Ben Zeitman and Katie Quinn

Amador Foothill Winery again is the first stop, Ben Zeitman and Katie Quinn are both here, pouring the 1996 Zinfandel Clock Spring Vineyard. Dusty ruby color – sweet and slightly tart Zinberry fruit in the nose – very nice – pleasant fruit attack on the palate with a touch of briar and some astringency in the midpalate – needs some time, but a very pretty medium weight Zin.

1995 Zinfandel Shenendoah Valley Ferrero Vineyard – deep rich color – brooding and impressive nose of black stone fruits – nice palette of flavors including black plum with cherry overtones – finishes just a bit short, but this wine will, I think, benefit from a year in bottle – an excellent example of Amador County Zinfandel.

Araujo Estate Wines – is indeed a family winery with Bart Araujo here pouring with his son Greg and daughter Sofa.

1997 Sauvignon Blanc Estate – pale yellow color – very pretty SB fruit in the nose – reminds me of the Spottswoode – light to medium weight peach and pear fruit on the palate with pleasing cleansing qualities.

A lovely Sauvignon Blanc.

1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate – among the five, or certainly ten, most sought-after Cabernets from California. Deep and rich color – dark aromatics of smoky cassis and sweet oak – almost explosive on the palate – rich flavors of currant and black cherry with very nice complexities from unobtrusive oak. An absolutely beautiful wine.

Bo Barrett

Even though the line was five deep at Chateau Montelena, I managed to elbow my way to the front and say a very brief hello to Bo Barrett. Today they are pouring the 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Montelena Estate.

Beautiful rich color – similar to the Araujo – not nearly as effusive in the nose, however – shy notes of blackberry and a touch of oak with hints of cassis – it opens in the glass and becomes quite appealing – on the palate it shows excellent balance and characteristic Montelena fruit – a very young wine on the Chateau Montelena timeline.

Unfortunately, I did not have the time to wait for a sample of their Chardonnay.

Corison – 1995 Cabernet Napa Valley – the only wine these folks produce. Very dense and beautiful purple robe – pretty and complex nose of blackberry and currant with a hint of exotic spice – very smooth on the palate – showing rich varietal character – medium to medium-full bodied – the tannins are very nicely integrated – I don’t know if there is enough acid here to make this one last, but the wine is so appealing now that it may be hard to stay away from. A most delicious Cabernet.

Tasting Notes From the Following Wineries

Amador Foothill Winery

Araujo Estate Wines

Chateau Montelena

Corison

Von Strasser
Vineyards

Fisher Vineyards

Laurel Glen

Navarro Vineyards

Babcock

Mayo Family

McDowell Valley
Vineyards

Michel-Schlumberger
    Benchland Wine Estate

Random Ridge

Ravenswood

Saddleback Cellars

Santa Cruz Mountain
Vineyard

Saucelito Canyon

Shafer Vineyards

Staglin Family Vineyard

Storrs Winery

Stony Hill Vineyards