Eva in front of the old post office, a.k.a. Elizabeth Spencer WinesOn our way (we thought) to the famous Rubicon Winery, we took back roads to Rutherford, and the proverbial road less traveled brought us to an unexpected stop at the Rutherford Crossing and Highway 29 crossroad. We had heard about the Elizabeth Spencer Winery from friends, and in unison exclaimed “There it is!”
Great racks We received great service, especially from Wendy and Ryan, and the beautiful patio was filled with club members. Customers were walking in off the street buying bottles of the Chenin Blanc like they were at a high class convenience store: “Two bottles of the Chenin Blanc please.” (That actually happened twice during our visit).
The wines:
2008 Elizabeth Spencer Chenin Blanc, Mendocino, $25 – One of the best white wines I’ve ever tasted, regardless of price.
2007 Elizabeth Spencer Chardonnay, Napa Valley, $30 – Also a very good, crisp and complex chardonnay.
2008 Elizabeth Spencer Rose of Pinot Noir, North Coast, $25 – This was the most surprising glass of wine of the week, surprising in a GOOD way. Super complex, great with or without food, a serious shocker especially if you are only ho-hum about Rose.
Lunch with the surprise of the week, the North Coast Rose, $25 2006 Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon Crossroads, $60, and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, $75 – both delicious, old world style with Napa fruit (I call this “best of both worlds”). For Napa standards, both a very good Q.P.R., but the price of Howell Mountain seems to be going up to $105 which would take it out of the Q.P.R. range forever. Say it ain’t so Elizabeth Spencer! By the way, we never made it to Rubicon…
Who has two thumbs and loves Elizabeth Spencer Wines? This guy!!
1165 Rutherford Road
Rutherford, CA, 94573
707-963-6067
www.elizabethspencerwines.com
