Sonoma County Barrel Tasting 2015

Epilogue
You know, sometimes things happen and you're so deep in the moment that you don't even realize it.  I started out lamenting the lack of enthusiasm I had for this event. I whined (no pun intended) about how I couldn't get fired-up about the tasting, about the traveling, about anything, really.  Looking back, though, the evidence belies the sentiment.  I'm a numbers guy (my friend says "just zeroes and ones"), so let's look at the numbers.

• I counted 136 bottles on the table, when I unpacked. 
• I spent over $4K in cash for all of the wine purchases (future or otherwise)
• I bought 172 bottles from eight different wineries.
• Looking ahead, I have 7 cases (84 bottles) that I'll have to pickup next year.

I think most people would call that a pretty good year.  I'm sure the winemakers are pretty happy with me, anyway! :-)

Sonoma County Barrel Tasting 2015

Day Three

Mauritson
Without a plan for the day, the only thing we were sure we were going to do was pickup our futures at Mauritson.  These guys can be hit and miss for me, year over year.  Some years, the offerings are flat-out fantastic and other years, a complete bust.  Last year was a great year, where we split cabs and zins with our friends, here. So, I had a little optimism for this stop this year.  Sadly, I was disappointed. Not only did the crowd not really bring the energy, but neither did the wines.  Don't get me wrong, there are some very competent wines at Mauritson.  I've enjoyed their Rockpile zinfandels over the years - they have a very rich, old vines quality about them, at times.  I was less than enthused, this year, though.

Pickup:
2012 Mauritson Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge Vineyard (Split a case @$38/bottle)

Cast Wines
Positioned up on the hill across from Dutcher Crossing, this is a new winery to the area.  Bought a couple of years ago, they're just getting established with a small tasting room on the property.  I'll confess that this was an intriguing stop.  The setup requires you to walk up the hill and pass through their processing barn to sample their barrel wines.  On the other side of the barn is a little barn and Adirondack chairs overlooking the valley.  They're not as high up the hill as Sbragia, but the charm isn't lost, for sure.

The wines here have a lot of really good potential, most notably their Petite Sirahs. On any given day, I don't gravitate toward PS, but these were nice.  They had a rich, full-bodied quality with good complexity and balanced tannins, but there was a little something missing.  I couldn't put my finger on it and the best I can tell you is that it's like driving KIA Optima. (Indulge me...)  It looks like a high-end car, the performance numbers are comparable, and the interior is nice, but when you drive it there's something about it that nags at you, reminding you that this isn't a Jag, or BMW 7-series, or a Merc.  That's how I felt about these Petite Sirahs and what made the feeling stronger was the price.  It was as if they were inflating the price to create the appearance of higher quality product.

My final thoughts on Cast Wines is that they'll be a really good producer in the DCV, but they really need to reign-in their prices.  They're anachronistic and that'll lead to their demise.

Sbragia
This is the stop we typically make to enjoy the scenery as much as the wine.  Sbragia has a good track record for quality wines. Our friends are club members here and I never fail to find a wine to enjoy here.  Their Monte Rosso cabernet is always a crowd pleaser, I've enjoyed the fruit forward La Promessa zinfandel on countless occasions, and their Home Ranch and Gamble Ranch chardonnays have been very drinkable.  Their appeal attracts the younger crowd, as well.  Expect to see hipsters pouring out of limos and buses, flooding onto the large patio...their designer jeans and sunglasses glittering in the northern Californian sun.  Of course, if you've read past blogs you'll know my feelings on these neophytes. That notwithstanding, everybody has a role to play in this world... And I value the energy they tend to bring to the event.

Sbragia had three barrels they were tasting: a Home Ranch Chardonnay, La Promessa Zinfandel, and a cabernet sauvignon (I can't remember the name).  All three were really nice and we were nearly compelled to buy the cab on futures. I think if we had been there with friends, it would have been a different outcome.  At any rate, it was a beautiful day and even if our palates were excited, the vivid colors of the valley were a nice consolation.

Recent renovations to the tasting room has really added some charm to the winery.  They've opened up the room with more casual seating (and less ubiquitous and gratuitous merchandising) and added a side room for tasting by club members. The tasting bar here is quite long to begin with, but it can still get two and three people deep during events like this.  Having the auxiliary tasting room for club members was a smart touch.

Joseph Swan
If you're even remotely familiar with the geography of the Dry Creek and Russian River Valley, you'll know that the trek from Sbragia to Joseph is no small thing.  It can easily be 45 minutes, depending upon traffic.  So, when we left Sbragia at 3:20 with the idea to try hit Joseph Swan before the event closed at 4:00, I was skeptical about our chance of success...but when I'm driving, I do like a challenge. :-)

We arrived at exactly 3:56, with a little life in our step to be the last tasting of the day.  From past blogs, you may remember that this can be a real wild card stop.  I compare it to that slot machine that you drop your last quarter in on the last day of your Vegas weekend, as you trudge out to the parking lot, on your way to the airport.  It's that last ditch chance to end the weekend on an uptick. I can't tell you the number of times we've done just exactly that, here.  And there have been times where we've heard the "quarters clinking in the pan".  As it turns out, this time was one of those.

Joseph Swan can be a borderline cult winery, with the occasional varietal that you can't pronounce with Google Translator!  But, they are only occasional and what's more common is some rich, flavorful zinfandels and syrahs.  There were only six wines being poured this year (most years are upwards of 8-10), but it was a nice offering, to be sure.  Over the years, I've either bought futures on their zins or syrahs, and this year, it was syrah. A 2013 vintage from Great Oak Vineyards, this is going to be a very, very nice syrah.  Our enthusiasm for the wine inspired the winemaker to offer us a taste of the same wine that he made by fermenting on the whole cluster.  (For those who are unfamiliar with the process, grapes are usually de-stemmed before being put into bins for the initial fermentation. The "whole cluster" process skips the de-stemming process and, therefore, draws some of the green qualities of the stems during initial fermentation.)  As expected, there was a "green" quality to the syrah. When you've been doing this as much as we have, you know how to recognize these things immediately.  In some cases, it'll carry a mild smell like funky green vegetables. Depending on the flavors that appeal to you as a wine drinker, this may or may not suit you.  I've bought cases of Novy Syrah that went through whole cluster fermentation, but then my tastes changed and I had trouble actually finishing them.  It's a very personal preference.  In this case, the Joseph Swan better suited me without the whole cluster fermentation, to the extent that we committed to an entire case.  These always end up being a good value at the futures price, but if you get your hands on it at retail prices, you won't be disappointed either. Our collection is composed of a lot of expensive syrahs, so it's nice to have a number of inexpensive ones when you simply want to drink a nice wine, and you want it to be a syrah, but you don't feel like analyzing the hell out of it to justify the expenditure.

Futures:
2013 Joseph Swan Vineyards Syrah Great Oak Vineyard (12) $21/bottle

Sonoma County Barrel Tasting 2015

Day Two
I still can't get out of the funk. I don't have the enthusiasm I use to and I'm having trouble finding it.  It was a very slow start to the day. I thought that a special breakfast and a stop at an old favorite winery might get me to change my attitude, so we got up early and went into Sonoma for breakfast at the Community Cafe.  It's one of those special finds that, if whether you're a foodie or not, is worth the extra effort, time, and distance.

Buena Vista (off the Wine Road)

Friday's first stop was actually in Sonoma, proper...Buena Vista.  Once again, the winery was under construction, but not so much that it ruined things.  They tore up the pavers in the courtyard and were in the process of replacing them.  I imagine they'll be done with it in a couple of months. The main building had undergone some minor renovations that really polished the place up.  The upstairs, which had been used as a small museum to the winery and the area, was enhanced by some new relics, and made more inviting by a small tasting bar for club members. Downstairs in one of the club tasting rooms, they replaced an old wood table with one made with onyx, backlit with LED lights. It was quite a special enhancement and one that would impress your friends if you made an appointment.

Sadly, however, the wines have lost the character and charm from years past. Let it be said that piss-poor management can ruin, not just the present day business, but future business, as well.  In a chat with some of the staff, I learned that the previous owners (prior to JCB) ran the vineyards they were pulling from into the ground. As a consequence, all of the old standards for chardonnays are no longer under contract (e.g. Swan Selection, Robert Young Clone 17, Pommard Clone, Dijon Clones, etc.).  Now it's new vineyards and, also sadly, a new style when it comes to chards. Given JCB's French heritage, you can expect that the chards are more acidic and minerally.

We did manage to leave with a mixed case, but at the end of the stop, I was deeply disappointed and have subsequently withdrawn from the club.

Inspiration Vineyards
Last year, this little winery (out in the warehouse district of the Santa Rosa, around the corner from my wine locker) gave us a couple of interesting surprises.  Their zins are light-bodied and a bit acidic, but their whites have some appeal. In this little warehouse location there are three winemakers and Inspiration (with their small volume, but broad offering) is the largest. I do like a good viognier and these guys do a nice one - even better at the futures price of $18/bottle.

The cabernet was another surprise and exceptionally valued at $30 a bottle on futures.

I tasted the Inspriacio last year (a viognier blend, of sorts) and was intrigued but not compelled. This year, the blend is slightly different and just enough to tip the scales in favor of a half case of futures.  As a white wine with a sexy mouthfeel, I'm actually looking forward to its release.

Of course, our satisfaction with the 2013 vintage of the viognier translated to the 2014 vintage which really rounded out our experience here.

Pickup:
2013 Inspiration Vineyards Viognier Russian River Valley (6) / $18 ea.

Futures:
2011 Inspiration Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (6) / $30 
2014 Inspiration Vineyards Inspiracio  (6) / $17 
2014 Inspiration Vineyards Viognier Russian River Valley (6) / $17 ea.

Premonition Cellars
Well, since an old favorite didn't inspire me, I made my way to a new favorite.  Anthony has been making Pinot's for a few years, now, and he's starting to receive the recognition he deserves.  His 2012 Pinot Noir won Best of Class at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, last year.  Emblematic of my decision-making prowess, I was there to pickup a split case of futures from last year.  Of course, that's not where the story ends, though.

As is usual, he was tasting the 2011 next to the 2012 and the 2013 (futures).  As it happens, I'm actually a bigger fan of the 2011 than the 2012, (which I also bought futures of, in years past) and as a consequence of this tasting restocked with another case of the 2011. ...but that's not where the story ends.

Upon tasting the 2013 vintage of his Pinot Noir, I absolutely lost my mind! Not only is this the best vintage he's produced, this is probably the best pinot I've tasted in recent memory!  Now, for the sake of economy, I often split a case of his futures with a friend of mine. This year, I was flying solo, but had his proxy to procure in his name. After tasting this wine though, I had to make a call (literally... I had to call him).  First, you should know that Anthony is "an artist" and, as such, lacks a little business acumen. In this case, he has historically (and stubbornly) underpriced his pinots.  He's marketing a premier wine that would easily retail for $40-$48 a bottle for $22 a bottle on futures ($38 retail)!  Every year, he and I have this discussion (and his wife supports my position) - he's dramatically underpricing his wine and he needs to fix that.  This is like buying Apple @ $70/share when you know it's worth $100/share.  For some, it can be off-putting because they think, "Hey, why is this priced so cheap? It must be crap."  People make judgments (right or wrong) based upon the price of things, so in a way he's hurting himself by being under-priced.  All that said, we greedily bought 3 cases of futures (2 for me and 1 for my friend) and wondered if we might be making a mistake not buying him out and selling the final product ourselves at the price it warrants.

In a nod to his ability to branch out, expand, and diversify his offering, he's tasting his latest creation of a full-bodied, full-fruit zinfandel. He's really on to something with it and I think the only thing he needs to bring it home is a little aging in American oak (which he revealed he's doing with his next vintage).  His first attempt is good, but with his natural talent, his next vintage will be great!

The Haul:
2011 Premonition Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (12) / $36 ea. (Way less than it should be)

Pickup:
Split case of 2012 Premonition Cellars Pinot Noir 

Futures:
2013 Premonition Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (24) / $22 ea. (Way, way less than it should be)

Bacigalupi Vineyards (off the Wine Road)
I'm regularly compelled by my "passenger" to try new places, but my general malaise on this trip made me a bit of a pain in the ass.  ...But, my absentee wine partners mentioned a winery whose name I was familiar with but didn't know that they'd started making their own wine. So, on a whim, we finished the day at Bacigalupi Vineyards.

Over the years, we've reveled in vineyard designated wines from various wineries: pinots from Armida, zinfandels from Williams Selyem, to name a couple. In fact, recently (just after the New Year) we had a party at the house where I opened a 5L bottle of 2005 Williams Selyem Bacigalupi Vineyard Zinfandel. A modest group of nine of us consumed the magical elixir in 2.5 hours.  It was awesome!

That said, naturally I was intrigued by what they might be able to do on their own. The vineyards had been in the family for decades, so they already had great stock to work with. Could they outperform the wineries they sell their grapes to?  Inquiring minds want to know...

While I can say it's a shame they're not a part of barrel tasting, I don't really think it matters that much. The wines they have to offer, while narrow in breadth, are really fantastic. We started with a signature chardonnay, as most wineries do...and that's when I lost my mind. This was it...the chardonnay for which I've been searching for years! Rich, full-bodied with a creamy butter finish that I'd long since believed the valley had stopped producing.  So many wineries these days will blend 60/40 oak-aged and stainless steel. This was all oak, baby and a perfect blend of new and 1-year old oak, but without the kind of toast that leaves splinters on your tongue.  This was the bomb!  I immediately set my guilt-free bottle price at about $48, but alas...I was to be denied.  Retail, this gorgeous chardonnay sells for $56 a bottle. Sigh...ppbbbbb... my ballon deflates.

Next on their list was a nice little pinot and while I found it to be delicious and competent, remember that I had just been spoiled by three spectacular vintages at Premonition Cellars, where I procured several cases for under $30 a bottle. There as a new standard by which pinots would be measured for the rest of the weekend and no one will measure up.

And then it happened...my mind was blown again.  This 2010 zinfandel was incredible.  Medium-to-full bodied, complex fruits of blackberry, cassis, with hints of tobacco and a touch of a peppery spice to balance it out. It easily exceeded my guilt-free price, so we put a pin in that one.

As petite sirahs go, there are those that have a bold tannic backbone that leaves an earthy, velvety finish in your mouth and there are those that are little more than dried dark fruits in their flavors with no tannins to balance, and certainly nothing that would pair with a blackened steak for which most petite sirahs are ideal.  This one, however, was the best balanced I think I've ever had.  A close second is a wine by Jessup Cellars grown out of Yolo, and the Freemark Abbey offering, right after that.  If you're not a lover of petite sirahs then I can understand your disinterest, but know this... If you're ever open to knowing what a PS should taste like, this is where it's at.  That said, I was in for quite a shock when I learned the bottle price and immediately I felt like someone had just put me on an emotional roller coaster.  A PS at $44 a bottle is definitely on the pricey side.

Now is a good time to mention that this vineyard has quite a legacy. It dates back to 1956 when Charles and Helen Bacigalupi bought the land and began planting vineyards. In 1973, 40% of the chardonnay grapes used in the award winning Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was purchased from Baciglaupi (made famous to the masses by the movie Bottle Shock).  Their son John married Pam Heck (of the Korbel family) and their twin daughters Katey and Nicole are both in the industry.  Nicole, in fact, (of the third generation of Bacigalupis) is a key figure in the operation of the retail side.  As I would later discover, that day there were 2.5 generations of Bacigalupis in the tasting room; Pam (Nicole's mother), Nicole, and the next generation growing inside of her.  Believe me when I say the pleasure was all mine as we were graced with having Nicole as our server, that day.  "Server" doesn't do it justice, really, but I'm at a loss for another label. She was bright, engaging, witty, with a Kristen Chenoweth quality about her and she personally introduced us to her family's legacy.  How do you label that...?

So, as we wrapping up the tasting and I'm considering what to purchase, in my mind I'm trying to find a way to justify the cost of the chardonnay that I really, really wanted.  I was torn.  I was seriously considering breaking my rule and dealing with the consequences of the guilt I might feel when I opened the $56 bottle in the future when I thought to inquire about their wine club.

Hazzah!! And there before me in the folds of the brochure was the answer!  One case, twice a year would yield me a 20% discount, which brought my chard into my guilt-free price, did the same for the petite sirah, and made the zinfandel an absolute steal!  But then I saw it... On the menu, but not open for tasting, the 2012 vintage of their zinfandel.  With a composite look of forlorn and wanton desire, I somehow charmed Nicole into opening the 2012 for us.  I was so happy she did, too! It's just as delicious as the 2010 with just a bit more complexity.  It'll age for years to come, but will still impress your most stubborn zin-hater with its complexity and accessibility.

While the day started with the death of an old favorite (and the resignation from the wine club), it concluded with a new old favorite and a corresponding wine club relationship. Nature does seek equilibrium...

The Haul:
2013 Bacigalupi Vineyards Chardonnay (3) / $48 ea.
2012 Bacigalupi Vineyards Zinfandel (3) / $41 ea.
2010 Bacigalupi Vineyards Zinfandel (4) / $33 ea.
2012 Bacigalupi Vineyard Petite Sirah (2) / $37 ea.

As a post script to this, Nicole was talking to us about an event that they're hosting on July 18th where they are pouring wines from all of the other vintners currently making wine with their grapes.  It'll be, without a doubt, the biggest vineyard designate tasting I've ever done or even heard of! Count me in!

At this point, it's time to call it a day... Mel's Fish and Chips for dinner and a couple of movies on my laptop means we've quit while we're ahead.

Sonoma County Barrel Tasting 2015

Day One
I don't know what it is... Maybe I'm older and my interests are changing, maybe it's a bit of attention deficit disorder, but I'm losing my verve for barrel tasting.  This year we had to go it alone because our friends had other priorities.  Maybe that's why I was borderline ambivalent to the trip. Whatever the reason, we went anyway, and I'll say that it wasn't a bad time, but we've had a lot better.

The itinerary was simple and pretty unplanned; we were going to be there the first weekend (Friday through Sunday) and we had to pick up last year's futures.  Beyond that, it was a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of weekend.

Valdez Family Winery
The first stop on the Wine Road was actually planned. This is where you have to check-in to the event and pick up your glasses and wristband for the weekend.  Last year, the six of us did Barrel Tasting and it was a concluded that Valdez Family Winery was the best stop of the trip.  The wines were quite good and altogether surprising in quality and value.

The first barrel was a pinot and a very nice one, at that. It was followed by two zins (Botticelli Vineyard and St. Peter's Church Vineyard).  Both of the zinfandels were mere minutes away from being bottled (mid-April) and released (mid-August), so your risk on a futures purchase was quite minimal. Both had good flavor, although I would have preferred to have tasted the Botticelli Vineyard zinfandel, last.  It had a full-bodied inkiness to it that lingered in your mouth forever! It was at least 5 minutes and three wines later before I could taste something without that hint of black ink in my mouth.  In the end, we procured 6 bottles of the pinot and 3 each bottles of the zinfandels.  It was a nice stop, but not inspiring.

Futures:
6 ea. 2014 Valdez Vineyards Pinot Noir
3 ea. 2013 Botticelli Vineyards Zinfandel
3 ea. 2013 St. Peter's Church Vineyard Zinfandel

J. Keverson
Lisa and a friend bought a case of futures (Starkey's Court Zinfandel) last year, so we had to stop and pick it up.  For the price ($22/bottle), it was a very drinkable wine.  This year's barrel tasting was on par with last year's, but we weren't as jazzed (in general), so nothing came of it.  I will say that there are ancillary benefits to these events and J. Keverson reminded me quickly of it. The wine we were picking up (normally $30/bottle retail, $22/bottle on futures) was being sold as a special - 2 cases for $432.  It was better that buy one, get half off the next. It was tempting, but better judgment prevailed.

Pickup:
Split case of 2012 Starkey's Court Zinfandel

Skewis
I enjoy these pinots, I really do.  It was disappointing to withdraw from their wine club, but circumstances being what they are, it was prudent. Hank and Maggie are a wonderful couple and Hank makes several good pinots.  Most notably, the 2012 Lingenfelder Vineyard slipped into the top 100 wines of the year - by any measure a laudable accomplishment.  Their futures were tasting well, but the youth of the wines (and a little bit too much warmth) didn't give them their best opportunity to shine.  These wines will be good-to-great when their bottled and Skewis is on par for their prices ($40-$50 per bottle).  Even though I withdrew, I highly endorse their wine club (20% discount).

Sapphire Hill
Always a big stop, this year Sapphire Hill didn't disappoint.  And while it was energizing, it wasn't because of the futures.  Chris and Lisa are always so personable and given the opportunity, Chris will talk your ear off.  Don't get me wrong, it's usually a fascinating tale of recent transformations his winery has gone through (or is going through) and this time was no different.  I would regale you with his tales, but that wouldn't be fair... If you want to know the latest, you need to commit your own time to it. It's worth every minute.

Chris was tasting a chardonnay and his signature Merleaux out of the barrel, but that wasn't where the real gems were.  Don't get me wrong, they're fine wines, but his recent production of malbec, a new chardonnay, and his zinfandels are the stars of the show!

So, at the risk of beating a dead horse, I'm going to say it again... There are benefits to barrel tasting (and similar events) beyond the event's focus.  While there were only two wines being tasted out of the barrel, we left with 3 cases of wine, mixed with a bunch of his current releases. The D'Argento chardonnay was a full case purchase and a creamy, old school wine. The nose was full of bright melon fruits, but the mouthfeel was where it sold me.  The full body, creamy finish of the wine literally made your mouth water!

The zinfandels are varied but all showing very well. Admittedly, they haven't had a standard-bearing zinfandel like the "Q" since its release as a 2010 vintage, but The Saint, the Old Vines DCV, and the Cabochon Cuvee provide a broad, deep, flavorful offering of very enjoyable zins.  Of course, while I was there I was able to snake some 2010 Zafira, which if you've never had any, you've really lost out. There isn't a single wine I can recall that does a better job of pairing with food (in this case green enchiladas) than the Zafira.  You're screwed, though, because I snagged almost all of the last of it. For those of you who enjoy a little residual sugar in your zins, (ala Rosenblum) then revisit the 2013 vintage of Porky's 2.0.  It's very reminiscent of the early years of Porky's Patch (when Tim still owned the winery), but significantly improved and refined.

The real "jewel" hasn't even been released yet.  I've had my go at it before it was even labelled and it was a beautiful wine... Its name is the Sapphire Hill Red Beryl Pinot Noir.  A half of a case found its way into my possession and I'll be the better man for it!  I could tell you all about this wine, but I won't because that would be too cruel...you can't have it, yet...Anyway, it's all mine! {insert evil laugh here!}

The Haul:
2013 Sapphire Hill Chardonnay D'Argento  (12) / $24 ea.
2012 Sapphire Hill Cinque Gemma (3) / $20 ea.
2012 Sapphire Hill Malbec M Cuvée (2) /  $31 ea.
2009 Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir Red Beryl (6) /  $40 ea.
2012 Sapphire Hill Zinfandel Old Vine Dry Creek Valley (3) / $29 ea.
2013 Sapphire Hill Zinfandel Porky's 2.0 (3) / $20 ea.
2010 Sapphire Hill Zinfandel The Q (2) / $60 ea.
2010 Sapphire Hill Zinfandel Zafira Sonoma County (6) / $28 ea.

Truett Hurst Winery
The Red Rooster Zinfandel showed well at last year's event, enough that we purchased a half-case. While picking it up this year, we sampled their latest offerings (among which was the Red Rooster) and was very tempted to repeat last year's performance.  It was a quiet day at TH and instead of succumbing to our impulse, we took a walk down to the river and milled about for a while. Returning to the barrels and retrying the wines, we changed our mind.  There wasn't anything wrong, it just wasn't as compelling as it was last year.

The three wines they were tasting included 2014 vintages of Luci Zinfandel, Red Rooster Zinfandel, and Black Sheep Pinot Noir.  I'll be frank, they were all really too young to be tasted out of the barrel for me, and at the end of the day, that's why I passed.  Bottled, in a year, these will be solid purchases, I'm sure.

Pickup:
2013 Truett-Hurst Zinfandel Old Vine Red Rooster (6) / Cost: average $27 / total $162

Sonoma County Barrel Tasting - 2013 (Reader's Digest Version)

I'll make this as quick and useful as I can, with the promise that there'll be more detail forthcoming.

Day One:

Red Car - nice enough stop, but no futures or wine bought

Siduri - A case of futures of the Papera Ranch Zinfandel and a couple of odds and ends

Benovia - Nice stop. No futures, but we picked up 3 bottles of their Zin.

Russian Hill - Just picking up our futures from two years ago.  They don't participate in barrel tasting anymore.  Moved on to the next winery.

Joseph Swan - Picked up the futures from last year (Trenton Syrah). The 6 wines they were pouring weren't showing all that well, although the Tannat was interesting.

Sunce' - OMG. There were 20+ wines to drink here.  The Cab Sau from Knights Valley was compelling enough to buy on futures.

Went back into town to try to catch Carol Shelton before they closed.  We failed.  Instead, we ended up in a little warehouse (in the same complex as my wine locker, All Ways Cool).

Premonition Cellars - Young, upstart winemaker has got a touch for Pinots. The case that we bought on futures was worth every penny times TWO!  If you find the place, you'll pull out your wallet and spend your last dollar for a chance to claim this wine for your own.

Colagrossi - The pinots are good, but the star of this show was a blend called Vino Rosso.  We left with 3-4 bottles of it, it was so good.

Desmond - This is a very small winery with fewer than 300 cases.  They grow and sell their grapes to Colagrossi, among others. I think they do a better job of making Pinot with their grapes.  3 bottles here was a no-brainer.

Day Two:

This was a slow day, but only because we spent time at Windsor Oaks at a seminar.

Windsor Oaks - The futures weren't as good as last year, but the Sauvignon Blanc was worth it. We bought a case for next year's release.  The Realm of the Senses was the highlight of the stop. A blind, Ph. D. student blindfolded us and walked us through several scents that we later associated with five wines.  I don't want to spoil the ending, but two of the wines we tasted were worthy of significant purchase.  As Club Members, we continued our tasting in the VIP Room were we tasted another 8 or 9 wines.  The noshes were paired very nicely with the wines, so if you're hungry (and a club member) then you'll sate your appetite.

Sbragia - This is the first time in recent memory that they actually put their futures up for sale. The three wines they were tasting were really worth the futures price. We didn't buy, but our friends did. These wines get better and better. You should know that this is a fun stop, by now, or you haven't been paying attention. It's out-of-the-way, but sack-up and get out there.

Mazzocco - Stopped to pick up futures from last year. They hadn't released it, so it was a wasted stop.  The four wines they were tasting out of the barrel were not up to par. I'm so done with this place.

Day Three:

Trione - They had a couple of wines in the barrel, but they don't sell their wines on futures. No big deal, though, the tasting of their current releases were compelling enough. As usual, it was easy to leave with a case, particularly the Cab Sau Reserve was work 1/2 of a case. Since you should be starting your  tastings at the furthest geographic location, this is your best place to start.

Dutcher Crossing - Two wines were being poured on futures; one pinot noir and one zinfandel (Bill's Block).  The zinfandel futures were worth buying if you enjoy Maple Vineyard zins and I do...

Truett-Hurst - Now this was a nice party, with food and three nice wines in the barrel.  None of them compelled me, but this is a good stop on any day.

Mauritson - The best wine was in the club member's area (as was all the food!).  The Uncle's Block zinfandel is awesome! A case of futures will be thoroughly enjoyed by all! I can't wait!

Stephen & Walker - This is a little place in Healdsburg that we came across while trying to find Selby (which we failed to do).  The three wines they were selling on futures were not noteworthy. Move along.

Topel - They were pouring four wines out of barrels, but the cabs at the bar are why we stop here.  If you can fit in 20 minutes, this is a good filler stop.

Pezzi King - This is a great alternative to Rosenblum's big, jammy zinfandels.  This has some really nice wines, both in the bottle and in the barrel. It's worthwhile to taste these if you enjoy the bigger, fruit bombs for zinfandels.

Sapphire Hill - Secrets and Lies. This is what I carry out of this winery.  There are two wines in the barrel, here that you'll likely enjoy (or will you?).  The 2011 Dry Creek Zin and the 2009 Syrah are about to be released from the barrel (or will they?). The Zin needs more time in the barrel, but the syrah has been in the barrel for 3.5 years and is so ready to be bottled. This is a nearly perfectly balanced syrah with very complex flavors and an earthy finish that lasts forever. It's a classic, to be sure (or is it?).  The proprietor (Lisa) was behind the bar and was very hospitable. As they were closing up, she shared some wines from their stock that weren't on the list.  I can't tell you about them all, but I'll say that their Montrachet was worth a half case, the Cabochon blend was worth a couple more bottles, and I put my money down on a wine that is yet to be released, but will be one of the shining stars of my cellar.  They simply call it "The Q" and it's not yet labelled, bottled, or anything, but it is the most sublime wine I've had in years. I normally use Turley as the gold standard for zinfandel, but they've been unseated! Retail, the 90 cases of this wine will sell for $140 a bottle, but the special few of us who are club members enjoy a special discount.  Sign-up and you'll see for yourself (or will you?).

COMING SOON!

The Wine Manifesto!  

I've been working on this book sporadically for the past few years. I'm nearing completion, so stay tuned. It'll come out as an iBook first, then later as a Kindle Single.  It's a nice, short tome that gets to the point of the things you need to know about wine tasting.  Coming soon to an iPad near you!

First thing's first, though, we'll be heading out to Russian River Valley for the Sonoma County Barrel Tasting, soon. When I return, I'll update the blog and put the finishing touches on the book.

You know, most days (this one included) I wonder if I'm talking to myself. Then I realize "Yes!", I'm talking to the future-me who will be old and mindless, wondering what I did with my life.  So, to my future-self I say, "Go take your meds and give Lisa a squeeze!"

June's Epilogue

While the end-of-May trip was a significant research trip, it wasn't over on the 31st. Over the next three days we wound down our trip with eight more wineries and forty-six more wines.

Final trip count:

• 8 days
• 34 wineries
• 233 wines

The wineries, in no particular order...

• Zichichi (zee-KEY-key)
• Talty
• Frick
• Williams Selyem
• A. Rafanelli
• Truett-Huerst
• Rued
• V.M.L.

Zichichi

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/6/6

2008 Estate Zinfandel $32/$/$28

Sweet caused shudders.

Hints of candied blackberry on the nose. Blackberry flavors appear with hints of residual sugar. The alcohol finish lingers in the back of your throat.

2010 Old Vine Estate Zinfandel $38/$/$30

85 year old vine.

Black currant and red currant on the nose. A little flabby acids with fresh ripe berries that dominate.

2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $30/$/$30

Fruit sourced out of Yountville.

Nice fruit with no structure, acidity, or potential for longevity.  It’s a juicy red wine and little more.

2011 Estate Zinfandel Futures $32/$26/$-

Intense fruit that comes across as a having residual sugar. The alcohol hangs in the back of the throat.

2011 Estate Old Vine Zinfandel $36/$28/$28

This is a much better balanced zinfandel with intense fruit, but some vanilla, toast and mocha to balance the fruit. The alcohol still lingers in the back of your throat.

Talty

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/8/8

2009 Dwight Family Zinfandel $30/$-/$-

Young, spicy nose. Very nice balance of fruit and spice with a medium-to-light body.   The palate is cherry, plum, and spice.  The sage finish is just enough to brag.

2009 Filice Connolly Zinfandel $38/$-/$34

The nose still has spice on it, but it’s far more fruit forward (Jamie describe).  The palate is full fruit with quite a bit of strawberry. Yum. Much more muted nose, with little or no spice balance. Good body, older vines (65 years old). Modestly complex fruit.

2009 Willam Talty Estate Zinfandel $38/$-/$34

Field blend. Mild raspberry notes on the bouquet. Nice integration of raspberry, cherry, and blackberry. The red currant comes out after following tastes.

2008 William Talty Estate Zinfandel $38/$/$39

This is the best nose thus far with a very fruit forward nose with all the baking spice you enjoy.  The palate is very well balanced with a great finish.  It leaves you wanting another drink, but also wanting the next bite of dinner.  The red currant is softer, allowing the black currant, blackberry, and toasty cedar to appear.

2009 Drouthy Neebors Syrah $35/$/$38

Black rasbberry and blackberry don’t jump, but certainly speak to you in a mature feminine manner.  The winemaker’s recommendation of grilled salmon is a good thing to remember for this lighter, delicate syrah.  The palate has a nice forest, mushroom, and black raspberry taste balance. 

This would be a spectacular syrah with a little more earth notes. The tartness of the red currant makes you want a little more of that balanced spicy.

2009 Judge Family Syrah $38/$/$40

Winemaker definitely recommends trying the 2010 judge family syrah.

He recommends pairing with anything mushroom.  The nose is far more complex with spice, mushroom, forest, and fruit. I think the earthy notes will appear over time with some cellaring.  This is a good syrah.

Frick

TRL/Staff/Wine: 6/6/6

2009 Viognier, Estate, Gannon Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley  $27/$24/$24

Nice tropical nose.  The palate follows with mango and pear that lingers.

2009 Counoise Estate, Owl Hill Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $26/$23/$-

The nose is floral w/ strawberry and plum, but the palate is huge and very odd. At one point I thought I was actually eating flower petals infused with fig, plum, and spices.

2009 Cinsault Dry Creek Valley $29/$23/$-

The nose was muted, but the palate had raspberry, bramble berry and black plums.

2007 Carignane Old Vine, Dry Farmed $23/$20/$-

Classic Carignane with blackberry and black cherry flavors, layered with a mild spice.  It’s a typical Carignane.

2008 Conley Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley Grenache $27/$24/$13

The nose presents as if the wine is fortified, but I’ve discovered that is just the cedar notes coming through.  The palate is a bit bitter to me.  I could not access the fruits.

C2 (C-squared) $22/$19/$20

Floral bouquet with undercurrent of plum and red cherries. Nice, easy-drinking petite body with a dusty finish that lingers. 

Williams & Selyem

TRL/Staff/Wine: 10/10/10

2010 Chenin Blanc Limestone Ridge at Vista Verde Vineyard $25/$19

Stirred with the lees given the fermentation is done in concrete eggs, giving it a bigger mouthfeel. The nose is blank but the palate has bright, tart, lemony/limey flavor.

2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Precious Mountain Vineyard $94 /$95 ($115)

This is a spectacular wine! The nose is unique, bright with bing cherry, red currant, with notes of strawberry, charcoal, and vanilla beans.  The vanilla notes leave a silky finish and incredible sense that no other pinot has ever done. The fresh, ripe raspberry dominates the palate, but the layer of vanilla adds to this incredibly complex pinot.  Don’t swirl this too much, it’s too delicate.

2008 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $49/$50

Mix of Russian River Valley Dijon Clones (115, 667) and Pommard clones with true Sonoma Coast grapes. Notes of wild berries, fresh herbs, cranberries, and white pepper.  The palate brings forth notes of ripe berries, fresh herbs, and a long, silky finish. Don’t swirl this too much, it’s too delicate.

2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $49/$54

Much of the same nose as the 2008, with notes of wild raspberry, rose petal and hints of mocha. The palate explodes with notes of wild berries, white pepper, cranberries, and a silky finish.

2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $49/$49

More Pommard clones. Lush fruit with full body and (Pommard and Dijon 115). Blackberries, plums, and hints of toffee on the bouquet. The dark fruit finishes boldly with a silky mouthfeel.

2006 Hawk Hill Chardonnay Russian River Valley $50/$35

Very rich honey and fig notes on the nose and palate.  This is a fantastic chardonnay; however, you could not pull it as a “chardonnay”.  You need to know that this is a more honey, creamy, fig-like fruit wine which would pair beautifully with the cream-cheese fig cracker appetizer or the a delicious apricot-cheddar cheese.  Lovely. Even though this is an oaked wine, it’s smooth as though it wasn’t.

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.

Truett-Hurst

TRL/Staff/Wine: 9/9/9

Left with a half-case. This is an exceptionally club-worthy winery.  The humble exterior of the tasting room belies the rustic, spacious, and charming interior. Walk through the room and you’ll discover tiered picnic areas that lead to the creek behind the property.  This is designed for tastings for 16 and a comfortable seating for 15 more. My only gripe is that the wines are tasted in Riedel O’s.

Staff is already bubbly and informative…within seconds upon our arrival. The energy and enthusiasm was maintained throughout the experience without missing a beat.

This is a stop where you can stock up on meats, cheeses, water, spreads, and crackers. Like Sbragia, this will provide you the resources to extend your tasting day. Moreover, they offered us cheese and crackers to pair with their tastings.

2011 Salmon Run Zinfandel Rose $17/$14/$-

Light crisp and very rose’ like.

2010 White Sheep Pinot Noir $40/$32/$28

Blend of two Dijon Clones, 777, and 667, grown in Green Valley. Light floral notes with subtle layer of raspberry and black cherry. Good color and viscosity. Flavors are warm and comfortable. 100% Pinot Noir

2010 Black Sheep Pinot Noir $40/$32/$37

Blend of two Dijon Clones, 828 and 115. The nose is muted, but the flavors are much more accessible and enticing. Good body with cherry, mild blackberry, and hints of fig. 100% Pinot Noir

2010 Southdown Zinfandel $29/$23/$32

Hints of black tea on the nose with notes of blackberry. The palate follows perfectly, the humble notes of a blackberry/black tea.

2010 Red Rooster Zinfandel $29/$23/$28

The blackberry and leather bouquet. The palate finishes with a tart blackberry and raspberry. Nice body and finish that lingers.

2009 Rattler Rock Zinfandel $29/$23/$32

Interesting nose, with notes of strawberry, boysenberry. Very light and bright fruit on the palate.

2009 GPS Mendocino County Dark Horse Vineyard  $40/$32/$37

40% PS/$30%Syrah/$30% Grenache

Wow, do I ever smell the petit syrah.  This has a nice sweet overtone of strawberry syrup on the nose, but the palate is more of a balanced syrah and Grenache with the right amount of pepper and black fruits to balance the strawberry.

2010 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Burning Man Petite Sirah   $33/$26/$38

The nose was a little inaccessible, with subtle hints of lavender and plum.  Oh my goodness, was there a rich blend of chocolate and black currant that is so balanced it hits you only as a yum with no “oooh sweet” to it, as the dusty finish explains to your palate.

A. Rafanelli

TRL/Staff/Wine:  8/6/5

With all of the hype surrounding the "King of Zins", I had high expectations. I'm hoping we just caught them on a bad day, because I have never been so underwhelmed.

2010 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley //-

The nose is a little cold but the blackberry is struggling to get out. It has an unusual quality on the finish, with notes of red currant and liquorice.

2009 Merlot Dry Creek Valley //-

The bouquet is hiding on us…Soft finish with some earthy tartness. Pinnacle of simplicity.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Very young, but soft tannic nose. Subtle notes of vanilla bouquet. The finish is nice and velvety, but I’m still chasing the fruit.

Rued

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/8/7

2010 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley $16/$15/$-

Pear and kiwi on the nose, with hints of lemon. Clean, stainless steel fermentation with a thin fruit on the palate.

2010 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $18/$16/$-

Nose is a bit cold and muted. Aromas of subtle green apple and white peach, and the oak appears as it warms. The oak layer dominates the palate.

2009 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $28/$25/$-

Spicy nose and palate with a hint of bing cherry. Aromas of vanilla and rose. Thin body and delicate

2008 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $25/$23/$30

Notes of candied blackberry, blueberry and vanilla.  The body is nice and well balanced.

2009 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley  $25/$23/$32

The nose on this is so much bigger with much more smokiness to it. The fruit is meat-infused. The blackberry and black pepper are well-balanced in the wine. The body is bigger, with more viscosity and a mild tart, finish.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley $45/$41/$32

Dusty nose with hints of black pepper, cardamon. Loads of pepper, tannins, with a subtle clovish flavor. The fruit was inaccessible to me. 

May Winery Tallies - 187 Wines & 26 wineries

May 26, 2012 (6 wineries/38 wines)

• Balletto Winery (8 wines)
• Red Car Wine Co. (6 wines)
• Lynmar Estates (5 wines)
• Gary Farrell Winery (5 wines)
• Skewis (6 wines)
• Martinelli (8 wines)

May 27, 2012 (4 wineries/28 wines)

• Trione (8 wines)
• Sausal (7 wines)
• Hanna (7 wines)
• Gopfrich (6 wines)

May 28, 2012 (4 wineries/30 wines)

• Landmark (10 wines)
• Imagery (9 wines)
• Kenwood  (9 wines)
• Matanzas Creek (12 wines)

May 29, 2012 (5 wineries/29 wines)

• Bennett Lane (6 wines)
• Turnbull (5 wines)
• Sequoia Grove (8 wines)
• Francis Ford Coppola Winery (4 wines)
• Cakebread Cellars (6 wines)

May 30, 2012 (4 wineries/39 wines)

• La Crema (7 wines)
• Williamson Wines (5 wines)
• Topel  (10 wines)
• Portalupi (4 wines)
• Sapphire Hill (13 wines)

May 31, 2012 (3 wineries/23 wines)

• Pellegrini (10 wines)
• Benovia (8 wines)
• Soujourn (5 wines)

Soujourn

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/6/6

Nice, intimate setting. Long table with informational props, like soil jars. Crackers and water.  Their vinification process includes whole cluster fermentation, hand press-downs. 50% new oak, 50% 1yr old French oak.

2010 Rodgers Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast $48/$/$30

Grown on the eastern edge of the Sonoma coast ava.  Muted nose, delicate fruit. A little smokiness.

2010 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $48/$/$27

Much bigger nose with smoky notes. Smoky palate, with a little bit of cold meat, like prosciutto.  The palate does not actually follow the nose and lacks the spice needed to balance this into a nice pinot. After some time there’s a cola note on the bouquet.

2010 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $48/$/$30

Big nose with sour fruit on the palate and an alcohol finish that lingers. Needs more fruit balance.

2009 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $59/$/$44

Lisa- Has a nose very similar to what I expect from a Howell Mtn. cabernet with deep blackberry exploding from the glass.  The palate is so full of fruit you are actually surprised by it.  The blackberry and blueberry balance with a bit of earthiness and the dusty finish that dries your mouth just enough to say wine has been here.

2008 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $69/$/$50

Plum and blackcurrant blend on the nose to give you a cooler nose. Earthy notes on the finish with deep rich fruits. The body is full, the finish is smooth.

Benovia

TRL/Staff/Wine:  10/10/10

This may be our first perfect score EVER!  Here's what you need to know about Benovia...

• There's no wine club; get on their mailing list. 
• They make 4,000 cases per year and you're not going to want to miss an opportunity for ANY of them! 
• The staff (Roger) is exceptionally knowledgeable. This guy has been around here for the last 4 decades, knows some of the pioneers of the area, and can tell you details and stories that will far exceed your expectations!  I've been coming out here for years, have visited wineries hundreds of times and have NEVER encountered someone with more encyclopedic knowledge! In the hour and a half we were there I learned an IMMENSE amount! You’ll gain so much information about their vinification process, their growing process, and anything else you want to know.

2010 Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay $32/$-/$32

Wonderful tropical fruit notes that lingers in your nose forever.  The fruit follows perfectly with some spicy oak. I really like this wine.  Lisa - Almost perfect chardonnay.  This could be a little less tropical and a little more buttery for me, but very nice.

2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $45/$-/$42

Wonderful nose! Perfect nose with bright red fruits (mild cherry, raspberry) with black fruits layered on the palate (blackberry, blueberry) Light body but the fruits didn’t appear as watered down. This had a spring release.

2009 Savoy Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $56/$-/$40

Very light bodied wine with subtle notes of strawberry, cranberry, and raspberry. Short finish

2009 Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir $62/$-/$56

What a wonderful floral, fruit nose! Dry farmed with a significant Vineyard pedigree (Williams Selyem, Kosta Browne, DeLoach). Wonderful bright fruit with sour strawberry, with cherry and cranberry notes on the palate.

2009 Bella Una Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $56/$-/$60

Proprietary blend of Pinot Noir Cuvee.  Seductive aromas of ripe blackberry that really represent the region. Juicy mouthfeel with a dusty finish, inviting you to imbibe more.

2009 La Pommeraie Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $56/$-/$56

Characterized as a cabernet lover’s Pinot Noir. Deep black cherry with notes of boysenberry. Silky finish with lingering fruit. The palate is viscous and rich, with balanced acidity. I'd like to say much more about this wine, but I might enthuse some people who would want to ply it out of my cellar. {BARK} Back! Back!

2009 Sonoma County Zinfandel $38/$-/$40

Ripened blackberry nose, with a wine that is exclusively free run juice. Lots of aromatics. Very balanced finished with a mild earthy finish.

2009 Sonoma Mountain Grenache $32/$-/$32  

This is a really nice Grenache with dark fruit notes and a light strawberry finish and modest peppery. I rarely like grenaches because they’re rough, but these are smooth with complexity. They call it a garnacha style which is a Spanish style.

Pellegrini

TRL/Staff/Wine: 6/8/7

2010 Sauvignon Blanc Lake County $15/$12/$14

Pear and apple on the nose.  The green apple tartness dominates the palate with a crisp finish.

2009 Chardonnay Russian River Valley  $18/$14/-

Unoaked chardonnay. Muted nose with crisp acidity on the palate. Lemon notes with bright tartness.

2007 Olivet Lane Reserve Chardonnay  $35/$28/$25

There’s something tropical and woody about the nose. The palate follows exactly but in greater proportion. This is a non-standard chardonnay, so don’t be surprised.

2010 Five Barrel Section Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $35/$28/$30

Bright raspberry and cherry bouquet. The flavors follow, but it’s thin and uninspiring.

2010 Eight Cousins Vineyard Russian River Valley Zinfandel $26/$21/$28

Rich raspberry, blackberry, and red currant on the nose.  The palate follows nicely with a thin body and light pepper.

2007 Napa Valley Dolcetto $18/-/$20

Muted nose (might have been too cold). Smooth, rich flavor with no acid spicy Italian food wine. This is an easy drinking wine with a accessible fruit.

2007 Eight Cousins Merlot Russian River Valley $22/$18/$20

Another cold nose. Flavors of cherry tomatoes, mushroom, with mild earth and no tannins.  

2009 Cloverdale Ranch Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $28/$22/-

A little smoky, but mostly spice with black cherry and red currant on the nose.  Light-bodied for a cabernet, but it doesn’t taste as if it’s lacking at all.  In fact it has a very pleasant finish.

2006 Milestone $30$/24/$27

Red fruit with cedar notes and mint. Dark fruit and earthy. The fruits are well integrated, and modestly complex.

2005 Finale (Late Harvest Zinfandel Port) $40/$/$30

The Brandy doesn’t overwhelm you like you would expect. It’s a nice smooth, fruit forward, accessible fruit with candied blackberry. The brandy is very subtle and unobtrusive. This is agood dessert wine, but one I’d enjoy at a lower price.

Portalupi

TRL/Staff/Wine: 7/7/5

2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $46/$/$-

The alcohol is heavy on the nose. I’m having trouble finding the fruit that has been swallowed by the alcohol on the nose. The cherry is bright and sour across the palate and the alcohol lingers in the back of your throat.

2009 Mendocino County Barbera $36/$/$-

Plum on the nose with high alcohol. It comes across the palate as sour blackberries.

2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel $32/$/$-

This has classic notes of Dry Creek Valley zinfandel with a heavy layer of rose. The red currant, black berry and raspberry appear on the palate, but again…the alcohol lingers.

2010 Vaso di Marina $28/$/$-

This is a red blend of cabernet franc, zinfandel, and petite sirah. I’ve never smelled anything like it.  It’s a long term puzzle to distinguish all the flavors on the nose. Black liquorice on the nose coupled with black currant and cherry.