You have just reached the only official Lane Tanner Winery web site. All the wines I have available are listed here, waiting for you to take them home. The web site does not link directly to me though, so if you would like to contact me, send a note to Bob at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium (*remember to tell him the note if for me!); remember, it might take some time before I receive it.
February 2003
Last night I was at a dinner party. We were talking about going to Graceland (four had been there, two wanted to go, one was cooking and the other person wasn’t listening). Then came the big question. What wine would Elvis
drink? Well, we all know the King ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches....here we have peanuts and fruit; sounds like Thai food to me so I said Gewurztraminer. My friend Paul suggested a sweet German Riesling since Elvis was stationed in Germany during his stint in the military. Which ever one it was, I can see Elvis with a huge “to go” cup with 7-Up, wine and ice.
Ice and 7-Up?....you say....and I say, the King would drink it anyway he wanted and wouldn’t think twice about it and... you know what....we should be like that too. Say it’s a hot Summer day. Grab your favorite young Pinot Noir and pour it over ice. A good Pinot will taste like a well made Sangria this way and yes, I have done it. I say blast to anyone who tells me when, where and how to drink wine. We all have a God given right to drink wine any way we want. The King died for our right to excess, obsession and having it our way!
This was a great press year for me. I was mentioned in the Nov. 2002 issue of Gourmet Magazine. There was good sized coverage of me in The Nov. 2002 issue of Food and Wine and the Feb. 2003 issue of Wine and Spirits. I am going to be in an up coming issue of Decanter as a new cult winery. Robert Parker gave my 2000 Bien Nacido and Julias Pinot Noirs’ 89 points ( he calls Julias a hedonistic turn on) and the 2000 Melville Pinot 88 points. Wine Enthusiast gave Julias 89 points and Melville 90 points and editors’ choice (deep and sensuous). Connoisseurs’ Guide gave Bien Nacido 92 points and Julias 91 points. GO PINOT !
Time to introduce this years crop of beauties.....six in all....
2001 Lano Rouge
$20/btl.This is my new baby. It is a blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah and Napa Gamay a.k.a. Valdigue (the main grape in Gamay Beaujolais). As with truly great blends, this trio combined is more showy than any of it’s components alone. Brown sugar and raspberries swirl with floral notes of rose petals and the sweet smell of watermelon. The mouth follows this path into denser fruit with black pepper and licorice. The wine finishes long with firm tannins and polished, dark fruit flavors. The range of Lano Rouge will make this wine a true crowd pleaser.
2000 Reserve Syrah
$25/btl.The fruit came from the Beckmen Vineyard in Santa Ynez. This wine was aged in 75% new oak and kept there an extra 6 months. The spice raises out of a succulent, juicy river of red fruit. It is dense, full, vibrant and alive. the tannins are smooth as melting chocolate. It’s a keeper.
2001 Melville Vineyard Pinot Noir
$25/btl.Plush cherry fruit offset by anise, violet and smoked meat aromas sets the stage. Finely balanced herb, cola and dark fruit flavors slide into a finish of dried spice, coffee and pepper notes. This is the best buy of my Pinots.
2001 French Camp Vineyard Syrah
$20/btlAs always, this wine is big but very accessible...all the fun and fruit of Syrah without excess tannins or heat. The sweet juicy blackberry fruit is highlighted in the palate and the soft black pepper and smoke finish lingers to the next sip.
2001 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir
$28/btl.Pure, perfectly ripened fruit is ever the dominant theme for this baby. Cherryish fruit framed by sweet oak and hints of violet move into a positively plush finish. There is a reason this wine gets loads of press. Find out for yourself.
2001 Julias Vineyard Pinot Noir....The ripest and most substantial of my Pinot lineup. Dark cherries and black raspberries run through the mouth with dried spice that hovers like a cloud-thread of perfume. Full and lush yet soft and accessible. This wine is serious dating material and for $30/btl it can be yours.Life is looking good to me these days. My family and friends are happy and healthy. My mom turns 71 this week and she is still working on the bottling line for Steele Winery in Lake County. Cousin Steve and Jan donated money to St. Tiggywinkles in the UK in my name so now I am the adoptive parent of Pete, the Hedgehog, while he is being treated for a spine injury. Hang in there Pete! Sister Suz is turning into a really great parent. Who would have guessed. Brother Mike had a BIG birthday this year (we won’t give the number). My yard is coming up daffodils at the moment and the pets are frisky. Winter in the Central Coast is like Spring elsewhere. If we don’t have shorts on in January, we complain....and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Hugs and Kisses to each one of you
Love, your pal,
To purchase Lane Tanner wines, please take a look at our stock page. Thanks!
