Tasting Notes for Friday, 6/17

With Father’s Day just 2 days away, I decided to write
these notes around famous TV dads:

GROTH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010

                One of Homer Simpson’s life lessons was this:  “Kids, you tried your best and failed miserably.  The lesson is, never try.”  Fortunately the Groth team ignores that advice and consistently makes amazing wines.  This Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and delicious, showing ripe melon and citrus flavors.  It’s partially aged on the lees, lending it a beautiful richness to go along with its nice crisp character.  $15.97

ROMBAUER MERLOT 2007

                Cliff Huxtable was one of TV’s most successful dads, but he had nothing on the folks at Rombauer.  These guys hit home run after home run with their wines.  This Carneros Merlot reaches maturity slowly, producing fruit that is soft and elegant, yet rich and full flavored.  Aromas of boysenberry and black cherry join nuances of vanilla and plum, leading to a supple mouthful that tacks on blackberry and toffee flavors with dashes of spice.  $27.97

BECKSTOFFER “75” CABERNET 2009

                Tim “The Toolman” Taylor was probably TV’s most bumbling dad (aside from Homer).  Tuck Beckstoffer’s dad Andy is quite the opposite, since the Napa vineyard that bears his name is one of the most famous in the world.  Tuck’s doing all right for himself too, as this wine shows.  The expressive nose shows off black currant, vanilla, bacon fat and spice box.  Concentrated and layered, this voluptuous wine is a serious value at $16.97.

WM. HARRISON CABERNET 2006

                Andy Taylor was one of TV’s first single dads, and he had a lot to deal with:  town sheriff, raising Opie, calming down Barney Fife, etc.  I like to think of him kicking back on his porch in Mayberry with a glass of this tremendous Cab.  So balanced and structured, it combines well-integrated tannins with blackberry, cassis and toasty, cedary notes.  Another exceptional value, especially considering the regular price is $39.97.   $19.97

AMIZETTA CABERNET 2007

                This is as good at being a Cab as Mike Brady was at being a dad.  The strong, rich cassis and berry nose adds hints of violets and lavender.  Still tasting quite young, its tannins are as strong as Mike’s morals, but it still shows that typical Amizetta awesomeness.  The layers of fruit and earth, with notes of oak and herbs are captivating now and will continue to develop beautifully for years.  $24.97

KULETO SYRAH 2007

                This is as big and bold as Ben Cartwright riding the Ponderosa with his sons.  It’s dense and dark, with ripe berry, coffee, tar and sweet herbs galloping right out of the glass and across your palate.  Big and hedonistic, it also manages to stay as balanced as those Cartwright boys always did on their horses.  $38.97

PARADIGM ZINFANDEL 2007

                Ward Cleaver was always a paradigm of fatherly wisdom and patience, which I guess you would need if you had a kid named Beaver.  This Zin is top notch as well, with introductory aromas of briary blackberry and black pepper, and touches of smoke and earth chiming in like Ward’s perfect advice.  2007 was a terrific year, and it shows here, as the wine combines bright acidity with lovely balanced flavors.  The winemaker is Heidi Peterson Barrett, one of the most highly regarded in the industry.  $29.97