Commander and Chief: Black Friday - Heart of Sonoma Valley Christmas Event

While everyone else was out shopping we were out, stop me if you heard it, wine tasting. We attended the Heart of Sonoma Valley Christmas Tasting/Event/Party. Basically 35 wineries in Southern Sonoma get together and offer a tasting mixed with food at the wineries. As always, here is a list of where we went and what we liked or did not like:

Kaz- Was one of the finds I was hoping would pan out and it did not. The wines where horrible save the unfiltered chardonnay we were able to barrel taste. The reds where high in tannins and just tasted of poor table wine. I had high hopes for this place and it was perhaps the biggest let down of the trip.

Chateau St. John - Would not have stopped here for it not included. The wines are average at best, at least what we tasted and are mass produced. We did not get to tastes the reserves, which I understand are very good. I did enjoy their whites. The grounds however where breath taking and pictures where plenty, including most on this post. Did get Christmas shopping done here.

VJB- Small boutique winery that served the best food of the stops by far. Tasted quickly as we had to drive around to let Isabelle fall asleep then Melissa stayed in the car while I ran in. Can not give an in-depth tasting notes but the Barbera, Primitvo and Port where fantastic. All we tasted was great and would like to go back here to taste in a more relaxed setting.
Kunde- Very well known and somewhat mass produced vineyard. We where only able to taste three wines as it was getting packed. All had great food pairings. Barrel tasting of the Chardonnay was a hit. Also was able to taste the Barbera and one other as well that were average.
Adler Falls/ Big Ass/ Leaping Lizard- Obviously a lot at one location. Big Ass Cab and Chardonnay make a good cheap table wine. Leaping Lizard is only worth their whites, but Adler Falls was a new one for us. Adler produces an interesting port that is worth the taste. The Zins are a cheap but decent taste as well. They did have a chocolate fountain going so Melissa just loved it. Nice picnic area out front, but right of the main road so it could get loud.
Loxton- Loxton has come to be one of my and our favorite wineries. We meet Chris Loxton on our first trip out and he took the time to show me how wine was made. It was fantastic and he really hooked me as well as showed me the side of Sonoma that is hard to beat. The food was fantastic and the live music they had was great, especially for Isabelle who just set there and danced. As for wines, he makes average whites, only a chardonnay, but his reds are fantastic. Being from Australia, his Syrah's are very rich and smooth and they steal the show, as well as his Cab-Shiraz blend. Enjoyed his Zins as well as his Late Harvest Zin and the Port. Prices are generally under $30 but unable to find here. Too Bad!!!
Wellington - Chris Loxton started here, and they have a similar taste to them. Rich and bold red's, although I feel they do a great Rose (Pisuenique) and interesting Red's (Noir Noir). We purchased some of their Cab's as well. Great place.
BR Cohn- Not part of the deal, but what can we say. One of the family's favorite. All their wines are fantastic with the Olive Hill Estate Cab. Just fantastic. I could rate them all, but they would all say how much I love them. I did try the SyrCab and Barbera this time around and enjoyed both.
Imagery - Ended up here and if it was not for the wines, would have been a waste. The wines, on the event list where poor however. We started with a White Burgundy and the Muscat and both where pitiful. We used to love this place and it has become a bit pretentious for our taste. They turned the shop section into the VIP section, which we apparently are not. We had to be a bit pushy to try anything more and you thought I had shot the Pope by the time I got what we wanted. That said, the Super Tuscan we ended with was fantastic.