Tamás – 125
Wednesday, July 27th, 2005
Tamás Estates shares its location (and signage) with Steven Kent. When you enter the driveway of the wineries’ location, Steven Kent’s large, Spanish adobe is the first building you see. But as you drive around to the back, is the smaller, more horizontal Tamás building.
On the day of my visit, Steven Kent’s facility was closed for a private wine event, but the Tamás folks were accommodating to all the visiting guests. It made it slightly confusing about who was pouring what, but over-all the service was exceptional (despite the heat) and everyone seemed happy.
My friend, Walt, indicated that Tamás used to be owned by Iván Tamás and Steve Mirassou. Several years ago they were acquired and are now part of the "Wente portfolio" of wines. Despite its corporate enclave, overall I was impressed with the wines:
NV Brut Sparkling Wine – Made from both Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grapes. Some yeasty aromas up front with a clean, citrus tone. Toasty mouth entry that diminishes to produce a touch of lemon peel. $18.95
2003 Pinot Grigio – Almost perfectly clear with a bare shimmer of color. Sweet aromas of young flowers and bright citrus. The citrus continues in the mouth feel and is coupled with fresh apple. Heightened, clean acidity in the mid-palate makes this a very refreshing offering. $11.95
2003 Chardonnay – Intense ripe citrus shows up front; grapefruit, lemon peel, and a touch of lime. Crisp, easy entry is balanced and shows a touch of oak on the finish. $10.95
2002 Barbera – 100% Barbera. Jammy bouquet of bramblefruit, some dark cherry, and a tease of vanilla. Character and depth show immediately on the first taste. Bright acidity and structure easily impress. $16.95
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark, fruity cherry and oak predominate the nose. Considering the quality of the previous tastes, the harsh entry of this wine was a sad surprise. It didn’t go anywhere after that. $11.95
2002 Zinfandel – Rich aromas of complex spices and dark fruit including black plum and some black pepper. Surprisingly sweet entry that makes me wonder if there was any residual sugar in the wine. Decent entry that gets a tad hot in the mid-palate. The heat will probably subside with a bit of aging. $14.95
2003 "Prima" Riserva Limitata – A blend of 76% Barbera, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Syrah. I don’t get it. Unimpressive blend of undetectable flavors. $24.95
Tamás Estates ~ 5443 Tesla Road ~ Livermore ~ CA ~ 94550 ~ 925-456-2380