Learn About Wine Blog

On Wednesday September 21^st, 2011, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine hosted a fancy crazy wine dinner at UMAMI Burger, featuring 15 celebrity Cabernets.

The event’s wine list included the CULT wines such as Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow, Harlan, and Araujo which wine collectors, investors, and highly enthusiastic consumers pay unbelievably high prices to obtain.

Wines were divided in three flights and served BLIND.

After each flight, Wine Educator Ian Blackburn explained each wine using the screen.

To pair with those great wines, UMAMI Burger served fantastic house made pickles, two kinds of delicious potato fries with four gourmet sauces, a luxury burger, and tater-tots with cheese!

<First Flight>

The highlights of the first flight were ’91 Spottswoode and ’97 Jones.  ’91 had what could be described as fallen leaves character, a comfortable aroma that can be found in aged wines, while ’97 still displayed a layered aroma of rather fresh forest fruits.

Spottswoode, Napa Valley 1991
(WS 93, $125)

Cakebread, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007
(Valued at $75)

Justin, Isosceles, Paso Robles 2006
(Valued at $100)

Jones Family Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1997
(RP 94, $150)

Viader, Red Wine, Napa, 2007
(RP 90, $100+)

<Second Flight>

Among the five, ’04 Araujo was the favorite of the group. Their vineyard, Eisele, is praised as one of the most respected Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Napa and it shares similar terroir structure as a premier cru Bordeaux.   The wine showed a complex aroma and a great silky texture on the palate.

Melka, “Métisse”, La Mekerra Vineyard, Knights Valley, 2007
(RP 91, $125+)

Araujo Estate Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard, Napa, 2004
(RP 98, $300+)

Robert Foley, Claret, Napa, 2005
(RP 92, $150+)

Pride Mountain, “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa/Sonoma, 2007
(RP 95, $180)

Scarecrow, “M.Etain”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2008
(RP 93, $300+)

<Third Flight>

Last flight was almost “Where’s Waldo?” game.  The group seriously analyzed which wine would be the $2000 bottle Screaming Eagle.  Screaming Eagle tasted AMAZING. The wine could be described as “kaleidoscopic”, as it displayed almost strangely balanced beautiful complexity and provided evolving new aroma with time to time.

Harlan, “The Maiden”, Napa, 2006
(RP 91, $200+)

Joseph Phelps INSIGNIA 2006
(WS 94 $140)

Quilceda Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, Galitzine Vineyard, Red Mountain, 2007
(RP 100, $300)

Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley, 2008
(RP 97, $1,450 +)

Scarecrow, Napa, 2008
(RP 93, $500+)

After the third flight, the group enjoyed bonus wines offered by a special guest Ms. Kata Adasz from Hungary.

She poured three beautiful HETSZOLO Tokaji dessert wine 3, 5, and 6 puttonyos (“puttonyos” signifies sugar level and there are level 1to 6, with 6 being the sweetest).

To see this event detail: CLICK HERE

To see LearnAboutWine future events: CLICK HERE

Photo credit: Andrew Hong

Blog: Alice Hama

On Thursday August 25^th, 2011, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine hosted a special wine event at famous luxury hamburger place “UMAMI Burger” welcoming Mr. Dennis Cakebread from Cakebread Cellars as a guest.

The event was taken place at the patio in front of UMAMI Burger.

The night started with a refreshing crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a perfect aperitif for a summer evening.

While we tasted two whites, Dennis explained the history and winemaking process at Cakebread Cellars using the back screen.

Cakebread Cellar was founded by Dennis’s father Jack Cakebread in 1973.

Jack originally started his career as a professional photographer, however after taking his role as a wine country photographer; his passion for wine led him into the art of winemaking.

Jack is one of the most influential men in the California wine industry as he has been serving as a pioneer to introduce innovative farming techniques while maintaining the classic style of quality wines, and to establish cutting edge marketing strategies.

Cakebread Cellars’ wines are highly rated and they are no doubt the one of representatives of quality Napa wines.

At the event following wines were GENEROUSLY poured!

Wine List:

2010 Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Chardonnay

2008 Merlot

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Zinfandel

2008 Dancing Bear Cabernet Howell Mountain

The first Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Rutherford, Carneros and Calistoga.  It does not have typical “grassy” character; rather, it has a layered aroma of zesty citrus and a hint of spiciness.   According to Dennis, a small portion of “Sauvignon Musque” a Sauvignon Blanc’s clone is added to give the wine more complexity.

Chardonnay is mainly sourced from the foggy area of Carneros, the area famous for producing sensitive cool climate grapes.   It has aroma of YUBARI melon, bananas, and a varieties of tropical fruits. This Chardonnay is very rich and has round finish attributed from partial malolactic fermentation and the “sur lie” technique.

Merlot is also from Carneros. The wine represents juicy fruits of cherries, plums and red and black berries.  Not like other casual Merlot, it has velvety character and complexity which can be found in an aged Cabernet. Winemakers use special Bordeaux juice extraction technique to fully develop Merlot’s potential attractiveness.

Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from multiple microclimates from warm Calistoga to cool Carneros. The wine has true Napa expression, with rich and opulent fruits aromas and flavors commingled with forest aromas such as cedar, sandal wood, and juniper.  Tannins are soft and provide comfortable finish.

Zinfandel is mainly sourced from Red Hills in Lake County, the area known for premium Zinfandel.  This Zinfandel displays black cherry, plum, and black current aromas and flavors followed by exotic spices and licorice hint.  It is very round and well-stretched on the palate and has long elegant finish.

Dancing Bear Cabernet shows more Bordeaux elegance. The grapes are sourced from Howell Mountain, higher elevation area. The wine has a pure acidity providing longer aging potential.  On the nose, beautiful forest fruits aromas are followed by complex “bouquet garni”.  Rich in concentrated fruits flavors yet elegant on the palate.  It shows evolving aromas as it spends time in a glass and has very long finish.

To see the event detail: CLICK HERE

To download the Cakebread Event Wine Mat: CLICK HERE

To see future LearnAboutWine events: CLICK HERE

Photo credit: Andrew Hong

Blog by: Alice Hama

Choctoberfest, a wine, beer and gourmet chocolate festival will be on Wednesday October 5^th from 7pm-9pm at the Grove, Los Angeles.

For event detail: CLICK HERE

Choctoberfest is featured on GAYOT.com

To see the article online: CLICK HERE

Ian Blackburn, Founder of LearnAboutWine was featured on Valle Scene Magazine.

Ian Blackburn organized a fun picnic-wine tour at Rosenthal Estate Winery on August 28th and 29th, 2011.

Rosenthal Estate is a “Straight out of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,”  located four miles from the coast, 1,400-feet up, just above the coastal fog, in the AVA Malibu Newton Canyon…

LearnAboutWine offered 4 sessions, 1 in AM and 1 in PM on each day.

Around 200 people participated and shared a good time with great quality wines under beautiful hot summer sunshine!

To read the article online: CLICK HERE

To see the event detail: CLICK HERE

“Leave it to the masterful Ian Blackburn (LEARN ABOUT WINE) to introduce wine lovers to Rosenthal Estate and Winery. And it’s only one in the ongoing series of this entertaining educator’s unique events.

If you don’t know the address, it’s just about impossible to locate the Rosenthal Estate, a hidden gem along the scenic valley Kanan Dume road about four miles inland and 1400 feet above the coastal fog.

We were first privileged to attend what was billed as a “picnic and vineyard tour” by the Los Angeles Culinary Historians years ago. Expecting to plod through soft earthy ground, we were astonished to drive the last few miles over a hand-paved brick road up to what could be the most beautiful Mediterranean villa in America.

Mr. George Rosenthal himself hosted us while a staff tended out every need around the pool at our heavenly “picnic” under a cloudless sky. We overlooked vineyards below and all around us.

Our LEARN ABOUT WINE tour began in the Mediterranean stable-turned-tasting room opposite the villa, spiffy and handsome enough for the dining room setting. After a tasting, we walked the path through the vineyards up to the villa and back.

We were won over from the first sip of the refreshing 2009 Surfrider Chardonnay with peach and pear notes and hints of apple and Meyer lemon.

Surfrider wine is from the Santa Lucia Highlands region in Monterey County, famed for growing exceptional Chardonnay. A donation is made to the Surfrider Foundation for each bottle purchased.

At lunch we were treated to a 2008 Petite Verdot from the Malibu Newton Canyon. According to Neil McNally, our Rosenthal host for the day, “We have been growing Petit Verdot, one of the five great Bordeaux varietals to blend with other varietals in the past. But you are tasting our first 100% bottling.

“Our Petit Verdot vineyard is the highest at the estate, extremely steep and hard to farm. But it’s worth the effort. It’s deep inky purple in color, and is known for aromas of violet and toasty oak, and flavors of current, blackberry, and spice on the palate. The finishes are lush with lush tannins and hints of sage and mint.”

My favorite is still the 2005 Rosenthal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It turns out there is good reason for it: 2005 had almost perfect growing conditions: winter rainfall, a mild spring for good pollination in all varieties on our Estate and warm summer temperatures. In the Cab, look for deep purple-red color, with aromas of cedar and toasty oak. There are smooth flavors of cassis, mint, and red fruits on the mid-palate with hints of black raspberry, dark cherry and exotic spices on the long, full finish. The Rosenthal story is the stuff of movies. Movie studio-magnate-turned vintner, Rosenthal, was one of the first of a tiny community of dedicated winegrowers to reintroduce grapes to Malibu, planting a few acres of Bordeaux varietals in 1987 at his 250 acre country retreat after being inspired while on a trip to Spain.

Rosenthal used all of his genius to cope with the mountainous terrain with its array of soils, microclimates and sun exposures, rather than flat valley vineyards. Every block within a site requires a high level of care. For example, the steep slopes require that everything from canopy management to harvest be attended to by hand. The wines are then aged in French oak barrels to bring out their unique character under the watchful eye of winemaker Christian Roguenant. And now, a century after the original Malibu wineries closed, wine is making a comeback.

Another convenient Rosenthal Malibu Tasting Room is located at 26023 Pacific Coast Highway. Open Wednesday through Sunday for tastings of newest released wines. For more information, please see www.rosenthalestatewines.com or phone:             800.814.0733

In 1995, Master of Wine Student and innovative wine industry spokesperson, Ian Blackburn, created Learn About Wine, with a mission to demystify wine for everyone from the casual drinker to the potential collector. It remains the leading source for wine education, service and events in Southern California with almost 20,000 followers.

LearnAboutWine events include the wildly successful, monthly “TASTE” Series, a large- scale wine social; “PALATE BUILDER” Sensory evaluation class, VINTAGE – High end collectables tastings and LAW SCHOOL – the four week credential program that concludes with the BAR exam (Beverage Aptitude Review). Over 30,000 students in Southern California have participated in LearnAboutWine’s core class “Wine Camp,” considered one of the top introduction courses in the region. For more information: www.LearnAboutWine.com.”