Weekend Tasting-Vineyard-Feb. 19-20

Event: It was a high end tasting across the board. The Zaca Mesa wines were well received by everyone asked.  One taster, Steve, said the Chardonnay and all three Syrahs were very good. Roger said “Hard to believe we had another extremely nice weekend wine tasting! These are Rhone style wines produced in California. Most are rated over 90 points by various groups such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Robert Parker & Steven Tanzer to name a few. Zaca Mesa was one of the first wineries in Santa Barbara County since Prohibition. Zaca Mesa is a Santa Ynez Valley estate winery dedicated to Rhone varieties. Since 1972, they have hand crafted wines from grapes grown in their vineyards to express their distinct character and genuine quality, offering you a unique experience to share.”
‘Learn about the differences and have an opportunity to taste high end wines without having to spend a lot of money first. See friends and enjoy some nibbles.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463

When: Friday, Feb. 19th, 2010, 4:30-6:30pm, Saturday, Feb. 20th, 1-6pm
Cost: Price determined by your selection choices.

Here are the wines presented:

Zaca Mesa Viognier 2008
What: On the nose, aromas of honeysuckle and white peach hint at sweetness. However, this wine is dry on the palate with notes of ripe apricot, lemon-lime, melon and lychee. A lingering finish has a touch of minerality, a signature characteristic of our vineyard. A
natural pairing would be Thai chicken, raw oysters, ahi tuna or Szechuan prawns.
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $18.99
Year: 2008

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006
After being hand harvested, this Roussanne was gently pressed and placed in French oak barrels to ferment. The wine was then aged “sur lie” or on the lees (yeast and solids) for 10 months, stirring each barrel regularly to enhance the rich, creamy mouth feel. On the nose, aromas of apricots, figs, honey and spice fill the glass. A lingering finish has a touch of minerality, a signature characteristic of our vineyard. Enjoy with grilled halibut, lobster risotto or rosemary roasted chicken over the next five years.–From their website
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $23.99
Year: 2006

Zaca Mesa Chardonnay 2008
The resulting wine has bright mango, papaya, tangerine and pear aromas and flavors that marry with toasty oak from ten months of barrel aging. This wine will pair well with shellfish or light pasta over the next several years. –From their website
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $18.99
Year: 2008

Zaca Mesa Z Cuvée 2006
Each grape adds its own nuance: Grenache adds rich raspberry flavors; Mourvèdre brings notes of blueberry; Syrah, flavors of blackberry and ripe tannins and a touch of Cinsaut’s dusty berry notes. These layers of flavor enable this wine to pair with a wide variety of foods from mushroom pizza to rosemary crusted leg of lamb. You can enjoy this wine now or cellar for the next five to seven years.–From their website
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $18.99
Year: 2006

Zaca Mesa Syrah 2005
Our Syrah displays rich blackberry, cassis, espresso, mocha and our signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The silky finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak. This full-bodied wine should be enjoyed over the next ten years. A traditional pairing for this wine is a rack of lamb marinated in rosemary and garlic. However, a peppercorn steak or mushroom risotto would work incredibly well.–From their website
From: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $21.99
Year: 2005

Zaca Mesa Reserve Syrah 2006
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $39.99
Year: 2006

Zaca Mesa Z Three 2004
Each grape variety adds its own personality: Syrah adds flavors of blackberry and ripe tannins; Mourvèdre brings notes of blueberry and full mouth-feel; and Grenache adds lush raspberry liqueur flavors. These rich layers of flavor create a wine greater than the sum of its parts and enable it to be enjoyed now or cellar for five to seven years.–From their website
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $38.99
Year: 2004

Zaca Mesa Black Bear Block Syrah 2006
This wine displays rich blackberry, cassis, mocha, cedar and our signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak. This full-bodied wine should be enjoyed over the next ten years.
–From their website
From: California
Winery: Zaca Mesa
Cost: $57.99
Year: 2006