Spring Sale & Winemaker Dinner Recap

Similar to last year's Holiday Sale, Eno joined forces with Edmunds St. John and our co-tenant, Harrington Wine for a Spring Sale. With the help of our intern, 4 beautiful bouquets of flowers were donated by Darling Flowers. Alice and David Sanchez volunteered their culinary skills on the grill. Bryan's friend, Benito, provided soul soothing Brazilian guitar. In spite of the forecast, the weather cooperated and provided sunlight for most of the day. Over both days, ~300 people attended.

On Saturday, I left the sale early to fly to LA for a winemaker dinner at Clementine. Two of my favorite wineries, August West and Alcina Cellars were also featured. The response was excellent. If you are down in Beverly Hills, check this place out for lunch. In April, all month long they serve diffent gourmet grill cheese sandwiches; every day people vote on the best ones. Plus, their desserts rock! Try their marshmellows or chocolate triangles (I forgot the actual name).

A frequent contributor to the wine message boards, Jason Hagen posted this about our wines:

2004 Pinot Noir Fairview Ranch SLH "The Gifted One"
Here Sasha is showing his gift with wine and Fairview Road Ranch is showing itself to be a top vineyard of SLH. For my tastes this is a step up from the 03. This wine has a balance that I don't always find in SLH. There are dark SLH fruits but then the citrus kicks in to balance everything out. Lot going on here. Compared to the 03, I found the tart acids mixing with the dark fruits and earth better. Nothing dominates. Fruit, spice and acid all in harmony.

2004 Grenache Eaglepoint Ranch Mendocino "The Wild One"
I don't have much experience with Cali Grenache so no comparisons on this one. You get a hit of strawberry that normally find in Grenache but then there is tannic structure that I don't normally find. This is a smoky and thick Grenache. Perfect with some rich food. For me this will lay down for 12 months or so.

2004 Syrah Las Madres Vineyard Sonoma Valley
When I had this wine in January I fell in love with it. Great clean fruit with excellent purity. This is not a knock you over the head, drunk in two sips (actually I don't know the Alc%), coat your mouth and stain your teeth syrah. This is all about easy enjoyment and a perfect food match. I really wish more Cali syrah was like this. True to California but not a common style. Way to go.