You know I love Livermore Valley- and it's not that I don't like Napa and Sonoma, it's just that Livermore wineries are just better in terms of physical proximity to my house, value of wine for the dollar, absence of (or very low) tasting fees, and just a far more laid back attitude.
Take Ruby Hill Winery as an example. Having arrived on a Friday at around 11AM you wouldn't expect a crowded tasting room, but what I didn't expect was the impeccable personal treatment and attention that we got for the hour that we were there. We literally tasted 20+ wines all for a $5 Tasting fee which was refunded after the purchase of a few bottles. Our host Marilyn was kind, courteous and had a bubbly personality. And man did we ever sample some great wines!
Some of the wines we sampled included:
Champagne California
Bright lemony citrus champagne. Refreshing
2008 Pinot Noir reserve
Aged in French and Hungarian oak. Smoky, strawberry, elegantly silky.
2007 Estate Merlot
Peppery nose, Tannins are a bit up front, slightly muted fruit
2006 merlot monterrey
Rich raspberry nose. Dark chocolate, dark berries
2007 Harris Tesla Cabernet
Aged in 100% French oak. Dark ruby/raisin. Nose of truffle, menthol. Tight tannins, elegant mouth feel. Tastes of cherry and dark chocolate.
2007 Ghielmetti Cabernet.
Aged 24 months in American, French and Hungarian oak. Cedar and mint nose. Smooth mouth feel. tastes of cherry and liquorish.
2008 Grapeful Red Blend
Fruit forward, a bit lacking in oak but easy drinking. Taste of red berries.
2008 Peacock Patch Zinfandel
Jammy with layers of dark berries.
2007 Intessa blend
Cabernet/barbera blend.
A spicy blend of Cabernet and Barbera.
My 2 favorites were:
2008 Estate Petite Syrah
Ultra long finish, chewy, smooth, rounded. Huge dark berries.
2007 Jewel connection Zinfandel
100% new oak. Not to be released for another 6 months
Tastes of Dark berry jam, maple syrup, buttery oak. Incredibly rounded. Chewy.
We finished the tasting with a white and red port which they served to our spouses in chocolate cups!
After buying a few bottles and having them hand carried to our car we asked about a good lunch spot to have a picnic. There were kind enough to offer the use of their private patio where we sat and had a relaxing picnic lunch of assorted meats, nuts, berries and cheese.
What a great winery. I shall return!
