Good Morning!

This all started out, with me tasting 780 wines over the past year and after assembling my 64 top picks, I made 4 brackets and in honor of my favorite sports time of the year NCAA March Madness of college basketball. Everyday, I have continued to eliminate wines and today we have 16 wines left in the competition but by the time you have read this entire blog you will have my Final Four.
The * after a wine means it was eliminated.

Region 1 “World around Reds, with a few California Reds too”

1. Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

7. Concha y Toro Terrunyo Vineyard Selection Block 34 Syrah 2007 *

12. Lapostolle Casa Cabernet Sauvignon Alpato 2006 *

13. Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

Leaving the last two wines in Region 1

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (First wine to move into the final four).

Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 *

Region 2 “Wonderful Pinots, a few Chards and Sauvignon Blancs”

1. Merry Edwards Coopersmith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

5. Rochioli Russian River Pinot Noir 2006 *

12. Peter Mitchell Sonoma County Mon Plaisir Chardonnay 2008 *

15. Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008

Leaving the final two wines in Region 2

Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008 *

Merry Edwards Coopersmith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Second wine to move into the final four)

Region 3 “The White Region”

1. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998

7. J Vineyards Cuvee 20 Russian River NV Sparkling *

9. Passaggio Wines California Unoaked Chardonnay 2007

14. Ceago Vinearden Kathleen’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 *

Leaving the final two wines in Region 3

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998 (Third wine to move into the final four)

Passaggio Wines California Unoaked Chardonnay 2007 *

Region 4 “Big Ass Reds”

1. Sine Qua Non Sta. Rita Hills The Naked Truth Grenache

5. Modus Operandi Antithesis Red Wine 2007 *

10. Joseph Phelps California Insignia 2005

14. Finca Allendre Roija Aurus 2006 *

Leaving the final two wines of Region 4

Sine Qua Non Sta. Rita Hills The Naked Truth Grenache *

Joseph Phelps California Insignia 2005 (Fourth wine to move into the final four)

I have learned a ton about my palette while doing this and there are some big surprises to me. The 4 biggest surprises have been:

1. I still have not really fallen in love with french wines the way I thought I would.

2. I tasted and LOVED dozens of Rose’ wines, but none made it in the final 64.

3. I still find my taste buds love the Big Reds from California.

4. I am thrilled how much I tried and loved wines from Chile and Argentina.

On Monday, You will see which wine I found to be the “Champion”. If you get a chance to pick up and try any of these final four wines up while watching the real March Madness…Go for it!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi