Now in its fourth year, the Berkeley Wine Festival features a series of weekly dinners hosted by California winemakers. The dinners and the big kickoff takes place at Berkeley’s iconic Claremont Hotel, which I attended. Packed with attendees, the opening night featured tastings of over 180 wines, plus a smattering of foodstuffs prepared by Claremont chefs. With proceeds benefitting the Alameda County Food Bank, it’s not just a good time to mingle with friends, drink some wine, and watch the sunset from perhaps the best vantage point in the San Francisco Bay Area… it’s also doing something good. Thoughts on the wines I tried — nothing you probably haven’t seen me write about before — follow.

Tasting Report: 2013 Berkeley Wine Festival

2011 Amapola Creek  Chardonnay Russian River Valley Jos. Belli Vineyards / B+ / see blog
2010 Clos du Val Merlot Napa Valley / B /
2010 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley / B- /
2011 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast / A- / lively, solid lemon notes
2011 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast / A- /
2010 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Carneros / B+ /
2010 Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay Savoy / B+ / good body, a bit herbal\
2010 Palmaz Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley / B /
2012 Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc / B / huge acid, herbal
2010 Tres Sabores Zinfandel / B+ / supple, easygoing
2009 Tres Sabores Perspective Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford / B+ / big, dry-farmed 100% cab; Bordeaux style
2011 Hahn Family Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands / B / rustic, earthy
2010 Capture Chardonnay Ma Vie Carol Sonoma County / A- / huge and rich, lots of nutty nots, light wood
2011 Capture Sauvignon Blanc / A / massive depth, lush, lemons and figs
2011 Capture Dark Rose / A- / rose of Cabernet Sauvignon, very fruity nose, chocolate and caramel
2011 ZD Winery Chardonnay / A- / lots of apple fruit
2011 Acacia Pinot Noir Carneros / B / simple
2011 J Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River / B+ / very earthy, big finish
2008 Rosenblum Zinfancel Rockpile Road / B / dense, hefty
2011 Hook & Ladder Pinot Noir Russian River / B+ / easy, mild

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Christopher Null

Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

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