As a media guest, I attended the 15th annual “Celebration of American Rhone Wines” in San Francisco last weekend.  It was my first Rhone Rangers tasting.  Rhone Rangers is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Rhone varietal wines produced in the U.S.  It was a huge, but well-organized two-day event.  Saturday featured educational seminars (including one called “Wine & Swine, A Pairing of American Rhone Wines And Bacon”  complete with a “Baconologist”!) and a fund raising winemaker dinner/auction. And Sunday, which I attended, featured more seminars and the Grand Tasting.

By my count, there were 114 wineries and 500 or so wines available for tasting!  With that many  wineries/wines I knew I needed a plan to maximize the 3 hours I set aside for the event.  I decided to only taste “GSM” (predominately composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre) blends, with 30 minutes at the end for what I call “taster’s choice” (more on that later).  When I attend an event like this, in addition to focusing on a single varietal or style of wine,  I try to further narrow my focus by tasting wines from wineries that are new to me.  That meant I was going to have to skip favorites like Bonny Doon, Core, Frick, Quivira, and Tercero.  That’s always a challenge for me because my vinous conscious seems to constantly whisper in my ear… “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.  Thus the “tasters choice” where I allow myself to a.) taste wines from some of my favorite wineries, and b.) the option of not writing tasting notes.

That was the plan.  But as Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf  once said, “No plan survives contact with the enemy”.  Well at least mine didn’t!  Not for this year anyway.  I quickly realized that “Red Blend” per the program, didn’t necessarily translate into GSMs. That’s not a bad thing, I love the diversity of style here in California as opposed to the more constrained Rhône models.  But, as a result, I vastly underestimated how many “Red Blend” wines were available.  I got through the A-L wineries (the wineries were organized in alphabetical order) when I realized I only had 30 or so minutes left for my “taster’s choice”.  Oh well, I did taste about four dozen very good to excellent wines. That’s a great day in my book…and there’s always next year!

On to the wines I sniffed, sipped and  (mostly) spit!

My favorite wines (rated 90 points or higher) were:

• 2008 Calcareous Trés Violet
• 2007 Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines Vertigo
• 2008 Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines Le Thief
• 2007 Hearthstone Vineyards and Winery Lodestone
• 2009 Inspiration Vineyards Syrah
• 2009 Jada Vineyard Hell’s Kitchen
• 2009 JC Cellars Misc. Stuff
• 2009 Jemrose Gloria’s Gem
• 2009 Justin Vineyards & Winery Savant
• 2011 Lagier Meredith Syrah Rosé
• 2009 Lagier Meredith Syrah
• 2010 Ridge Carignane Buchignani Ranch
• 2009 Stage Left Cellars The Globetrotter
• 2009 Stage Left Cellars The ExPat
• 2011 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc
• 2010 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas
• 2009 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel

My complete tasting notes  and ratings follow:

• 2010 Adelaida Version White – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Tropical fruit, peach, and floral aromas. Medium-bodied with tropical fruit, peach, and slight mineral flavors. Medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2009 Adelaida Version Red – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Berry, and floral aromas. Medium-bodied smooth with dark cherry, raspberry flavors. Medium finish (88 pts.)

• 2009 Alta Colina GSM – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Red fruit and oak aromas with ripe raspberry and cherry flavors. Smooth with a medium long finish (89 pts.)

• 2009 AmByth Estate Adamo – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Spicy,floral red berry aromas. On the palate, light-bodied with tart raspberry, cherry flavors. Blend of Grenache (59%), Mourvèdre (17%), Syrah (13%), and Counoise (11% (87 pts.)
• 2009 AmByth Estate ReVera – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Dark red fruit, garrigue aromas. Light-bodied with tart dark cherry, and spice flavors. Blend of Mourvedre (57%), Grenache (22%), Syrah (11%), and Counoise (10%) (87 pts.)
• 2009 AmByth Estate Maiestas – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Dark fruit, and slight floral aromas. Light-bodied with tart dark cherry blackberry flavors. Blend of Syrah (45%), Mourvedre (20%), Counoise (20%), and Grenache  (15%) (86 pts.)

• 2011 Anglim Rosé – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Red fruit, and citrus aromas. Light-bodied, dry and well balanced with raspberry citrus flavors.  100% Syrah. (88 pts.)

• 2010 Beckmen Vineyards Cuvée Le Bec – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
  Dark red fruit and herbs de provence aromas. Light-bodied with fruity slightly tart raspberry, dark cherry, and spice flavors (88 pts.)

• 2008 Calcareous Trés Violet – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Pretty dark red fruit, violet, and baking spice aromas. Medium-bodied with black cherry, raspberry flavors. Blend of Syrah (42%), Mourvedre (29%), and Grenache (29%) (90 pts.)

• 2009 Caliza Winery Cohort – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Fresh blackberry, plum with a hint of musky aromas. Medium bodied with slightly tart blackberry, raspberry and hint of mocha flavors. Blend of Syrah (55%), Petite Sirah, (20%), Primitivo (20%) and Grenache (5%) (89 pts.)
• 2009 Caliza Winery Azimuth – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Dark fruit, cinnamon/clove and oak aromas. Medium bodied, young with blackberry, cocoa, and cinnamon/clove flavors. (90 pts.)

• 2008 David Girard Coda Rouge Estate Vineyard – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County
  Fruity cherry, and cinnamon aromas. Light-medium bodied with easy cherry and baking spice flavors. (86 pts.)

• 2009 Domaine Alfred Cinqasept Chamisal Vineyards – USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
  Dark cherry, and anise aromas. Light-medium bodied and fresh with slightly tart dark cherry, and spice flavors (89 pts.)

• 2010 Clos Saron Out of the Blue – USA, California, Sierra Foothills
  Red fruit, raisiny plum, and slight floral aromas. Light-bodied with good acidity, and tart cherry, plum flavors. Blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah. (86 pts.)
• 2008 Clos Saron Holy Moly – USA, California, Sierra Foothills
  Smoky, raisiny cherry aromas. Raisiny tart baked cherry flavors. Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (87 pts.)
• 2006 Clos Saron Syrah La Cuvée Mysterieuse – USA, California, Sierra Foothills
  Baked red fruits and slight oak aroma. Light-medium bodied with tart cherry flavors. Blend of Syrah and Merlot (86 pts.)

• 2008 Cosa Obra Proprietor’s Blend – USA, California, Sonoma County
  Black currant, earthy, spicy aromas . Medium-bodied with blackberry and spice flavors. (89 pts.)
• 2009 Cosa Obra Proprietor’s Blend – USA, California, Sonoma County
  Tight dark fruit and spice aromas. Medium-bodied and a bit tannic with blackberry, black cherry and spice flavors. Needs some time. (88 pts.)

• 2008 Crystal Basin Cellars Victorie – Grand Reserve – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado
  Dark red fruit with slight floral aromas. Light-bodied with black cherry, blackberry flavors. Blend of Mourvèdre (33%), Syrah (34%) and Grenache (33%). (86 pts.)

• 2007 Curtis Reserve – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
  Smokey dark red fruit, clove and floral aromas. Medium-bodied with red currant, black cherry and spice flavors. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (25%) and Mourvèdre (25%) (89 pts.)
• 2009 Curtis Heritage Cuvée – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
  Dark red fruit and slight resinous aromas. Light-bodied with tart cherry, raspberry flavors. Blend of Grenache (39%), Mourvèdre (26%), Cinsault (19%) and Syrah (16%) (87 pts.)

• 2008 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
  Spicy red and black fruits, and oak aromas. Light-bodied with cherry, raspberry, and spice flavors. Blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre & Grenache Very good value at $18 (87 pts.)
• 2008 Domaine de la Terre Rouge L’Autre – USA, California, Sierra Foothills
  Cherry, raspberry, and vanillin oak aromas. Approaching medium-bodied with black cherry, and vanilla flavors (88 pts.)

• 2007 Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines Vertigo – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Smokey, baking spice, dark red fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, velvety with silky tannins, and dark cherry, raspberry, and vanilla spice flavors. Blend of Grenache (71%), Mourvèdre (16%), and Syrah(13%) (90 pts.)
• 2008 Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines Le Thief – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Spicy cinnamon black fruits, and slightly musky aromas. Medium-bodied with black cherry, blackberry, and vanilla spice flavors. Blend of Syrah (56%), Mourvèdre (26%),Grenache (12%),and Cinsault (6%) (90 pts.)

• 2009 Folin Cellars Misceo – USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley
  Low-key red currant, cherry, and cedarwood aromas. Medium-bodied, and smooth with cherry, and red currant flavors. Blend of Syrah (50%), Mourvèdre (37%), and Grenache (13%) (89 pts.)

• 2010 Hahn Winery GSM – USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County
  Berry and spice aromas. Light-bodied, and smooth with blackberry, and raspberry flavors. Blend of Grenache (62%), Syrah (34%), and Mourvèdre (4%) (87 pts.)

• 2007 Hearthstone Vineyards and Winery Slipstone Rhone – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Fruity cherry ,and spice aromas. Approaching medium-bodied with fruit-forward cherry, and raspberry flavors. Blend of Grenache (65%), and Syrah(35%) (88 pts.)
• 2007 Hearthstone Vineyards and Winery Lodestone – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Plum, cherry and dried herb aromas. Medium-bodied with dark cherry, plum, blackberry flavors. Blend of Syrah (50%), Grenache (33%), Mourvèdre (17%) (90 pts.)

• 2009 Holly’s Hill Patriarche – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County
  Red fruit, with a touch of garrigue aromas. Medium-bodied with cherry, plum and vanilla flavors. Blend of Mourvèdre (60%), Syrah (23%), Grenache (14%), and Counoise (3%) (87 pts.)

• 2009 Inspiration Vineyards Syrah – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
  Fragrant red fruit, and floral aromas. Medium-full bodied with dark cherry, mocha, and vanilla spice flavors. Blend of Syrah (93%), Viognier (7%) (90 pts.)

• 2009 Jada Vineyard Hell’s Kitchen – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Fragrant red fruits, and floral aromas. Medium-bodied, fruit-forward, and smooth with raspberry, cherry, mocha and vanilla flavors. Blend of Syrah (32%), Grenache (31%), Mourvèdre (23%), and Tannat (14%) (92 pts.)

• 2009 JC Cellars Misc. Stuff – USA, California
  Black and red berry, and spice aromas. Medium-bodied, and supple with vibrant black cherry, raspberry, vanilla spice flavors. Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (91 pts.)

• 2009 Jemrose Gloria’s Gem – USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
  Red fruit, white pepper, and cedarwood aromas. Medium-bodied with nicely balanced dark cherry, and black currant flavors. Blend of Syrah (65%), and Merlot (35%) (91 pts.)

• 2009 Justin Vineyards & Winery Savant – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Spicy black and red fruit aromas hint of licorice aromas. Medium-bodied, and smooth with spicy black cherry, and cassis flavors. Blend of Syrah (65%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) (90 pts.)

• 2009 Kukkula Sisu – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Fruity red fruity, mocha, and a hint of musky/meaty aromas. Medium-full bodied with mixed black and red berry espresso flavors. Blend of Syrah(51%),Grenache (27%), and Mourvèdre (22%)(89 pts.)

• 2011 Lagier Meredith Syrah Rosé – USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
  Pretty berry and melon aromas. Approaching medium-bodied, well-balanced and dry with cherry, raspberry flavors.100% Syrah (90 pts.)
• 2009 Lagier Meredith Syrah – USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
  Dark red fruit, and pepper aromas. Medium-bodied with intense black cherry, raspberry, espresso flavors. (91 pts.)

• 2010 Ridge Carignane Buchignani Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County
  Black cherry, raspberry and slight floral smoky aromas. Full-bodied, robust, round with well-integrated tannins and black cherry, raspberry, and vanilla flavors. (90 pts.)

• 2009 Stage Left Cellars Syrah Alder Springs – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
  Dark red fruit, sweet spice, and floral aromas. Medium bodied and nicely balanced with raspberry, strawberry, and a touch of mineral flavors. 100% Syrah. 13.7 % Alcohol (89 pts.)
• 2009 Stage Left Cellars The Globetrotter – USA, California
  Red fruit, dried herbs, and slight earthy aromas. Medium-bodied, fruit, but balanced with ripe cherry and black raspberry flavors. Blend of Grenache (48%), Syrah (40%), and Mourvèdre (12%)(90 pts.)
• 2009 Stage Left Cellars The ExPat – USA, California, Central Coast
  Dark red fruit, spice, and cedarwood aromas. Medium-bodied, balanced with vibrant dark cherry, raspberry, and spice flavors. Blend of Syrah(50%), Petite Sirah (33%), and Grenache (17%)(90 pts.)

• 2011 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Tropical fruit, white peach, and floral aromas. Medium-bodied, and creamy with good acidity and peach and hint of mineral flavors. Blend of Grenache Blanc (45%), Viognier (34%), Roussanne (18%), and Marsanne (3%) 13.5% Alcohol (90 pts.)
• 2010 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Pretty floral and stone fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, and balance with white peach, and vanilla flavors. Blend of Viognier (54%), Grenache Blanc (30%), Marsanne (8%), and Roussanne (8%) 13.5% Alcohol (89 pts.)
• 2011 Tablas Creek Rosé – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Watermelon and red fruit aromas. Approaching medium-bodied, and dry with cherry, strawberry and citrus on the back palate flavors. Blend of Mourvèdre (58%), Grenache (30%), and Counoise (12%) 14.5% Alcohol (89 pts.)
• 2010 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Sweet dark fruits, tobacco, and spice. Medium bodied and supple with black cherry, plum and spice flavors. Blend of 39% Syrah/36% Grenache/22% (90 pts.)
• 2009 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Intense dark red fruit, violet and spice aromas. Medium-full bodied, and well-balanced with vibrant dark red cherry, spice, and mineral flavors. Blend of Mourvèdre (40%), Syrah(28%),Grenache (27%), and Counoise (5%) (92 pts.)

My takeaways from the event?

• Paso Robles, as a region is still kickin’ ass and taking names when it comes to Rhone!
• There’s definitely a trend toward lower alcohol wines
• Um…I’ll need a better plan (and more time) next year!
• The state of Rhones in California? – Fantastic and seemingly getting better!

All in all, it was a great event!  It’s circled in red on my calendar for next year!

Related articles

• Wine Of The Week – Core Wine Company 2007 “Hard Core” (enofylzwineblog.com)
• Tannat: the Perfect Grape for Paso Robles? (tablascreek.typepad.com)
• Are you needing to Rhone this spring? (wine-blog.org)