple palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
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