Our 2nd winery in Temecula was at Lorenzi Estate Vineyards where we met with Alejandro.
We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling Brut appropriately named “Bella Mia” which translates from Italian to English as my beauty. It was bright, fruity and crisp and a great start to our tasting. I rated this beauty a 4.1 out of 5.
My husband and I are big Cab drinkers and reserved a private Cab tasting. We started off with a 2017 Cab called Double Down. It was a drier, fruit forward cab with notes of sour cherry. I could taste the petite verdot and think that it was a little young and could benefit from some aging in oak. Some vanilla/oak would smooth out the tartness and provide more balance, in my opinion. I rated this Cab a 3.7.
Next we tasted a 2019 Reserve Cab. This was my favorite of the 3 Cab’s we tried. It was sweet and port-like on the nose however wasn’t sweet to taste. It had notes of black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, oak and vanilla. I think this wine would benefit from decanting and letting it breathe as it improved and smoothed out as I continued tasting. I rated this reserve Cab a 4.0.
Our 3rd Cab was a 2018 Double Down. It was a blend of Cab, Petite Verdot, and Merlot/Malbec. Similar to the 2017, this wine had youthful, tart cherry notes and would benefit from aging in oak to round out its flavor profile. I did like it slightly better and rated it a 3.9.
Next we moved on to a lovely ruby red 2019 Cab Franc/Merlot blend called Adam & Eve. It was Bordeaux like with notes of dark fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and smoke. I rated it a 4.0 and would love to try again with a piece of dark chocolate.
The next 2019 red blend had an interesting name. Macho Grenacho was a Syrah/Shiraz/Grenache blend. It was bold, dry and smooth. I rated this wine a 4.1 for its cherry, pomegranate notes balanced with tobacco, oak, caramel and a hint of pepper.
We next tasted a 2018 Syrah/Cab blend. Alejandro was excited to have us try these next few, after knowing what we like a bit better. Power Play Reserve Proprietary Red Blend was beautifully balanced with dark and red fruit, oak, toast, vanilla, chocolate and a smokey leathery finish. I rated this wine a 4.0.
Next up was Red Fusion, a 2019 red blend of Syrah/Shiraz, Genache and Mourvèdre. Full-body, dry and tannic. It had plum, dark cherry and nutmeg on the nose with a raspberry oaky finish. I rated this blend a 3.9.
The next 2019 bold and rich Estate Malbec was loaded with refined dark berry notes beautifully combined with lush raspberries and backed with a leathery oaky finish. I rated this velvety Malbec a 4.0.
Like all good things our last tasting was coming to an end with the 2019 Contrarian Private Reserve Merlot. This small batch Reserve was bold yet velvety and special. I’m glad it was saved for last as it was one of my favorites of the day with a 4.1 rating. On the nose aromas of blackberry, cherry and spice along with plum, leather and creamy bittersweet chocolate on the palette rounds out this silky, smooth Merlot.
When in Temecula Valley, I highly recommend a stop for a private tasting with Alejandro at Lorenzi Estate Vineyards.
