TexaCali Wine Co and Kitchen 1924 tasting notes from our August 8, 2006 event.

This event truly focused on why Dallas Uncorked was started.  I wanted to bring unique varietals and wineries to our members.  All of the wines we tasted are from small, boutique wine producers focused on quality instead of quantity.  The clean, creative and imaginative flavors proved these wine makers are dedicated to creating outstanding wine. 

2005 Handley Gewürztraminer - Just sweet enough for a Texan who prefers a little sugar, but enough beautiful fruit clarity and balance for serious lovers of the Alsace. Wine and Spirits Magazine gave it 93 points. This vintage will not last long in Texas!

2005 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes –  This wine is just eye-popping good!  Floral elegance is what comes to mind each and every time I open a bottle. The intensity is greatness – jasmine, lychee fruit, cherry blossoms, and apricots.

2003 Handley Dry Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc –  “Crisp like a Grüner, but heavier in structure, like a Mâconnais Chardonnay. Fruits highlight the landscape of this wine, which shows green apple, peach and tangerine with hints of ruby red grapefruit rind and stones. Well balanced and lovely”. Perfect of course!

2005 Pellegrini Russian River Unoaked Chardonnay – A great example of clear and lovely Russian River Valley Chardonnay. The nose always reminds me of a soft bartlett pear. I overheard a few guys saying “I could get use to this no-oak thing!”. Slight creamy lemony finish – perfect for summer seafood in Texas.

2002 Fort Ross Chardonnay – This bottle of Fort Ross Chardonnay should be called “The Charmer”, it absolutely reminds you of why you fell for wine in the first place. Creamy, lovely Chardonnay, not too heavy in body - heavenly indeed!

2003 Fort Ross Pinot Noir –  An elegant bottle of Pinot Noir. Crushed red cherries on the nose that magically pull your lips towards the glass. Not a big and over-extracted pinot whatsoever, vibrant berry flavors with hints of baking spices on the finish.

2004 Pellegrini Carignan –  The color is the first thing you notice when pouring – deep garnet and blackberry with an incredibly crimson rose petal nose. This carignan is sooo easy to sip – pairs perfectly with our TexMex year round.

2004 BenMarco Malbec –  Wine Spectator just gave this one 90pts. for very strong reasons. Susana Balbo and her husband Pedro Marchevsky are behind this full-bodied Malbec. It has 12% Bonarda and 1% Cab Franc to add to the savory flavors. Perfect for anything beefy on the grill or for the grillmaster alone!

2002 Fort Ross Pinotage – Not your average –run-of-mill Pinotage from South Africa, this one is grown and produced right along the Pacific Ocean high above most of Sonoma County. Racy, sexy, brambly – too good to be believed without sipping on a little yourself.

2002 Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon –  A fantastic Alexander Valley Cab full of dark peppery Alexander Valley fruit – but it’s a tease – the finish always ends with an incredible burst of wild cherry. This should always be your cab-by-the-case at home!

2001 Susana Balbo Brioso –  She only produced 595 cases of the 2001. Intense, rich and powerful. A true Argentine meritage.

Thank you, thank you again to Ali Smith with TexaCali and Shawn Horne with Kitchen 1924 for helping us host a fantastic event.
All wine can be found at Central Market in Dalla.  And, you have to check out the Kitchen at Kitchen 1924 in Lakewood, if for no other reason than the Mac & Cheese!!!  My review, "Cozy Kitchen," can be read in re:d Magazine.