Fresco - April 28, 2010

With a full house tonight, 12 of us gathered at Fresco for our typical calling of food, wine, and good company. One of the truly amazing things about this group is the ability to come together so often and without fail bring a collection of wines that shape an interesting and enjoyable tasting experience. I am astounded by the fact that we never coordinate wines and in 5 years, I can only remember a few occasions where we had a duplicate bottle. This is especially impressive due to the general local bias of this group and the majority of the group's cellars that represent that disposition.
Here is the line-up:

Palmina Traminer Alisos Vineyard 2009**
Very pale in color, the fresh aromas of something almost tropical makes you want to enjoy this wine somewhere sunny and warm. The refreshingly delicate palate showed bright apples and plenty of minerality.

Jazz Man Chardonnay Santa Maria (made by Dierberg) 2007**
Very typical local Chardonnay with plenty of fruit and oak, but not in an offense way at all. Creamy apples and butterscotch.

Omaka Springs Falveys Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2007**-
Something a little stemmy to me on the nose, probably why the put some sulfur on this wine before bottling. Behind that was plenty of cherry fruit and damp earth.

Foxen Pinot Noir Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard 2007***
This is not for wimpy Pinot drinkers! In that extracted Foxen style that won the favor of Big Bob Parker back in 2004, but while embracing that fact, a very enjoyable wine to drink. There was plenty of that primary fruit of black cherries and dark berries followed by some baking spices.

Zaca Mesa Syrah 2006**-
A little on the simple side showing blueberries and black pepper, but has it's merits.

Justin Justification 2006**+
Nice wine. Fortunately, it lacked that green characteristic that is all to common in Cab Franc. Bramble berries, leather, earth, and graphite.

Palmina Nebbiolo Santa Barbara County 2005**+
I question that this wine will really go the distance and be true to it's Nebbiolo heritage. I would probably say to drink this wine in the next few years because it may not get a whole lot better. With that being said, this is a nice wine. It shows good varietal character in that there is rose petal on the nose, leather, tart red fruit, and a touch of coffee.

Another successful evening with Los Borrachos at Fresco Cafe.

Cheers!

0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!

Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.