Golden State Wine Tasting with Whole Foods Woodland Hills

Today, I went to a wine tasting at the Woodland Hills' Whole Foods. Cliff Riley, the wine buyer for the store, and Jim Griffin, a wine distributor, were hosting the event at the store's patio. The crowd was small, divided equally between customers and Whole Foods employees. There was toast and a cheese & olive plate to munch on. Eleven wines were being poured. Here are my notes:

1. Scott Pail 2004 Pinot Noir "Martha Pirrie". $22. This Williamette Valley pinot was light bodied, with a bright acidity and minerality, and a peppery finish with hints of slightly under-ripe red berries. Very pleasant and seems like it would pair well a wide variety of foods. Alex's score: 8 (of 10).
2. Fife Vineyards 2000 Merlot. $30. Bright red; not showing its age in color. Tannic merlot, a bit unbalanced in acidity and alcohol. Showing age on the palate, but grows on you. Alex's Score: 4 (of 10).
3. Summers 2003 Reserve Merlot "Knights Valley". $22. Fine tannins and bright acidity. Understated fruit on the finish. Alex's Score: 4 (of 10).
4. Fife Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon. $40. Pretty bouquet of stone fruit and a touch of sweet oak on the palate. Long, satisfying finish. Alex's Score: 6 (of 10).
5. Fife Vineyards 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. $50. Beautiful aromas of cherry, cassis, and blackberry. Perfectly oaked with silky tannins. Very long finish. Drinking well now but should last for another six years. Alex's Score: 9 (of 10).
6. Summers 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon "Adriana's Vineyard". $30. Warm-weather cab with great fruit and alcohol, with a streak of complexity. Alex's Score: 7 (of 10).
7. Origin-Napa 2002 "Heritage Sites" Red Blend. $38. A right bank-style blend with 75% merlot. Hyped with only 600 cases made by two Napa dignitaries, this wine was quite a disappointment. Minty aroma, with menthol and bell pepper dominating the palate. Alex's Score: 2 (of 10).
8. Arns 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. $70. The only long ager in the group, this wine is a baby at 5. A well-oaked, technical masterpiece with excellent structure, perfect balance, and a long earthy & fruity finish. Alex's Score: 8.5 (of 10).
9. Summers 2002 Zinfandel "Adriana's Vineyard". $22. Elegant Zin; well-balanced and fruity but not jammy. Subtly oaked with a curious complexity. Alex's Score: 8 (of 10).
10. Fife Vineyards 2000 Petite Syrah "Redhead Vineyard". $30. With a very pretty bouquet of blueberries and earth, this Pet is well-aged and thus restrained on the palate, with low tannins. The finish lasts forever. Alex's Score: 8 (of 10).
11. Elimilio Lustau Sherry "Rare Cream Superior". $13 (375 ml). With a sickeningly-sweet aroma of crème brûlée fresh from the torch, I was prepared to hate this wine, but it was surprisingly balanced on the palate, with bright acidity and simply delicious flavor. A sure hit with almost any kind of food, this Sherry can also be enjoyed on its own as well. Alex's Score: 7 (of 10).

All in all, I had a great time. Kudos to Dimple for buying me the ticket and making me go!