Just got back from the International Food & Wine Festival at Herzog’s Oxnard winery.  To use a single word (or a few single words) – Stupendous,  Vibrant, Electric, or Fun.  Everyone from the Herzog family down to the people cleaning the floors (yeah I stayed late 😉 ) – were just great.  I went there with friend and we must have gone through some 20+ wines.  Wine notes will follow – but for now the clear winners:

Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 1999 – Huge winner!!!

Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2003

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2003 – Killer!!!

Capcanes Peraj Ha’abib 2004 – I did not like it as much as the 2001, but so many loved it – I had to place it on the winners.

Carmel Blend “Limited Edition” 2004 – Big favorite

The bigger disappointment was the Barkan altitude wines.  To be fair – some liked it – but it was too light for such a wine.  A clear trend in the wines I tasted at the event was red fruit.  Even the larger Bordeaux vintages and wineries still were very red in flavor, when I was expecting black fruit.

Awesome event, great turnout, fantastic food and a great time by all.  I hope Herzog saw the love it needed and will continue to support the west coast with events like this one.  Congratulation Royal Wine on such a wonderful event.

Tasting notes to come…..