Vintage 2014 - Wine and Film Pairing

This event was presented by Buttonwood Farms, Clos Pepe, Byron, Carr, Bien Nacido Vineyards and Riverbench Wineries with the film portion produced by Will Fernandez. The film was very well shot and edited and offered the background story for these wineries leading up to the 2014 Harvest. The story was told through the eyes of the Winemakers, Vineyard Managers, Winery Managers and Owners.

Wil captured visually the story I have been trying to tell for some time now... The winemaking industry is about down-to-earth people with a real connection to the outdoors and the vineyards. It is the marketing hype and the food service functions that add the high-brow approach. If you enjoy the culture of wine, I would highly recommend attending one of these events to visually capture the winegrowing experience!

You can reach the film maker Wil at: me@wilfernandez.com.
My wine blog is at: www.coolclimatewine.net.

Nice SB and Chard. This area makes some of the best quality value whites in CA.

• 2012 Buttonwood Sauvignon Blanc 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  93% Sauv Blanc and 7% Semillon. Semillon is fermented in S.S. and then barrel-aged. The Sauv Blanc is fermented and aged in S.S. Aged on the lees according to winery manager in attendance.
  Note: Typical better quality California SB. Grass and citrus on the nose. Solid acidity and would be good paired with seafood, or salad. The palate is full of lemon and grapefruit, with a touch of butter on the finish. Crisp texture, but with a slightly bigger mouth-feel from the lees.

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• 2013 Riverbench Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay Bedrock Riverbench Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  100% S.S. and aged on the lees according to winery manager in attendance.
  Note: Strong lemon on the nose. Palate of lemon curd with a noticeable finish of banana. Interesting salinity from beginning to end. Strong acidity. The lees soften the crisp mouth-feel somewhat. Good complexity here, if you enjoy this kind of profile.

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Disappointed with the Pinot. These producers either were not tasting their better products, or have not jumped on board with the idea of Terroir influenced wines.

• 2012 Byron Pinot Noir 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Brown butter and butterscotch on the nose. Light, watery soft texture. Very simple on the attack. Palate is mostly black, with some red cherry, and butterscotch, but is very subtle and barely fruit forward. Mid-palate has some dark chocolate with virtually no finish. Overly manipulated Pinot Noir, that fortunately has been made not to overwhelm. Still, can't get past all the toasted oak.

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• 2010 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Bright red cherry on the nose. Initially peppery on the palate, with a sweet red cherry mid-palate and virtually no finish. I didn't find this interesting, or pleasant. With the sweet red cherry, would have been better to focus on crisp freshness. Drinkable, but doesn't quite come together.

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The Syrah was disappointing, as Carr makes a few of the better vineyard designate Syrahs in Santa Barbara County. The Cab Franc... wow, great stuff and a good value too!

• 2012 Carr Vineyards & Winery Syrah 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Weak nose. The palate is fruit-forward with boysenberry, red cherry and sweet raspberry with a buttery finish. Medium-high acidity. Watery mouth-feel. Medium tannins. Very simple profile. I was disappointed by this wine. Carr produces some wonderful single vineyard Syrahs, but this missed the mark.

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• 2011 Carr Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Franc Camp Four Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  Nothing like a wine with a floral nose...
  Note: Nose full of violets, red plum and black pepper. Silky soft mouth-feel. Medium tannins and medium-high acidity. Palate of plum, blackberry and spice with a medium-long dark chocolate finish. Carr makes very enjoyable, reasonably priced, drink-now Cabernet Franc. Enjoy!

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