Reviews of Temecula Valley Wines

The wines of Temecula Valley are almost uniformly superior and well priced for the quality they offer. Our panel detected a faint, but attractive, sage/eucalyptus/chapparal component in many of the red wines, which could suggest an incipient regional terroir. Chardonnays and Merlots from this region are especially flavorful. Temecula Dolcetto and Malbec are quite possibly unparalleled in California. Solera Sherry (not reviewed) and Port style wines are among the finest in the U.S.A.

The wines of Temecula Valley are sold primarily through direct sales from the wineries and local restaurants. Only a handful of Temecula wineries use normal distribution channels, so their wines are rarely found in wine shops. The wines reviewed below may be obtained by ordering from the various winery websites.

TEMECULA WHITE WINES

• 2003 Elevation Sauvignon Blanc South Coast; 13.2% alc., $12 Clear straw color with attractive aromas of honey, lavender, roasted nuts and floral notes. Just the slightest hint of Sauvignon's characteristic gooseberry becomes increasingly prominent as the wine opens up in the glass. Flavors are round due to an infusion of Semillon. This lovely wine aims for the middle ground, stylistically, being neither overly herbal nor oak influenced. A straight ahead, attractive, balanced Sauvignon Blanc which should appeal to almost every palate. Recommended.
• 2004 Falkner Sauvignon Blanc Temecula Valley Estate; 13.7% alc., $12 Light pale straw color. Modest aromas of citrus, fresh-cut grass and minerals. Flavors of grapefruit and lime with a suggestion of gooseberry. Drinks rather like a French Muscadet and would provide a good complement to very light seafood dishes such as poached fish or oysters on the half shell.
• 2003 South Coast Winery Chardonnay "Sans Chêne" Temecula Valley; 13.9% $15 Very light golden color. Clean, pure varietal nose of mango, pineapple and honeysuckle. Very refreshing on the palate, with perfect balance of acids and tropical fruit flavors and none of the sweet oak flavors that make most California Chardonnays cloying or difficult to pair with food. Flavors linger on the palate after the brightness subsides. One of the best California unoaked Chardonnays currently available. Very attractively priced and highly recommended.
• 2002 Thornton Sauvignon Blanc Temecula Valley Musqué Clone Luttgens Family Vineyards, Block 5; 13.2% alc., $20 A superb and serious single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from the rare Musqué clone. Clean and complex, this wine is reminiscent of an unoaked Chardonnay, with layers of attractive flavor components. Perfumed nose of Meyer lemon and marzipan. Bright but round on the palate. A very classy Sauvignon and highly recommended.
• 2004 Thornton Chardonnay Temecula Valley Limited Bottling; 13.2% alc., $26 Light gold, bright, clear color. Excellent varietal nose with suggestions of Meyer lemon and butterscotch. Complex and very appealing on the palate with similar flavors accompanied by a pleasing citrus note and a restrained touch of sweet oak. A balanced wine that will please any Chardonnay lover. Recommended.
• 2003 South Coast Winery Chardonnay Reserve Temecula Valley; 13% alc., $20 Outstanding reserve style Chardonnay. Very rich aromas of honey, marzipan, custard, citrus, flowers and lemon cheesecake lead to aggressive tropical flavors of mango and pineapple along with nutmeg and tarragon. Oak is restrained, but there are echoes of crème caramel. A spectacular Chardonnay well worth its price. Highly recommended.
TEMECULA RED WINES
• Falkner Amante Super Tuscan Style Red Wine South Coast Special Selection; 13.9% alc., $17.99 Deep, appealing warm ruby color. Warm, seductive, earthy cherry nose. This full-bodied blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc is bright and dry on the palate. Rich, well-integrated flavors of black fruits and bitter chocolate inform this robust, uncomplicated wine. Soft tannins in spite of heavy extraction, thanks to its Sangiovese base. Nice texture and good structure. Very nice with robust foods, barbecued meats and strong cheeses. Good value.
• 2002 Thornton Nebbiolo Temecula Valley Limited Bottling; 13.9% alc., $27 Dark ruby/purple color suggests a wine much younger than four years. Spicy aroma of black fruits, cinnamon, mint, Chinese 5-spice and nail polish. Plummy flavors are rich and deep with moderate tannins. Very big fruit-forward wine for a Nebbiolo. Interesting wine, but without specific varietal character.
• 2003 Callaway Coastal Dolcetto Temecula; 13.4% alc., $28 One of the best California Dolcettos currently available. More complex and attractive than most Italian prototypes. Callaway's 2003 Dolcetto is a serious wine with a complex nose of sweet fruit, spice, lingonberry, rose petals, sweet herbs, smoke, and slight petrol. Flavors of plum, creamy cherry and chocolate with a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Delicious layered flavors, approachable and rewarding. A terrific Dolcetto. Very highly recommended.
• 2002 Stuart Cellars Sangiovese Reserve Temecula; 13.4% alc., $28 An old world style Sangiovese with very good aromas of Bing cherry, warm spice, mushrooms and lavender. Rich flavors follow the nose with a bright, dry finish. Reminiscent of Chianti Classico. Recommended.
• 2003 Stuart Cellars Malbec Limited Reserve Temecula Valley; 12.8% alc., $35 In a word, stunning! Stuart's 2003 Limited Reserve Malbec sheds new light on this grape's potential in California. Powerful aroma of rose petals, violets, and blueberries, along with warm spice, coffee, smoke and earth. A complex and engaging wine. Bright flavors follow the nose. Long and satisfying finish. An extraordinary Malbec and very highly recommended.
• 2003 South Coast Winery Syrah Temecula Valley Rolling Hills Estate; 14.1% alc., $16. Aromatic nose of peppery blackberries and plum with a suggestion of sage and smoke. Bright varietal flavors with slight bitterness on the finish. An attractive example of California Syrah and a good value.
• 2002 Thornton Cabernet-Merlot Temecula Valley Limited Bottling 45%Merlot-38% Cabernet Sauvignon-17% Petite Verdot; 13.8% alc., $26. Generous aromas of blackberries and spice with a touch of mint and white pepper. Round and full in the mouth with rich, well-integrated flavors that follow the nose. The considerable proportion of Petite Verdot distinguishes this wine from most other Cabernet-Merlot blends, lending the wine a richer color and intensifying its perfume. Velvet tannins provide an attractive textural element in this thoroughly delicious and seductive wine. Beautifully balanced, this wine is eminently enjoyable now and should continue to improve over the next several years. An excellent Bordeaux style blend reminiscent of the richest wines of St. Emilion. Very highly recommended.
• 2002 Hart Syrah South Coast; 14.8% alc., $24 Brilliant dark ruby color and clean aromas of ripe plum and clove. Deep, rich, round flavors are suggestive of a top Australian Shiraz. Soft tannins give this highly extracted wine a nice texture and should allow it to continue to develop over time. This ripe and luscious Syrah will appeal to those who enjoy full-bodied, fruit forward wines. A top quality California Syrah at a very attractive price. Highly recommended.
• 2003 Thornton Syrah Temecula Valley Special Reserve, 12.8% alc., $27 Generous layered aromas and flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, caramel, tobacco, sage and spice. Full and complex, rich and well oaked. A restrained and disciplined Syrah, more French than Australian in style, but bursting with flavor. An outstanding example of California Syrah. Highly recommended.
• 2002 Hart Cabernet Franc Estate Temecula; 14.1% alc., $32. Hart's 2002 Cabernet Franc is a serious wine that will need some time for its components to integrate. Heavily extracted, this wine is very dark with aggressive aromas and flavors of black cherry, chocolate, cedar, earth, wild mushrooms, and a suggestion of the barnyard aromas found in many classic red Burgundy wines. Develops in the glass after 10-20 minutes of aeration and shows great promise. Should be decanted an hour or so before serving and will benefit from several years of cellaring.
• 2002 Stuart Tatria Meritage Temecula Valley Limited Estate Reserve; 14% alc., $36 Very dark ruby color, almost opaque, but puts on a lovely show of jewel-like color when swirled in a large wine glass. Remarkable Bordeaux-like nose with strong aromas of cigar box along with some clove and smoke, wrapped around a core of deep but restrained fruit which is more apparent on the palate than in the nose. A rich, concentrated Meritage with bright acids and moderate tannins. Will benefit from several years of cellaring. A blockbuster of a wine! Enjoy it now with ripe blue-veined cheeses or in a few years with robust meat dishes. Decant this wine at least an hour before serving.
• 2000 Stuart Vintage Zinfandel Port Temecula; 19% alc., $46/500ml Stuart's 2000 Zinfandel Port is a classic example of a labor-intensive, hand crafted dessert wine and one of the best California Port wines we have ever reviewed. Unusual aromas and flavors of alfalfa, spice, plum, burnt toffee and chocolate cherries. Perfect balance of sweetness and acid. Drinks rather like a tawny Port in spite of its deep color. A sophisticated dessert wine and very highly recommended.
• 2002 South Coast Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Horse Peak Devil's Hole Block; 14.2% alc., $28 Dark ruby, almost opaque color. Bright nose of unripe blackberries, plum and cinnamon with a hint of white pepper. Very dry on the palate with moderate tannins and solid acids. Italianate in style, this wine drinks more like a full bodied Negro Amara or Nero d'Avola from Puglia than a typical California Cabernet Sauvignon. Will benefit from two or three years cellaring.

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