And the Winner Is....

...Early Wines!  "Running of the Horses" took 1st and 2nd place over three commercial Rioja's at the first double-blind, Early Wines taste test!!!

Overall Rankings:
1st:   Early Wines, "Running of the Horses" Rioja, Reserva
2nd:  Early Wines, "Running of the Horses" Rioja
3rd:  Valsacro Dioro Rioja, 2005       ($20/bottle)
4th:   Campo Viejo Rioja, 2010          ($10/bottle)
5th:   Cincuenta Ugarte Rioja, 2009   ($13/bottle)

Given Valsacro was rated 92pts by Wine Advocate, and Cincuenta was rated 90pts by Wine Advocate;  the Early Wines Spanish Rioja has been rated a whooping 93 and 94 points by the somelliers of Wagner Lane for the red label and black label Reserva, respectively.

As described around the tasting table the Early Wines Reserva was described as:

• "Smooth" with delicious notes of "vanilla".
• Simultaneously "fruit forward" and "smokey".
• and "muy buena!!!"

Holiday Production

Cellar production is running full tilt as we rush to get wines properly aged in time for the holidays!

The Australian Chardonnay is crystal clear and ready to be bottled, the California Red Zinfindel is fresh out of the barrel and ready to be cleared, while the California Syrah is entering the barrel for two months of aging.

Come Thanksgiving, these wines should be hitting their prime and ready to celebrate the holidays with friends and family!