Recap of Family Winemakers of California; 2012 San Francisco Tasting-Best of the Meritage Reds

Tasted Sunday, September 9, 2012 by Martin Redmond with 1,393 views

Introduction

I attended the 22nd annual Family Winemakers of California event held September 9th and 10th. The event was held at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The Family Winemakers of California ("FWC") is the primary trade advocate for California's "small family" wineries, and huge tasting like this bring in trade and media from across the country.

FWC is my favorite big event because it's a chance to taste so many different types and styles of wines, from throughout California, from so many producers, large and small, old and new!
How big FWC? Check out this data from the San Francisco Chronicle...

225+ participating wineries
22 wineries new to the tasting
20 white wine varietals
30 red wine varietals
24 Rosé wines
21 dessert wines
Winery size:
33 wineries produce 1,000 cases or less
122 wineries produce 5,000 cases or less
30+ appellations represented
Oldest winery founded in 1856
Youngest winery founded in 2012

I attended the Sunday session, which was held from 1:00-6:00p (trade/media from 1-3p, open to the public thereafter). Since it's impossible for an individual to taste all the wines, I needed a plan to maximize my time there. Since I've already done a few other big events this year featuring Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Rhone varietals, i decided to focus on "Meritage Red" wines.

According to the Meritage Alliance.."a red Meritage must be made from a blend of at least two or more of the following varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carmenère, with no varietal comprising more than 90% of the blend."

When I queried the FWC website for "Meritage Red" wines, it yielded 40 wineries. The challenge with a huge event like this, is that the information isn't always up to date. As a result, there were a couple of wineries on my hit list that weren't pouring Red Meritage for one reason or another and/or were pouring wines that weren't strictly "Meritage" as defined above. No worries, I don't mind a splash of Syrah, with my Meritage!

After I finished hitting the 40 or so wineries tasting Red Meritage wines, it was time for "Taster's Choice", which is pretty much what it sounds like. It's a chance for me to taste other than Red Meritage wines from new (to me) producers, check in on favorites, and/or local wineries I've not had a chance to taste recently. I could also refer to it as the "speed round" since it's always at the end of the day!

Wines I rated outstanding while T.B.W.A (Tasting by walking around) were:

My favorite wines (rated "Outstanding" - 90+ points), were:

Flight 1 - Cain Vineyard & Winery; St. Helena, CA - Founded 1980. Produces 20,000 cs/yr. Price Range $34-$100 (2 Notes)

  • 2008 Cain Vineyard & Winery Cain Concept The Benchland 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Earthy, dark fruit, and tobacco aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied and balanced with cassis, cherry, and vanilla flavors. Medium-long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon 48% Merlot 25%
    Cabernet Franc 18% Petit Verdot 9%

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  • 2007 Cain Vineyard & Winery Cain Five 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Earthy, cassis, pomegranate, and hint of mineral aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied, and round with a plush mouthfeel accompanied by black cherry, cacoao, and vanilla flavors. Medium-long finish. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 68% Merlot 16% Malbec 6% Petit Verdot 5% Cabernet Franc 5%

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Flight 2 - CORE Family Winery; Santa Maria, CA - Founded 2001. Produces 5,000 cs/yr. Price Range $18-$61 (1 Note)

  • 2007 Kuyam Cuvée Nolan 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Fruity black cherry, blue berry boxwood bud aromas. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied and nicely balanced with ripe, juicy black cherry, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Medium + finish.
    A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot and 4% Merlot

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Flight 3 - Dogwood Cellars; St. Healdsburg, CA - Founded 2002. Produces 3,000 cs/yr. Price Range $25-$40 (1 Note)

  • 2007 Dogwood Cellars Meritage 91 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

    Aromatic black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla and cedarwood aromas. On the palate it medium-full bodied and round with dusty tannins and black cherry and vanilla spice flavors. Medium+ finish. Blend of 50% Cab Sauvignon; 50% Merlot; Vineyards:Contento Vineyards, Brutocao Vineyards

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Flight 4 - Estate 1856 Wines; Healdsburg, CA - Founded 2006. Produces 300 cs/yr. Price Range $30-$36 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Estate 1856 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Aromatic cassis, black cherry, blueberry and earthy aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and balanced with bright black cherry, vanilla and blueberry flavors. Medium-long finish. 78% Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

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Flight 5 - Field Recordings Wine; Paso Robles, CA - Founded 2005. Produces 3,000 cs/yr. Price Range $15-$30 (1 Note)

Flight 6 - JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery; Paso Robles, CA - Founded 1981. Produces 75,000 cs/yr. Price Range $15-$60 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Spicy dark fruit and dark chocolate aromas. On the palate it's medium-full bodied and smooth with black cherry, plum, dark chocolate and vanilla flavors. Medium long finish. Blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot

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Flight 7 - Lagier Meredith Vineyard; Napa, CA - Founded 1998. Produces 900 cs/yr. Price Range $30-$50 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Chester's Anvil Hattori Hanzo 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lifted bright dark fruit, mixed berry and chocolate aromas. On the palate it's medium full bodied with mixed berry, black cherry and spice flavors. Medium-long finish.

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Flight 8 - Lateral; Napa, CA - Founded 1988. Produces 2,000 cs/yr. Price Range $40-$50. (Lateral is a separate label being spun off by Kathryn Kennedy) (1 Note)

  • 2009 Kathryn Kennedy Lateral 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Plum, cedarwood, leather and a bit of tar aromas. On the palate it's full-bodied with plum, black cherry flavors. Medium-long finish. Blend of 45% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and 7% Petit Verdot

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Flight 9 - Mauritson Family Winery; Healdsburg, CA - Founded 1998. Produces 9,000 cs/yr. Price Range $21-$50 (1 Note)

Flight 10 - Merryvale Vineyards; St. Helena, CA - Founded 1983. Produces 12,000 cs/yr. Price Range $35-$165 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Merryvale Profile 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Aromatic black fruits, black currant, blackberry licorice, oak and clove aromas. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied, complex with black currant, blackberry, and spice flavors. Long finish. Blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc

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Flight 11 - Thomas Fogarty Winery; Woodside, CA - Founded 1981. Produces 15,000 cs/yr. Price Range $18-$55 (1 Note)

  • 2006 Thomas Fogarty Lexington Meritage 90 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Dark fruit, cassis and cedarwoood aromas. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied, and smooth with black cherry, cassis and vanilla flavors. Ready to drink now. Medium+ finish.

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Flight 12 - Rua; Windsor, CA - Founded 2009. Produces 400 cs/yr. Price Range $36-$36 (1 Note)

  • 2009 Rua 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Black fruit, spicy oak and vanilla aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with bright blueberry, blackberry and spice flavors. Long finish. Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc; co-fermented.

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Flight 13 - Spring Mountain Vineyard; St. Helena, CA - Founded 1873. Produces 7,000 cs/yr. Price Range $40-$125 (1 Note)

  • 2008 Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Dark fruit, chocolate, oak and a whiff of mint- floral aromas. On the palate, it's full bodied balanced and smooth with black cherry, chocolate flavors. Long finish Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Cabernet Franc 13%, Merlot 6%, Petit Verdot 5%, Malbec.

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Flight 14 - Stage Left Cellars; Oakland, CA - Founded 2004. Produces 1,200 cs/yr. Price Range $24-$50 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Stage Left Cellars The Go Getter 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Aromatic honeysuckle, tropical, pineapple citrus aromas. On the palate, it's medium/full-bodied with a great mouthfeel and crisp acidity accompanied by stone-fruit, honey, and citrus flavors. Medium-long finish. Blend of 57% Viognier, 29% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne. 14.1% alcohol

    290 cases produced

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Flight 15 - Ancien Wines; Napa CA - Founded 1992. Produces 3,500 cs/yr. Price Range $36-$55 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Ancien Pinot Noir Red Dog Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

    Ruby color with aromatic cherry, baking spice, and a bit of earthy aromas. On the palate it's medium-full bodied, silky smooth and well-balanced with tart cherry, cranberry, and cinnamon clove flavors. Medium-long finish. 14.3 alcohol.

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Flight 16 - Carica Wines; Alameda, CA - Founded 2005. Produces 975 cs/yr. Price Range $21-$36 (3 Notes)

  • 2010 Carica 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Clements Hills

    Cherry, and dried herb aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, and smooth with juicy cherry, cranberry and spice flavors. Medium-long finish

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  • 2010 Carica The Siren Kick Ranch 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Dark fruit, Herbs de Provence and white pepper aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, and smooth with black cherry, chocolate, plum and spice flavors. Medium-long finish. Rhone Blend.

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  • 2009 Carica Petite Sirah Kick Ranch 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Mixed black fruit, berry aromas. On the palate it's intense, medium-full bodied with dusty tannins, and ripe blackberry, plum and spicy vanilla flavors. Medium + finish.

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Flight 17 - Canihan Family Winery; Sonoma, CA - Founded 2003. Produces 1,200 cs/yr. Price Range $35-$69 (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Canihan Family Cabernet Franc 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Dark fruits - black currant and black cherry, eucalyptus, and a bit of chocolate. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied, and smooth with well integrated tannins, and black currant, cherry, and spice flavors. Medium-long finish.

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  • 2008 Canihan Family Syrah Exuberance Estate 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Mixed berry, dried herbs, white pepper, and floral aromas. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied with blackberry, raspberry, and spice flavors. Medium + finish

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Flight 18 - Other Wines Tasted: (15 Notes)

  • 2010 Amizetta Vineyards Complexity 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Fruity black currant, oak and a bit of mocha aromas. On the palate, it's between light-medium bodied with cherry, black currant and vanilla flavors. Medium finish

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  • 2007 Ahnfeldt Cuvée 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Aromatic black currant, black cherry, boxwood aromas. On the palate, a bit tannic and between light and medium-bodied with black cherry, black currant flavors. Medium finish

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  • 2006 Arger-Martucci Odyssey 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Earthy black cherry, anise and cedarwood aromas. On the palate it's light-bodied with good balance and tartish black cherry, black currant v and vanilla flavors. Blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and 5% Petite Verdot.

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  • 2010 Blue Rock Baby Blue 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    Black currant, black cherry, and oak aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with good acidity and ripe black cherry, cassis, and vanilla flavors. Medium finish. The 100% Estate 2010 Baby Blue is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 % Merlot, 13 % Cabernet Franc, and 10% Syrah

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  • 2009 Buttonwood Hawk Red 86 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

    Aromas of black cherry, and vanilla. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and a bit tannic with black cherry and vanilla flavors. . Short finish. Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon/50% Cabernet Franc

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  • NV Cain Vineyard & Winery Cain Cuvée NV8 85 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Earthy, cassis and dark fruit aromas. On the palate, it's light-bodied with easy cherry flavor. Short finish.

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  • 2008 Castello di Amorosa Il Brigante 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Low key cassis, black cherry, and oak aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied with fruity black cherry and vanilla flavors. Medium finish. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Sangiovese, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1% Zinfandel

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  • 2008 Kuyam Cuvée Nolan 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Fruity black cherry, blueberry aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with black cherry, blueberry and cassis flavors. Medium-long finish. Ready to drink but can age. The best is yet to come!

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  • 2007 Derby Wine Estates Implico 86 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Earthy, dark fruit aromas. On the palate, it's light-bodied with ripe sour cherry cassis and vanilla flavors.

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  • 2007 Star Lane Vineyard Red Wine 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

    Plum, dark cherry, cassis, and dark chocolate aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with dark cherry, pencil shavings and dark chocolate flavors. Medium finish. Blend of Bordeaux varietals + Syrah

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  • 2006 Star Lane Vineyard Astral 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

    Fruity cherry, blueberry, and cedarwood aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied with a velvety, smooth mouth feel and fruity cherry, blueberry flavors. Medium finish.

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  • 2007 Fenestra Conjugation 85 Points

    USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

    Earthy, dark fruit, and leather aromas. On the palate, it's light-bodied with black cherry, vanilla flavors. Short finish

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  • 2007 Ehret Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Bella's 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    Fruity black cherry, and blueberry aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied with easy black cherry blue berry flavors. 23% Cabernet Sauvignon 48% Cabernet Franc 29% Syrah

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  • 2009 Hagafen Crescendo Don Ernesto 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark fruit and oak aromas. On the palate, it's between light and medium-bodied with blueberry, cherry and chocolate flavors. Short + finish

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  • 2009 Hannah Nicole Vineyards Petit Verdot 87 Points

    USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County

    Blackberry, plum, oak and leather aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and slightly tannic with blackberry, plum and blueberry flavors accompanied by good acidity. Medium finish.

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Closing

This is a great event and a "must" event for me - I just wish I could clone myself a couple of times so I could taste more wines. I'm shooting for both days next year! ;-)

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