Matanzas Creek

TRL/Staff/Wine: 10/9/8
This place has got to be the most out-of-the-way location I have ever found. We drove for miles without civilization in sight, on narrow, bumpy country roads until we found the drive way that took us half-way up the mountain. There, tucked in among the trees was a spectacular venue! Words are useless to describe it. Inside is all the accommodations you could ask for, to include private tasting rooms, a long tasting bar, and a handy retail establishment. The staff behind the bar was a grower, himself, and had so much to say about the wines, the grapes, the regions, the years they were grown, the winemaker, the vinification process, {deep breathe}... As late as this stop was, they treated us as though we were their first customers of the day. ...Fantastic!

2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County $21/$18/$12

Smells of pink grapefruit. 8% Semillon Sauvignon Musque’

Light bodied and mildly acidic from modest oak. Enjoyable.

2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Bennett Valley $30/$23/$25

The nose is rich with white fruits, such as pear, lime, and white peach. The fruits explode in your mouth, making it a very enjoyable wine.

2011 Sauvignon Blanc Helena Bench, Knights Valley $40/$34/$26

The nose is slightly creamy with some lemon zest and grapefruit on the palate that finishes long with modest acidity.

2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County $26/$22/$25

Crisp lemony nose with oak notes (from the 25% new French oak). Very smooth and creamy with oak finishing in your esophagus.

2010 Chardonnay Bennett Valley $40/$34/$30

The palate speaks of more melon and tart fruits. Subtle notes of honeysuckle. Thin body with a slight film that persists.

2008 Pinot Noir Bennett Valley $30/$25/$30

Blackberry and cherry leap out of the glass and into your nose. The cherry lives in skin-form over the palate leaving a fair acidity on the finish. This is a humble Pinot Noir that can be enjoyed without fanfare.

2007 Merlot Bennett Valley $35/$23/$32

Earthy and peppery nose with hints of thyme. Peppery, with a bold cab-based finish. The fruits are hard to find, but this is a steakhouse merlot.

2009 Merlot Bennett Valley $40/$34/$38

Contains Carmenere, a vine that is rare and used to be a staple in Bordeaux before it was wiped out.

Love the nose! Plums, blackberries, and fresh black fruit. I enjoy this as it still has a velvety finish without being obtrusive.  This can be consumed with a steak or by itself.

2006 Syrah, Sonoma County $30/$25/$35

Deep dark, but slightly jammy nose. Not jammy, but full fruit complexity with blackberry, black currant, plum, with black pepper and oak on the finish.

2007 Syrah, Bennett Valley $25/$21/$28

Little redder fruit on the nose, less challenging and dark. This is a smooth fruit wine with less complexity, but easy to drink with no lasting affect to cause you to feel as if you’ve consumed a bottle.  Easy and dangerous, but not a girly drink.  This is for grown-ups.

2008 Journey Red $100/$85/$65

Gratuitous pic of the Chariot of Bacchanalia

Lavender nose w/ notes of black currant and cedar. The palate is fine with well integrated flavors and minerality. This is an elegant wine, but I struggle with the price point. This is a modest meritage and I like it…at a lower price.

2009 Denouement, White Dessert Wine

Aromas of stone fruits that follow simply on the palate. This is the dessert in a dessert wine.