Falkner Winery, Temecula CA

My family has been a member of Falkner Winery for years now and so I've had the privilege to visit here numerous times.  They have some friendly and generous pourers (if you have the chance, get Tricket or Shelly!) and some pretty good wine.  The grounds are absolutely beautiful with their outside patio and restaurant looking over the vines and hillsides.


The restaurant connected with the winery is called Pinnacle and is a prime location for weddings in the area of Temecula.  They are known for their Lobster Mac n Cheese which, although it sounds weird, is absolutely delicious. It is a must try!  Visit their website here.

Sauvignon Blanc (2011), $18.95: "Our estate grown Sauvignon Blanc has wonderful citrus flavors of lemon and lime.  Enjoy this herbaceous and slightly tart wine that is great to just sit around and sip.  This wine pairs well with seafood (especially shellfish), chicken, and cheeses."

• Color - light and golden.
• Aroma - bright and pleasant with subtle citrus and pineapple.
• Taste - slightly tart.
• Overall - this is alright, not great.  Definitely tart.

Chardonnay (2011), $15.95: "This wonderful wine was made with about 30% American oak ageing.  You will taste delicious green 'granny smith' apple flavors and a bit of smokiness that blend beautifully with the oak structure.  This light colored wine is fresh tasting, crisp in flavor, and a lingering lime finish.  This wine pairs well with seafood and chicken dishes."

• Color - light, clear and golden with bright yellows.
• Aroma - subtle and light.
• Taste - light and lingering lime, semi-creamy.
• Overall - This is a very light tasting Chardonnay; tasty, not bad.

Viognier (2011), Silver Medal, $24.95: This is our first estate grown Viognier.  It is a pale colored, delicious and aromatic wine made without barrel aging.  Enjoy the floral aroma and the elegance of this wonderful wine with flavors of cantaloupe, honeydew and other melon flavors.  Try pairing this with seafood, chicken, and cheese dishes."

• Color - light and golden
• Aroma - very sweet, with hints of pineapple, citrus, and honeydew.
• Taste - dry and slightly bitter.
• Overall - I didn't like this wine very much.  It was bitter and hard to drink, and I am not interested in trying this again.

Rosato Rose Table Wine (2011), Silver Medal, $11.95: "This lovely rose wine is made from 75% Sangiovese graps and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.  It is bright pink in color with delicious flavors of strawberry and rose petals.  This delicate and delicious wine is great for sipping chilled or pairing with cheeses, salads, and fruit dishes."

• Color - rosy, slightly coppery.
• Aroma - strawberry and roses, semi-sweet.
• Taste - slight citrus and off dry, somewhat acidic.
• Overall - This was alright, but definitely not my favorite rose. 

Riesling (2011), Silver Medal, $18.95: "Our wonderful Riesling is a semi-dry wine with flavors of pear and baking spices.  The slight sweetness helps provide the wine a nice round finish.  This straw colored wine has a pear aroma and pairs well with various fruits, salads, and chicken dishes."

• Color - light golden.
• Aroma - bright and pleasant with pineapple and pear.
• Taste - off dry and semi-sweet, very smooth and delicious.
• Overall - Very good and refreshing Riesling! Subtle yet fruity and sweet. I would have this again, we considered buying it for summer.

Luscious Lips Red Table Wine (2009), $14.95: "This slightly sweet red wine will feel on your lips like your first kiss.  Savor the deliciousness and depth of this wine.  Enjoy this wine hot, cold, or room temperature.  Take part in the fun and share this tasty wine with your closest friends.  And if the mood suits you, come back for more."

• Color - bright garnet.
• Aroma - sweet and inviting, lively berry.
• Taste - very smooth, fruit forward, smooth finish.
• Overall - Delicious and easy drinking! Could down a few quite easily.  We bought a few bottles :)  This is what this winery is know for.

Merlot (2008), $22.95: "Wonderful flavors of red cherry with a touch of vanilla.  Enjoy the lovely aroma of currants, slight oak, and delicate softness on the finish.  This wine pairs well with veal, pork, lamb and beef dishes."

• Color - deep garnet.
• Aroma - slightly smoky, black cherry and currant.
• Taste - pretty dry on the front with slight vanilla.  Very oaky and smoky.
• Overall - Not a fan.  Too dry and woody.

Cabernet Sauvignon (2009), $26.95: "Enjoy this Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon with rich flavors of blackberry, dark fruit, and cassis.  This year's Cab is rich in color and also has an earthy flavor and smooth finish.  This lovely wine pairs well with red pasta sauces and beef and lamb dishes."

• Color - burgundy with bright reds.
• Aroma - sweet and fruity, very pleasant.
• Taste - dark fruit, slightly dry and earthy.
• Overall - Best red on list so far; good, but not great.

Syrah - Rock Creek Vineyard (2009), Gold Medal, $34.95: "Our Syrah has a deep purple color, delicious deep flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and other darker red fruits.  Enjoy the delicious depth of flavors, and smooth, round, lingering finish.  Our Syrah pairs well with dishes such as lamb, beef, duck and goose.  Try as well with chocolate."

• Color - beautiful pinks and purples.
• Aroma - sweet, almost like licorice with hints of plum.  Sugary.
• Taste - black cherry, semi dry, sticks to tongue.  Deep and complex, slight after taste.
• Overall - Okay, a good red,but it has an aftertaste that bothers me.  Perhaps it should wait another year?

Amante - Super Tuscan Style (2008), Silver Medal, $39.95: "Our Super Tuscan Style Amante is our proprietary blend of Sangiovese with Merlot  Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc added.  Enjoy the robust aroma, the garnet color, and the wonderful flavors of ripe red cherry and red fruit.  This complex, medium-bodied wine pairs well with pasta, veal, duck and beef dishes."

• Color - deep, almost brownish; garnet.
• Aroma - deep yet sweet, raisiny almost like a port.
• Taste - slightly heavy and bitter finish; dark cherry and raisin.
• Overall - Either something is wrong with my palate right now, or I'm just not a huge fan of these reds.

Meritage - Bordeaux Style (2008), Gold Medal, $39.95: "We always take special pride in producing each year our best Bordeaux blend Meritage.  This is our full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  Deep ruby red in color and rich in flavors, this wonderful wine provides flavors such as black cherry, creme de cassis, and blueberry with well integrated tannins.  Enjoy this wine with heavier dishes such as beef, leg of lamb, and braised veal shank."

• Color - ruby and garnet, slight brown.
• Aroma - semi sweet, but deep and pleasant.
• Taste - blackberry; fruity, dark and complex.
• Overall - Favorite on the list, a very good dark red.  Remember liking this a lot last time, too!

Port (2006), $29.95: "This very special Port was aged 5 years in oak barrels and is a delicious combination of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Truly a great sipping and after dinner drink, this lovely, rich Port exudes flavors of jammy blackberry while finishing with plum flavors.  Take one sip and you will want more!  This wine also pairs well with most chocolate, cheese cake, and pie desserts."

• Color - very dark burgundy brown.
• Aroma - sweet and raisiny.
• Taste - jammy with hints of plum; sweet and heavy.
• Overall - A decent port, my friend really enjoyed this.