It was getting quite animated at The Fine Wine Source with Roger Louer representing and pouring his Roberts + Rogers wines.  I am sure that he was looking forward to his trip back to California, as he was being entertained since the past weekend when everyone got together at Lambeau Field.  All that wining and dining eventually catches up, even with the best of us, but I am sure that it was a great week, no matter what.  I am not sure, if the actual time intervals were working, as it was a room where everyone was having a good time.  My Bride was definitely enjoying herself, and that could be dangerous, but the good news is, that I won’t have to hear that I went overboard.  Though I did have to remind her that we had to buy some wine for The Caller as well.  Once a personal shopper, always a personal shopper.

The last of the Cabs that we tasted was the Roberts + Rogers Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2018.  Howell Mountain is one of the most prestigious sub appellations of Napa Valley.  To give you an idea of how important it is, the Napa Valley appellation was awarded in 1981 (and only the second appellation in the country) and the first sub-appellation was Howell Mountain in 1984.  While there is no Howell Mountain peak, the name is derived from Howell Mountain Township which sits above the fog line of 1,400 feet above sea level, and to have the designation, the vineyards must also be above this mark on the Vaca mountain range.  The soil is volcanic, and most of it is iron-rich clay.  This wine was aged for two years in new French Oak.  My words cannot do justice, as I am always tongue tied with Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon wines, as they are always the best examples of what this varietal can achieve.  A true expression of a California Cab.

The last wine that we had at the tasting was almost déjà vu, because I had a sneak peak of the Roberts + Rogers Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2014.  We ended the tasting with a Roberts + Rogers Zinfandel, Old Vine, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Creek 2018.  Dry Creek Valley AVA is in Sonoma County and is considered one of the best terroirs in California for Zinfandel.  Dry Creek Valley is about sixteen miles long and the valley floor has a cooler climate compared to the hillsides.  This wine was aged for eighteen months in French Oak.  This was another Zinfandel that really made me happy, as it was not a big jammy wine, I thought it was almost elegant, with that nice spiciness and a chewy wine with a delightful finish.  A delightful way to spend an hour or so, in the afternoon, and I am glad that they load the car for you, with the cases.