Live Blogging at 2010 Wine Conference: Speed-Drinking

Charles Smith Wines
Kung Fu Girl 2009 Riesling -- 1.5% Residual Sugar
"The Modernist Project" = drink it now
Retail $12
Notes: Crisp and refreshing, off dry and tart with nice citrus notes, smooth stone fruit undertones

K Vintners 2009 Viognier
Biodynamic
Retail: $22
Notes: A little vanilla on nose, again crisp with good finish, more floral

Jordan Winery
2008 Chardonnay
Retail: $25
Oak & vanilla on the nose, not too oaky on the palate with good balance of oak and citrus
Would be great with Asian food.

a Maurice Cellars
2008 Columbia Valley Viognier
Delicate stone fruit nose, great texture -- chewy, but not syrupy, tart finish
Retail: $25

Cadaretta (winery named after a lumber schooner)
2008 SBS
Retail: $23
79% Sauvignon Blanc & 21% Semillon
Lime nose, citrus with another savory element that coats the palate -- some herbal notes, maybe? Long finish with a hint of sweetness on the end.

Le Chateau
2008 Chardonnay
Retail: $25
From near the airport, a little petrol & peppermint-vanilla on the nose. Interesting, can taste the alcohol, but balanced with vanilla and lemon/pear.

Don Sebastiani & Sons
2009 The Crusher Rose of Pinot Noir (Clarksburg): Pinot Noir, Viognier, Malbec
Very dry, floral nose from Viognier, mild fruit/plum, but some vanilla from oak
Retail: $9-$13

Cornerstone Cellars
2009 Napa valley Sauvignon Blanc
Single Vineyard, old clone, stainless steel fermented
Reminds me of European-style in that it's subtle and elegant with balanced citrus and good texture and a little spice at the end.
Retail: $25

Concannon Vineyards
4th generation vineyard, est. 1800's, 127 years ago
2008 Chardonnay, Conservancy (Livermore Valley)
Retail: $12-14
Light vanilla nose, lemon and brioche (yeah, got that from the tasting notes, but it fits)
Very enthusiastic about being "being friendly to Mother Earth" with solar power, etc.

Neethlinghof Estate
2008 Unwooded Chardonnay (South Africa)
Retail: $15
Nice floral/citrus nose, big citrus with mineral finish and a hint of nuttiness

Molly Dooker
2009 The Violinist (McLaren Vale): 100% Verdelho
Retail: $25
Apricot nose, some savoriness in the flavors -- toasty, maybe? -- and floral

Magnificent Wine Co
2008 House Wine: Chardonnay 78%, Riesling 11%, 5% Gewurtztraminer, 5% Muscat Canelli, 1% Pinot Gris
Retail: $13
Seashell-citrus nose, basically an all-around white with mineral, citrus, and a hint of floral

Dry Creek Vineyards
2009 Dry Chenin Blanc (Clarksburg)
Retail: $12
Stone fruit & herb nose, tropical fruit & a little grassy.
Back around to beginning with good pairing with Asian food. Also oysters.

Phew, and that was round 12 of 12. Ho-ly crap, that was intense! I'm glad I'm married so I don't have to do real "speed-dating."