La Garza Winery  
 
This winery looks like it has been around for a while it has not gone to the new modern-styled building. I think this was an old farmhouse that was converted over so great wines could be made. They even have a restaurant on the site so you can enjoy a nice meal on the deck overlooking their pond and grounds. The food was very impressive and the menu had a lot of good gourmet choices. The day I was there, Salmon, Quiche and a strawberry/Pinot Gris soup was offered. The Quiche was sold out and they only had one serving of the Salmon left and we got there at 12:30. So get there early if you want a chance at some of the finer options. I had the Italian Sausage sandwich and that was good also. I have a feeling it would be hard to find something on the menu not done well.  
 
You can view La Garza Winery on our new touring guide:  
http://www.oregonwines.com/touringguide/regionzoom.php?RegionID=3&x=177&y=310  
 
Our pourer that day was Roland Campbell and he was very knowledgeable about the winery and local area also. It was very nice talking to Roland and he helped make it an enjoyable stop.  
 
Wine: Pinot Gris  
Year: 2000  
Price: $12  
Aroma: Crisp, clean, green apple  
Taste: Acid, Medium Body, Short finish, hint of lime  
Wine level/Wine Value: 6/6  
My Comments: A very nice summer wine but the fact it is two years old makes me think it is getting close to the peak and should be drunk soon. This wine was just good not great.  
 
Wine: Pinot Gris  
Year: 2002  
Price: $12  
Aroma: Honeysuckle  
Taste: Soft, silky texture, hint of oak and green wood  
Wine level/Wine Value: 7/8  
My Comments: This wine showed the nice young crispness one thinks of when you think Pinot Gris. I would recommend this one be drunk soon to enjoy the crispness  
 
Wine: Rosado Dela Caso (White Cab)  
Year: 1999  
Price: $12  
Aroma: Musty, rubber, raisin  
Taste: Long finish, weak body, acid, cranberry, strawberry  
Wine level/Wine Value: 6/6.  
My Comments: A very interesting wine, the smell was not what I expected but the wine after sipping really was enjoyable. This is a summer wine based on the taste. I think this wine needs to be chilled and consumed chilled. This wine would be great for any White Zin lovers you know. The reason for the ranking, not a great fan of white/blush wines made from red wine grapes but I can see a lot of people enjoying this one.  
 
Wine: Riesling  
Year: 2000  
Price: $9  
Aroma: Big floral aromas  
Taste: Tasted sweet, long finish, light acid, tropical fruit currants  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/9  
My Comments: This is a must/best buy if you like Oregon Rieslings or Rieslings in general. I think at $9 this wine is a steal of a deal  
 
Wine: Merlot  
Year: 1999  
Price: $20  
Aroma: Black cherry and black berry  
Taste: Tannins, soft/velvety, blackberry, hint of green vine, strawberry finish, long finish, full bodied,  
Wine level/Wine Value: 7/7  
My Comments: A very nice Merlot and a good reason to try Southern Oregon wines. This wine is more fruit-driven than tannin-driven like California Reds. So if you like more fruit and less oak in your reds this is yours. However it has just enough tannins it should make you tannin-hunters happy also. Just a really nice merlot that would work great at a dinner party for it should appeal to many people.  
 
 
 
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon  
Year: 1999  
Price: $18  
Aroma: Raisin, raspberry, plum  
Taste: Cherry, full mouth feel, long finish, tannins  
Wine level/Wine Value: 9/8  
My Comments: This wine had a unique touch to it. You can tell it has a full body and the thickness is there but somehow it feels light on the tongue if you are not paying attention. I think that is a credit to the winemaker and what a great wine this is. the only reason the value number is lower is the price is a tad high I think, for most Cabs are running about 15$ I have seen recently that are similar to this one.  
 
Wine: Tinto De La Casa (Cab Sauv and Cab Franc Blend)  
Year: 2000  
Price: $18  
Aroma: Blackberry, leather  
Taste: Cherry, cranberry, strawberry, full body, very long finish with a hint of acid in it  
Wine level/Wine Value: 9/9  
My Comments: This wine never seems to leave after you sip it. I think I was still enjoying this wine a day later. I loved it. Most wines don’t have the ability to linger let alone linger very long. My personal favorite of the reds at this winery.  
 
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve  
Year: 1999  
Price: $28  
Aroma: Plum, black cherry, not a strong nose  
Taste: Dusty effect, tannins, huge cherry finish with a pepper kick on end  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/7  
My Comments: I hate to say it but after the 1999 Cab, I was expecting a full-bodied fruit-driven wine. I did not get it here. I did get a nice wine but I think my score reflects my letdown. This wine probably needs a little more bottle time to become the wine I was expecting.  
 
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon  
Year: 1998  
Price: split $8.50 full $15  
Aroma: Earthy, raisin, plum  
Taste: Raspberry and cherry, tannins, full body, long finish with a hint of black pepper in it.  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/9  
My Comments: This is what I was thinking of for the Reserve. Big fruit, good balance, some tannins still in there for aging.  
 
Wine: Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc  
Year: 2000  
Price: $10  
Aroma: vanilla, molasses  
Taste: Tinny, citrus, long finish, weak body  
Wine level/Wine Value: 7/8  
My Comments: This wine was a pleasant shock for it did not show the syrupy body a lot of late-harvest wines do. I was surprised by the tin-like taste in it. Usually that is only in Gewurztraminers but it was here. Still a good wine.  
 
Wine Level and Wine Value rankings defined:  
 
The Wine Level/Wine Value numbers are on a ten point scale, 10 being the best possible score.  
 
Wine Level is the rank of wine with no regard to price.  
 
The Wine Value number is the ranking taking price into consideration. If the Wine Value is lower then Wine Level it usually means I feel the price is high, if the Wine Value is higher then I feel the wine is a great deal. If they are the same then it is priced where it should be.