Briar Rose – Old Europe in Temecula
A few weeks ago, Temecula Wine Country opened its doors to enthusiastic crowds, there to see and sip this years’ Harvest Wine Celebration.
21 participating wineries generously opened their best bottles and paired them with gourmet food at each location. If you haven’t been to an event in this appellation, mark your calendars now for the next: the Winter Barrel Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.
I first met the fascinating owners of the newest winery in Temecula, Briar Rose, a few months back at the Temecula Wine Classic. Dorian and Les Linkogle were so enthusiastic about their wines that I couldn’t help but be drawn to their offerings: an estate Zinfandel 2005, and an estate Viognier 2005. Both had been anointed with medals in tough competitions this year. The Zin captured Gold and it’s easy to understand why. First of all, it’s California’s wine… a beautifully crafted, lush concentrated mouth-feel, with currant and blackcherry accents and a gentle powerful finish. At $24, it’s royalty in a bottle.
But there is more to behold than just wine at Briar Rose.
After a careful navigation that led me to the winery at an out-of-the-way Calle Cabrillo location, I was awe-struck by the cottage atmosphere of the buildings. Come to find out.The hideaway was designed by the Disney architect who drew up the plans for Snow White’s cottage in Fantasyland. If you let your fantasy run, you feel a sense of the lovely murals and cottages of Bavaria in old Germany. This winery has played host to some of the biggest names in Tv and movies who come by invitation and spend quiet moments in the intimate Briar Rose Tasting Room, talking wine with Dorian and Les. You see, this winery is different, and like the European model, it is available to the wine consumer only by invitation and reservation.
Briar Rose is a boutique family owned winery, dedicated to producing small lot, limited production wines made from intensely flavored grapes… about 2,400 cases per year. Other varietals are Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Riesling, Chardonnay, Orange Muscat, Sherry and Special reserve Aleatico Port.
Dorian welcomes guests to enjoy the wines, explore the atmosphere of early European tradition, wander the gardens and savor the enchantment. The oohs and aahs will just add to the enjoyment of the wines. It’s like no other winery I have ever seen in California. Phone 925-984-1179 or access their website at www.briarrosewinery.com.
***
The long-awaited top 10 wines for 2007 according to the leading wine publication in the world, Wine Spectator, has just been unveiled. They reviewed over 15,000 wines in blind tastings. 3,500 earned 90 points or more. The average price for these wines was $42. Average score in the 10 was 93 points.
They are:
10- Krug Brut Champagne France 1996: 99 points. $250.
9- Robert Mondavi Cabernet Reserve Napa CA. 2004. 95 pts. $125.
8- Mollydooker Shiraz McLaren Australia 2006: 95 Pts. $80.
7- Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri, Italy 2004: 97 pts. $150.
6- Chateau Leoville Las Cases France 2004: 95 pts. $90.
5- Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley, Australia 2005: 95 pts. $60.
4- Antinori Tignanello Tuscany, Italy 2004: 95 pts. $79.
3- Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France 2005: 95 pts. $49.
2- Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz, CA. 2005: 95 pts. $35.
1- Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France: 98 pts. $80.I will be compiling my own annual top ten based on all my tastings this year. It will be unveiled in the December 9th column.
Google search has reported that www.tasteofwinetv.com, our world wide website where this column shows weekly, has now climbed to 6,889 downloads in the last 30 reporting days. We are very happy with the increased popularity.Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator.
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410
