Sonoma County

• Alexander Valley
• Bennett Valley
• Best of Sonoma
• Dry Creek Valley
• Fort Ross/Seaview
• Moon Mountain
• Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak
• Russian River Valley
• Sonoma Coast
• Sonoma Mountain
• Sonoma Valley
• Knights Valley

For 20 years Quivira Vineyards has produced a Provencal-style Rosé with Grenache as the lead variety. Additionally there is also 20% Primitivo, and smaller amounts of Counoise, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre. There is soft fruit and soft acidity here, a wine that doesn’t overshadow any companion foods. Strawberry, stone, fruits, light citrus, black cherry, rhubarb, and subtle lemon lime fill out the palate. This is not a wine that announces itself and takes control, this is a subtle wine that is meant to be part of the meal.

For over 50 years Chalk Hill Winery has been at the forefront of Sonoma wines. Their Windy Ridge Sauvignon Blanc is a testament to the Chalk Hill AVA. Harvested from a single block and using clone 378, this offers soft passion fruit, lemon-lime citrus, light resin, honeydew melon, apricot and quince. It also offers a solid minerality throughout the wine. Shying away from the more grassy iterations, this feels like an “adult” Sauvignon Blanc, more restrained and complementary to a diversity of foods.

2017 was a challenging vintage between the heat, the rain and the fires, yet, many wineries were able to dodge those and make excellent wines especially in Sonoma.  This is one of the good ones.  It is also a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 18% Syrah added which appears to make a bit more accessible but also give it some depth.  Inky purple in color, thing ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black raspberries, clay, spice and slight cedar notes.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a high energy wine with a lot going on.  Cassis, chocolate and slight underlyi

This is more of a claret styled Zin and not a monster fruit bomb.  This style tends to age nicely and at age 5, this one was drinking beautifully.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight bramble and a bit of black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Velvety texture.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with a slight milk chocolate note.  Delicious.  Good finish.  This should drink well for another five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and will work very well with hearty foods such a lamb stew or even vegetarian chili.  

From Mike Officer's home vineyard, another in the Carlisle collection of excellent Zinfandels.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight leather and citrus.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, and spice.  Some minty on the finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or ribs off the grill.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, bramble and black pepper. Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity. On the palate, this is upfront with good black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well now and should for another five to eight years.  A nice wine with pizza.  

The label lists this as 33 year old vines.  Great showing.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cola, cherries, spice and slight earthiness.  Wonderful round texture.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, this seems to be at peak.  Black cherries with slight cherries and a bit of spice.  No signs of age but certainly mature.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

The label proclaims the grapes were from 20 year old vines.  What a treat to taste this at age 29.  Drinking beautifully.  Ruby color, clear and bright.  Just the barest tinge or browning.  The nose is great with cherries, slight rhubarb, slight cola, dust and spice.  Medium bodied.  This is mature but if it is past, it hides it very well.  Impressive.  The palate has cherries, rhubarb and an underlying earthiness.  Complex.  Nice finish.  This seems like it would still have life left but given bottle variation with older wines, be prudent.  Nice on its own or with food.  This deserves a ni

Jamie Kutch makes some of the best values in top quality (expensive) Pinot Noir.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is good with cherries, char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Tannins seems fully integrated.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and just a bit of char.  Good balance.  Long finish with a slight green herbal note.  Delicious. This is still young but closing in on maturity.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work well with fowl or pork.  It would also go great with Vietnamese food.  

The definition of a feminine Pinot Noir.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is beautiful with cherries, slight strawberry, char and earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Almost delicate but too persistent.  Cherries, slight black cherries, with spice and forest floor.  Long finish.  This is near maturity but may have a bit more to go.  it should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own, probably better with food.  Pan Roasted duck with wild mushrooms would be perfect.