Vintners Wine Market
Fort Mason, San Francisco
Tasted Sunday, April 11, 2010 by aagrawal with 1,105 views
Introduction
This was the Vintners Wine Market event. I went on Sunday. I appreciated the low price ($30) and the ability to try a lot of different types of wines, but I realized that the quality was not superb. Perhaps I should have paid for the more expensive reserve room tastings.
In summary, the wines I tasted were often decent quaffers, but almost never superb- with a few minor exceptions that managed to eke into the low 90s. The dessert wines in particular were disappointing. I love Sauternes, Riesling, etc, but the sweet wines presented here today were very simple and often excessively cloying. Again, I probably should have paid for the more expensive tasting.
NV Zonin Prosecco Brut 75 Points
Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco
Slight sweetness, but bad aftertaste. No flavor.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 TR Elliott Pinot Noir Burgonet 80 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Red fruits, but far too watery and the palate is thin. Not impressed.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Pena Ridge Petite Sirah 83 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Blackberry/black fruits on the nose, palate is thin.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Grassi Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Excellent black fruits, very solid wine. More intense and flavorful than the 2005.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Grassi Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Excellent black fruits, very solid wine, but just slightly worse than the 2006.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Grey Stack Cellars Rosé of Syrah and Grenache 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
A very nice rose, worth more than its price. Delicious strawberry nose. Palate had some watermelon as well. Medium bodied wine, but great acidity keeps it crisp and clean.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Grey Stack Cellars Grenache Dry Stack Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Nice spice. Very well made and enjoyable, if a little simple.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Townley Wines Pinot Noir
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Spicy nose, red fruits. Finish is a bit short.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Townley Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Subtle, understated. Very balanced.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Townley Wines Shiraz 85 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Great black fruits, solid structure.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Ricardus Corculum Zinfandel 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Well made. Interesting nose of seaweed/kelp, blackberry, briar wood. Good red fruits on the palate. One of the best wines at the Vintners market in SF.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Kindred Vineyards & Winery Syrah Thompson Vineyard 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Good spice, good fruit. Nothing else remarkable. Solid drinker with a meal.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Kindred Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Nice fruity palate, good weight. Nose a bit weak.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Kindred Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Ascendant 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Far more fruity than most cabs. Good structure. Solid, not special.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Joelle Wine Company Sauvignon Blanc 84 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Good acidity, good weight, but lacking in fruit.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2004 Château Peyros Madiran Vieilles Vignes 85 Points
France, Southwest France, Madiran
Delicate nose, a bit lacking. Palate is very smooth but has a tannic kick with the finish. Interesting grape varietals and an interesting experience, but probably not a bottle I would buy.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1998 Château La Grave 84 Points
France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Sainte Croix du Mont
Lots of saffron. Very light and enjoyable, but certainly not something that will compare with even decent sauternes. At half the price of a decent sauternes, I don't think it's supposed to compete for the same palates.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Highland Estates Boont Ridge 78 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
A bit of a strange aftertaste. Some red fruit, but I just don't think it's good.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Kent Rasmussen Pinot Noir Carneros 82 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Decent wine. Probably not worth buying.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Kent Rasmussen Cabernet Franc Esoterica 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
Very nice nose with lots of blackberry and especially blueberry. Good palate, good structure. Very nice wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Kent Rasmussen Petite Sirah Esoterica Chavez-Leeds Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Tons of blueberry on the nose and palate. Very nice. Forgot to score.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Kent Rasmussen Viognier Esoterica - Late Harvest 80 Points
USA, California, North Coast
I don't understand how so many previous notes are so laudatory about this wine. It's one strength is the nose: It's amazing. Very fruity, not floral, but certainly makes me want to try it. The palate is FAR too sweet and sugary, as if someone literally dissolved as much sugar as they could into this wine. The excessive sweetness takes 10 points away from the nose, and it makes it borderline undrinkable after the first 2-3 sips. Find a nice sauternes instead.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Modus Operandi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 82 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Good fruit, but the nose is just OK. This wine is lacking quite a bite of the flavor and balance that I like in my drinks.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Modus Operandi Cellars Vicarious 80 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A very flat one-dimensional wine. Lacks any distinguishing flavors, which it should have at this price point.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Modus Operandi Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Oaky, not my style. Decently made though. Certainly better than their cabernet sauvignon.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rainbow Sémillon 85 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County
Rich, citrus balance. Nice finish. I don't know if I like semillon as a dry white wine though.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rosa D'Oro Primitivo 87 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Lake County
Light color. Very Pinot-like wine with red fruits, spice. Palate is a bit weak. Very good for the price.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rosa D'Oro Dolcetto 81 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Clear Lake
An OK wine. Not that aromatic, fairly tannic, not enough fruit.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rosa D'Oro 81 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Clear Lake
Made from their Dolcetto wine. Their port is just not flavorful enough for a good dessert wine. A drinkable wine, but nothing more.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rosa D'Oro Muscat Canelli 85 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Clear Lake
Very aromatic. Very fresh, but not enough fruit on the palate. Still a solid wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 122 West Syrah 82 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
A drinkable quaffer.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 122 West Durif 84 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Good red fruit, but nothing interesting. Seems a little subdued.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2004 122 West Pinot Noir 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Very well made. Intense nose of raisins, blackberry. Certainly the best in their lineup that I've tasted so far.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Bedarra Beachfront Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 81 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Just a quaffer, nothing special.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Bonneau Rosé 82 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Very full bodied, but not enough acidity. Good strawberries.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Bonneau Chardonnay Catherine's 82 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Oaked, but not overoaked. Still low on flavor just like the stainless steel version: Egret. I'm definitely not a fan of any oak.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Bonneau Chardonnay Egret 82 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
No oak. Crisp, but not that flavorful.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Bonneau Chardonnay Late Harvest 80 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Exactly like their chardonnay, except sweet- almost like they just added sugar. I expected more.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Rock Wall Wine Co. Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands 85 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Fresh, oaky, and creamy. Well made, but not my style.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
VERY fruit forward. Good, solid wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Reserve Zinfandel 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
More complex than the regular zin, less fruit forward. I actually think I like the regular cuvee better.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rock Wall Wine Co. Late Harvest Riesling 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County
This is a very simple riesling-based dessert wine. The nose is light on aromas and the palate is light on fruit and flavor. Everything should just be more intense in a dessert wine. I would say this is average.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Fess Parker Viognier 70 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Oak is far too strong on the palate. So disappointing because the nose on viognier is always gorgeous and the taste has never fit with my palate. Undrinkable for me.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 81 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Candied red fruits, cherry. Palate is thin. The nose was so promising, but the palate fails.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Fess Parker The Big Easy 80 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Good spicy nose, not over the top. The palate is unbalanced and not enjoyable for me.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Perry Creek Viognier Altitude:2401 78 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado
Very floral nose, but the palate is just another viognier that I don't like. Personal preference rather than the winemaker's fault.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Perry Creek Zinfandel ZinMan 84 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado
Simple and good for the price.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Perry Creek Petite Sirah Altitude: 2401 Fair Play Farms 85 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado
Good nose. Fruity, spice. Very nice palate with flavors and spice, but the tannins are overwhelming right now. Maybe with age, if the fruit lasts longer than the tannins.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Pietra Santa Sassolino 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Cienega Valley
Very good. Fruity, good structure.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Poem Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Engaged 82 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Far more understated than tastevin. A bit flat/simple.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Poem Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
This is the Marriage cuvee. Smooth, balanced. A nice nose. Very well made, but still pales in comparison to the cheaper cuvee tastevin.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Poem Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A brilliant wine, the best that I've tried out of 50+ wines at the tasting today. Smooth, fruit flavors that are not overripe but just nicely balanced. This wine has a unique aroma of a combination of candied fruits and other things that I think justify a premium ($50+) price point. At it's price of $45, it's certainly worth it.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Poem Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elope 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
More flavor than the Engaged cuvee. Still very understated and the nose could use some work. Decent, but very overpriced.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue