Christine Huang

I have to say that while this year’s Rhone Rangers was great when it came to trying the latest wines from producers I’ve enjoyed over the years, I was pretty disappointed when it came to new producers. Most of the wines seemed very simple and rather flabby to me.

When I compared notes with Steve Edmunds at the end of the tasting, he told me he was truly impressed by San Sakana and recommended that I seek them out, since I missed thier table at the tasting. OK, if Steve tells me I need to try something, I’m definitely going to try it ASAP.

I contacted Bettina, one of the owners, and found out that they were doing a tasting at a restaurant in Palo Alto last night. Bettina and her husband, Peter, were charming, down-to-earth and a pleasure to meet.

The first one we tasted was the 2005 Alta Mesa Mourvedre. The fruit comes from Dave Corey of Core Wines and it was a lovely expression of Mourvedre. Big, rich and black, but very approachable now.

Second was the 2005 Las Madres Syrah. OK, now I know what got Steve so excited! Ripe blackberries and plums, cigar, earth, black pepper, and just a tiny hint of tar that you get on a freshly lit Cuban and a nice, long coffee finish with good acidity and tannins. Big, but not overly ripe. Delicious!

Third was the 2005 Ojai(?) Syrah (OK, I didn’t pay much attention to the label on the one as I was still thinking about the Las Madres). Redder fruits on this one. Ripe cherries, coffee, vanilla with a decent backbone on it. A little more approachable and easy-drinking right now than the Las Madres.

While I would happily open the Ojai with red meat that had just a touch of sweetness to it, I would definitely go for the Las Madres any time - especially if there was a nicely grilled steak involved.

It was a pleasure to meet nice people who are following their passion in wine. Thanks to Steve, I now have some new Cal Rhones to reach for.

Tom Hill

Christine,
Great to see you at RR, sorry we didn't get to visit more...but I was a man on a mission...a mission I failed badly at...lots of wines I didn't get to try...shoulda trained harder...just a wuss I guess.
The other SanSakana was the WhiteHawkVnyd, down in SantaBarbara. It seemed a bit more primary than the LasMadres. I've had a number of Syrahs over the last year that have impressed me.
You're right, Bettina's wines are really nice. If Steve likes them...then you know they gotta be good.
I also liked quite a lot her Viognier BrokemLeg/AndersonVlly '05. Very spicy, some mineral, good acidity.
Yup....a wnry to keep your eye on.
'Spect I'll see you in Paso in a month.
Tom

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TomHill<br>

 Christine Huang

Hi Tom!

Seems that I failed the mission worse than you. I believe you recommended San Sakana to me too. So now I'm going to have to try the Viognier!

Suspicion dead on - see you in Paso!