第三站來到 Kirigin Cellars，他們的 Tasting room 外觀很有趣。     在這邊有 Sauvignon Blanc、Chardonnay、Malvasia Bianca、Red、Pinot Noir、Syrah、Cabernet Sauvignon、Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006、Zinfandel、Champagne、Vino de Moca。

Chardonnay。典型的甜桃味，口感略澀。

Malvasia Bianca。Malvasia 是多品種白葡萄的總稱，而 Malvasia Bianca 是其中之一。這也是我第一次喝 Malvasia 的酒，但馬上讓我想到稍早在 Hecker Pass 喝到的 Muscat，因為都有明顯的甜桃與荔枝味道，雖然不像 Muscat 那樣濃郁，可是有一些花香，而口味上沒有那麼甜。

Red。多種葡萄混合的紅酒，煙燻、皮革的味道很明顯，再加上黑莓香味，氣味明顯壓過接下來的 Pinot Noir 和 Syrah，導致後兩者在喝的時候沒什麼感覺。

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006。味道和口感很像前一款一般等級的 Cabernet Sauvignon，但是黑醋栗、花香與木質的味道集中許多，丹寧也柔順許多。

Champagne。相比起來 Fortino 的比較好，氣泡比較細緻、口感也比較順。

Vino de Moca。咖啡、可可、焦糖。當作在喝焦糖瑪奇朵就是了。

The third winery is Kirigin Cellars, the exterior of tasting room is cute. Here are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Red, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Zinfandel, Champagne, Vino de Moca.

Chardonnay. Typical peach flavor, a little harsh mouthfeel.

Malvasia Bianca. Malvasia is a group of grape varieties, and Malvasia Bianca is one of them. This is my firs Malvasia, but it reminds me of Muscat in Hecker Pass. Apparently peaches and lychees, but this one is not as dense as Muscat. However, this Malvasia Bianca has additional floral bouquet and not so sweet.

Red. A blend of multiple grapes, smoky and leather come with black berries. Its aromas and palates press down the next two wines, Pinot Noir and Syrah, so I almost feel nothing special while having them.

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Tastes like the preceeding normal Cabernet Sauvignon, but more concentrated black currant, flowers and woods, and smoother tannins.

Champagne。I prefer the Champagne in Fortino winery, which has finer sparkles and mouthfeel.

Vino de Moca。Coffee, cocoa and caramel. Just image you are having a Caramel Macchiato.  :P

在 Sycamore Creek 試了 Sauvignon Blanc 2006、Chardonnay 2005、Nv Uvas、Cabernet Sauvignon 2004、Syrah 2005、Petite Syrah 2006。

Nv Uvas。Uvas 在西班牙文是「很棒」的意思，而這款酒也真的很棒。由 Cabernet Sauvignon 和 Chardonnay 以及 3% 的 Syrah 混合而成。有花香、黑醋栗、櫻桃、木質香味。口感略辛，丹寧柔順，香氣在口中也持續很久，喝完很貪心地又多要一口。 XD

Syrah 2005 和 Petite Syrah 2006。05有罕見的藍莓味道，加上一點煙薰及辛香味，口感比 06 順很多，丹寧也比 06 成熟。06有著花香、雨中土壤的味道，氣味整體來說比 05 來的清新明亮。

In Sycamore Creek, we tried Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Chardonnay 2005, Nv Uvas, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Syrah 2005 and Petite Syrah 2006.

Nv Uvas. “Uvas” means “great” in Spanish, and this wine is really “uvas”. A great cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and 3% Syrah, and comes with flowers, black currant, cherry and wood. A little spicy palate and velvet tannins with lingering finish. I liked it and am so greedy to ask for another round of it.  XD

Syrah 2005 and Petite Syrah 2006. 05 has rare aromas of blue berries, with a little smoky and spicy smells. Smoother tastes and tannins than 06. 06 has flowers and soil in rain, and smells fresher and brighter.

Jason Stephens 是個剛成立、很年輕的酒莊，但葡萄園已經有一段時間。在這邊試了 Estate Chardonnay 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Merlot 2006, Syrah 2006, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006。

Estate Chardonnay 2007。瓜類香味，柑橘口感帶有土壤味。

Merlot 2006。耶～又是藍莓。櫻桃，些微煙燻味道。不過蠻希望在 Cabernet Sauvignon 之前喝就是。

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 和 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006。會特別記下來是因為，典型的黑醋栗味道不像其他喝過的那麼濃郁，不過黑莓味道卻明顯一些。兩者的丹寧都還太年輕而咬舌，不過 Estate 的丹寧厚實許多。

Jason Stephens is a new and young winery which has vineyards for a couple of years. They provides Estate Chardonnay 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Merlot 2006, Syrah 2006 and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 for tasting.

Estate Chardonnay 2007. Melon aromas, and citrus palate with earthy taste.

Merlot 2006. Blueberry again, I like it. And cherry and smoky. I hope it can be served before Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. The reason I have impressions of these two is their black currant aromas are not as dense as other Cabernet Sauvignon I had had, but crisper black berries. Both have young and harsh tannins, but the Estate’s is better.

不知道為什麼這一次都喝得很快很急，上酒也很快很急，可能真的是其他人都喝很快的關係。當然怎麼喝無所謂正確與否，但如果只是覺得這酒比較甜、比較澀口… 而沒有仔細地品味其中的味道就有點可惜了。

This time like a “quick date”. Maybe because other partners drink quickly. However, I think it is a pity if just drinking and feeling sweet, dry or something else without admiring the detail flavors.

Honestly, this is a *TIRED* Wine Tasting… Five wineries, and more than 40 wines!!! Because tasted too many wines, I just wrote for those impressed me.

第一站是來到 Hecker Pass Winery。品嚐的酒有 Blanc de Blanc、Red Velvet、Ruby Zinfandel 2001、Pettie Sirah Select 2002、Quintetto Rosso 2007、Zinfandel 2001、Chianti 2004、Carignane 2000、Pettie Sirah 2004、Dolcetto Rosso、Muscat、Ruby Port、Cream Sherry、Marsala。對，第一個酒莊就 14 款酒，不過間隔很短促，大概是這次參加的人都喝得很快很急吧？

Blanc de Blanc，很年輕的酒，顏色很淡近乎無色，瓜與柑橘香氣並不濃烈，喝起來清爽順口。

Ruby Zinfandel 2001. 漂亮的紅寶石色，邊緣磚紅。黑莓香氣中帶有櫻桃味。絲絨般的丹寧非常順口，且香味餘韻很長。對我來說，它是這酒莊最好的紅酒。而相似的 Zinfandel 2001喝起來就比較辛澀。

Chianti。這應該是我第一次喝 Chianti Wine。雖然 Chianti Wine 是以 Sangiovese 葡萄為主來釀造，但這款喝起來跟之前喝過的 Sangiovese 很不一樣。所以，沒什麼太多意見。夾有草與檸檬的香氣。

Cream Sherry。奶油、奶油、還是奶油。帶有一些核果香很棒。

Ruby Port。比之前喝過的 Port 顏色要來得淡。帶有咖啡與楓糖香味，同時跟高濃度酒精的味道搭配得很好。

Marsala。在加州很少見的酒，也是我第一次喝 Marsala。口感很清爽、甜… 呃，沒意見了。

Muscat。這款半甜酒超棒，我超愛。明顯的甜桃與荔枝味道。夏天冰得涼涼的然後倒在杯子中來喝一定超棒！(Muscat Grapes)

The first stop is Hecker Pass Winery. Here we had Blanc de Blanc, Red Velvet, Ruby Zinfandel 2001, Pettie Sirah Select 2002, Quintetto Rosso 2007, Zinfandel 2001, Chianti 2004, Carignane 2000, Pettie Sirah 2004, Dolcetto Rosso, Muscat, Ruby Port, Cream Sherry, Marsala. Yes, 14 wines at the 1st winery. Besides, the interval of wines is really short, the reason maybe partners of this tasting trip usually drink quickly.

Blanc de Blanc. Young, colorless, and the melon and citrus aromas are not very dense. Fresh and smooth tastes.

Ruby Zinfandel 2001. Beautiful ruby color, and brick around. Black berry smells with cherry notes. Velvet tannins and lingering finish. For me, this is the best red in this winery. The other similar wine, Zinfandel 2001, is drier and spicier.

Chianti. This may be my first Chianti wine. Although Chianti wine is majorly made by Sangiovese graps, this one tastes very different to other Sangiovese wines I had had. So, not too many comments. With interesting grass and lemon nose.

Cream Sherry. Cream, Cream and Cream. A dessert wine with the hint of nuts is good.

Ruby Port. Lighter color than other Port I had had. Coffee and maple sugar are well balanced with alcohol.

Marsala. Rarely made in California, and also my first Marsala. Besides of fresh and sweet, no comments.

Muscat. I love this semi-sweet wine. Concentrated Sweet peaches and lychees. I think serving it with well chilled in summer time is a great idea. (Muscat Grapes)

在 Fortino Winery 喝了9款酒，包含 Chardonnay 2007、Carignan 2005、Sangiovese 2005、Cabernet Sauvignon 2005、Almond Champagne、Pomegranate、Extra Dry Champagne、Blending Pomegranate and Extra Dry Champagne、Apricot。

Sangiovese 2005。也是跟之前喝過的有些許不同，香氣比較溫和沒那麼辛嗆，帶有覆盆莓香味。丹寧仍算年輕，如果多個一兩年丹寧順口了，再搭配上香味一定很棒吧…

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005。原本沒有注意年份，但聞到香味就讓我想到之前喝的 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005。實在很像，所以我就問侍酒師是不是 05 年份的，然後就被誇獎很厲害  除了很類似的花香(但比較弱)外，還有櫻桃、黑莓、木頭、煙燻香味。

Almond Champagne。近乎透明，氣泡細緻，杏仁香氣濃烈。入口先是氣泡感，然後像是喝礦泉水，最後是杏仁香氣滿滿地在口腔中。

Pomegranate 其實給我的印象並不深刻，而 Extra Dry Champagne 也不像 Almond Champagne 讓我回味無窮。但是兩個混合在一起就真的很妙，淡淡的水果香味跟著氣泡作開頭，結尾有略澀的口感。這組合根本就是雞尾酒了啊。

We had 9 wines in Fortino Winery, including Chardonnay 2007, Carignan 2005, Sangiovese 2005, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Almond Champagne, Pomegranate, Extra Dry Champagne, Blending Pomegranate and Extra Dry Champagne, Apricot.

Sangiovese 2005. A little difference to what I had had. Smells not so spicy, and with hints of raspberries. The tannins are still young and a little harsh. I think after 1 or 2 years, it will taste much better with the smoother tannins and aromas…

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. I did not notice which vintage it is until I found the familiar bouquet. Very similar to Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. So, I asked the sommelier, and he replied with praise.    Similar floral (but not so concentrated), cherry, black berry, wood, and smoky.

Almond Champang. Almost colorless, and find and delicate sparkles. Very, very dense almond smell. While drinking, first is the bubbles, then mineral, and ends with almond palate.

Pomegranate did not impress me very much. And the Extra Dry Champagne is not impressive as the Almond Champagne. But! The blending of these two is really great and interesting. Starts with fruity and sparkling. And the end is a little harsh mouthfeel. May I call it a great cocktail?