The Adventures of Sterling Rubicon

Our tasting notes for the tasting event on Friday, 5/27
also served as the introductory chapter in the adventures
of wine hero Sterling Rubicon. Enjoy…

PELERIN SIERRA MAR VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2009

Sterling Rubicon is a wine hero for the ages, a man among men, big and rich, elegant yet bold, sophisticated yet powerful.  Having uncovered an evil plot to mislabel Turning Leaf as First Growth Bordeaux, he’s about to leave Modesto for the incredible tasting he heard about at North County Wine Company.  As he hurries through the red light district, Franzia Chablis, a floozy wearing nothing but a robe and an attitude, purrs at him from a smoke-filled doorway.  “Hey, Stud.  How ‘bout taking me home?  I’m cheap and I’m easy.”  He disregards her blatant packaging with thoughts of this Chard, with its rich nose, tangy acidity, and bright flavors of spiced apples and Asian pears.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

PELERIN LES TOURNESOLS 2009

Sterling turns the corner and finds panhandler Charlie Shaw in his face.  Charlie’s open hand shoots out.  “Spare a couple bucks, friend?”  Sterling pivots past him, as light and lively on his feet as this gorgeous blend of Roussanne and Viognier, with its bright nose of honeysuckle and other floral notes finding its echo on the palate in clean, bright fruit.  90 points Jim Tobin.  $18.97.

PELERIN SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIR 2008

Hustling past a liquor store, Sterling is accosted by owner Mad Dog Davidson. “What’s your hurry, Man?  We got specials today.  Cases of wine for 20 bucks.  20 here, 20 there, you be feelin’ fine.”  Well, our hero loves to feel fine, but he felt his definition of the word might differ somewhat.  He continues down the street with visions of this amazing wine, as silky as an angel’s wings and balanced, with spice and smoke over dark cherry fruit.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97

PELERIN REBECCA’S VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2007

Sterling steps past an idling red truck onto the street, not noticing that assassin Sherry Fairbanks is at the wheel.  He looks left, looks right, jogs across… and Sherry stomps the pedal and aims the truck right at him!  He dives to the pavement, the tires missing him by inches.  He springs up and dashes for an alley.  She whips the truck through a screeching turn and guns it.  Sterling sprinting… the truck gaining… he glances back, then ahead… the alley dead ends at a brick wall… the truck’s engine roars… closer, closer… he can feel it right behind him… he dives through a screened back doorway… and the truck EXPLODES against the wall!  He closes his eyes and imagines drinking this wine, with its beautiful, perfumed nose of rose petals and rich cherry fruit.  Smooth, structured and balanced, with black cherry, cola and smoke weaving together through the long finish.  92 points Tobin Bros.  $39.97. 

PELERIN LES VIOLETTES SYRAH 2007

Finding himself in a dive bar, Sterling stands to find local tough guy Ernie Thunderbird staring him down.  “Looking for trouble, Pretty Boy?”  “Never, my man, but I know what to do when I find it.”  Sterling’s hands are a blur, with Ernie barely realizing he’s been hit until he’s dazed on the floor, his bloody nose adding a few more stains to his dirty tee shirt.  Sterling steps over the thug on his way out, daydreaming about this incredible Syrah, so dark, rich and meaty, with dark plum flavors and and a touch of leather.  92 points Bill Tobin.  $19.97.

 NUNA BONARDA RESERVE 2009

Sterling hurries out of the bar and bumps into notorious beat cop Peter Vella.  “I hear you’re causing problems around here, Rubicon.  Maybe I need to book you a room in the slammer.”  “I think not, actually.  I hear the wine selection is dreadful.”  Sterling shoves him aside and jumps into the passenger seat of a cherry red Ferrari as it screeches to a stop beside him.  A wry glance at the driver, who turns out to be his sidekick Caymus Montelena.  “And here I thought you’d gone to North County Wine Company without me.”  Caymus speeds away and grins.  “Not a chance, pal.  I’m counting on you to drive me home tonight.”  Sterling smiles and thinks of this wine, with its fruity fresh nose and lovely mouthfeel, showing big, ripe plums and berries with pretty violet tones.  90 points Tobin Brothers.  $15.97.  

WILLIAM HARRISON RUTHERFORD CABERNET 2006

Sterling and Caymus reach the airport and hurry to Sterling’s Lear jet.  They reach the tarmac and Carlo Rossi, hitman for the Modesto mob, leaps out from behind a Jetway.  “You’re done, Rubicon!  And your little pal Montelena, too!”  Rossi pulls a sawed-off shotgun from under his coat…  Sterling takes a foil cutter from Caymus and flicks it… it hits Rossi in the eye and he screams in agony… Sterling leaps forward… Caymus unfolds a waiter’s corkscrew and tosses it… Sterling snatches it… Rossi raises the shotgun… and Sterling drives the corkscrew into his chest.  A gasp, a disbelieving look at Sterling, and Rossi falls dead.  Sterling smirks.  “Pity.  Waste of a perfectly good wine opener.”  He and Caymus climb aboard the plane, talking excitedly about the tasting at NCWC and this terrific Cabernet, balanced, structured and elegant, with blackberry, cassis and cedar notes.  90 points Bill Tobin.  $19.97.