Central Coast Wine Day Celebrated with Hahn Family Wines

How cool to have an opportunity (thanks for the invite Mark) to join others across many regions tasting and tweeting about wines of the central coast. Tonights selections come from Hahn Winery, who in my opinion deliver over the top wines at a price that will bring a smile to your face. Balanced with rich fruit and spice, easy drinking food friendly wines lightly oaked, are just a few reasons why I enjoy their varietals.

Located in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands (Soledad Ca), the views as you drive the central coast in Monteray County are georgeous. Ocean views that will take your breath away, rolling hills of forests, historic communities, and yes vineyards are reasons why this has been a popular destination for many years. The view from the tasting room showcases the beautiful mountains surrounding the property. They encourage you to bring a picnic lunch on your visit.....hospitality at it's finest.

Fours wines treated my palate this evening starting with the 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay. Wonderful wine exhibiting aromas of creamy vanilla, baking spice, fresh apple, tropical fruit. Picture yourself sniffing this wine overlooking the ocean from the bluffs high above. The flavor combinations were very tasty. Green apple, ripe pear with tropical fruit as the wine warms slightly. The finish is perfect with just the right touch of oak and creamy butter. We are off to a fantastic start.

 

Up next the 2010 Pinot Noir Monterey and you all know my love for this grape. The nose on this wine is beautiful with ripe cherries, fresh red raspberries, rose pedals, clove, cinnamon and just a slight hint of earthiness. Awesome flavor showcasing the fresh berries (cherry and raspberry) with a slight hint of strawberry followed by spice and toasty oak. Little earthiness on the end as the wine warms in the glass. I could drink this wine all day.

Wine three this evening was the the 2010 GSM Red Blend Central Coast. Excellent blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. My first time with this wine and I must say impressed. Dark and red fruit on the nose to start, with loads of vanilla, clove and cola, finishing with white pepper. The longer in the glass the wine opens bringing the fruit to the front. Love the flavor of strawberry, red raspberry, juicy cherry combining with the vanilla and spice. Slightest hint of pepper and oak on the finish but the fruit is definitely the star in this wine. This bottle did not last long.

The final wine of the evening was the 2009 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast. Big wine both in aroma and flavor. On the nose blackberry, hints of molasses, spice, herbal notes along with raspberry and plum. Blackberry and plum dominate the taste. Slight hint of red raspberry towards the middle with warming spice on the finish. The oak is not overdone and compliments the wine very well.

Nicky Hahn you capture the fruit and region in these wines to perfection. It was a treat to taste. Mark you put on a great event and happy you included me. Looking for new wines to taste or visiting the California Central Coast I highly suggest a trip to Hahn Winery. To learn more about their portfolio of wines click the link Hahn Family Wines

Cheers!
Dan