Vindemia Winery, Temecula CA

I had never heard about this winery before this trip, and actually got the tip from Falkner to go and check it out.  This is right down the street in a beautiful little valley surrounded by picturesque hills.  The tasting bar is located outside (go to the bathroom before you come!) but it is definitely worth a visit! This place is only open on weekends, so keep that in mind if you decide to visit.

This tasting bar has a very intimate and country feel to it, making for a quaint atmosphere that'll stay in your memory for awhile.  The pourers were very friendly, generous and knowledgeable.  Of my entire trip to Temecula, I enjoyed the wines here the most! Very pleasant surprise.  It is important to keep in mind that this is more of a pricey winery, however.

Taste any 5 wines for $15 (but you can easily find 2 for 1 coupons!).  The tasting comes with a small bread, cheese and olive oil plate.  My friend and I each tried a different wine so that we could try most of the 11 wines (we skipped the Sauvignon Blanc).  Visit their website here.

Grenache Vermeille (2008), $18: "Bright rouge and reflective in color, complicated yet lightly sweet with a hint of candied strawberries and a perfect finish in American oak."

• Color - deep pinks and reds; bright, beautiful cherry.
• Aroma - semi sweet, candied strawberry.
• Taste - almost raisiny, semi-sweet.  Refreshing.
• ABV - 12.5%
• Overall - Delightful and light, I'd love this on a warm summer's day. 

Cabernet Sauvignon (2008), $42: "Vindemia Estate Temecula."

• Color - deep burgundy with pretty pinks.
• Aroma - bright cherry.
• Taste - currant and plum.
• ABV - 13.5%
• Overall - A very pleasant and easy drink; it made me crave pasta.

Cabernet Sauvignon (2009), $32: "Vindemia Estate Temecula."

• Color - very dark burgundy.
• Aroma - dark berry, semi sweet.
• Taste - smooth with bright cherry, heavy on the tongue.
• ABV - 14.4%
• Overall - Absolutely delicious!Very easy drink, the perfect cab.

Loneliness (2010), $38: "80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah Blend.  Vindemia Estate Temecula."

• Color - pretty burgundy.
• Aroma - bright with currents, very soft and pretty.
• Taste - typical cab. flavors, sticks to the tongue.
• ABV - 14%
• Overall - Love it! Heavy and beautiful, how a good cab tastes.

Cabernet Franc (2008), $88: "Temecula AVA."

• Color - deep garnet.
• Aroma - bright and lovely with currants.
• Taste - very tasty with floral notes.  Bright cherry and fruit, very smooth.
• ABV - 13.7%
• Overall - Love! Great drink (and it better be for the price).

Petit Verdot (2008), $64: "Lodi, California."

• Color - very dark burgundy.
• Aroma - smooth, light fruit.
• Taste - somewhat dry, dark and complex.
• ABV - 15.5%
• Overall - This is heavy, but good.  You definitely don't down this, you sip and savor.  Sticks to tongue.

Commonwealth (2006), $40: "Bordeaux Blend, South Coast AVA.  A red wine full of currants, cherries, violets and mineral notes.  48% Merlot, 30% Cabernet, 13% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc."

• Color - very dark.
• Aroma - beautiful ripe berries, smooth and subtle.
• Taste - heavy, semi-dry.
• ABV - 15.1%
• Overall - This wasn't bad, but wasn't as good as the rest.

Syrah (2008), $34: "Vindemia Estate Temecula."

• Color - dark.
• Aroma - smooth, dark fruit.
• Taste - sharp finish with lively flavors; heavy.
• ABV - 12.3%
• Overall - Tasty and heavy, very complex.

Syrah (2009), $58: "Vindemia Estate Temecula.  A wine that tastes like a man... that has been lightly kissed by a woman.  Our wine expresses light coconut with black pepper, black currants and blackberry fruit."

• Color - very deep burgundy with pink tinges.
• Aroma - bright and beautiful.
• Taste - heavy and complex.
• ABV - 14.5%
• Overall - Very good and dark, yummy.

Ruby Royale, $38: "Dessert wine, Temecula AVA."

• Color - deep burgundy brown.
• Aroma - sweet, but pleasant.
• Taste - sweet and smooth, tasty with dessert.
• ABV - 18.8%
• Overall - Very sweet, but not too syrupy.  Not terrible, a manageable dessert wine.