There was something very magical about listening to the raindrops singing on top of the tin roof, sharing hot food with one’s friend and being able to drink wine...on a Monday!  We sat and chatted for a while before finally, grudgingly, realizing that I was here to work and taste wine and not just to have a good time with my friend.   

Upon entering the fairly large parking lot of the Freemark Abbey Winery, it seemed that the rains had scared away most of the tourists.  Only the hardcore, diehard wine enthusiasts were intent on battling the rain and sampling the wines.  To the left of the parking lot was a large stone building and to the right was a large wooden “farm-house” style structure.  The sign said ‘wine tasting to the right’, so that’s where we headed.  The wooden verandah, surrounded by beautiful flowers and greenery, creaked as we walked towards the tasting room. 

The tasting room had a few couples and all of them briefly paused and looked in our direction before resuming their wine tasting as we entered.  We found a nice spot at the end of the bar and were greeted by one of the many tasting room associates.  Our host informed us of the tasting fees and asked us if we were ready to start tasting.  I left it up to our host to customize our tasting since both Sarita and I like white as well as red wine.

From all the wines that we tasted, the stand outs for both of us were the 2008 Viognier, the 2001 Cabernet Franc, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon “Bosche” and the top of the line, 2005 Josephine Red Wine.  The Viognier had a nose of delicate spring flowers followed by tastes of white peaches and guava.  The Cabernet franc had plums and apricot aromas which transformed into taste of silky yet somewhat tannic-y lavender and violets. The Cabernet “Bosche” had hints of cherries and dark berries smoothing into a bold mouth feel of cocoa, wood and tobacco.  The Josephine red was a blend of silky velvety deliciousness that seemed to linger in one’s mouth forever!

The best value of the lot (for us) was the Cabernet Franc.  So on our way out, we purchased two bottles.  Since Sarita had a yoga class scheduled at 4:00 PM, we had to get back in the car and start driving back.  After dropping Sarita off, I purchased some cheese and headed back home, anxious to open the bottle of Cabernet Franc.

By the end of the day, I was thanking God for the wonderful fortune I had of spending time with a friend and sipping some delicious wine.  Maybe the pilgrimage to the Abbey had something to do with it!