Drinking on the Stanislaus River

I spent the last two nights sleeping on the ground, ten yards from the Stanislaus River, drinking some good (and some not so) wine enjoying time “off the grid” with people I love.  Not to be sappy because I promise you it was far from that, rather it’s the intimacy with nature and friends that make these weekend’s memorable.  I brought six bottles of wine, there was a bottle of Belvedere & two Jamison's, as well as ninety bud light’s for a group of eight people; none of us went thirsty. 

Needless to say I focused my attention on the wine, at least until we ran out, which unfortunately happened the afternoon of the second day. With really only three people drinking wine, I thought we could make it into the 2nd night but oh well.  It’s better to have lived & drank than to not have drank at all. 
I brought the following wines on our journey:

• 2005 Saintsbury Pinot Noir - from the Carneros region in Napa, it was light headed and lacked much distinction.  I like my Pinot’s to throw curveballs at me, make me think and this did nothing spectacular.  I’m sure this is good if you’re looking for a basic wine to drink with Chicken but its not my kind of wine.
  • Score: 80

• 2000 Foxen Cabernet Franc - from Santa Barbara County, I really like their take on this typical blending varietal.  It was complex with deep fruit that gave you a healthy impression.  Nobody who tasted this disliked it and for those looking, it offered so much more.
  
  • Score: 88

• 2005 Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon - This is a cab blend from California grapes, easily the worst bottle I brought, it was a gift we received from a dinner party guest and I admittedly just wanted to get rid of it.  However for a cheap California cab, it was not bad if you’re simply looking for alcoholic grape juice. 
  • Score: 74

• 2003 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon - From Chile, this is a joint venture with the French Rothschild (Lafite) family.  While its a cheap bottle ($10), it can stand up to wines that cost two to three times as much.  I have become a fan of the reasonably priced heavy reds from down under (south of the equator) - Australia, Argentina & Chile (and South Africa too).  For a value conscious buyer you can’t do much better. 
  • Score: 80

• 2004 Martin Cabernet Sauvignon - from Dry Creek Vally in Sonoma County, this is a nice small vintage from a family winery located just outside Healdsburg. This was a nice cab, I was pleased.  This was the best bottle of the bunch, a rich and deep red. 
  
  • Score: 90

• 2005 Bella Syrah, Lily Hill Estate - from Dry Creek Vally in Sonoma County, similar to the Martin but from a larger vintner, who is becoming known for inventive member events, this is a nicely appointed, appropriately spicy Syrah.
  
  • Score: 84

It’s refreshing to unplug from work and the internet in general.  I spent one morning learning the nuances of fly fishing and that afternoon soaking in the beauty of nature, beyond the mundane that makes camping great by itself, just being with friends is always the highlight.  As for wine words of wisdom, well there aren’t any from this trip, other than maybe my inability to get smashed on red wine, regardless of amount I consumed while at five thousand feet.