The end of November held a special tasting event that I was lucky enough to attend. I had the opportunity to taste wine from several different winemakers that I have been hoping to do for a long time.

Please read about the wines that were available, and contact HWL to find a store that can supply it to you!

Hidden away in the Paso Robles hills, is a winery that has been producing great Zins for a long time. Turley makes its Zinfandel and Petit Syrah from old-lot vineyards, and cultivates their fruit by using organic farming methods. The wine maker is named Ehren Jordan.

2007, Ueberroth: This is a great Zin with some spice to it. An initial sweetness leads to a well made wine with a perky flavor and character.

2007, Pesenti Vineyard: This Zinfandel comes from 80 year old vines. It has great fruit expression, and a smooth finish.

Fiddlehead Cellars has become a recent favorite of mine. Kathy Joseph is the owner and winemaker for this label, and I had the pleasure of meeting her at this tatsting. She concentrates on making the most flavorful and special Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs that she can.

Pinot Noir 728, 2005: This is from their "Fiddlestix" vineyard in California. The wine utilizes 6 different clones to create a wonderfully flavored Pinot. A bit of smoked Salmon on the nose, this wine has a great siliness to it and great fruit. Barrel aged 16 months in French oak.

Sweetie, 2007: This is one of the most interesting wines I have tasted in a while. It is made from primarily Sauvignon Blanc, and a small percentage of Malvaisia Bianca. The result is a very fresh-nosed dessert wine that produces ripe pears and a touch of mineral on the nose. The flavor is excellent, an elixir of sweetness with no overdose. Perhaps is the perfect balance of 13% alcohol, and 13% residual sugar. I think this has become my current, favorite dessert wine.