Wine Party/J. Lohr Winery
Saturday, March 28, 2009
4 to 6 pm
$5.00 per personHome of: ExecutiveGiftService.com611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,760-327-7701, 800-925-0030
About a year ago, John Arnold who is a parter in the ownership of J. Lohr Winery joined us for a tasting and discussion of his fine wines. While chatting with him recently over some open bottles of J. Lohr wines, John asked whether he could come once again to revisit us and for us to revisit his wines. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. The former event was the best attended of the year and most talked about for some time. John is most knowledgable regarding wine and especially on the subject of his winery. So if you want the inside scoop on Jerry Lohr and the amazing success of this enterprise, do make it a point to be here Saturday. I should add, the wines are excellent!
2006 J. Lohr Chardonnay, Riverstone, Arroyo Seco
10.95
The 2006 vintage marked the twentieth year of production of Riverstone Chardonnay from the vineyards in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. The aromas are of nectarine, peach pie and apple–combined with the perfumed vanilla and toasted oak bouquet from barrel and malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging. The flavors are very clean, with peach, nectarine and citrus with subtle butter and vanilla toastiness, producing layers of complexity with an excellent balance of fresh fruit acidity and palate weight. This wine is ideal for pairing with oven-roasted chicken, Dungeness crab or cream-sauced pasta dishes.
2005 J. Lohr Chardonnay, October Night V., Arroyo Seco
23.50
The Burgundian winemaking techniques, including alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel with lees stirring and extended aging, contribute a complex bouquet of white flowers, tangerine, lemon curd and butterscotch, and amplify an already intensely viscous wine. This is an enticingly delicious Chardonnay with complex aromas and flavors balanced by palate cleansing acidity, perfect for pairing with roasted chicken, pork or cream-sauced pasta dishes.
2006 J. Lohr Pinot Noir, Fog’s Reach V., Arroyo Seco
27.00
2006 marks the inaugural vintage of the Fog’s Reach Vineyard Pinot Noir. Grown on cobbly, sandy loam soils of the cool, windy Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, Pinot seems to thrive, producing tiny, deeply colored and flavorful clusters. Comprised of Dijon and Pommard clones, it has enticing aromas of strawberry, cherry and rhubarb with a bouquet of toasted oak, vanilla and roasted meat. The flavors are reminiscent of strawberry, raspberry and cherry with some fruit and oak spiciness with weight, structure and a long, lingering finish. Try it with grilled lamb or duck.
2007 J. Lohr Zinfandel, Old Vines, Paso Robles
13.50
Picked from the Gravity Hills and Giubbini Vineyards of Paso Robles, this blend is comprised of 75.6% Zinfandel, 14.5% Grenache Noir, 7.6% Valdiguié and 2.3% Syrah. The aroma is characterized by Zinfandel’s spicy and jammy red fruits. The raspberry and blackberry are complemented with licorice and black tea spice. The palate has a substantial, plump texture with mid-palate weight and fruitiness making a food friendly wine, but is particularly suited to casual fare such as grilled sausage with red peppers, zesty red-sauced pasta dishes, or even pizza.
2006 J. Lohr Petite Sirah, Tower Road V., Paso Robles
18.95
2006 also marks the inaugural vintage of the Tower Road Vineyard Petite Sirah. In many ways it is not “Petite” at all. In fact, it is the largest-berried and largest-clustered variety grown in Paso Robles, and amazingly, it is also the variety with the greatest phenolic content, with gobs of color and tannin. This wine has dark, brooding aromas of blackberry, black currant and rhubarb pie with a bouquet of dark chocolate, black licorice and brown spices. The flavors are reminiscent of the aromas, with dark chocolate taking the fore, with a huge, plump mouthfeel and long, savory finish. It will stand up to roasted venison, elk or beef with a berry reduction sauce.
2005 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, Carol’s V., Napa Valley
32.00
Carol’s Vineyard lies in northern St. Helena, and is comprised of 16.4 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.3 acres of Petit Verdot. The wine has elegant aromas of red and black currants and cherries, with a complex bouquet of vanilla, allspice and toasty oak. It delivers a dense, yet incredibly supple structure reminiscent of Bordeaux clarets. A minimum of five years of cellaring would be nice before enjoying with a pan-seared filet mignon in a Cab-peppercorn reduction sauce.
