I am sitting at the first US Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Rosa, CA and we are about to do a live blogging wine tasting.  You could call this speed tasting.  We get 5 minutes with each wine.  Many of these wines are over the price range we typically do here.

Disclaimer: My normal process for reviewing wines takes 20-30 minutes per wine.  The results in this post are quick impressions and were not evaluated with the same vigor as most ratings on this site.  Here are the results.

Bonterra – The McNab

60% Merlot 26% Cab, 14% old vine Petite Syrah.  Made with biodynamic wines.  Strong raspberry, cherry and cedar, plus a bit of leather on the nose. It is very dry on the palate with loads of blackberry and raspberry fruit, plus there is loads of spice. The finish is loooong.

Wine: Bonterra – The McNab
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2004
Rating: 89
Price: $45

Weir Vineyards – Bink

Soft and earthy nose that I would describe as cherry and straw.  It comes alive on the palate with cherry and strawberry flavors.  It is hot and spicy with a bit of black pepper.  The finish is medium in length, but very interesting.  I like the structure in this wine.

Wine: Weir Vineyards – Bink
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2005
Rating: 89
Price: $40

Clos LaChance – Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry and bramble on the nose.  Rich and velvety on the palate.  Great structure.  Blackberry, black pepper, cherry.  Outstanding chocolate on the mid-palate and long finish.  There’s quite a bit of heat in this one too.

Wine: Clos LaChance – Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Rating: 91
Price: $30

Boho Chardonnay

This is a boxed wine and there’s the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine per box-3 liters.  Wine stays fresh for weeks after opening.  Lots of banana on the nose, which is in general rather tropical.  There’s also a strong oak quality.  The palate has a good acidity, but the structure is a bit weak.

Wine: Boho
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 80
Price: $24 (3 liters)

James David – Muscat Blanc

Bright tropical fruits on the nose–pineapple, citrus, pear (I know that’s not tropical).  Great acidity.  The tropical flavors continue on the palate with mango, pineapple, pear also.  But it is not too sweet.  This is a very refreshing wine.

Wine: James David – Muscat Blanc
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 87
Price: $18

Twisted Oak – The Spaniard

This is a blend of… you guessed it, Spanish varieties. Earthy and complex nose.  Cherry, blackberry, and bramble.  Awesome palate.  Big raspberry and blackberry flavors and earthy oak, black pepper.  In the picture is winemaker (and wine blogger) Jeff Stai, proudly holding the bottle.

Wine: Twisted Oak – The Spaniard
Varietal: Red Blend
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 92
Price: $49

Dark Horse

The rep called this a cowboy wine and appropriately so with a smoky nose like a campfire.  Along with blackberry aromas.  A bit jammy on the palate.  Not too spicy for a zin.

Wine: Dark Horse
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 87
Price: $34

Small Vines Wines

This wine is produced from biodynamic vineyards.  Raspberry and bramble with a hint of black pepper.  It’s a little tight on the nose.  But the palate is bright and lively.  Big raspberry and great black pepper spice.

Wine: Small Vines Wines
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 93
Price: $65

Cupcake Chardonnay

Apple, lemon aromas on an oaky palate.  It’s like mild apple cider on the palate. Decent acidity.  Rather quick finish. Decent for the price but not great.

Wine: Cupcake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2007
Rating: 85
Price: $11.99

Kanzler

This wine was a treat.  It has not been bottled yet, but we got an early taste.  Cedar, vanilla, cherry, coffee on the nose.  The nose is a bit tight when it was poured, but will be better if decanted. Very lively on the palate.  Raspberry, cherry, and black pepper.  Nice cocoa in the mid-palate and finish.

Wine: Kanzler
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2007
Rating: 92
Price: $48

Lionheart Wines

Banana, peach and tropical aromas.   Nice crisp acidity and good roundness from malolactic fermentation–giving it a creamy mouth feel.  Nice long finish with a touch of minerality.  (Is that a word?)

Wine: Lionheart Wines
Varietal: Roussanne
Vintage: 2007
Rating: 89
Price: $30

Sean Minor – Four Bears

Lively and exciting nose.  Raspberry and spice.  Hints of cocoa.  Big spicy raspberry flavors.  This is an excellent wine for the price.  All their wines are under $20.  This is an exceptional wine for the price.  I am a new fan.

Wine: Sean Minor – Four Bears
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Rating: 92
Price: $17

Yellow and Blue

Organic grapes in a tetra pak.  I’ll admit it, I’m not a fan of the tetra-pak yet, but this is probably the best red I’ve had from one.  Rather tight on the nose for a Malbec, but the aromas are good: Plum, coffee, cocoa and cherry.  Good cherry, blackberry, cocoa and black pepper on the palate.  Medium finish.

Wine: Yellow and Blue
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2007
Rating: 86
Price: $11