Wine Outlook

This menu could be up for another week or more, since I’m not going to be there to change it on Friday and the weekends aren’t the best time to do it. So come on over and taste these wines. But don’t take the notes too literally and expect a gourmet shop next door. I had a lady in the tasting room get mighty disappointed yesterday when she found out there wasn’t one….

Whites
2006 Roussanne, Fess Parker Vineyard, Santa Barbara $25
A snack of gingersnaps and lychees
with a little trip to Orange Julius to wash them down

Reds
2005 Merlot, Russian River Valley, Appellation Series $18
Black cherries and brambleberries tumble onto the forest floor,
among an orchard of applewoods
(more…)

Check out this week’s big winners!

Complimentary Tasting

White

2006 Côte du Bone Blanc, Château la Paws $14
Like a dog of mixed breeds, this blend of five grapes will beguile
you with her peaches n cream complexion and vanilla-coated apricots

Reds
2005 Côte du Bone Roan, Château la Paws $14
Another mutt who begs you to take him home
to treasure the vanilla, cinnamon, and cherry jolly rancher finish

2005 Zinfandel, Snows Lake Vineyard, Lake County $35
It might not be snowing here, but you can still partake (more…)

Disclaimer: This is the holiday version, so don’t expect complete accuracy…. Not that any tasting menu is ever accurate. More like don’t expect complete seriousness.

Complimentary Tasting

White

2006 Chardonnay, RustRidge Vineyard, Napa Valley $25
Davit brings over green apple, limes, and pears that represent the “first fruits” (translated from a Swahili phrase where Kwanzaa comes from)

Reds & Dessert
2005 Zinfandel, House Family Vineyard, Sonoma County $25
Chestnuts roast on an open fire while Meg demands her figgy pudding

2005 Syrah, Abba Vineyard, Lodi $25
Mistletoe hung in the hallway with care and an elaborate wreath of pine on the door, as Jonathan lights the menorah on the mantle (more…)

I was a little delayed in posting this one, what with all the good times and decorations going on…. but you can still come by and taste these wines for a couple days before I change the menu again.

Complimentary Tasting

Whites
2006 Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $25
Bobbing for Fuji apples… and pears… and hazelnuts
until you’re distracted by the scent of honeydew and honeysuckle

2006 Côte du Bone Blanc, Château la Paws $14
Like an endearing mutt who wins your heart,
this blend charms you with peaches, cream, vanilla, and orange blossoms

Reds (more…)

So, I did end up changing the menu on Friday, as normal. But I had to change it again yesterday, as we flew through our supply of the Cullinane. With only about 250 cases made, this one won’t last long…

Complimentary Tasting
Whites
2005 Roussanne, Santa Barbara, Appellation Series $18
A little taste of the tropics:
Papaya, guava, coconut, cinnamon, and orange blossoms collide

2006 Viognier, Kathy’s Cuvée, Appellation Series $18
Will yourself away from the cold weather with this one:
Apricots, pineapples, mangos, and peaches will thaw the chill

Reds
2006 Zinfandel, North Coast, Appellation Series $18
Black cherries, blackberries, and plums dance along a sharp line,
then bow to the vanilla and cinnamon onlookers

2005 Zinfandel, Snows Lake Vineyard, Lake County $35
Like walking into a brand new bakery—sawdust still on the tables—
To order a sour cherry tart, blueberry muffin, and café au lait
(more…)

I’m not sure when this menu will change again, as Open House always seems to throw off my schedule….

But here it is, including some new releases:

Complimentary Tasting

White & Rosé
2006 Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $25
Get your Chardonnay fix the exotic way:
With guava, apple, citrus, and toasted almonds

2005 Rosé, North Coast, Appellation Series $6 low, final price
No sweet stuff here:
Just lemon zest, bright cherries, raspberries, and strawberries

Reds
2006 Zinfandel, Contra Costa County, Appellation Series $18
For fans of the lighter-styled Zinfandel, indulge yourself in
cinnamon-dusted plums, washed down with a cherry-vanilla cola
(more…)

Get your wine fun going in the East Bay with this week’s tasting menu at Rosenblum…

Complimentary Tasting

White & Rosé
2005 Rosé, North Coast, Appellation Series $6 (amazingly low final price!)
Get the turkey ready for these bright cherries, raspberries, and strawberries that interlock with rhubarb and lemon

2005 Roussanne, Santa Barbara, Appellation Series $18
Stroll down a stony path lined with pineapple plants,
through orchards of peach, pear and apple trees, as honey bees buzz about

Reds
2005 Pinot Noir, Lone Oak Vineyard, Russian River Valley $22 ON SALE from $28
Run through strawberry fields until you’re almost exhausted, then refresh yourself with a cherry vanilla cola and candied figs

2005 Zinfandel, Richard Sauret, Paso Robles $25
Dive off a slice of cherry pie
into a pool of decadently rich raspberry and blackberry jam

2005 Syrah, England-Shaw Vineyard, Solano County $35
Set the fireplace ablaze
while the fig, plum, and walnut kuchen (German for cake) bakes in the oven

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 * (more…)

More wines coming your way on a weekly basis:

This week’s complimentary tasting, through Thursday

Whites
2006 Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $25
Hang on to the warmth of summer by mixing yourself a salad
with toasted almonds, mandarin oranges, and citrus vinaigrette

2006 Château la Paws, Côte du Bone Blanc $14
Passion fruit comes to life, along with peaches, apricots, pineapple,
honeysuckle, and a little sizzle of cinnamon

Reds
2005 Mourvedre, San Francisco Bay, Appellation Series $18
Skip the coffee shop today, as you experience a mocha latté in your glass,
with a blueberry and dried cherry scone on the side (Read more about the Mourvedre here)

2005 Zinfandel, Rockpile Road Vineyard, Rockpile $35
Childhood revisited: after rolling through dried leaves,
run into Grandma’s kitchen as she stews plums, cherries, and figs

2005 Petite Sirah, Pickett Road, Napa Valley $35
This youthful wine will have you doodling with a lead pencil, as
you ponder its deep tannins, figs, blueberries, and smoked salts

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *
2005 Zinfandel, Hendry Reserve, Napa Valley $45
Always a caramel refrain, this wine sings of chocolate,
with notes of dark cherries and blackberries

2005 Zinfandel, Lyons Reserve, Napa Valley $45
A kitchen experiment with the dehydrator:
peppered beef jerky, teriyaki jerky, dried cranberries and currants

2005 Petite Sirah, Rockpile Road Reserve, Rockpile $45
Beautiful crimson velvet washes over vanilla-coated cherries and raspberries,
then makes a sharp turn into an Argentine-style steak

complimentary tasting, Rockpile Road Vineyard

Here is the tasting menu for this week. I’ll most likely change it Friday.

Complimentary Tasting

Whites

2006 Chardonnay, Rust Ridge Vineyard, Napa Valley $25
The first sniff will resonate walking through a creamery , but the first taste is more like a stroll through an orchard of lime , apple , and pear trees

2006 Viognier, Kathy’s Cuvée, Appellation Series $18
Throw a lei around your neck and fill your glass…
Liquefied apricots, pineapples, mango, peaches, and a dash of honey

Reds

2005 Zinfandel, North Coast, Appellation Series $18
A trip to the cooler climes of northern California:
Share a slice of tart cherry pie or a ripe plum tart after watching whales all day

2005 Zinfandel, Carla’s Vineyard, San Francisco Bay $25
Taste the telltale vanilla and cherries we love so much in our SF Bay wines,
while cinnamon-sandalwood incense smolders on the table

2005 Syrah, Rominger Vineyard, Yolo County $25
An exotic meal of smoked duck coated in a tamarind and wild mushroom crust with a dessert of pumpkin pie and vanilla-tossed figs

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *

2005 Zinfandel, Maggie’s Reserve, Sonoma Valley $45
Like waking up to a cup of black tea with blueberry and raspberry muffins

2005 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Reserve, Sonoma Valley $45
Blackberries , raspberries , and black cherries are encased in nutmeg ,
sheltered in a display made from rich mahogany

2005 Syrah, Fran’s Vineyard Reserve, Rockpile $45
Blackberries and black currants melt together to make a compote for
the grilled elk that reminds you of the open plains of Oregon

Rosenblum Cellars, Zinfandel, Syrah, tasting menu

(Previous tasting menu)

Complimentary Tasting

White & Rosé
2005 Rosé, North Coast , Appellation Series $6 low, final price
Your lips will purse at these bright cherries, raspberries, and strawberries
that interlock with rhubarb and lemon

2005 Roussanne, Santa Barbara , Appellation Series $18
Those tropical island dreams come true
with papaya, guava, coconut, cinnamon, and orange zest

Reds
2006 Zinfandel, Contra Costa County , Appellation Series $18
Treat yourself to a snack of cinnamon-dusted plums,
washed down with a cherry-vanilla cola

2005 Zinfandel, House Vineyard, Sonoma County $25
A late summer afternoon: blackberries & strawberries baking on the vines,
the path lined with roses and sassafras

2004 Syrah, Hillside Vineyards, Sonoma $22 on sale
Start the meal with chicken marinated in smoky tarragon and white pepper
and finish with a raspberry tart drizzled with Crème de Cassis (more…)

And the weekly wine menu update:

Complimentary Tasting

White & Rosé
2006 Chardonnay, Rust Ridge Vineyard, Napa Valley $25
While decadently buttery cream fills the nose, this wine is tricky
in that the taste is more minerality, green apple, and tart pear

2005 Rosé, North Coast, Appellation Series $6 (amazingly low final price!)
Fire up the grill for these bright cherries, raspberries, and strawberries
that interlock with rhubarb and lemon

Reds
2005 Mourvedre, San Francisco Bay, Appellation Series $18
Subdue your caffeine fix with the coffee that leaps out of the glass,
along with cocoa, smoke, plums, blueberry and ample acidity

2005 Zinfandel, Harris Kratka, Alexander Valley $35
Taste why the judges gave this “Best Zinfandel of the Show�…
well-balanced raspberry, cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, and chestnut collide

2005 Syrah, England Shaw, Solano County $35
This one calls to mind a garden freshly tilled, root veggies upturned
alongside a basket of blackberries and peppercorns

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *
2005 Zinfandel, Maggie’s Reserve, Sonoma Valley $45
Dried leaves whirl in the breeze
while you feast on raspberry jam, fresh blackberries, and plums

2005 Zinfandel, Lyons Reserve, Napa Valley $45
Brace yourself for the cooler weather by bundling up with a glass of
black cherries, black pepper, and baking spices that warm the hands and heart

2005 Petite Sirah, Rockpile Road Reserve, Rockpile $45
Richness evident from the first pour, chocolate-covered blackberries
merge with an old-fashioned cherry cola from the soda fountain

These wines will be available through Thursday….

Rosenblum Cellars tasting room, tasting room wine menu

Here is an example of a past menu

Complimentary Tasting

2006 Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $25
An exotic alternative to Chardonnay, this grape will ground you
with its flavors of peach, apricot, honey, and hazelnut

2005 Roussanne, Santa Barbara, Appellation Series $18
Another Rhône variety that impresses the palate with
papaya, guava, coconut, cinnamon, and orange zest

2005 Merlot, Russian River Valley, Appellation Series $18
Throw some spaghetti sauce on the stove and meatballs in the skillet
to counter the acidity, braced by notes of cherry, plum, and applewood

2005 Zinfandel, Aparicio Vineyard, Amador $25
If you were excited when they added salt and pepper as a flavor for potato chips, this wine is right up your alley, flanked by black cherry and blackberry

2005 Petite Sirah, Kick Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma $35
Kent and Sid cooked lunch for the staff the other day,
revisited here in this wine: salmon smoked on a cedar plank,
this time with black tea and currants

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *
2005 Zinfandel, Annette’s Reserve, Redwood Valley $35
The spice rack personified: cinnamon, cloves, and pepper
mingle with blueberries and raspberries

2005 Zinfandel, Hendry Reserve, Napa Valley $45
If you’re lucky enough to have tried the raspberry and chocolate scones from Arizmendi, you’ll think they’ve fallen into your glass, with caramel and smoke

2005 Syrah, Fran’s Vineyard, Rockpile $45
Enjoy the chimenea in the back yard with logs burning in the early evening,
as you sit eating blueberries and blackberries picked just that afternoon

This is a really good one, if I do say so myself…

Complimentary Tasting

Whites

2006 Chardonnay, Rust Ridge Vineyard, Napa Valley $25

If you shy away from excessively oaky Chardonnay, raise your glass for this:abundant lime, apple, and minerality

2006 Chateau La Paws Côte du Bone Blanc $14

Five grapes sing in harmony—notes of peaches, apples, apricots, and cinnamon

Reds

2005 Zinfandel, Paso Robles, Appellation Series $18

Imagine stepping through a wardrobe and into the wintry woods of Narnia:
cedar, forest floor, vanilla, cherries, and strawberries

2005 Zinfandel, Planchon Vineyard, San Francisco Bay $25

Smooth as rose petals and twice as fragrant…
plums, black cherries, smoke, cloves, and white pepper

2005 Petite Sirah, Pickett Road , Napa Valley $35

This one creeps up on you like a cat on crimson carpet,
scattering blueberries, currants, and smoky blackberries along its way

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *

2005 Zinfandel, Maggie’s Reserve, Sonoma Valley $45

Like waking up to a cup of black tea with blueberry and raspberry muffins

2005 Zinfandel, Lyons Reserve, Napa Valley $45

Don’t even bother to order take-out: teriyaki beef and black pepper
along with cherries and currants

2005 Petite Sirah, Rockpile Road Reserve, Rockpile $45

Rubies will fall at your feet
when pouring cocoa, black cherry, smoke, and licorice

Rosenblum Cellars tasting room, wine tasting menu

Complimentary Tasting

Whites

2006 Marsanne, Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $25
A striking rendition of almond, apple, guava, and orange zest,
laced with nutmeg and light traces of honey

2006 Viognier, Kathy’s Cuvée, Appellation Series $18
If you were stranded on a tropical island, the peaches, pineapple, mango, and apricots would make you feel right at home

Reds

2005 Chateau La Paws Côte du Bone Roan $14
Must love dogs…and vanilla, cherry, plums, and bright acidity

2004 Holbrook Mitchell Trio, Napa Valley $25
Currants and plums dance the tango through tobacco leaves,
finishing with a strong bow

2005 Zinfandel, Rockpile Road Vineyard, Rockpile $35
See why everyone wants it:
raspberry and black cherry tread through a river of black pepper

*Reserve Flight - $5.00 *

2005 Zinfandel, Annette’s Reserve, Redwood Valley $35
As lovely as the lady herself:
juicy blueberries, cherries, and raspberries mingle with cinnamon and anise

2005 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Reserve, Sonoma Valley $45
Another crowd pleaser that won’t be around for long…
Rich black fruits abound: boysenberries, blackberries, and currants

2005 Zinfandel, Hendry Reserve, Napa Valley $45
Better have saved room for dessert!
Blackberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream
or for the kid in us all–s’mores from the campfire