Under the radar California wines

I do love my California wines, big fruit, full body, teeth staining color. But they have gotten expensive! However sometimes I take a flyer on lesser known CA wines and for this dinner we will try them. Lets see how well they show.

We will return to perennial favorite, Bobby Van's on Park and I'll pour 1 white wine and 4 reds, all from CA.

Here is a link to their menu...
Bobby Van's on Park Menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

** The cost of this event is $39 and is for the cost of the wines only.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.

You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

The Wines :

2018 Big Basin Vineyards Roussanne Homestead Block ($25) - CT 91.8, from CA's Santa Cruz Mountains. AG 92 points, "The 2018 Roussanne Homestead Block is a gorgeous white loaded with varietal character and plenty of nuance. Apricot, dried flowers, tangerine oil, chamomile and almonds fill out the layers as this oily, beautifully textured Roussanne opens in the glass. The 2018 offers a striking mix of the freshness of the year with the natural richness of Roussanne"

2018 Tom Eddy Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) - CT 91.7 (but only 2 posts), from Napa. No reviews that I could find, but here is the more detailed post from CT, "Mostly Stagecoach fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Heavily scented with notes of coffee beans, bitter chocolate, bay leaf, and thyme that are set with aromas of cassis, brambly blackberry, hand rolled cigarette tobacco, black pepper, turned earth and hints of lead pencil. The palate is medium+ body in weight and mid-palate density with tannins that are quick on the attack, burly and wooly. Acidity keeps the liveliness and brightness to the wine. Savory in its flavor profile with bay leaf and herbs, earth and bittersweet cocoa, tobacco and espresso beans that play with cassis, blackberry and notes of plum and smoke. The dry finish lingers. Should age quite well.

2017 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain ($55) - CT 92.3. JD 93+ points, "The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain incorporates 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and has classic mountain aromatics as well as tannins. Blackcurrants, blueberries, scorched earth, bouquet garni, and hints of espresso all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Howell Mountain effort that has building, firm tannins, good acidity, and the balance to evolve nicely. Give bottles 4-5 years and it's going to keep for 15-20 years or more. (Drink between 2024-2039)"

2012 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ($80) - CT 92.8, from a plot INSIDE the famous To-Kalon vineyard, and the only plot NOT owned by either Beckstoffer, or Mondavi. Oddly, they can sell grapes to Mondavi, who can then call it To-Kalon, but an agreement with Beckstoffer prevents them from calling it To-Kalon when selling it on their own. No reviews for the 2012, even on Detert's own website. Typically, when the WA rates it, it scores between 89 and 92 points. Some vintages have up to 7% Cabernet Franc blended with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon.

2014 Lindstrom Wines Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) - CT 92.7. From the Stag's Leap District. WS 90 points, "Robust and full-bodied, this is a touch rustic and chewy, as the core of dark berry and licorice flavors, mocha-scented oak and loamy earth notes form a complex package. The finish is long and engaging. Drink now through 2030. 526 cases made."