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Winery #
Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2007 $16
I started at Cline at the tender age of 24...I have extremely good memories of all of my visits to Cline. Now on to the wine...wow that's smooth. Again, not what I expected from a Mourvedre...I like. At $16 that's a smokin' deal. Time to go back to Cline!

PS - I used to live for those messages on their marquis - they kicked off my day on my commute. I've always wanted my name on that marquis.

Line 39

Winery # something - Line 39 '07 Petite Sirah $10
Lake County representin! Bam. Not what I expected, but based on the packaging and the varietal I expected a $30+ bottle. Nope - 10 bucks. I'm very impressed. Easy on the palate given that it's a PS, if I can find this locally, it'll be my shock-'em-at-dinner wine!

Drink me.

Winery 7 - Snow's Lake Vineyard - Cloverdale
'05 72% Cab & 28% Cab Franc (I should like this one) $45
Thanks to David Honig again for this - "needs another 5 years" - I'm learning a ton!!

Please Rotate

Winery 6 - Cupcake Vineyards
07 Cab $13.99
65% Monterey (Wild Horse vineyards) 35% Livermore
Director of Marketing said "want our wines to be creamy" - let's see if it is...
Not bad for the retail - Recommend for an every-day-Cabernet.

PS - They bring cupcakes every year. You had me at cupcake.

Next!

Winery 5 - Pinot Evil
3L B-I-B
Always wanted to try that...not the greatest nose, ok on the palate. I do have to say that it's cool they're promoting bag-in-box - let's get Americans off the I'm-too-good-for-box mentality!

Numero Quattro

Winery 4 - Fish Eye
08 Pinot Grigio
Again - not too much of a fan of PG so I'm a tad biased. It's a bit to sweet for me...though the nose makes my mouth water. Seems like it'd be great for my backyard on a hot summer day with friends and the BBQ fired up...

(Sidenote - I'm getting a little hot...I should probably start spitting!)

Bring it #3

Winery 3 - Schramsberg
YUMMY! 06 Blanc de Blancs - I had this at a wedding this weekend and I HEART IT. The only bubbles I can drink without insta-headache! I have to idea how to describe sparkling...I don't drink it much after an unfortunate incident in college with Cook's. This is so far beyond Cook's they're not even in the same world. The folks next to me are loving this one! I heard "fresh baked French bread and magnolias" from David Honig - loving it :)

Next...

Winery 2: Twisted Oak
River of Skulls - 88% mouvedre 12% syrah
I'm diggin this....I like that it's soft yet bold (does that even make sense??) but I really like Mourvedre :)

All Wineries are Waiting in the Wings...

Here they come!

Winery 1 - Bella
One of my favorite wineries in Dry Creek, we're kickin it off with Bella! Joe, the winemaker, is starting us off...Lily Hill Zin 07....6 blocks (30 y/o - 60 y/o)...retail $38
Tastes like a perfect Dry Creek Zin...spicy, sexy and fruity...somedays I feel like that.

And the Live Wine Blogging Begins...

I've been speed dating twice since last WBC...I should be better than last year!