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Tour - Santa Barbara / Santa Ynez / Solvang 2008
Santa Barbara / Santa Ynez / Solvang, CA
Tasted November 20, 2008 - November 27, 2008 by Wine Gent with 279 views
Introduction
Thanksgiving trip through Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez area, including the charming, quaint Dutch village of Solvang.
Flight 1 - Restaraunts (1 note)
Red
2006 Rancho Sisquoc Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
Good pairing with filet mignon with pepper corn. Hadsten House, Paso Robles, CA.
Flight 2 - Lafond Winery & Vineyard (6 notes)
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
Red
2006 Lafond Pinot Noir SRH
83 points
Would not buy. Minimal complexity, shallow. Needs aging. $26/bottle - overpriced.
Red
2005 Lafond Pinot Noir Arita Hills Vineyard
88 points
Better than Lafond SRH Pinot, with more depth in this wine. Bouquet and taste mineral, berry, fruit. Immediate finish. $42/bottle - overpriced.
Red
2006 Lafond Syrah SRH
89 points
One of best at this winery. Great value, would buy. Might blossom more with further aging. Fruity, pepper, nice depth. $20/bottle.
Flight 3 - Blackjack Ranch (10 notes)
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
White
2007 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Reserve Blackjack Ranch Vineyard
86 points
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.
White
2006 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Reserve Wilkening Vineyard
86 points
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.
White
2005 Blackjack Ranch Chardonnay Black Cap Reserve Blackjack Ranch Vineyard
85 points
OK, nothing special. Bouquet metal. Mild, gentle, low butter taste. Rated 91 by Parker - wrong! $55/bottle - way overpriced.
Red
2003 Blackjack Ranch Pinot Noir Special Selection Alix de Vergy
80 points
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.
Red
2005 Blackjack Ranch Allusion
82 points
Cabernet Franc with a "dollop" of Merlot. $30/bottle - way overpriced.
Red
2006 Blackjack Ranch Syrah Double Down
87 points
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.
Red
2002 Blackjack Ranch Harmonie
89 points
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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Red
2005 Blackjack Ranch Merlot Billy Goat Hill
75 points
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.
Red
2004 Blackjack Ranch Syrah Maximus Blackjack Ranch Vineyard
87 points
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.
Flight 4 - Firestone Vineyard (8 notes)
P.O. Box 244
5000 Zaca Station Road
Los Alivos, CA 93441
805-688-3940
Www.firestonewine.com
White
2006 Firestone Vineyard Chardonnay
Not notable. Taste mild, soft tannins, minimal butter. $25/bottle.
White
2007 Firestone Vineyard Gewürztraminer
87 points
Bouquet mandarin orange, citrus, nutmeg. Taste mild, sweet, soft finish. $13/bottle - Good value.
White
Red
2005 Firestone Vineyard Syrah
80 points
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.
Red
2005 Firestone Vineyard Malbec
89 points
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.
Red
2005 Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
83 points
Nothing notable. Some front end depth, but still just a mild Cab. Taste comparison with their Malbec, which was better. $18/bottle.
Red
2003 Firestone Vineyard Merlot Reserve
83 points
Just don't like Merlot! A Merlot "Reserve" is a contradiction! Some caramel, plum, spice, mocha. $35/bottle - way over priced.