Tecero Wines ($10 tasting, wines $16-$30)
'10 Viognier - White Hawk Vineyard, '10 Grenache Blanc, '07 Watch Hill Grenache, '07 Thompson Vineyard Syrah, '07 Cuvee Christie (Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre), '08 Cuvee Christie (S/G/M), '10 Mourvedre Rosé.
Although Tercero's tasting room in Los Olivos is new, they've been making wine for a while. A few years back, Tercero's owner - Larry Schaffer - was a winemaker at the region's mega-winery: Fess Parker. During that time he developed the wines for Tercero and struck out on his own. I'd been curious to try Tercero wines for the past year, so I was looking forward to visiting their new Los Olivos tasting room. The decor of the room is sleek, the tasting list is written on a large chalk wall. Perhaps she was having a bad day, but the tasting room attendant did not seem very interested in us or the other patrons. She definitely did not share much information about the wines. I liked the balance of each of the wines, never too much oak, heat, or fruit. But even though they were proficient, they seemed to lack edge. Even they didn't tasting manipulated, there was a safeness to the flavors. Perhaps this was because the whites were served at nearly room temp, and found out that some of the reds had been opened since the previous day. We liked the '07 Cuvée best, and found the Rosé to be the least likeable. All of the wines were reasonably priced in comparison to many other wineries in the area, which is a real plus.
Experience: C+ / Wine: B-
Although Tercero's tasting room in Los Olivos is new, they've been making wine for a while. A few years back, Tercero's owner - Larry Schaffer - was a winemaker at the region's mega-winery: Fess Parker. During that time he developed the wines for Tercero and struck out on his own. I'd been curious to try Tercero wines for the past year, so I was looking forward to visiting their new Los Olivos tasting room. The decor of the room is sleek, the tasting list is written on a large chalk wall. Perhaps she was having a bad day, but the tasting room attendant did not seem very interested in us or the other patrons. She definitely did not share much information about the wines. I liked the balance of each of the wines, never too much oak, heat, or fruit. But even though they were proficient, they seemed to lack edge. Even they didn't tasting manipulated, there was a safeness to the flavors. Perhaps this was because the whites were served at nearly room temp, and found out that some of the reds had been opened since the previous day. We liked the '07 Cuvée best, and found the Rosé to be the least likeable. All of the wines were reasonably priced in comparison to many other wineries in the area, which is a real plus.
Experience: C+ / Wine: B-
Alta Maria Vineyards ($10 tasting, wines $22-$64)
'10 Sauvignon Blanc, '09 Chardonnay, '09 Pinot Noir, '06 Cabernet Sauvignon, Native9 '09 Pinot Noir - Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards, Native9 '08 Pinot Noir - Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards, Autonom '08 Red Cuvée (Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre).Alta Maria is another new kid on the block in Los Olivos. It actually houses three different labels: Alta Maria, Native9, and Autonom. There is a very slick aesthetic to the tasting room and the wine labels. The room is well laid out, with a long counter and large leather chairs in the middle for lounging. Both of the tasting room attendants, Jim and Stephanie, were very nice, and were excited to talk about the wines. We were a bit unlucky during our visit. Just as we arrived, a large group came in off a party bus, for a woman's 50th birthday party. Immediately they took over most of the room - and were loud as hell. But Jim hung in with us, and Stephanie poured us tastes of the Native9 and Autonom wines - which they would ordinarily charge extra for. I found that the Native9 Pinots had tons of flavor, the '08 had crazy earthy and funky flavors that were very unexpected but exciting. We really liked the Autonom Cuvée. Overall, each of the wines had lots of flavor, but still retained an authentic quality.
Experience: B / Wine: B+
The pick-up party at Ampelos was great as well. Peter and Rebecca Work really roll out the red carpet for members. The wine was flowing, lots of food to eat, and there was a festive atmosphere.We weren't sure how well it would work to swoop up to the area from LA and come back the same night, but it went quite well. We were able to check out two new joints in the early afternoon, make pick-ups at the two wineries that we're members at, and get home at a reasonable time. I still prefer to make a weekend out of it, but it's nice to know it can be done in one day.
