Returning to a favorite I went back to Vina Robles, where wine tasting got started for me, again due to their whites, having just picked up a selection of reds and rose from Niner I wanted to off set that a bit with some whites and knew just the place. Generally it’s been the Sauvignon Blanc that I have been after when going to Vina Robles so when I walked in I knew that I was going to come away with a White 4 and hoped that the current tasting of the Sauvignon Blanc would be worthy of taking home as well.
Being the July 4th weekend even entry to Vina Robles was a bit sketchy due to the fact that they were opening their new amphitheater with it’s very first crowd. I just wanted to taste and buy some wine so I made it clear that I would be leaving as quickly as I had come as soon as I had tasted a couple of wines.
In the tasting room I approached the counter and told the host that I just want to try the Sauvignon Blanc and the White 4 before I took them home to enjoy. He was taken back by my request and applauded my effort to only faste the wines that I was interested in, instead of a complete flight, keep that in mind next time you go tasting, you may be treated to some extra wines that are off the menu but in the same category.
Starting correctly the host poured the Sauvignon Blanc first, it was impressive but wasn’t quite what I was looking for. It had a beautiful fruity bouquet and a nice smooth opening and a nice dry finish. Would be a great wine with a desert such as a cheesecake or some sort of a cream based food, maybe even a curry if prepared correctly.
Second we were given a taste of the “White 4” one of the staples of Vina Robles, and it did not disappoint at all, in fact it quickly overshadowed the fast of the Sauvignon Blanc, at this point I was certain that the White 4 would be the bottle of wine that I would be going home with. The “White 4” is a very consistent wine year to year, though it would be possible for you to just drop in and walk out with a bottle of “White 4” wine to take home. I always like to make sure that I test the wine before it makes it’s way out of the tasting room. Much better bouquet than the last and much better finish.
As a side note White 4 get’s it’s name from the blend of four wines that are used to make white four in this instance; Viognier, Vermentino, Verdelho and Sauvignon Blanc.
Following those two wines the host asked next if we had time to taste some other wines that were in the same category. Of course I would like to taste outside of the list when given the opportunity so we were treated to two other wines. 2011 Alberino and 2012 Vermentino. The 2011 Alberino wasn’t something that I appreciated and wasn’t going to be taking home, I had also just the same category at Niner and was much more impressed with the Vina Robles Version.
Last for the tasting was Vermentino an amazing wine honestly ready to enjoy as soon as it’s chilled in the fridge, given the opportunity I will make sure to keep a bottle available until the year changes and another tasting is necessary to ensure the quality I have come to expect.
The first a 2009 Niner Wine Estates Petite Sarah was made to go with a lean piece of meat, in this instance a Santa Maria Tri-tip from a local market near Pioneer, Ca. As a side note I will at some point be exploring the wines near Pioneer, Ca as I hear there are a number of really great white wines available in the area. If you are looking to make a trip to someplace outside of the Central California Coast and would like to visit the Pioneer area I would suggest a stay in Volcano at St. George Hotel, it’s a great place and really isn’t to far from Lake Tahoe if you’re just passing through on your way to ski Lake Tahoe or enjoy the Casino’s there.