Black Ridge Vineyards - 2007 Pinot Noir

The next stop for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir is back to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Black Ridge Vineyards is a small producer of Estate grown wines. Their small lot productions are made at Testarossa Vineyards. Of the 1,200 cases they produce the lot sizes range from 50 cases up to 500 cases. In addition to Pinot Noir they produce Viognier and a Bordeaux style blend that uses all 5 of the classic varietals. They have 22 acres under vine. Today I’ll look at their second commercial vintage ever of Pinot Noir. The Black Ridge Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir is produced from estate fruit. Barrel aging was accomplished in French oak. 198 cases of this Pinot Noir were produced and the suggested retail price is $39.

The nose of this Pinot shows toasty oak, vanilla and dark fruits such as plum and blueberry. Black cherry is dominant throughout the palate along with blackberry and hints of orange zest. The fruit takes on a savory edge around mid-palate and that continues through the finish and clings to the back of your throat followed by copious mineral and cranberry notes as well as black pepper, earth and a final wallop of dust. This offering has yielding tannins and excellent acidity.

This Pinot Noir is well made and suitable for drinking for several years or so. It’s quite tasty on its own and will pair well with a wide range of foods. I matched it up with rotisserie chicken and roasted potatoes which worked nicely.

One of the pleasures of tasting through so many Pinot Noirs over several weeks is the discovery of fine releases by producers I wasn’t previously too familiar with. This is one of those cases. I had read about Black Ridge Vineyards on the web but hadn’t tried their wine previously. This Pinot Noir, particularly from a second vintage is impressive and well worth seeking out. I look forward to following the evolution of this winery to see what they do going forward.

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Benton-Lane Winery - 2006 Pinot Noir - First Class

If you go to your local wine shop and look through the domestic Pinot Noir the Benton-Lane Winery label is sure to get your attention. The postage stamp image is eye catching and has a classic look. I recall it grabbing my eye years ago. After reading a bit about the wine I ended up picking up a bottle the next time I ran across it. Benton-Lane Winery is a Willamette Valley Oregon producer that makes mostly Pinot Noir. There were founded by Steve and Carol Girard in 1988 and their first vintage was 1992. They have 138 acres under vine which are sustainably farmed. Benton-Lane Winery produces around 30,000 cases per year. Today during The 12 Days of Pinot Noir I’ll look at one of their small production Pinot Noirs. The 2006 Benton-Lane Pinot Noir - First Class is made only in vintages where a particular lot of wine stands out. This offering is of course 100% Pinot Noir with 4 clones represented (Pommard, 114, 115, and 777). All the fruit is from the Benton-Lane Estate Vineyard. Barrel aging was accomplished over 16 months in French oak. This offering also spent 6 months in bottle prior to release. 684 6 bottle cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $60.

Cherry, plum, and hints of earthy, meaty mushroom fill the generous nose of this Pinot Noir. Wild Strawberry, rhubarb, cherry, raspberry and blackberry are all prominent parts of the palate along with subtle dark plum and leather notes. Dusty cocoa and sour cherry lead the finish followed by tremendous earth, chicory notes and an absolutely terrific (gloriously so) mineral component. The finish is impressively lengthy and echoes on your taste buds long enough to make it seem like it never wants to let go. This wine has terrific overall structure and bracing acidity.

First Class is a great name for what amounts to a reserve style Pinot Noir. This is an excellent wine that drinks quite well now, particularly after an hour in the decanter, and will evolve nicely over the next 3-4 years and drink well for at least 5 after that. This offering is well worth making an extra effort to acquire.

Benton-Lane Winery also makes a larger production Estate Pinot Noir which retails for $26. I'll be taking a look at it in one of my upcoming columns at Bullz-Eye.com.

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Erath Winery - 2006 Estate Selection Pinot Noir / 2006 Prince Hill Pinot Noir

When I was out in Willamette Valley a couple of years ago for the first time Erath Winery was one of my “must” stops. They were amongst the first handful of producers from the area that I drank regularly and helped me down the road of becoming a huge fan of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. And while Erath plays a small role in my personal story with Oregon wines they play a huge role in the history of Oregon wine, specifically those made in the Dundee Hills. Dick Erath planted his first vines there some 40 years ago and made his first commercial vintage of wine in 1972. A couple of years later they were the first winery to build a facility in the Dundee Hills. They haven’t really looked back since; what they have done over the years is inspire many people to make excellent Pinot Noir in Oregon. Today I’ll look at two of their current releases. The first wine up today is the Erath 2006 Estate Selection Pinot Noir. It’s produced using fruit from five of their vineyards. At 62% Knight’s Gambit vineyard makes up the largest percentage of the fruit in this cuvée style offering. Barrel aging was accomplished over 13 months in all French oak; 40% was new. The suggested retail price for this Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is $36.

A lovely strawberry hue is the first thing that becomes apparent when this wine is poured. Taking a whiff the nose is filled with raspberry, vanilla and light, gentle hints of espresso. Rhubarb and wild strawberry are key parts of a palate that strikes me as the epitome of full flavored yet gentle and very much proportionate. Savory fruit notes kick in mid-palate along with touches of smoked meat. Earth, black pepper and mineral characteristics are key elements of the lingering finish. This wine has soft tannins and good acidity.

This Estate Pinot Noir is an excellent showcase not only for Willamette Valley in general but specifically for the distinct wines coming out of the Dundee Hills. For a retail of $37 you’ll also get a wine that can lay down with proper storage for more than five years.

Up next is the Erath 2006 Prince Hill Pinot Noir. All of the fruit for this wine comes from the Prince Hill estate vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Six clones make up the mix here with Pommard representing almost half. Oak aging for this single vineyard selection was accomplished over 14 months in French barrels; 45% of them were new. The suggested retail price for this wine is $45.

Pouring the Prince Hill Pinot its darker red/black cherry hue is immediately apparent. Fresh, ripe dark fruit notes waft invitingly out of the nose. Blackberry, cherry and plum are all apparent. Cherry, raspberry and copious spice notes are part of a palate that’s richer, fuller and more expressive than the Estate cuvee. Black tea and waves of mineral notes are joined by hints of smoke and toasty oak on a long, layered, lush and very memorable finish. Firm tannins and generous acidity frame this wine.

I really like the 2006 Prince Hill now but I think it’ll be significantly better in a couple of years. I’d expect it to drink well for the next decade. This distinct Pinot Noir has flavors that are intense but never over the top, oak that’s apparent at times but never distracting. Overall this is a beautiful wine from a specific spot.

Each of these wines from Erath is impressive in its own way. They share the ability to age and varietal correctness as common characteristics. They’re both good values in their respective categories as well. If you have yet to dive in to Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Erath Winery is a good place to start. They have a long history of consistent winemaking and some selections that are widely available.

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Clos LaChance - 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir / 2006 Biagini Vineyard Pinot Noir

Over the last few years I’ve become very fond in general of the wines from Clos LaChance. Their focus on high quality fruit, combined with a multi-tiered approach that offers cuvée style wines as well as single vineyard and sometimes block designates is conceptually appealing. But more importantly they execute very well on that idea and are an excellent producer for a wine lover who wants multiple options at different price points. This is fun for comparative tasting as well as it is for those who may start drinking at a general tier and eventually move on to higher end wines. Having a reliable producer you know to purchase a bottle aimed at a special occasion or gift is also important. Taking that into account, it certainly made sense for me to taste some wines from Clos LaChance for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir. The first selection is the Clos LaChance 2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir. This wine is produced exclusively from Santa Cruz Mountains fruit. Barrel aging was accomplished over 14 months in French oak; 40% was new, 60 % was used. 1,960 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $32.

A lovely black cherry hue makes an impression when this wine is poured. The nose is loaded with aromas of wild strawberry and vanilla gelato. Crushed red and black fruit along with light mushroom and nutmeg spice notes make up the palate. Black tea leaves, sour cherry, dusty earth, light espresso notes, cinnamon, cardamom and touches of cola make up the generous finish of this Pinot Noir. Fine tannins and firm acidity frame this offering. It drinks quite well on its own and will pair with roast pork loin, grilled chorizo or a host of other foods.

The second selection is the 2006 Biagini Vineyard Pinot Noir. The fruit for this selection comes from Ted Biagini’s 11 acre vineyard. 4 clones of Pinot were planted there in 1998. Barrel aging was accomplished over 14 months in French oak. The suggested retail price for this selection is $50.

Dark fruit notes waft invitingly from the nose of this single vineyard Pinot Noir. Strawberry, raspberry and black cherry characteristics are all apparent in the palate along with an underlying hint of cranberry. White pepper, black tea, hints of licorice, cherry cola and chicory are all part of a long, lingering finish punctuated by spice notes until the very end. This Pinot has excellent structure and firm acidity.

What I really like about these wines is that they are each full flavored and balanced. This has been a hallmark of the Clos LaChance wines I’ve had and one of the things I look for and count on in their wines. Both of these selections will drink well for a number of years. The Biagini is particularly suited to aging and I expect it will improve over 6-7 years and drink well for several more after that. Clos LaChance has become a go to producer of fine wine for me. I hope you too give them a chance and I suspect you’ll find a winery that consistently produces lovely wines at a fair price.

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Archery Summit - 2007 Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir / 2006 Archery Summit Estate Pinot Noir

Today it’s back to the Willamette Valley in Oregon for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir. Archery Summit Winery has 5 vineyard sites and a total of 115 acres under vine. With laser like focus their entire operation is dedicated to only one thing, Pinot Noir. I fondly recall my stop at Archery Summit when I visited Willamette Valley a couple of years back. Their dedication to Pinot Noir was obvious as was their ability to craft quite a few distinct offerings. So I’m glad to have tasted a couple of current releases that I can include here during The 12 Days of Pinot Noir. The 2007 Archery Summit Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir is produced using fruit from each of their five vineyard sites. This selection is 100% varietal. Barrel aging was accomplished over 10 months in French oak; 54% were new. The suggested retail price for this offering is $48.

Wild strawberry, bing cherry, earth and wisps of porcini mushroom emerge from the inviting nose of this Willamette Valley Cuvée. Black cherry, raspberry and rhubarb are all part of a palate that is full flavored and also gentle in its approach. Black tea, minerals and piney forest floor notes are part of the finish which is significant in length. This wine has good acidity and excellent overall structure.

This Cuvée is quite tasty right now but a few years under good storage conditions and its sure to be even more delicious. My recommendation is to cellar it for 2-3 years and drink it in the 3-4 after that. If you are going to drink it sooner, decanting is most definitely recommended to get the most out of this selection. The gentle palate I reference above is what stood out to me most about this Pinot. There are layers of complexity that continue to emerge as this wine opens up and you let it wash over you. This 2007 Cuvée is a nice selection and good representation of Willamette Valley.

The second wine I’m looking at today is the 2006 Archery Summit Estate. The fruit for this offering is taken from the vineyard that surrounds the winery in the Dundee Hills. This wine is also 100% varietal. Barrel aging was accomplished in French oak (87% new) for 9 months followed by 5 months in older barrels. This offering then spent an additional 1.8 months in stainless steel before bottling. The suggested retail price for this wine is $85.

The beautiful cherry red hue of this wine is quite striking. A ton of dark berry fruit notes emerge from the nose as well as hints of leather. The palate of this wine is rich and layered with plum, blackberry, raspberry and flourishes of black pepper. Pencil lead, earth, mushroom and lingering spice notes are all part of a very lengthy and impressive finish. This Pinot has firm tannins and solid acidity.

The length and complexity of this wine are what impressed me most about it. The finish is noteworthy and the overall flavors are both lush and layered. Everything about the taste of this wine says it wants to be taken very seriously, and it should be. Both of these Pinot Noirs are delicious and well made but the Archery Summit Estate is in a higher league. Cellaring will benefit this wine even more than the Cuvée. I’d hold this for 5-6 years and drink it in the 5 after that. An excellent choice to hold and pull out for a future special occasion.

Archery Summit is making a nice range of wines aimed at the serious Pinot Noir lover. If you enjoy this grape, as I do, they are well worth checking out.

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Cinnabar Winery - 2007 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir / 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

Day 4 finds The 12 Days of Pinot Noir making another stop in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cinnabar Winery has a history there that dates to 1983. The name of the winery comes from the belief of 14th century alchemists that they could use the mineral Cinnabar to transform everyday metals into gold. Cinnabar Winery founder Tom Mudd applied that magical thought to winemaking. In total Cinnabar Winery produces approximately 17,000 cases per year. Incorporated in that are three lines or tiers of wines. Today I'll look at two of their Pinot Noirs. The Cinnabar Winery 2007 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is 100% varietal. The fruit for this selection was sourced at Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. This vineyard sits 400 feet above sea level and was planted in 1973. This wine was aged in small French oak barrels for 11 months; 40% of them were new. The suggested retail price for this selection is $35.

Dark cherry, raspberry and violets are all part of the nose of this Pinot; saddle bag aromas underpin the nose. The palate is loaded with a cornucopia of dark berry fruit throughout. Cherry, raspberry, blackberry and hints of prune abound. These are joined by flourishes of smoked meat. The lengthy finish is highlighted by truffle, charred oak and lingering mineral notes. This Pinot has tremendous acidity and excellent overall structure. Mushroom based dishes and lighter stews will be a perfect match for this wine.

The Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot from Cinnabar really opens up with some time in the glass or better yet a decanter. Time really allows it to express some of the subtler charms and layers that are hidden at first. A delicious Pinot that I would drink over the next 6 or 7 years.

The 2006 Cinnabar Winery Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir is also 100% varietal. All the fruit which was hand harvested is from Dijon clones. Oak aging was accomplished over a year in French oak; 50% of the barrels were new. Only 400 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $36.

The first thing that was striking about the Santa Cruz Pinot is the nose being a bit brighter than the Santa Lucia Highlands selection. It's still loaded with dark fruit notes, but a bit of candied cherry wafts through and makes it presence known. Cedar aromas also come out relatively prominently. Cherry, plum, raspberry and wild mushroom are all part of the solid core of flavor that makes up this Pinots palate. Hints of graphite, flint and earth emerge on the finish along with lingering spice such as nutmeg and cinnamon. firm tannins and excellent acidity frame this Pinot. Grilled lamb kebabs and similar mediterranean cuisine would be an excellent match for this Pinot.

The Santa Cruz Pinot is a bit bigger and a touch bolder than the Santa Lucia selection. Each of them is marked by excellent varietal character and both have tremendous, racy acidity making them classic choices to pair with a wide array of foods. They do drink nicely on their own, but these are food wines. Both will also perform quite well for a number of years and they represent fine values in a category (Pinot Noir) that has a lot of misses. These however are hits.

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The Four Graces - 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir / 2006 Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot Noir

A couple of years ago when I travelled to Willamette Valley in Oregon for the firs time there were several Wineries I had in mind to visit. Some were due to exceptional wines I’d had in the past and a few were based on reputation. As I made my way around for a week the recommendations started to pile up. One that was mentioned to me by several folks was The Four Graces. So towards the end of my week I made it over to visit them and was impressed with the quality of the wines. Thus they seemed like a natural to consider for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir. Steve and Paula Black founded The Four Graces; they selected the name to honor their four daughters. They own two distinct vineyard sites, one in the Yamhill-Carlton District and the other in the Red Hills of Dundee. From these they craft Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and of course Pinot Noir. Today for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir I’ll look at two of their releases.

The Four Graces 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was produced mostly from fruit sourced at a combination of their Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton vineyards. Aging was accomplished over 10 months in French oak barrels. 11,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $29.

Wild blackberry, mushrooms and rhubarb are all part of the inviting, almost intoxicating nose of this Willamette Valley Pinot from The Four Graces. Blackberry is a continued standout through the rich palate where it takes on a savory edge. Forest floor, hints of pine and touches of graphite emerge and shine in the finish of this selection. This wine has lovely tannic structure and terrific acidity.

What stands out most to me about this Pinot is its overall combination of medium bodied, full flavored elegance. This is a fine example of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir which will pair well with a host of foods. I matched it up with Beef Stroganoff and thought it worked wonderfully.

The second selection I’m looking at from The Four Graces is the 2006 Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot Noir. This selection is produced from fruit sourced at their Black Family Estate in the Dundee Hills AVA. They craft the Reserve by selecting the best fruit from specific rows and blocks based on studying their vineyard from vintage to vintage. After 13 months in French oak of which 46% was new they put this wine together by selecting individual barrels. 7 months of additional bottle aging occurred prior to release. 2,755 6 bottle cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $42.

Lavender, blackberry and violets are prominent in the nose of this Reserve Pinot Noir. Taking the first sip it’s apparent this selection is a little tight out of the bottle. I decanted and let it breathe for about an hour which worked out perfectly. A combination of sweet and savory cherry, blackberry and plum are prominent throughout the intensely flavorful palate. A veritable potpourri of spice notes emerge at about mid-palate and continue forward through the finish; cinnamon, nutmeg and mocha are all part of the mix. Cherry cola and subtle ginger character emerges in the lengthy finish. Supple, velvety tannins and firm acidity are part of this wines excellent structure.

This Reserve Pinot is both powerful and elegant. That and the lengthy finish are the two most impressive hallmarks to me. This is an excellent value in Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. It’s delicious now but will certainly improve over the next 3-4 years and drink well for 4-5 after that.

Both of these Pinot Noirs are fine examples of the generally wonderful things being done with Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley. Look for more selections from this region as The 12 Days of Pinot Noir continues.

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Bargetto Winery - 2006/2007 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir / 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir

The Santa Cruz Mountains figures prominently in the next stop for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir. While the current site of the Bargetto Winery has been in the family since 1918, the family had already been in the business for several years in the San Francisco area. Currently the third generation is at the helm making wine and running the operation. That makes them the oldest continually run winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Their 40 acre Regan Estate Vineyards is sustainably farmed. Sustainable practices continue outside of the vineyard and all the way through production. Pinot Noir plays a serious role at Bargetto Winery and I’m going to look at three of their Pinots. Two are consecutive vintages of their Santa Cruz Mountains, and the third their current release Reserve Pinot Noir. The 2006 Bargetto Winery Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir has 5%Petite Sirah blended in. Fruit was sourced from five Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard sources; over 59% was from their Regan Estate Vineyard. The Petite Sirah was sourced in Lodi. This wine spent 10 months in French and American oak of which 20% was new. The suggested retail price for this wine is $25.

The 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot from Bargetto has a classic cherry red hue. Violets, vanilla and lots of cherry fill out the nose. Copious wild strawberries, nutmeg and subtle rhubarb are all part of the medium bodied palate. Sour cherry, continued nutmeg, and white pepper are all part of the lovely finish to this wine. Soft, yielding tannins are framed by solid acidity.

This is a delicious Pinot Noir which strikes me as a text book example of well made Pinot from Santa Cruz. Quite delicious on its own this wine would be a great one to serve with the varied foods at Thanksgiving.

The 2007 Bargetto Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir was just released to the public last week. The suggested retail price is $25.

From the outset everything about this wine is a bit bigger than the 2006. That starts with a darker, black cherry hue. Dark cherry, cocoa and cinnamon fill the nose. The palate is a bit heftier with slightly sweeter and significantly darker fruit notes. Black tea and mineral notes lead the finish which has savory elements to it as well. Compared to the 2006 this doesn’t have the sour cherry that one did. The tannic structure is tighter and firmer. The age difference is a factor but more than that I’m sure vintage variation plays a role.

If you’re going to drink this wine now, I’d decant it for an hour. It’ll be an excellent match for lamb chops or grilled Mediterranean cuisine in general. I’m impressed with the quality of both of these Pinot’s and the distinctions between them. In this price category wineries often follow a formula and shoot for a flavor profile instead of letting the grapes speak. It’s clear to me Bargetto is letting the land and the fruit speak in these releases. Tasting them side by side is a fascinating comparison that I highly recommend.

The final wine I’m looking at from Bargetto Winery is the 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve Pinot Noir. This selection is 85.1% Pinot Noir and the balance other varietals. Approximately 85% of the fruit is from Santa Cruz with the balance from Monterey County. Over 62% of the Pinot is from the Regan Estate. This wine was aged for 12 months in French, American and Hungarian Oak; 20% of it was new. Just 254 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $40.

The nose of this Reserve Pinot is loaded with a combination of cherries and strawberries which are underpinned by violets and white pepper. The palate brings to mind a bowl of fresh sweet cherries. The fruit flavors lean dark with flourishes of red fruit peeking through from time to time. Leather, cigar box and sour cherry all emerge on the finish which is of significant length and shows off tingly spice and solid acidity. This Pinot has firm tannins which yield with some air.

What I like about this Reserve Pinot is that it’s a notch or two up the scale in both complexity and length from the non-reserve releases. That said when tasting these it’s possible to see the collective thread between them as well.

I must admit that it’s rare that I like a Pinot Noir that has other varietals blended in. Pinot seems like it most often expresses itself best on its own; I find the other varietals often detract from true Pinot character. However in these three examples from Bargetto Winery I must admit that the Pinot Noir shines through and the other varietals do not in any way detract. Each of these wines is delicious, distinct and also appropriately priced. I heartily recommend all three.

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Beauregard Vineyards - 2006 Bald Mountain Pinot Noir

The next stop for The 12 Days of Pinot Noir is one of several to the Santa Cruz Mountains. I’ve been sampling and ultimately drinking more and more wines from this region over the last few years. I’m happy to report that there are quite a number of wineries turning out excellent wine in this area. The common thread that sticks out for me in the better Santa Cruz Mountains selections I have tried is an outstanding purity of fruit. The first selection I’m looking at from Santa Cruz Mountains during The 12 Days of Pinot Noir is 2006 release from Beauregard Vineyards. While Beauregard Vineyards wasn’t officially launched as a winery until 1999, the family has farmed the area for four generations. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah are amongst the varietals they produce in addition to Pinot Noir.

The 2006 Beauregard Vineyards Pinot Noir is made from fruit sourced at Bald Mountain. This 38 acre parcel is their largest vineyard and has 9 acres planted to Pinot Noir. The suggested retail price for this wine is $45.

Vanilla and dark cherry that’s coated with a slight candied edge fill the nose of this Mountain Pinot Noir. Cranberries and pomegranate are prominent throughout the palate along with layers of raspberry and light flourish of forest floor. Hints of dusty baker’s chocolate and subtle but emerging earth notes lead the lengthy finish along with sour cherry, white pepper, and light cola notes. The tannins are generous and silky, framed by good acidity.

I found this selection from Beauregard Vineyards to be a beautiful expression of mountain grown Pinot Noir. Along the lines of my previous Santa Cruz experiences this wine has a purity of fruit that shines through. This wine is delicious now and will evolve nicely with some additional bottle age. My recommendation would be to lay it down for 2-3 years and drink it in the 5 years after that.

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Foggy Bridge - 2006 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir

So here it is after some anticipation, The 12 Days of Pinot Noir has arrived to welcome in October. Over the next 12 Days quite a few Pinots will be covered and recommended  here. But where to start? Back in July I was out at the Wine Blogger’s Conference and had the opportunity to taste a Chardonnay from an urban San Francisco Winery. That Chardonnay from Foggy Bridge made an impression and when I was rounding up wines to taste for possible inclusion in the 12 Days of Pinot Noir, I checked to see if they made a Pinot, and sure enough they do. So theirs will be the inaugural selection for this 12 Day Pinot Fest. The 2006 Foggy Bridge Pinot Noir is made from fruit sourced at the well known Bien Nacido vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. This wine is 100% Santa Maria Valley fruit and all Pinot Noir. Oak aging was accomplished over 12 months in French (90%), and American (10%) oak. 426 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $38.

Wild strawberries and bing cherry fill the nose of this wine along with touches of crème fraiche and vanilla bean. The palate which gently coats your taste buds is loaded with medium dark fruit; cherries dominate. These are joined by subtler mushroom and earth characteristics. Light chicory notes lead a lingering finish that also has cinnamon, chocolate and solid flourishes of sour cherry. Soft, supple tannins and good acidity round out this wine.

This Pinot Noir provides a ton of varietal character which is particularly important to note when there are a lot of examples out there that don’t. This wine is a classic case of a Pinot that will pair well with a wide array of food. Don’t hesitate to drink it on it’s own though as it’s delicious solo too.

If you want to read more about Foggy Bridge head over to my other site Drink Dry Creek where we recently wrote about their 2007 Zinfandel.

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Visiting Enkidu Wines In Sonoma Valley

Whenever I'm out touring wineries I try to find a happy medium between scheduling appointments and letting each day take me where it may. I keep my eyes open for things that are new and interesting; more importantly I try to keep an open mind to suggestions I hear throughout my travels. Recommendations come in all shapes and sizes. When they're good ones they can change the entire course of a tasting day. That happened to me last week in Sonoma County. I was tasting in Dry Creek Valley and fully intended to spend the whole day there. But then someone recommended and described Enkidu Wines to me. I was probably about 45 minutes away, but I felt like it was where I needed to head next. Suffice it to say I'm glad I took the recommendation. I was immediately impressed when a member of their terrific staff (Abby) asked if I wanted to listen to Al Green or the Black Crowes while I tasted. I happen to like both artists a lot, but I never turn down the Reverend.

There are a lot of places to sample, and all sorts of wine in Sonoma Valley. So how do you decide where to taste? Let me tell you, Enkidu is a place you should most definitely put on your itinerary for the next time you taste in Sonoma. They have an interesting back story, and their name, label art, and overall style complements their wines. But how about the wines?, you ask.

Across the board the wines are well made, tasty and balanced. I sampled close to a dozen wines and while I had favorites, there wasn't a clunker in the bunch.  Their dry Rosé (Shamhat) was the first selection that stood out above the rest for me. It was clean, crisp and dry in a very pure and refreshing way. There are several varietals that they make distinct offerings of; Pinot Noir is one of them. Each of the three Pinots I tasted was made in a genuine style for the varietal, the Tina Marie which is made from Russian River fruit was perhaps my favorite of the trio. Petite Sirah is one of my weaknesses and their 2005 Fazekas Petite sourced in Napa Valley almost had me crying uncle it was so tasty. While I'd expect it to age well, it's a particularly approachable Petite Sirah for barely being 4 years old. Dark fruit and earth characteristics are the standouts in this offering.

Those are but a handful of the wines Enkidu makes and pours. The tasting room at 8910 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood is warm, tastefully decorated and incredibly welcoming. It's a fun place to hang out for a while. As my stay progressed I met several other members of the Enkidu team and they were uniformly friendly. When the combination of well made, fairly priced wines, intersects with a great atmosphere to taste them I think it's important to take note. When I take everything they having going for them into account I doubt Enkidu will under the radar for very long. My advice is to go now and avoid the stampede when everyone else catches up.

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Cameron Hughes - 2007 Lot 101 Russian River Chardonnay

Certain regions and varietals generally go together so perfectly that the combination of the two can induce a bit of excitement. Russian River Chardonnay is one such duo. Of course that’s not to say that every Russian River Chardonnay is terrific, far from it. But there are tons of well made examples and enough tremendous ones to inspire a bit of confidence when approaching them. I’m going to look at one today from Négociant Cameron Hughes. I’ve been very impressed with both his wines and his overall ability to source such high quality and sell it for good prices. In some cases the deals are just outrageous. The 2007 Cameron Hughes Lot 101 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is of course 100% varietal. 50% of the juice was fermented in new oak. 8,000 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $14.

Granny Smith apple, Anjou pear and fig aromas fill the nose of this Chardonnay. Both pear and apple continue throughout the palate which is gentle, layered and complex; rewarding attention with ever increasing nuances that include ginger, cloves, nutmeg and tart apple. The finish is loaded with mineral notes and reminders of apple pie crust. This wine has excellent structure and absolutely tremendous acidity.

If you buy this wine for $14, what you’re doing is essentially stealing it. This Chardonnay is easily worth twice the price. When you drink it, avoid the temptation to over chill; many of its layers emerged a couple of degrees warmer than one would normally drink this varietal. The bottom line here is that Cameron Hughes continues to deliver one standout deal after another. Don’t hesitate to purchase wine with his name on it, he hits them out of the park with consistency.

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Loimer - 2007 Riesling Langenlois Terrassen / 2007 Grüner Veltliner Terrassen

Over the last decade Austrian wines have begun to find their place on US shelves. As is usually the case it starts with those who are really into wine and then eventually starts to seep into the conciousness of the everyday wine consumer. Riesling would seem like the most obvious choice to make a foothold first; and there are some tremendous Austrian examples. But in my experience it's often something different, something that a country or region does that stands apart from other areas that helps them establish themselves. In the case of Austria that grape is Grüner Veltliner. This varietal is poised to do for Austria what Malbec has done for Argentina. Sure, it can be grown elsewhere but nobody makes Grüner Veltliner the way Austria does, ditto for Argentine Malbec. Today I'll look at an example of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling from Loimer. This Austrian producer with a history dating to 1998 produces approximately 16,000 cases of wine per year. Well over 90% of their production is dedicated to white varietals; red varietals and sweet wines make up the remainder of their portfolio. The 2007 Loimer Riesling Langenlois Terrassen has modest alcohol of 13.5%. This selection is most often available for approximately $25.

Lychee fruit and granny smith apple present in the nose of this 2007 Riesling. Lemon zest, grapefruit, hazelnut, Bartlett pear and subtle hints of ginger are part of a full flavored palate that delivers waves of flavor in spades. Emerging tart apple notes and a huge influx of mineral notes emerge on the lengthy and persistent finish. This wine is tangy, zest and incredibly refreshing, helped in part by fine acidity and excellent overall structure.

This is a lovely Riesling with tons of character and many layers of complexity. My advice is to drink it over the next 2-3 years and to be careful not to over chill it. A couple of degrees warmer and you will be rewarded with a lot of additional flavor.

The 2007 Loimer Grüner Veltliner Terrassen comes in with an alcohol content of 13%. This wine is also most often available for approximately $25.

Do you like apricots? If you do the tremendous apricot notes that open the nose of this Grüner Veltliner will certainly please you as they do me. These are underscored by gentle hints of vanilla. Persistent, unyielding mineral characteristics are present throughout the palate. Lovely flourishes of lemon ice and stone fruit echo onward and lead to the finish which is unrelenting in length. Honey emerges and accompanies the mineral notes that just keep on coming. This wine is incredibly crisp and refreshing with a racy acidity.

This wine will pair well with lighter foods. It would go quite nicely with brunch selections. However, I personally prefer to sip this Grüner Veltliner on its own and contemplate its beauty, elegance, complexity and my happiness that this fantastic varietal is soon to have its day on US shelves. Not to mention the prominent place in the collective conciousness of wine drinkers that it so richly deserves.

Both selections from Loimer are tasty, well made and reasonably priced for the complexity and quality they offer. The Grüner Veltliner though is a slight cut above for me for all the reasons I listed above.

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Del Fava Family Winery - 2007 Zinfandel

I mentioned the other day that Cabernet Sauvignon is the first varietal that comes to mind when I think of Alexander Valley and that’s true. Zinfandel comes second though. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of tremendous Zinfandel coming from neighboring Dry Creek Valley and forget that there are quite a few excellent examples in Alexander Valley too. That would be a mistake. Today I’ll look at the Del Fava Zinfandel. The 2007 Del Fava Family Winery Zinfandel is made from Alexander Valley fruit. This offering blends Zinfandel (83%), with Petite Sirah (11%), Carignane (3%), Syrah (1.5%), and Sangiovese (1.5%). This wine spent 12 months in a combination of European and American oak; 30% of the barrels were new. A mere 97 cases of this Zinfandel were produced and the suggested retail price is $24.

Starting with the nose, everything about this wine is big. Aromas of dark and spicy berry fruit lead the charge. They continue through the full throttle, all enveloping palate. Cherry, raspberry, plum and fruitcake spice keep coming in waver after wave of flavor and continue to the unrelenting and lingering finish which adds additional spice and hints of sweet Bosco sauce. Excellent acidity keeps this big, bold wine from going over the top.

If you like your Zinfandel big and loaded with jam flavor this small production wine from Del Fava Family winery is a solid entry worth seeking out. As with the other wines made by Scott and his wife this Zinfandel offers a lot of flavor and good complexity for the money. Each release is interesting and I look forward to keeping up with them to see how their wines evolve from vintage to vintage.

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Del Fava Family Winery - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Pick a winery, any winery and there's a fair chance they have a second label. Historically this was more often the case when a well known, possibly high end, producer wanted to put some everyday drinking wines on the shelf. These days however it's equally common form a winery to have  a second label that produces a higher or reserve tier of wines. Such is the case with Del Fava Family Winery. This is the new off shoot from V-Twin Vineyards, and their take on small production, reserve type wines. Today I'll look at their Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2007 Del Fava Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from fruit sourced in the Geyserville section of Alexander Valley. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), this offering includes Syrah (12%), Petit Verdot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec, (2%) and Merlot (2%). Barrel aging was accomplished over a period of 16 months in a combination of new French and American oak. Alcohol content for this Cabernet Sauvignon is 14.2%. 168 cases of this vintage were produced and the suggested retail price is $28.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the first varietal that come to mind when I think of Alexander Valley. Over the years I've had quite a few excellent ones, both from large well known producers as well as boutique wineries. So I'm always eager to see what someone is doing with Alexander Valley Cabernet. The nose of this wine was slightly reserved at first but some time in the decanter really helped. Once it had opened up plum, blackberry and toasty oak notes fill the nose. Lots of ripe, sweet raspberry and cherry notes are evident throughout the palate along with a nice helping of blackberry as well, to round out the berry filled experience. Cherry pie crust and spice characteristics are evident from the first sip and carry through the finish which has leather, earth, cigar box and espresso notes. This wine has fine, yielding tannins as well as good acidity.

Having had a number of the wines that Scott Del Fava and his wife are making under the two labels, the story of the house style has emerged and become apparent to me. Each of the selections is full flavored, very smooth and layered with good complexity. This Cabernet is delicious now but will certainly improve with some time in the bottle. What impressed me most about this selection is that for $28 you have a very solid Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which is appropriate for mid-term aging. I'd hold it for a year or so and drink it in the 5 or 6 after that.

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Gnarly Head - 2008 Pinot Grigio

If I had a nickel (ok a quarter with inflation) for every uninspired Pinot Grigio clogging up store shelves… well you get the idea, I’d have a lot of change. Much of that blasé Pinot Grigio is from Italy itself. When it comes to California, Pinot Grigio appears to be a growing segment. That’s mostly good, if there’s more of it, someone is going to take it seriously and craft it well. But by the same token there’s going to be a lot of subpar examples to wade through to get to the tasty ones. And the truth is there are even fewer examples that instill excitement in the value category. So when the Gnarly Head Pinot Grigio came across my desk I had countering thoughts; I was balancing the above concerns, if you will, that I have with a lot of Pinot Grigio against the fact that I’ve had some Gnarly Head wines that represented very solid values in the past. What’s one to do with a conundrum like that? Tasting the wine was the only way to go. The 2008 Gnarly Head Pinot Grigio is produced from fruit sourced throughout California; though two thirds is specifically from the Lodi region. This offering was fermented in stainless steel. Alcohol content for this Pinot Grigio is a modest 13%. The suggested retail price for this wine is $10.99.

Pineapple and hints of zesty lemon are part of the nose. A mélange of citrus emerges on the palate along with orchard fruits such as pear and apple. Citrus notes continue to dominate and lead to the finish which includes white pepper and ginger spice. This Pinot Grigio is clean, crisp and refreshing. It has excellent acidity and will pair well with lighter foods.

The bottom line for me on this Pinot Grigio is that it shows sufficient varietal character to make it interesting; it’s also tasty and refreshing. Add in the fact that it’s widely available for under $10 and I find this to be a good choice for large gatherings or everyday drinking.

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Rodney Strong - 2008 Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc

Rodney Strong Vineyards is one of the larger Sonoma County producers. They’re also a consistent one, routinely turning out well made wines that speak of their Sonoma County origins. With all the boutique Wineries out there it sometimes becomes easy to focus on them and forget what the Rodney Strong's of the world bring to the table.  Producers like Rodney Strong Vineyards serve an important purpose; not only do they make good wine consistently, often at a fair price, it’s also widely available. There are many places throughout our country that simply don’t have the ability to stock small boutique productions. So having larger producers who do make interesting, and reliable wines is important, because there sure are a lot of folks who are not making wines that inspire passion. Rodney Strong also makes some small production offerings, giving their portfolio nice variety for those who wish to delve deeper. Today I’ll look at the current release of their Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc. The Rodney Strong Vineyards 2008 Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc is produced from fruit sourced at several of their Estate Vineyards. Fruit from the namesake vineyard in Alexander Valley is blended with selections from a couple of others in Alexander Valley and Russian River. This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 9% was fermented in French oak with the majority fermented in stainless steel tanks. The suggested retail price for this wine is $15.

Lemon ice, hints of lime and an overall mélange of citrus fill the nose of this 2008 Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. The citrus circus continues through the palate; grapefruit and lemon are most prominent and underscored by orchard fruit such as Bartlett pear a wisp of granny smith apple and an array of spice notes. The finish is clean, crisp and refreshing with a lingering wallop of citrus and good punch of acidity to close things out. Pair this up with a variety of lighter fare or drink it on its own.

This is a classic example of Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc. It's also a selection that I preferred ice cold. The cooler temperature really seemed to help show off the citrus elements which are the backbone of this wine. This is another consistent and reasonably priced entry from Rodney Strong.

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Valentin Bianchi - Extra Brut NV Sparkling Wine

I've been impressed with the offerings from Valentin Bianchi for several years now. The thing that most hits home with me is their ability to craft well made, value driven wines at numerous price tiers. What I've found is that whether you buy one of their under $10 wines or one of their higher end wines such as Enzo Bianchi you're getting a lot of value for your money. This is true throughout their many tiers of wine.  That's no small consideration, especially in the economic times we're in. Today I'll look at their Sparkling Wine. The Valentin Bianchi Extra Brut Sparkling Wine is a Non Vintage offering. Fruit for this selection was sourced at two of their vineyards; Dona Elsa Estate and Las Parades Estate. The vines on these two parcels are an average of 760 meters above sea level. This offering is composed of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%). This Sparkler was produced using the traditional French Champenoise method. 5,000 cases of this wine are produced per year of this wine and the suggested retail price is $29.99.

As I sit on my deck enjoying the one day of sun this late summer weekend has bestowed I continue to wonder why as a people we don't drink more Sparkling Wine. For some reason it's largely been relegated to New Years Eve and other celebrations. There is something about popping a cork on some bubbly during those times that signifies a party. But those are all positives, so why don't we reach for it more often? I can't answer that, but what I can do is make a more concerted effort to drink Sparkling Wines and cover them here when they stand out. This example from Valentin Bianchi is just another notch on their belt for me as a go to producer of Argentine Wine.

This Extra Brut has a nice yellow hue, slightly tinged by a splash of green bell pepper. Hints of apple, pear and a dash of vanilla are part of the inviting nose. This wine is full flavored and complex. Flaky biscuit, buttery apple pie crust, hazelnut and white pepper join the fruit to form an expressive palate. The finish on this South American Sparkling Wine is lengthy and persistent with spice elements providing a lasting tingle on the tongue and back of the throat.

Whether you choose to drink this Sparkling Wine from Valentin Bianchi with a meal or as a celebratory toast you're going to enjoy it. This is a well made offering that continues the Bianchi tradition of over-delivering in its price point.

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V-Twin Vineyards - 2007 River Run Chardonnay

After tasting a couple of Zinfandels from V-Twin Vineyards it’s time to see what they can do with Chardonnay. I found the Zinfandels quite tasty and was hopeful that the Chardonnay would follow suit. The 2007 V-Twin Vineyards River Run Chardonnay is produced from fruit sourced in Mendocino. This wine saw no oak treatment. A mere 200 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $15.

Over-oaked Chardonnay is the bane of my existence. Perhaps that’s a bit strong, but you get the idea. I don’t mind some oak but when it’s over the top as it too often is it can ruin some perfectly tasty juice. So I was anticipating tasting this Chardonnay from V-Twin for a couple of reasons. For one I really liked the Zins, and secondly it’s totally un-oaked.

Pineapple, mango and hints of ginger are all part of the fresh and expressive nose of this Chardonnay. From the first sip this wine just hits you with a blast of pure, unadulterated, juicy fruit. That fruit is joined by a tremendous host of spice and mineral notes which pick up mid-palate and carry through the finish which also has touches of cream and Anjou pear. As with the V-Twin Zinfandels this wine will be a good complement with food but doesn’t require it to be enjoyed. This is an excellent white wine to pair with a cheese board presentation.

What I like best about this Chardonnay is the pure expression of fruit it represents. Each of the wines from V-Twin Vineyards has that in common, the fruit shines through. Stay tuned as I look at a couple of wines from Del Fava next week. This is the reserve tier that Scott and his wife have launched in conjunction with V-Twin Vineyards.

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V-Twin Vineyards - 2005 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Another day and a second Zinfandel from V-Twin Vineyards. As I mentioned yesterday Scott Del Fava and his wife are motorcycle enthusiasts. Part of their mission statement is to bring the two worlds together. They aim to make wine a bit less daunting to the average person while also showing that many of their bike riding friends and wine club members are not of the hardcore variety people might stereotypically think of. The 2005 V-Twin Sonoma County Zinfandel was made from fruit sourced in Dry Creek & Alexander Valley. This wine is a blend of Zinfandel (84%), Carignan (6%), and Alicante Bouchet (10%). This Zinfandel was aged in a combination of French and American oak. Alcohol for this release is a modest 13.8%. 476 cases were produced and the suggested retail price is $24.

V-Twin Vineyards isn’t fooling around when it comes to big Zinfandel. This second offering in two days I’m looking at is as impressive as the Poker Run from yesterday. But there are differences, which is of course key. Raspberry compote and vanilla lead the nose of this Sonoma Zinfandel. The words that came to mind when taking the first sip of this wine were, Raspberry Razzmatazz. There are a quite a few other things going on in this wine to be sure, but raspberry leads the charge. Spice layers underpin the core of raspberry throughout the palate. White pepper, dusty cocoa and nutmeg are all part of the finish which has good length.

This wine is another jammy Zinfandel from V-Twin, though a touch less so than the Poker Run. It’s smoother and more immediately accessible as well. It drinks quite nicely by itself, but sure wasn’t hurt when I paired it with a burger topped with caramelized onions and Manchego cheese.

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