Skewis

 TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/10/9

This is the second time we've been here ( the first was in October, only three months after they opened their tasting room) and it was an equal experience. Know that the man and woman behind the tasting bar are the co-owners and winemakers of this wine for the last 17 years. She is supremely knowledgeable, charming, and strikes you as the pretty sister of Tyne Daly. Not only will you enjoy the wines, but she'll regale you with the best foods to pair them with, especially cheeses!  The tasting room is small, only really accommodating 6-8 people, but it's only the two of them and it's a nice student-to-teacher ratio.

For those of you who were looking for more of the 2009 Lingenfelder Vineyard Pinot Noir, you can forget about it. They had 6 full bottles and 4 half bottles when I arrived. When I left, I had the 6 full bottles and the guy next to me bought 3 of the half bottles. You'll have to wait until this fall for the best Pinot NOIR EVER!!

The last time we were here, I hesitated to join the wine club, even though I walked out with a half case of wine. This time, I didn't repeat my mistake. So, not only did I get the best Pinot EVER, I got it at a dramatically discounted price (20% off).  Nah-ner, Nah-ner...

You want to really know how this stop went? My guest said "I've been looking for a Pinot Noir to like, and haven't ever found one...until now."

2009 Montgomery Vineyard Russian River Valley Sonoma county $45/$36/$38

Made from grapes grown from a 20 year old vineyard. Dry and floral with dried fruits on the palate.  This wine has some versatility, but it’ll dry off your palate.

2009 Ridley Vineyard Anderson Valley Mendocino County $45/$36/$43

Mildly herbaceous aromas with hints of clove and dried fruit. Bright, spicy fruit, like cinnamon, cherry, and cedar.

2009 Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard Russian River Valley $48/$39/$46

Medium body with aromas of cranberry and herbs. This has a mineral nose, but the palate has smooth cranberry, cherry, and sweet baking spices.

2009 Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast $48/$39/$42

Mild cedar and rose-based aromas. The finish is long and spicy with blackberry notes and toasty oak.

2009 Greenwood Ridge Vineyard Anderson Valley, Mendocino County $40/$32/$38

Major cedar on the nose!  I’ve never had a more mineral nose on a pinot.  That palate is completely different.  It has bright cherry, modest blackberry and plum, and some smokiness. 

2003 Salzgeber-chan Russian River Valley

They were prepping for a winemaker dinner in the week and decided to pull out one of their library wines, just for the fun of it. Wonderful! It had a little cedar (or eucalyptus) and caramel on the nose.  The  amber lip of an aged wine was prominent.  The palate is delicate and subtle.  It’s smooth, but I find the flavors difficult to access.

Gary Farrell Winery

TRL/Staff/Wine: 9/7/7

It's still a beautiful setting and they've expanded their business model to include reserved tastings/lunches on the veranda or by the fireplace. Their staff is wine literate, but nothing special. I still, after all of these years, find their wines to be substandard and over-priced.

2008 Chardonnay Westside Farms/Russian River Valley  $38/$/$36

Slightly grassy nose, but definitely a crisp, lemony palate. Lime, vanilla with a nice acidity.

2008 Chardonnay Starr Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley $40/$/$36

Orange citrus peel smell. The body has a nice medium-full mouthfeel with a lemony flaver.

2008 Pinot Noir Starr Ridge Russian River Valley $50/$/-

Nose is really muted. If there’s anything, it’s mild red fruit on the nose.  The acidity on the palate is far too strong; it obliterates everything!

{Lisa: Nose smells like a Grenache instead of a pinot.  It’s a true strawberry with a little bit of spiciness to it. NO strawberry on the palate.  Some sharper spices which do not balance well.}

2008 Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard Dijon Clones Russian River Valley $60/$/$42

Bright red fruit on the nose, with aromas of dried fruit, red cherry, and (if you chase it out of the glass) hints of rhubarb. Smooth as a glass table… the finish appears out of nowhere, flashing some odd earthy spices.

2008 Pinot Noir Ramal Vineyard Carneros $55/$/$40

Black cherries and strawberry aromas. Medium-to-light bodied.  Dried red cherries and plums are hiding in the flavors. If you want a good Carneros wine, this is fair, otherwise find Carneros on the map and drive there. The finish leaves some kind of film on your palate.

Lynmar Estates

TRL/Staff/Wine: 10/9/8

The offerings here are mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They produce 6,000 cases per year, which I was intrigued by. This is a spectacular venue, I can't imagine how they're profit margins can afford it.  Some of their business diversity includes picnics and tastings, and other conference type accommodations. The tasting fee is $15 and I'm finding that the market economy has driven more and more wineries in Sonoma County to this model, where it was once prolifically gratis.

We were tempted to join the wine club here, but they deliver six bottles, four times a year, worth about $350 ea.  That was a little rich for my taste, today.

2010 Laguna Ridge Chardonnay $20/$17/$25

30% new French/70% neutral oak; partial malolactic fermentation.

Creamy, buttery nose, but a clean, light-body chard. A good balance between melon (honeydew) and lemon.

2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay $30/$25/$32

10% new oak; full malolactic fermentation

Brighter lemon, but not tart. Wonderfully enjoyable wine!

2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $40/$34/$42

A little tobacco, cocoa, and cherry/raspberry on the nose. Red fruit, chocolate, and spice on the finish.  

{Lisa: delicious spice that does not overwhelm the palate in the least, just washes over.  I get mostly chocolate and allspice on the nose – interesting combination.}

2009 Freestone Cuvee Pinot Noir $50/$43/$35

Nice, soft spice nose consistent with the cool, coastal climate. (Hawk Hill and Zephyr Farms).  It’s light-bodied with very little fruit on the palate. The finish is where the flavor appears, with real cinnamon and mild baking spice.  {Lisa: The nose is fabulous as I’m able to draw a rich Washington apple flavor in the middle of all the baking spices.  The palate washes over too quickly and you briefly wonder if you tasted anything but water, until the after flavor settles and the nose you had in the beginning is rewarded.}

2008 Hawk Hill Pinot Noir $70/$60/$45

Based upon the nose alone, the Zephyr Farms ruined the last wine. The Hawk Hill nose is AMAZING!  The baked spice on the nose is so engaging. The body is light w/ thin red fruits. The spice is subdued on the palate, but it’s an enjoyable experience.

Red Car Wine Co.

TRL/Staff/Wine 8/9/8

The wines made here are predominantly from Sonoma Coast vineyards. The Freestone AVA is the coolest climate and both their pinot noirs and their chardonnays are grown here.  The tasting fee $15 per person; waived for wine purchases over $50 per person. They also make a cool climate style of syrahs, and are one of the rare few wineries that use a gravity-fed bottling process. For those who don't know, this is a process that is much gentler on the wines and minimizes bottle shock recovery time.

There was no question that the woman pouring for us was intimately familiar with her product. She discussed  some of the successes/failures they've had in past years, the details of how their Fort Ross vineyard was structured, and was eager to introduce us to one that wasn't on the menu. You will undoubtedly get the level of attention and interest from this staff.

2010 Trolley Chardonnay $38//-

This is a very lemony chardonnay. It has a nice cool nose, with hints of an astringent white fruit (lemon). Crisp, but not a complete palate cleanser.

2010 Trolley Pinot Noir $45//$35

This showed with mild spice on the nose with a hint of forest floor. The fruit is subtle and dried, but well integrated with the spices.  Medium-bodied, but typical of a good Pinot Noir.

2010 Heaven & Earth Pinot Noir $65//$40

Slightly milder-bodied; the coastal spices are starting to introduce themselves, along with their dance partner cherry. The spices lead, but you don’t know it until the music starts. The nose isn’t flashy, but the palate intrigues. {Lisa: If you “hamster it”, let it warm up in your cheeks before you taste it, it’s sooo flavorful!}

2010 Red Car Estate Pinot Noir Fort-Ross Seaview $65//$40

This is their first vintage of their estate Pinot Noir.  It has a bright nose and palate. In this dance, the cherrys, mild raspberries, and hints of pomegranate lead. This wine would benefit from some time in the cellar. 

2008 Trolley Syrah $38//$38

Earthy nose, with blackberry highlights. Mild tannins. A very cool-drinking syrah. The pepper appears on the finish to remind you that you’re drinking a syrah.

2008 Twenty-two Syrah $50//$38

Cote’ Rhone style with 1% Viognier and 1% Roussane

No pepper. This is a smooth palate, smooth finish syrah, where the floral nose and mild black plum are dominant. You wouldn’t expect this syrah to have been in new oak because the tannins are muted.  It’s a nice syrah…

Balletto Winery

TRL/Staff/Wine: 8/7/6

The tasting room is charming enough with a modest-sized bar that would accommodate about 10 people. The pourer used water to rinse out an unoaked chard before pouring an oaked chard. He had to ask around to answer what the oak distribution was for the 2009 chardonnay. That's why the staff gets a 7. They were pleasant enough and there wasn't any bad vibe, and I noticed that one of the other staff members was more engaging and knowledgeable. I wouldn't knock them for that...particularly when I have the wine to do that.

2010 Pinot Gris $18/$14/$16

Bright, cool, creamy, melony nose. Nice palate, but the creamy lemon flavors were mild. This is a nice pinot gris, but could be mistaken for a soft, simple, sau blanc.  I didn't buy one, but my guest did.

2010 Teresa’s Chardonnay $20/$16/-

Unoaked chardonnay. Nose is similar to a dryish fruit, but the palate is less than simple; it’s very light bodied mild white fruit.

2009 Estate Chardonnay $24/$19/-

30% new French oak / 70% Neutral oak

French oak is bright on the nose. Light bodied and as neutral in flavor as it was oaked

2011 Rose' of Pinot Noir $18/$14/$12

Another light-bodied rose' w/ no acidity and only a smidgen of strawberry.

2009 Gwurstraminer $18/$14/$15

Soft and medium-bodied with notes of lychee on the palate. Not sweet. Not dry.

2010 Estate Pinot Noir $28/$22/$24

Flagship Pinot Noir for the winery. Herbaceous on the nose, mostly with baking spices, with a little clove and a cinnamon stick.

I’m not a fan of wines w/ clove. This is a light-bodied and an unobtrusive drink.

2007 Zinfandel $19/$16/-

Nose was very muted with hints of mild vanilla and blackberry. It had a spicy palate w/ significant oak notes that almost obliterate the black fruit.

2009 Syrah $28/$22/-

Nose has wild black berries that are prominent. The palate is smooth and spiceless. White pepper on the medium-bodied palate. Hints of raspberries, blackberries, and smoked bacon. Tannic acids are non-existent.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

This week is about research.  I wanted to come back and spend some time finding new wineries and collecting information about them.  I also wanted to revisit some old stops that I may have panned in the past, giving them a second chance to impress, now that my palate is more refined and trained.  Since most of those are in Napa Valley, I’m hoping I brought enough cash for the privilege of the experience…sigh.

Windsor Oaks

This new stop proved to be quite the boon. If you can find the place, at the right time, you’ll thoroughly enjoy their offerings. The estate sits on land that is overlapped by three AVAs (Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Chalk Hill), so they have the luxury of identifying their wines with whatever appellation suits their marketing strategy.

They offered six barrels for futures purchase, that range widely. At some of the barrel stations, they offered last year’s bottled vintage as a basis of comparison. This is a very classy move on their part; other wineries don't usually bother. The interesting thing about that was that it didn’t have the effect that you might expect. The overall experience today revealed that the year-to-year variation of the wines provided a little uncertainty as to the final, bottled result. Nonetheless, they have demonstrated their professionalism and quality, if for no other reason than they weren't trying to shove last year's harvest down your throat (ahem, Mazzocco).

If you chose to buy futures that day, you were treated to a VIP experience in their barrel room. This was not a small thing. In walking in, we witnessed the winemaker herself standing on the third stack of barrels, thiefing wine for the patrons below, like a momma bird feeding her little chicks. After wading through the chirping crowd, we found ourselves at the first station where a three year vertical of their chardonnay was awaiting us. More on the wines, later, but one exceptional note was that the 2008 vintage was aged in 100% French oak (and here’s the exceptional part) at the customers’ request. Right next to that was a station serving a lobster bisque soup to pair with the wine. Ahhhh…that was nice!

Because they offer such a wide variety of wines and they were taking the opportunity to showcase them, the next station rounded out the list. Taking notes at this point became challenging, but because this was the first stop of the day, we mustered up and soldiered on. While we stood at the table taking notes, a charming member of the Windsor Oaks team introduced himself (Brian) and engaged us in long, deep discussions over their wines. Moments later, he disappeared and returned with three more bottles, and we were happy he did! More about those wines later.

Overall, this was a monumental stop for us, leaving with two cases of futures and a case and a half of their current offerings. I’ll bet you can’t wait to hear about that!

As a side note, through the course the tastings, we learned that Balverne Manor resides in the middle of the vineyards with a spectacular view. For a reasonable rate, the winery provides accommodations for up to three couples, an incredible meal, and all the wine you’d want to go with it. I’m looking forward to maximizing that experience one day.

2011 Reserve Chardonnay Block 8 Russian River Valley (futures) $35/$26/$30

Cool, creamy nose; light vanilla. Lemony, tart on the palate (like lemon filling of meringue pie). Clean mouthfeel.

2011 Pinot Gris Russian River Valley (futures) $25/$19/-

Organically Grown Block 10

Light pink grapefruit nose. Crisp and a little oaky w/ lemon zest on the palate.

2010 Pinot Gris Russian River Valley

Much more settled and less oaky. It has a little better mouthfeel but not as flavorful. Light apricot on the nose.

2010 Red Mountain Cuvee Chalk Hill (futures) $35/$26/$40

Blend of Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon

The sangio really asserts itself on the nose in a classic Brunello kind of sense. Perfect tannins and mouthfeel for this type of blend. The vanilla and mocha comes trough on the palate with a thin note of raspberry.

2009 Super Tuscan Estate Reserve Chalk Hill (futures) $45/$34/$42

Wonderful nose! Bright fruit on the nose. No acidity on the palate, but still had a mild, velvety finish. I expect this to improve with time. See WM NOTES

2008 Super Tuscan

This is blended with syrah instead of cab franc. It has a better palate and nose.  This is a really good wine with the same mild, velvety finish. Very complex notes. Dark blackberry, brambles, black cherry, cassis with hints of cedar.

2010 Zinfandel Estate Reserve Russian River Valley (futures) $29/$22/$35

Nose is consistent with an old vine zinfandel – Jammy and rich, grown in a higher elevation. It has an extremely well balanced palate. The oak and pepper balance with the blackberry fruit is fantastic!

2009 Zinfandel

This older sister has more oak bias but has very consistent fruit to the newest member of the family.

2009 Estate Petite Sirah Russian River Valley (futures) $35/$26/$38

Soft nose with layer of vanilla, fig, mocha. Nice velvet finish, but the palate doesn’t follow as prominently. A nice dinner might bring out more of the flavors.

Now we get to the point in the story where we entered the VIP room for the rest of the experience.

2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

French oak and stainless steel (aged 16 months)

Nose: nice, creamy – buttery lemon sauce for crab

Palate: Much more fruit than most chardonnays like a soft apple, tempered with pear.

2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

24 months in 100% French oak (30% new)

Nose: Milder nose with hints of lime

Palate: more tropical melon flavor

2009 Russian River Valley

Nose: Soft, almost muted. Paler color than the other two.

Palate: Watery mouthfeel and flavor…I guess the color was right.

2009 Russian River Valley Rose’ of Pinot Noir (Vin Gris) $19/-/$19

Very light, crisp, nose; a little strawberry. Completely refreshing and wet for a rose'.

2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $35/-/-

Nose: Cold and a bit muted.

Palate: Cinnamon and red currant, strawberry-dominated by the spice. Very subtle fruit.

Very light palate. I didn’t get the fruits that were on the nose. Nose had a cinnamon, fig, and sweet rhubarb.  Not for me… -Lisa

2008 Super Tuscan

Nose: Hard to find

Palate: Big! Tannic with cassis, blackberry, mocha

2008 Malbec

Nose: Big jammy fuit, black anise, black currant

Color: Deep burgundy

Palate: I have a different expectation of malbecs, with a desire for more earthiness that just didn’t exist.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $35/-/$50

Nose has bell peppers, a little truffle, light pepper, but good dark earth. Needs to open. Palate is deep, rich, and earthy, with no truffle, but a lot of chocolate and cab franc taste to it. Spices open up in this quickly. Fantastic cab!

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $45/-/$52

Even more accessible nose, coffee, toasty, peppers, spices, rich dark fruits.

2009 Cabernet Franc

Big nose – good bell pepper, but lots of fruit and spice on the nose. Italian hard salami. Great cabernet franc.