Oreana Winery, Santa Barbara CA

For over a year now I've heard good things about Oreana Winery, which is right across the street from Santa Barbara Winery (which I go to every chance I get).  I finally decided to give it a shot, and I was not disappointed.  Every weekend they have live music, which makes the atmosphere very lively and fun.  They have a lot of unique artwork everywhere, including on their pull-down door, and also lights to make everything really festive.

The people were pretty nice and friendly, and some of them gave some lovely hearty pours.  My friend and I were extremely impressed with their wines and fell in love immediately.  I highly recommend visiting this winery, you won't regret it!  Visit their website here.

It was $10 for a tasting of 6 wines, and you get to keep the glass!

Chardonnay (2010), 91 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine, $18: "You know what? We're tired of Chardonnay too.  The ABC movement (Anything But Chardonnay) has us years ago.  But then we got to thinking (and drinking) and developed a style of Chard that takes advantage of the grape's virtues and does away with its primary distraction - oak.  This clean, crisp white is what the French had in mind so many years ago when they described it as 'gout de pierre a fusil.' The literal translation is 'a taste of flint.'  The result is a balanced wine, perfect with fod or just by the glass."

• Color - creamy yellow, bright.
• Aroma - soft chardonnay aroma, yet bright and sunny.
• Taste - very smooth and light, slightly creamy.
• ABV - 13.8%
• Overall - This was a perfect Chardonnay; I could easily down a few glasses and still ask for more.  Very tasty.

Tempranillo (2009): N/A

• Color - deep brown and burgundy, beautiful and silky.
• Aroma - sweet yet musty and smoky.
• Taste - deep and complex, smooth. Perhaps black currant? Heavy and spicy, sticks to the tongue.
• ABV - N/A
• Overall - This was definitely tasty, but also on the heavier/spicier side.  We gave this a 3.5/5.

Pinot Noir (2009), Long Beach Grand Cru Gold Medal Winner & Double Gold Medal Winner San Francisco Chronicle, 14.1%: "Wonderful aromatics of wilted rose, strawberry, and wild berry fruit are riveting; with the flavors running deep and pure on the palate.  this wine has excellent structure, length and dimension.  Returns tot he wild berry and cherry fruit on the elegant and delicate finish."

• Color - bright purple and pinks; gorgeous.
• Aroma - bright and lively fruit, very ripe.  I smell the strawberry, and its somewhat earthy and incredibly aromatic.
• Taste - smooth with flavors of wild berries and a very clean finish.
• ABV - 14.1%
• Overall - This was our favorite wine on the tasting menu, it was amazing! The aromatics alone made me just want to sniff on it all day long.  I don't think I have ever smelled a wine like that, and its definitely worth trying!

Mission Point Red (2008), Int'l Eastern Wine Competition Gold Medal Winner, $25: "Big, firmly structured, and built to last, this blend of Syrah, Cabernet & Barbera starts off with dark fruit flavors that explode on the palate, delivering tons of plums and black cherries.  The long, softly tannic finish suggest nuances of tea and leather.  This wine will be a friend for the long haul."

• Color - deep and bright red, with pink tinges.  This wine even just looks spicy.
• Aroma - plum and dark cherries; deep and pleasant.
• Taste - firm, dark, and spicy.
• ABV - 14.2%
• Overall - Even though this was a heavy wine, it was an easy drink.  I'd want this in a smoke room with a tender steak; I might even start craving this soon!

(...to be continued.)