Monday, November 17 - Big Wines of California!

The tasting fee of $45 also included light appetizers provided by Branzino restaurant.

NV Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose, North Coast
In 1862, German immigrant Jacob Schram purchased a large piece of land on the Napa Valley hillsides and began planting grapes and later producing wine. Robert Louis Stevenson visited Schramsberg in 1880 and his book Silverado Squatters offers details of his visit. The Mirabelle Brut Rose is a specially-crafted blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Schramsberg vineyards in Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the coasts of Sonoma and Marin County. The base wines are aged in barrels and tanks for one or more years, after which the blend undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, and then rests in the historic Diamond Mountain caves for approximately two years.

2007 Waugh Cellars Chardonnay, Indindoli Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Winemaker and enthusiast Ryan Waugh founded Waugh Cellars in 2001. He focuses on limited production of these wonderful wines, and markets them only in limited areas of the country - of which Seattle is one. This Chardonnay is fragrant, and very nicely balanced with just a hint of oak and notes of vanilla and smoke.

2005 Outpost Zinfandel, Howell Mountain
Outpost was established in 1998 with the vision of producing vintages that are a living, breathing embodiment of this magical place, Howell Mountain. Truly one of the world's great Zinfandel growing regions, the unique terroir of the Outpost vineyards - the hard, rocky red soil, high altitude, gentle cooling breezes and sunny western exposure - produces fruit of incredible intensity and richness, with a distinctive spice you simply can't find anywhere else. Outpost wines are distinctively spicy, with strong hints of black and white pepper and brambly mountain fruit, with a power and complexity in keeping with Howell Mountain's reputation for producing 'big California reds'.

2005 Darioush Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Darioush, a winery noted for its Bordeaux style estate wines, implements old world labor-intensive, micro-vineyard management and new world state of the art technology to craft fine wines from its estates located in the appellations of Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder and Oak Knoll. Juicy flavors of ripe berries, cherries and plum mingle with hints of cola, chocolate and coffee. Abundant Petit Verdot lends a violet floral note while Malbec adds a juicy blueberry finish.

2005 Darioush Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
The cool, consistent growing season in 2005 provided extended hangtime and even ripening, resulting in highly developed, concentrated flavors from the fruit on our three estate vineyards. The 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies how an ideal vintage and meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard can result in powerful wines with extraordinary depth, character and poise. Enticing aromas of vanilla bean, blackberry and crème de cassis introduce this bold, yet harmonious wine. A rich and well-focused palate is endowed with layered flavors of wild black cherry, plum and espresso. An elegant and generous finish is accented by delicate hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice box.