Karsten Boone

The Wine Memo
Karsten Boone is a freelance food and wine (and beer and other good things) writer based in Southern California.  Hiking helps with a steady diet of good eatables, so he also writes about day hikes around the country.  Full bodied reds, luscious velvety whites, Belgium ales and IPAs, paired with spicy, spiced, dishes whet his appetites.  He is, however, an equal opportunity taster.

Tesoro Winery honors decades of patriotic service
with a fine line of wines

Tesoro Winery’s New Line of  Patriotic Wines

Tesoro is the Italian word for treasure.  Treasured memories, treasured things, and treasured people.  You can find each at Tesoro Winery’s tasting room in Old Town Temecula.  If you are lucky, you will be greeted by the winery dogs, Libbie and Lego.  They, and their people, set the tone for a warm, welcoming visit.

Wineries are as varied as wines.  Some are corporate, large, clean, and crisp; some are warm, earthy, settling you down on the first taste.  Tesoro Winery’s tasting room is a fine introduction to its wines:  you feel welcomed to their home.  The tasting room presents an array of Italian and Central/Southern California sourced and styled wines.  A homemade cheese and meat board is available to enhance the wines, and to complement an evening of music and wine on the weekends.

We enjoyed a 4^th of July picnic with hot dogs, potato salad, and Viognier cole slaw.  The wines paired well with all.  The 2012 Viognier is refreshing, floral, honeyed, and I found a little apricot.  Well balanced, with a slight hint of citrus as well.  We tried this with its cole slaw for a surprising twist, and it was wonderful with summer fruits and cheeses.  The 2008 Syrah, well balanced, with all the taste expected from the terroir.  Typical of a good Syrah, it had aromas of peppers and currants, with the fruit a subdued presence; and silky smooth.  The 2009 Zinfandel is warm, welcoming, and fruity with bits of berry.  The Zinfandel reminded me of a Cucamonga Zin, one of my favorites.  Each of the wines is prime tasting now, though the reds could lay down for a couple more years in the right cellar.

Tesoro intends to expand its patriot wines to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other varietals that meet its standards.  Its introductory line of Patriot wines sets the stage for a larger force.