Santa Rita Hills, Buellton, California
By: Sarah O'Brien - Senior Editor - floatingcork.com
You know that feeling you get at a fancy restaurant where you don’t want to let the waiter down by ordering something sh**ty that no one in their right mind should order? Like a chicken dish in a seafood restaurant or something of the sort. Well, that was the apprehension I was feeling walking into Lafond. I think it is because of the name Lafond and what it means in Santa Barbara, or at least what I think it means in Santa Barbara. Which reminds me of another feeling – the one you get when you walk into Gucci wearing Target and you know that they know there is no way you are making any sort of purchase. Perhaps I am on my own here (or the only one admitting to the recognition), but if I am, let me clarify. The Lafond presence is one which knows that it is doing something not only right, but trendy, and many have followed suit (Lafond opened the first winery in Santa Barbara County since prohibition – it took a decade for others to catch on). I did not want to disappoint when I visited Lafond.
Okay, that was the feeling I had before I entered the tasting room, but it was just a fleeting moment. Once inside we had a wonderful, friendly, informative (but not overly zealous – we had to coax the information out of her a bit) pourer that put me right at ease. The trendsetter did not disappoint this guest – the Chardonnay was impeccable. In fact, I think I freaked her and those surrounding me out a bit with my rave review. We were also invited to try three Pinot Noir’s which is always fun – doing a mini taste test within a tasting. Our experience came to a close and I did not want to go. I was intrigued and inspired by the wine, the ambiance, and the story Lafond has to tell of a time before trends existed to be met.
The tasting room experience (listed in order from best liked first):
$5.00 tasting fee which includes a glass to take home
2004 Lafond Vineyard Chardonnay $48.00
2004 Arita Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir $36.00
2003 Lafond Vineyard Pinot Noir $48.00
2005 SRH Syrah $18.00
2004 SRH Pinot Noir $36.00
2005 SRH Chardonnay $20.00
Inspired by David Lafond, I would like to share a poem (tongue firmly in cheek, lest you imagine some crazy earnest hippy girl):
Mouth agape, I watch as She flows,
Chardonnay dances and teases;
begins to take shape.
In the glass so gold,
on the tongue so bold.
Sharp and crisp
never flaccid,
Unless you have too much malolactic acid
a lovely finish to the day,
another encore with Chardonnay.
Thank you, thank you. Since you liked that one so much, here is another one:
Ahem…
Serious endeavor, taking a plunge,
vowing love for Syrah,
a lifetime, forever.
Your color so rich and dark,
it is no wonder early on you made your mark.
Poetry is truly your name,
Your full-bodied flavor never the same.
You hail from all over the globe,
A new story always to be told.
My love renewed, it was meant to be,
You taste so good, OMG. |
