Hart Winery, Temecula CA

Temecula is a lovely area to try new and different wineries that you've never heard of before.  I had heard of Hart before, but never tried them out.  It is one of the first tasting rooms off the freeway in the main wine country area, and it is definitely worth a stop.  It has a very small tasting room, but beautiful grounds and the opportunity to see their various barrels.

For $10, you can get a taste of 6 wines with the glass included.  Visit the website here.



Montepulciano (2011), $30: "Temecula Valley, Europa Village Vineyard."

• Color - bright and clear burgundy.
• Aroma - light, bright berry.
• Taste - dry, raspberry / strawberry hints.  Dryness sticks
• ABV - 14.4%
• Overall - Okay, but a little dry / bland for my taste.

Tres Hermanos (2009), $25: "Three Brothers for the 3 Hart brothers, Jim, Mike, and Bill, is style after the classic Rhone blends of Southern France.  This fruit-laden blend of 62% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah shows great complexity and food compatibility."

• Color - bright garnet, bubbly.
• Aroma - very lively and aromatic, bright strawberry / plum.
• Taste - fruit forward, semi-dry finish.
• ABV - 14.2%
• Overall - Not bad, but I would prefer a more pleasant and smooth finish.

Syrah (2010), $30: "Temecula Valley, Hart Family Vineyard."

• Color - dark, beautiful purples. Bubbly.
• Aroma - pleasant fruits, plum and cherry.
• Taste - complex, medium body, very tasty. Lingering finish.
• ABV - 14.1%
• Overall - Very tasty Syrah, lots of flavors. My favorite on the list!

Cabernet Franc (2008)

• Color - deep burgundy.
• Aroma - plum and herby, perhaps some rosemary?
• Taste - slight green olive, earthy and smooth.
• Overall - Very smooth and earthy; sticks to tongue.  Dry.

Zinfandel (2011)

• Color - bright garnets and purples.
• Aroma - beautifully aromatic, bright and fruity.
• Taste - semi dry but smooth.
• Overall - God and full bodied. 

Merlot (2010), $30: "Temecula Valley, Konchar Vineyard."

• Color - deep purples.
• Aroma - dark and beautiful plums.
• Taste - fruit forward, smooth finish, cherry.
• ABV - 14.5%
• Overall - Very well balanced and tasty, my second favorite on this list.

Aleatico (2010), $50: "Produced from the obscure and little-grown Aleatico grape, native to Italy's Puglia region, this exotic and deliciously sweet dessert wine is one of the few produced in California. Aleatico is a member of the Muscat family and this wine exhibits varietal floral aromatics.  Superb as a dinner dessert wine, served alone or as a dessert complement."

• Color - dark burgundy.
• Aroma - floral and very sweet.
• Taste - very sweet, but balances well. Slight raisin.
• ABV - 18.8%
• Overall - Good, balanced port.  Very sweet but the raisiny taste is pleasant.