Tasting Room
Hamburger RedsWINE OF THE WEEK
Mia's Playground
2005 Old Vine Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley - Zinfandel ($16)
The best burger wine of the flight. A sturdy zin that can stand up to a burger. Big, rich and brambly, with notes of blackberry jam, toasty oak, spice and pencil shavings.
2005 California - Other red wines ($25)
Complex, with layers of flavors. Notes of black cherry, raspberry, honey and wildflower. A good burger match.
2005 Central Coast - Pinot Noir ($14)
Rich, ripe and showy. Aromas and flavors of plums, strawberries and coffee. Not a great burger match.
2005 Mendocino - Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)
Earthy, with notes of cassis, black cherry and blackberry. Complex and full-bodied. Burger made the wine better.
2004 Los Carneros - Pinot Noir ($26)
Earthy, with notes of plum, cherry and anise. Best pinot with the burger because it had the most depth.
2005 California - Syrah ($10)
A gamy, meaty syrah with notes of blackberry jam and cracked black pepper. Oaky with the burger.
2005 Pinnacles, Monterey - Pinot Noir ($15)
A rich pinot with bright cherry and strawberry fruit. Too lean and tart for the burger.
2005 Sultry Red, California - Other red wines ($12)
Bright, yet rich and round. Great acidity. Notes of black plum, toast and spice. Great burger match.
NV Old Vines, Redwood Valley - Other red wines ($13)
Floral, with a note of violet and flavors of sweet and jammy blackberry. OK with the burger.
2004 Sonoma County - Zinfandel ($12)
A good wine. Earthy, ripe and showy. Just a bit sharp. A solid zin. Good with the burger.
2003 Crianza, Spain - Other red wines ($13)
A slightly earthy rioja. Notes of red plum, dark cherry and toast. Not a great burger match.
2004 Mendocino - Other red wines ($12)
Flavors of strawberry and spice. Medium complexity. Vibrant. Integrated tannins. Not a great burger match.
TASTING PANEL: Ziggy Eschliman, radio's "The Wine Gal;" Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill Winery; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com