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 WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES
2010 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Gewurztraminer: Fragrant aromas of orange blossom, tangerine, white flowers and a wisps of coriander. Crisp yet complex flavors of ruby grapefruit, fresh lychee, kiwi and meyer lemon with notes of warm spice and lush texture. Fresh fruit flavors lead to a dry, vibrant finish that lasts for a long time. Wonderfully bright and fresh in its youth, this classic, dry Gewürztraminer will continue to develop complexity up to fifteen years from vintage.
VINEYARD
Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard
Estate grown, produced and bottled
Clay loam soils with gravel deposits at 70–100 feet elevation
11 acres of Martini selection vines, planted 1969, harvested in 2 lots
11 acres of clone 47 vines, planted 2005, harvested in three lots
Yield 3.5 tons/acre
WINEMAKING
Harvest Dates: September 9 – September 14
Brix at Harvest: 23.9°
Vinification: Night-harvested by hand in five separate lots
Whole cluster pressed, 48 hour cold-settled
20% of the grapes were frozen for 48 hours, thawed, then whole cluster pressed for richness and texture
Yeast strain VL1
90% stainless steel fermented to completion
10% fermented in neutral oak
HARVEST NOTES
The cool 2010 growing season allowed for extended hang time producing elegant wines with concentrated flavors, bright fruit and balanced natural acidity.
WHERE TO BUY: 2010 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Gewurztraminer available at Costco for $15.49. Lowest price online is $14.29 at getwineonline.com.
RATINGS OF 2010 GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU SONOMA GEWURZTRAMINER
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: A very nice example of a dry Gewurtz. Name an exotic spice, and you’ll find it here, especially cinnamon. The fruit is all about oranges, pears and lychee, while acidity is brisk and fine. Will challenge home chef and sommelier pairing talent. Pork and stewed fruit come to mind.
 The 2009 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses is a rich blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah tastes more like a Chateauneuf du Pape than a Cotes du Ventoux, and is a steal for under $10.
Winemaker’s notes: Dark red color, with a nose blossoming into jammy berry aromas set off by a touch of spice. The well-structured, powerful mouthfeel with elegant tannins is enhanced by slightly woody licorice notes. Long finish.
Alcohol by volume: 14.0%
Ratings
The Wine Advocate, 90 points:
Another of my favorite estates in the up-and-coming Cotes du Ventoux appellation, Pesquie’s inexpensive 2009 Terrasses is a custom cuvee put together by American importer Eric Solomon. Composed of 70% Grenache (from 60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (from 30-year-old vines), aged in neutral oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this 10,000-case cuvee hits every sweet spot on the palate. This dense ruby/purple-colored wine offers up scents of licorice, black cherries, raspberries, pepper, and meat juices. Medium to full-bodied with a structured, well-delineated mouthfeel, good freshness, a heady finish, and firm, but well-balanced tannins, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years.
Robert Parker, 90 points Continue reading
 Year after year St. Supery consistently produces some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the country. It is my go to white wine along with Beckman Sauvignon Blanc and Starlane Sauvignon Blanc. You simply cannot go wrong with these wines. The 2010 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley was also a wine of the week at The Press Democrat. Check out what writer Peg Melnik had to say, below.
Ratings:
89 points, Wine Spectator
91 points, Wine & Spirits
Where to buy: Lowest price online is $12.95 at NapaCabs.com. Also available for $13.89 at Costco, and $20 at St. Supery:
Peg Melnik, The Press Democrat
Michael Scholz grew up in the vines, in a century-old family vineyard in Australia’s Barossa Valley. That’s why the Aussie tendency toward crisp, grassy sauvignon blanc is not lost on him.
Scholz is the winemaker behind our wine-of-the-week winner, the St. Supery, 2010 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc at $20. Continue reading
 2008 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley : One of Mr. Picky’s top Sauvignon Blanc’s of the year is available at Carpinteria Wine Company for $12.99. Winemaker’s Notes: Stainless steel lots bring vivid aromas of wild thyme, gooseberries, guava and nectarine, while the wood lots contribute the rich lemon curd and lemon drop that have been the hallmark of Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, the lots fermented in tank and stainless barrels bring poise and vibrancy to the blend and the barrel fermented lots offer a mouthfeel marked by bottomless concentration. A theoretical combination of traditionally-styled white Bordeaux and modern Sancerre, our 2008 of Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc is delicious now with richly flavored shellfish preparations but will evolve in bottle for as many as 10 years to come.
Ratings: 90 Points, International Wine Cellar.
 It’s hard to find a winery that consistently makes solid wines for reasonable prices. But Sean and Nicole Minor are doing just that with Four Bears, named for their four children: Nick, Elle, Jack and Charlie. All three wines tastes like $20 wines but can be found online for under $13 per bottle. Sean Minor Four Bears Carneros Pinot Noir can be purchased locally at Carpinteria Wine Company and Ventura Wine Company for $12.99/bottle and the lowest price online is $11.95 at San Diego Wine Company. The lowest price online for the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is $12.99 at Artisan Wine Depot in San Jose, and the lowest price online for the Napa Valley Merlot is $9.95 at Vintage Wines in San Diego.
WINEMAKER:
2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color and displays aromas of ripe cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit. On the palate, flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate.
2008 Napa Valley Merlot: Our Napa Valley Merlot displays lush aromas and silky flavors of ripe black cherry, plum and mocha. On the palate the wine demonstrates those same fruit flavors with an integrated mid-palate of sweet oak and tannins with a lingering and full finish.
2009 Carneros Pinot Noir: Our Carneros Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with blueberry, cherry, plum and light toast flavors. On entry, the wine displays blue fruit characters that are balanced with the lingering spicy/earthy notes.
 2007 Morgan Syrah Monterey – $14.99
Winemaker’s Notes: This cool climate Syrah offers dense, dark fruit flavors with peppery spice and balanced acidity. Morgan, long known for our fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, has mastered the art of crafting limited bottlings of Syrah. The 2007 Monterey Syrah is sourced from a collection of vineyards from northern Monterey appellations, including our own “certified organic” Double L Vineyard.
Available at Carpinteria Wine Company in Carpinteria, CA for $14.99. See more Picky Picks.
 From Gasko-Meyer.com: Aged for 8 months in oak barrels resulting with the essence of blackcurrant and floral aromas evolving toward violet, spicy and leather notes. Your palate will be charmed wiht it’s warm character and discover a rich, mellow and full bodied wine. Available locally in Santa Barbara, CA at The Wine Hound for $11.99. Also available at www.wallywine.com for $10.44. See more of Picky’s Picks by clicking here.
 Another amazing Pinot Noir value. This tastes like a $20 Pinot but it sells for as low as $12.99. WINERY NOTES: Our Carneros Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with cherry, cola, plum, blueberry and light toast flavors. It is well structured and elegant, with lingering spicy/earthy notes and cherry flavors throughout the mid-palate. The vanilla and toast integrates well with the silky round tannins on the lengthy finish. Available at Ventura Wine Company & Carpinteria Wine Company for $12.99. See more Picky Picks.
 What a breath of fresh air! This 70/30 blend of Ugni Blanc and Colombard, respectively has subtle tropical flavors of kiwi fruit and melon with crisp minerality.
From Yves Grassa, winemaker: ‘In the past, all that mattered was the wine making process but over the years, we have gradually learned to make wine that is an honest expression of the vineyard.’
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled. Very refreshing at any time of the day, as an aperitif or with starters, seafood or fish. Available in Santa Barbara at Metropulos for $9.99 and online at CheaperCigars.com. for $8.34. Check this out and other Picky’s Picks.
 2008 Beckmen Vineyards Purisima Mountain Grenache Rosé – $14.99
The perfect Summer wine and possibly the best rosé wine coming out of Santa Barbara County. Winemaker: This vintage flaunts beautiful perfumed scents and exudes both aromas and flavors of mouthwatering summer fruits. Strawberry, cantaloupe and watermelon combine with bright cherry notes and subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Available at Carpinteria Wine Company for $14.99.
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