[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

We're headed to Paso Robles in August - taking a driving trip from CO and will be in the area. Looking forward to visiting the following wineries:

Justin
Daou
Eberle
Tobin James
Austin Hope
Donati Family
Niner

Also have reservations at The Hatch restaurant, although we saw French and Italian as well. Anyone have recommendations for other dinners while staying there?

Just wondered if this trip has happened yet? Can't wait for pics.

[hubbahubba]

Opened this last night. Smooth and delicious. This winery was kind of a filler for us, so no tour, just a tasting. They do their tastings out by the pond. It is a nice setting. I have 3 bottles of something from AO coming in October, just don’t quite remember what!

[hubbahubba]

Catching up on another one from a few weeks ago. Torcia Abela Vineyard is made by Rutherford Ranch. This was an unscheduled visit, and we just dropped in. We’re glad we did. We had the place to ourselves and sat out on the patio for the tasting. We enjoyed all the wines we had, and brought a couple bottles of this home with us, as well as a Rose for a friend as a gift. This winery we felt was one of the best values for a high quality wine.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Just wondered if this trip has happened yet? Can't wait for pics.

We leave for the open road this Thursday!
Thanks for the interest, I'll be sure to post pics when we return (after 8/27).

By the way....I really appreciate your contributions to this wine thread, - you've turned my wife and I on to many wines we may not have otherwise been aware of.

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

We leave for the open road this Thursday!
Thanks for the interest, I'll be sure to post pics when we return (after 8/27).

By the way....I really appreciate your contributions to this wine thread, - you've turned my wife and I on to many wines we may not have otherwise been aware of.

That’s a great road trip, I’m jealous!

Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed. We look at it as both a hobby for long term, and a great experience in the short term, that provides great memories. Every time we open something from our travels, we get to live the experience again. It’s a great hobby!

[RichF90M5C]

I’m so jealous that we can’t get most of the wines in this thread here in the UK. You guys are very lucky.

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by RichF90M5C

I’m so jealous that we can’t get most of the wines in this thread here in the UK. You guys are very lucky.

You aren't far from a very nice vineyard holiday, though!

[hubbahubba]

Just because it’s on the agenda for BMWGUYinCO we opened this last night. We let it breathe for a solid 2 hours, and it was very nice. Man, makes me want to plan another trip to Paso!

[RickFLM4]

I was thinking of you hubbahubba when I got the email from Realm this morning.

https://www.realmcellars.com/experience

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I was thinking of you hubbahubba when I got the email from Realm this morning.

https://www.realmcellars.com/experience

That’s great! It’s funny you bring this up. Last night I was on Google Earth, and happened across their location. I showed it to my wife, and she started digging. She found something I had never run across, a chance for allocation. I stopped what I was doing and made sure she ordered: 1- The Bard, 1- Tempest, 1-Moonracer. Should have it next Wednesday!👍🏼

After she was done, she asked me why she just spent $625 on wine, I said because Rick said so. In any case, our time for access to tastings starts now. Thank you!

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

That’s great! It’s funny you bring this up. Last night I was on Google Earth, and happened across their location. I showed it to my wife, and she started digging. She found something I had never run across, a chance for allocation. I stopped what I was doing and made sure she ordered: 1- The Bard, 1- Tempest, 1-Moonracer. Should have it next Wednesday!👍🏼

After she was done, she asked me why she just spent $625 on wine, I said because Rick said so. In any case, our time for access to tastings starts now. Thank you!

Nice work. I worked my way up to an allocation of The Absurd this year. Most expensive wine I ever bought but felt like I had to buy it. Very effective marketing they have there.

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Nice work. I worked my way up to an allocation of The Absurd this year. Most expensive wine I ever bought but felt like I had to buy it. Very effective marketing they have there.

They know what they’re doing…. I’d buy it too!

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Nice work. I worked my way up to an allocation of The Absurd this year. Most expensive wine I ever bought but felt like I had to buy it. Very effective marketing they have there.

If you need some help finishing that bottle, I’m just an hour south….

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

If you need some help finishing that bottle, I’m just an hour south….

Well it will be shipped in the fall to FL rather than AVL.

[hubbahubba]

Just popped this for tonight. Smells great! Frank Family is a nice place with nice people. We didn’t taste this while there, but hoping for the best based on their other wines.

[flybigjet]

I took my wife to a wine pairing dinner on Wednesday for our 13th Anniversary.

Rioja is a restaurant in downtown Denver that's owned by a (multiple-times) James Beard award-winning chef.

They usually do a "theme" multi-course wine pairing dinner every month. Since it's held on the third Wednesday of the month, it's easy for us to go to.

The wines on this one were by Huia-- a New Zealand winery.

https://www.huiavineyards.com/

My wife's a pretty heavy-hitting wine snob, and she was very pleased by the Kiwi offerings-- they were all excellent.

Sometimes, the wines are all from a particular vineyard. Other times, they're wines from a specific region that pair with each of the entrees.

R.

PS: If you're in Denver-- treat yourself to a wine pairing dinner at Rioja-- they're $168 pp, but that's all-in. Dinner, tax, tip.

[hubbahubba]

Enjoying this as I type. It is ok, but I’ve had better Malbec.

[hubbahubba]

Made by Frank Family, this is a delicious wine. 25 barrels produced for 2019.

[RickFLM4]

Opened another bottle of The Bard (2018) on my wife’s birthday Monday at Limones. Last night we went to Sunset Terrace again and opened a bottle of 2015 Robert Foley. Both were very enjoyable. Only a couple of days of vacation left before the long drive back to South Florida.

[hubbahubba]

Looks great Rick! Happy bday to your better half!😎

[Fugly M3]

One of my all time faves last night for family dinner - brother is home from Australia (for the weekend)! The 2001 was WS WOTY in 2003 I believe. I got two cases (2009 & 2010) at auction recently for about $900, which I thought was a steal. The 2009 is better than the 2010. Neither is close to the 1999 or 2001s I've had.

[hubbahubba]

Haven’t had the Red Schooner for a while. Big thanks to MKSixer (if you’re still around?) suggesting this long ago. We’ve gone through many bottles Our first was voyage 6. Now on voyage 11. For those that don’t know, the wine is made by Wagner Family in Napa. The grapes are grown and selected in Mendoza, and shipped to Napa. Hence the voyage number. They do a great job with them.