Barrel Tasting Weekend sponsored by the Russian River Wine Road is one of the best parties on Earth! The event takes place over 2 consecutive weekends and always is a huge hit with wine lovers. This year was certainly no exception. And in Dry Creek Valley, where there is a virtual sea of Zinfandel, Michel-Schlumberger offers a Bordeaux-style experience unlike any in the area.
This year, as guests arrived, they were first directed through the barrel room (it IS barrel weekend after all!) for tastes of two stunning wines. Our 2007 Cabernet Franc — a wine we do not normally bottle by itself – but are offering an amazing Futures offer: $20/bottle when purchased in case quantities (or $26/bottle when purchase 6 bottles). This wine tasted absolutely glorious from the barrel. When it comes out in about a year, if there is any left (!), it will be 40/bottle — clearly Futures are they way to go.
The second wine tasted was the 2006 Deux Terres — our ‘best of the best’ Bordeaux-style blend from the Estate. In 2006, the foundation of this wine was our Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon (from high on the saddle of the vineyard at the top of the Estate) and sprinkled with equal doses of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Carmenere & Cabernet Franc. Again, Futures are the way to go as this wine will be released in a year for $100/bottle. We are offering our signature wine for $50/bottle on Futures for a one case (or more!) purchase, and $65/bottle for a half case (6 bottles).
Interested in still getting in on Futures? Click here: Michel-Schlumberger Futures
After this mystical experience in the barrel room, folks moved into our second barrel room for tastes of our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Pinot Noir and 2006 ‘La Brume’ Chardonnay — each paired with local artisan cheeses.
Back out into the courtyard, guests walked by our ‘Worms to Wine’ display — a tangible taste of our organic vineyard practices and a nice little bit of education about the Estate wine-growing philosophy.
Finally, the ‘Stash Sale’. Our tasting parlor was converted to a tasting & buying frenzy of old vintages being sold at blow out, rock bottom, ‘economic stimulus package’ prices. That was a lot of fun watching people realize that the wine they were tasting was not $70 per bottle, but $70…per case!! The hand cart was kept busy constantly wheeling out 3 & 4 case purchases.
If you were here for Barrel Tasting Weekend, thanks so much. If you missed it, click on the video below to get a little flavor for the fun. But next year — don’t miss it! Next up: Passport Weekend - April 25-26. Hope to see you up at the Estate!
