Tour - Santa Barbara / Santa Ynez / Solvang 2008

Thanksgiving trip through Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez area, including the charming, quaint Dutch village of Solvang.

• 2006 Rancho Sisquoc Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  (11/25/2008)

  Good pairing with filet mignon with pepper corn. Hadsten House, Paso Robles, CA.

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The Winery - Tasting $5 for 6 wines, includes 16 ounce crystal glass.

6855 Santa Rosa Road
Buellton, CA 93427
805-688-7911
Www.lafondwinery.com

• 2006 Lafond Chardonnay SRH 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  Would not buy. $22/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2005 Lafond Chardonnay SRH 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  Would not buy. $40/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2006 Lafond Pinot Noir SRH 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  Would not buy. Minimal complexity, shallow. Needs aging. $26/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2005 Lafond Pinot Noir Arita Hills Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  Better than Lafond SRH Pinot, with more depth in this wine. Bouquet and taste mineral, berry, fruit. Immediate finish. $42/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2006 Lafond Syrah SRH 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  One of best at this winery. Great value, would buy. Might blossom more with further aging. Fruity, pepper, nice depth. $20/bottle.

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• 2005 Lafond Syrah Lafond Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/25/2008)

  $38/bottle - overpriced.

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The Winery - Located in the quaint, charming village of Solvang. Featured in the movie film "Sideways".

The Wines - some potentially good wines, some very average and poor wines. Vintner over rates their wine quality and inflates wine prices, probably due to the winery movie reputation.

Roger Wisted, Proprietor

2205 Alamo Pintado Road
Solvang, CA
805-686-9922
Www.blackjackranch.com

• 2007 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Reserve Blackjack Ranch Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Good, but not as great as winery advertises. Bouquet and taste marmalade, pears, butter. Acidic middle. Moderate buttery finish. Estate grown. Aged 8-10 months in French oak. $35/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2006 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Reserve Wilkening Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Just OK. Steely backbone, high acidity, moderate buttery finish. Old vine Card vines planted in 1981 on east facing slope. Maker recs aging 2-3 more years. $35/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2005 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Black Cap Reserve Blackjack Ranch Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  OK, nothing special. Bouquet metal. Mild, gentle, low butter taste. Rated 91 by Parker - wrong! $55/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2003 Blackjack Ranch Pinot Noir Special Selection Alix de Vergy 80 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Overall not very good. Thick, chewy, with black fruit, raspberry and smoke highlights. Hints is some depth, but falls short. Vintner claims likeness to Burgundian characteristics, but that is not correct - this wine is much too weak and simple to compare to Burgundy. $50/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2005 Blackjack Ranch Allusion 82 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Cabernet Franc with a "dollop" of Merlot. $30/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2006 Blackjack Ranch Syrah Double Down 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Has potential, but not as big as expected. Bouquet and taste blueberries, lavender. Middle tannins. Taste grows. Aged in Remond French oak. Rated 91 by Parker is too high. Vintner claims likeness to Rhones, but I just do not see it. $26/bottle - overpriced.

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• 2002 Blackjack Ranch Harmonie 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Nice! Might even give it a 90. Bordeaux blend. Has depth of a Cab. Bouquet and taste full bodied, ripe, loaded. Soft, mild texture. Moderate finish. Rated 92 by Parker is a little high. $60/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2005 Blackjack Ranch Merlot Billy Goat Hill 75 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Not good. Unattractive bouquet. Indistinct taste. Vintner claims will drink well for 10 to 15 years, but unless there is a severe case of "bottleshock", this wine is destined to be forgotten. Estate grown on Santa Barbara County's largest hand cultivated vineyard block, grown in 5x5 foot close spacing. $40/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2004 Blackjack Ranch Syrah Maximus Blackjack Ranch Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Enjoyable. Bouquet juicy. Weak middle. Mild finish. SPECIAL NOTE - Featured in movie film "Sideways" - where Jack and Miles taste it on Monday morning following breakfast in Solvang. $48/bottle - way overpriced.

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• 2006 Blackjack Ranch Harmonie 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  (11/26/2008)

  Just OK. 85% Cab, 15% Merlot.

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P.O. Box 244
5000 Zaca Station Road
Los Alivos, CA 93441
805-688-3940
Www.firestonewine.com

• 2007 Firestone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley 80 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Would not buy. $15/bottle.

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• 2006 Firestone Vineyard Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  (11/26/2008)

  Not notable. Taste mild, soft tannins, minimal butter. $25/bottle.

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• 2007 Firestone Vineyard Gewürztraminer Santa Ynez Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Bouquet mandarin orange, citrus, nutmeg. Taste mild, sweet, soft finish. $13/bottle - Good value.

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• 2006 Firestone Vineyard Gewürztraminer Santa Ynez Valley 82 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Not as good as 2007 vintage. Would not buy.

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• 2005 Firestone Vineyard Syrah Santa Ynez Valley 80 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Would not buy. Better Syrahs out there. Bouquet and taste blackberry, plum, vanilla. Estate grown. Half aged in Frensh oak, half aged in American oak - an experiment that seems to have gone awry! $18/bottle - over priced.

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• 2005 Firestone Vineyard Malbec Santa Ynez Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Good experience. Bouquet and taste cookie dough and juniper berries. Taste comparison with their Cabernet Sauvignon - the Malbec was better. May be good with fish dishes. $22/bottle.

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• 2005 Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Nothing notable. Some front end depth, but still just a mild Cab. Taste comparison with their Malbec, which was better. $18/bottle.

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• 2003 Firestone Vineyard Merlot Reserve 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  (11/26/2008)

  Just don't like Merlot! A Merlot "Reserve" is a contradiction! Some caramel, plum, spice, mocha. $35/bottle - way over priced.

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