Fleming’s 100 Wines

We are 2 weeks into the amazing 5-weeks of wine tasting that Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar hosts every September. The Fleming’s 100 is their elusive wine list that is debuted every year. Each Friday in September taste 20 wines for $25! Now that’s what I call a tasting! Every Fleming’s in the country has the same 80 national selections, which are their heavy hitters and a standout in each wine category. The remaining 20 wines are personally chosen by each restaurant’s Wine Manager for their guests to enjoy. Together, these two groups make up the complete Fleming’s 100.

Last year I had the opportunity to go to to the wine tastings at the DC Ranch location in Scottsdale, AZ. Read about last year’s experience where I fell in love with Fleming’s. I’m not usually a fan of corporate establishments, but Fleming’s has won me over with their outstanding customer service and incredible generosity for their community, not to mention the amazing food paired perfectly with some of the best wines I have ever eaten. I am happy to say that I love Fleming’s – the people that make each visit memorable, and the food that makes me crave my leftovers the next day.

So far this September, I have gone to two different locations and will visit all 4 valley locations before the Fleming’s 100 Wine Event is over and tweeting with the hashtag #Flem100. I started out at the Peoria location, which I had never been to. I met Operating Partner Scot Densford who was so gracious to this little wine blogger. The next Friday night I ventured over to the Scottsdale location where Operating Partner Darrin Visser sure knows how to make a girl feel welcome. He introduced me to Barry Marshall of Marshall Family Wines that just so happened to be there. That was so awesome!

Here are some of my fave wines from the last two weeks.

Started off in Heaven with a little bubbly from DOMAINE CHANDON, étoile Brut Napa-Sonoma Counties NV. This sparkling wine sure has a way with tickling my taste buds with flavors of honey, apple, and a creamy caramel finish. A great bottle to have on hand for a special celebration or to just celebrate the art of life. Twitter: @chandon

Surprise Surprise that I also loved the MIONETTO, Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Italy NV – I am seriously in love with sparkling wines. Bubbles make me oh so happy! I just recently started drinking Proseccos over the last two years and my palate has welcomed the dryness and crispness of these sparklings. Before I had enjoyed mostly sweet sparklings, but now I am happy to say that Prosecco is on my list of favorite bubblies.

I absolutely adored the CONUNDRUM, California, 2010 with its soft creamy finish and with the powerful scent of vanilla and honeysuckle. This wine is very complex and left me wanting more. This is a wine that I should have in my personal wine cabinet to enjoy when I need to smile. It is that yummy! Twitter: @ConundrumWinery

I tend to lean towards a nice buttery Chardonnay and the SILVERADO, Chardonnay Napa Valley, 2008/2009 does not disappoint. This wine has aromas of vanilla and citrus, with great undertones thanks to the oak barreling. This would be a wine I would share with friends to show them my love of whites – it is well balanced and a very easy wine to enjoy after a long day at work.

There was one bottle that just had a simple tag that just said Saldo on it. Nothing else. I was definitely intrigued. When I swirled my ORIN SWIFT, Zinfandel California Saldo, 2009/2010 I was entranced by this wine. I learned that the wine is blended from grapes all over Northern California and uses the best of the best grape lots. It definitely shows!

Another label that made me wonder what was in the bottle was PARDUCCI, Petite Sirah Mendocino True Grit, 2007/2008.  I found this Petite Sirah to have a dry fruity finish, a little peppery, and very heardy – the type you pour with a big juicy steak. I can already see drinking this on a cold winter’s night (yes here in Phoenix!) and enjoying the bold robust flavors that this wine brings forth.

The LADERA, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2007/2008 blew me away with its bold dark fruit flavors of plum and bramble berry with a soft and lush finish. This vineyard married grapes from two mountain estate vineyards and I have to say, it was a match made in Heaven. I love Ladera. Period. The end. It’s awesome! Twitter: @LaderaVineyard

One wine I was ecstatic to see was Arizona Stronghold’s Tazi at the Scottsdale location. Tazi is a great white and am so excited to see Arizona wines be on the wine list of a such a great restaurant. Twitter: @azstronghold

Pic compliments of @myvinespot

I would be remiss if I didn’t share the info about Winesdays this September at Fleming’s: 25% off any bottle from the Fleming’s 100. This is the month to explore the new Fleming’s 100 wine list and find a new favorite. Enjoy 25% off any bottle from the new Fleming’s 100 when you dine on Wednesday evenings in September. Now that is a great deal! Love it.

I can’t wait to taste the other 60 wines on the Fleming’s 100. You should join me!!

Disclosure: I was provided with a free entrance to all of the Fleming’s 100 wine tastings. Any consequent obsession with wine or how much I adore Fleming’s Steakhouse had no bearing on this review of their wines. All opinions are my own as is the gratitude I have for a company that gives so freely to others and supports their community with abundance.

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