Tasted a few new wines at this past weekend’s wine tasting at Nick’s place. The space where the tasting was held was basically a small ally-like strip of concrete, a bit small for the amount of people who came.
Wines I tasted that made an impression were:
Caymus ’05 Special Selection Cabernet – Although still young, this wine exhibited nice black fruit flavors and earthy aromas. The tannins are still a bit harsh, but I think some more time in the bottle will smooth these jagged edges a bit. Probably won’t be as good as the 2004. Buy Now!
Wm. Harrison ’03 Cabernet Sauvignon - this one has had time in the bottle and expresses nice black and blue fruits as well as structure and balance. The backbone is there, but much softer on the finish then the Caymus. Buy Now!
Fisher Cameron ’03 Red Blend – mostly Cabernet with some Merlot and Malbec, this is a powerful and concentrated wine with layers of flavors. This one needs to open up to help smooth out the tannins, but once this occurs, it becomes silky and elegant. This one, the Wm. Harrison and the Caymus were the best Cabs of the day.
Hewitt ’04 Cabernet Sauvignon – this one tasted good enough, not very complex and not worth the $65 price tag.
Seghesio Zinfandel Rockpile Vineyard – A nice jammy zin, with not as much spice as I like. Rob liked this one more then I and it packs a hefty price at $36, not sure it’s worth this – especially when Brochelle is $32 and rockin! Buy Now!
Zaca Mesa ’04 Z Cuvee – easy drinking red, nothing special here, decent price at $14
Owen Roe ’06 Abbot’s Table – A blend of 10 different varietals – couldn’t name them if you paid me, but everything red 
I expected this to be almost too concentrated with all the fruit in it, but it was pleasant drinking, up-front fruit, with supple tannins on the long finish. Good deal at $20.
Torbreck ’06 Cuvee Juveniles – from the Barossa Valley, this seemed too lean for me, too grapey. $15
Margerum ’05 M5 Red Blend – I’ve been wanting to try this wine for some time now and was a bit disappointed. Seemed watery and undeveloped $23
El Felino ’06 Malbec – I’ve been searching for a Malbec in this $17 price range – this one is a bit more mellow then I prefer. The light fruit flavors are well balanced with tannins which makes this an easy drinking Malbec for the price.
Ojai Ridge Syrah – I tasted either the ’04 or the ’05 – can’t recall so it didn’t blow my skirt up!
Waltzing Bear ’03 Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – Can’t stand the label on these – what were they thinking? A nice earthy quality in this light-bodied Pinot – definitely more old world-style with light fruit and mild mid-palate – lasting finish $31
Waltzing Bear ’03 Solomon Hills Pinot Noir – This Pinot had more upfront fruit flavors, more medium-bodied then the Gary’s Vineyard, more smokey /oaky aromas. Liked this one better and it’s slightly less at $30