This year’s first WineStock wine tasting event was held at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab at The Forum Shoppes in Caesar’s Palace. The tasting was hosted by Red Rock Wines, the Las Vegas-based distributor of boutique wines, and attended by 24 California Vineyards.

Wine Reviews and Wine Tasting Notes

More than 80 wine labels were featured in this wine tasting. Unfortunately, I can’t provide wine reviews on all of them. I won’t even try as there is no way I could do so objectively. I will, however, talk about five wines that left me with a lasting impression. In alphabetical order, they are:

Chateau Boswell’s Jacquelynn

I asked Joshua Peeples, owner of the Chateau Boswell Winery, “If we were to feature only one wine, which one should it be?” Without a moment’s pause, he replied, “Jacquelynn!” Half-kidding, I asked again, “Is Jacquelynn the name of your wife?” to which Josh replied, “YES.” A few seconds of silence passed as knowing understanding dawned: love is truly beautiful…

Jacquelynn, a Bordeaux-style white wine made from 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc, is Josh’s first personal label (half Jackie’s, if you know what I mean). I can understand his pride in it. In Jacquelynn, Josh managed to successfully blend the love he has for his wife with the other great love of his life, wine.

Derbès Wines’ Les Pinots

Cecile Lemerle-Derbès, master winemaker for Derbès Wines, makes a very interesting Pinot called Les Pinots (50% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier).

Wine tasting notes: This wine has a beautiful bouquet that is both delicate and solid at the same time. Inoculated with Burgundy yeasts, this wine is aged in barrels for 17 months. Like Burgundy’s best, Les Pinots shows finesse. It has the aromas of strawberries, raspberries, fresh tobacco, and roasted coffee. This wine also has a definite touch of oak to it. This is definitely a great and unique wine. What’s more, it’s priced reasonably.

Detert Family Vineyards’ 2005 Cabernet Franc

Wine tasting notes: The 2005 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Franc, with a 5% blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, has great potential. This wine is still young, but it is undoubtedly rich and intense. It has the aromas of black cherry, green pepper, sage, and black currant. This wine leaves a baked chocolate taste on the palate.

Stanton Vineyards’ Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Wine tasting notes: Doug Stanton’s 2005 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a touch (7%) of Petite Syrah, is a delightful and well-rounded wine. The [glossary] Petite Syrah gives this wine a nice, rather smooth finish. This is definitely one of my favorite cabernets at this wine tasting.

Tin Barn Vineyards’ 2004 Zinfandel

In the price-quality ratio category, Tin Barn’s 2004 Russian River Valley Zinfandel is this wine tasting’s champion. I am not a Zinfandel fanatic, as you probably already know, but I have also never turned down a good wine.

Wine tasting notes: Tin Barn’s 2004 Zinfandel is sourced from the Gilsson Vineyard. It presents the aromas of raspberry and cherry as well as the American oak-derived aromas of vanilla pod, new leather and toast. Well-balanced and very well-priced, indeed! The only thing I do not like about this Zinfandel is the label, but that can be easily remedied.

That’s all for this wine tasting.

Cheers!