V. M. L.

TRL/Staff/Wine:10/8/7

Used to be C. Donatello, and Belvedere previously. Whomever ends up in this facility will always inherit a beautiful winery and tasting room.

2011 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc $22/$18/$14

Very light sauv. Blanc. High citrus on the nose, but muted just enough on the palate.  Ok.

2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay $25/$20/$25

45% new French Oak/ 55% 1-2 year old for 10 months

 The French oak opens up the nasal passages, but once you’re past it, the pear and orange aromas win out.  The palate is light with lemon and a little creaminess.  Nice chardonnay.

2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $30/$24/$30

100% French oak.

Nice silky finish. Modest notes for strawberry, raspberry, and vanilla (clearly, from the oak).

2010 Ivywood Vineyard Pinot Noir $45/$36/$38

Vineyard is north of Occidental.

Blackberry with hints of some type of meat spice, (light pepper or rose) on the nose. The palate is tight with acidity and would benefit from some time in the cellary. The pomegranate will come out in due course.

2010 Winemaker’s Select

Vineyard is in the middle Occidental, Forestville, and Sebastopol.

I’m not sure if there’s pomegranate on the nose or not, but there’s a dark fruit that is not quite blackberry on the nose.  The palate is mild and pleasant, but the Dubliner cheese we were tasting with the wine paired beautifully.  It also had a kick from the chocolate covered pomegranate tasting paired with it.  Interesting and good.

2010 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel  $22/$18/$22

Holy jammy batman!  Ripe blackberry jam and black licorice on the nose and palate.  Not much else.  Definitely a porky’s patch type.  Mom likes it.