CALIFORNIA & OREGON WINE TASTING
APRIL 6, WEDNESDAY, FROM 5:00 - 8:00

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for a special evening of wine and food. We will have representatives from Oregon’s Raptor Ridge and California’s Captûre Winery to present some of their latest releases and a few extra treats. Raptor Ridge enjoys a national reputation, and in 2009 the winery had the distinct honor of being named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Top 100 Wineries of the Year. This is what we will taste from this highly respected estate:

• 2010 Pinot Gris - loaded with citrusy flavors, well-balanced, and a pure delight to drink.
• 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - rich and lovely with cherry, sage, and a hint of earth.
• 2008 Shea Pinot Noir - awarded 92 points by both the Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate. Silky texture and lush palate, this stylish wine shows spice and rich fruit flavors; it’s truly a wine for the cellar.
• 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - a solid core of black cherry and black plum flavors.  Full and round on the palate, a wonderful Pinot for sipping.

Captûre Winery was founded in 2008 by Mike and Carol Foster. Their mountain estate is home to the historic Tin Cross Vineyards in Alexander Valley. The wines are handcrafted by the renowned winemaking team of May-Britt and Denis Malbec, formerly of Château Latour in Bordeaux. The wines are truly expressive, showing wonderful depth and elegance. This is what we will taste from this “up and coming” estate:

• 2010 Tradition, Sauvignon Blanc - Fresh, crisp, and showing flavors of white currant, gooseberry, and citrus with lovely hints of pink grapefruit and Key lime.
• 2010 Les Pionniers, Sauvignon Blanc - Creamy in texture, this wine packs a fine dose of acidity with flavors of citrus, tropical fruits, pear, and mineral.
• 2009 Fleuron Chardonnay - This very attractive Chardonnay has a golden color with aromas of honeysuckle, lemon, and white peach. There’s a gently creaminess to the mouth-feel and a solid, lingering finish.
• 2008 Fleuron Red - A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Merlot. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins and aromas and flavors of black fruits, cedar, and lead pencil.

In addition to these wonderful wines, Maureen Lalor from the Unintentional Chef will be here. Maureen’s food company specializes in marinades. We will sample some tasty grilled and baked morsels prepared with her homemade marinades. For more information about the Unintentional Chef, you can follow her at http://unintentionalchef.com

I look forward to seeing you.

Victor Mendes

"By making this wine vine known to the public, I have rendered my country as great a service as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt."

-Thomas Jefferson