California - Artesa Winery (Classic Tasting)

Entrance to Artesa's tasting room is on top of the hill.

After class Dave and I had a limited amount of time.  We decided to pick a winery based on it's architecture rather than it's wines.  We heard Artesa had unique architecture so we decided to head there for a tasting.  We did the two tastings Artesa offered and shared the wines.  Below is my review of wines from the "Classic Tasting".  Tomorrow wines from the "Limited Release and Reserve Tasting" will be reviewed.  

2009 Chardonnay from Carneros.  Try as we might Dave and I were not getting much on the nose, but the flavor was definitely there.  Apricot, pineapple and some minerality.  

Winemaker's Notes: A brilliant straw yellow, this Chardonnay opens with heady aromas of lime, apple, apricot and pineapple, spiked with appealing hints of honeysuckle, oregano and tarragon. Its lively entry – from the wine’s natural acidity -- is accompanied by layers of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. An underlying mineral component, along with the subtle influence of French oak, adds intrigue. This is a classic Carneros Chardonnay, finishing crisply and beckoning for another taste.


2007 Tempranillo is estate grown from Alexander Valley.  On the nose  the aromas were smoked game (this was a distinct aroma I couldn't quite put my finger on.  I looked at the tasting notes to determine what it was), and chocolate.  Flavor was smoked game, leather, pepper and chocolate. The tannins were light.  

Winemaker's Notes:  A wonderfully layered and supple wine.  Blackberry and cherry fruit intertwines with leather and smoked game white pepper spice, vanilla and chocolate notes.  There is a concentration to the extracted fruit, enough acid and a slight tension within the youthful tannins that should allow this wine to improve for years.

2007 Limited Release Cabernet Franc is from the Alexander Valley.  The only aroma we detected was oak.  If there were any other aromas, the oak overpowered them.  Same for the flavor, oak (overpowered) with some spice on the finish.  We're  not Cabernet Franc fans and this did not endear us to the varietal.    

Winemaker's Notes:  Concentrated flavors of cassis, and raspberry are complimented with a floral and spice bouquet that makes this a great Cabernet Franc. Enjoy the beauty of this varietal - marvelously rich, smooth, dense, and refined all at the same time. Perfect oak balance seamlessly supports the wine with notes of clove, dark chocolate, vanilla, nutmeg and a hint of smoke. This wine is delicious now but will age well over time.

2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.  A  pleasant aroma of cassis and blackberry.  Flavor ... pepper.  We did not taste any fruit on our palates.  Tannins were medium.  

Winemaker's Notes:  This Cabernet Sauvignon has heady aromas of cassis, blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate.  An elegant entry leads to pure, ripe berry flavors that unfurl slowly on the palate, joined by notes of black pepper, sage and mocha.