Tasting Notes From Our Napa and Sonoma Trip May 2008

SONOMA AND NAPA TRIP, SUMMER 2009 - Forestville, CA (6/25/2009-7/2/2009)

We took our 9-mo old son on his first trip to wine country in June 2009. We brought along both my parents and my wife's parents to help out and spend time with their grandson. We rented a house in the Forestville area that worked out great for us.

Notes from cooking in Day 1

We picked these up at Bottle Barn to try with our first dinner at the house.

• 2008 Breggo Cellars Pinot Gris Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2009)
  Pale appearance. Chalk on the reticent nose. Touch of honey and smoke. "Sweet" peach, pear, lemon fruit. Medium bodied with good concentration. Somewhat Alsatian in profile to me. Pretty nice. $19. 14.8% ABV.
• 2007 Breggo Cellars Chardonnay Savoy Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2009)
  14.8% ABV. $34. Smoky oatmeal nose. Medium deep gold appearance. Rich pear and French oak flavors. Lengthy finish turns somewhat structured for a white wine. This is a pretty serious tasting Chardonnay.
• 2007 Walter Hansel Winery Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Rather skunky on the nose. Bright lemon fruit. Just okay. A little one dimensional and the acidity seems a little off to me.
• 2006 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay The North Slope - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Initially I thought this had a strange hot metal grease nose, but I think it was a sharpie marker someone was using nearby. The nose morphed into more cereal notes with mostly apple fruit. Fine, but this didn't blow me away. Palate fatigue might have been setting in.
• 2007 Breggo Cellars Pinot Noir - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/25/2009)
  14.7% ABV. $35. Medium deep color, translucent garnet. Bit simple, but pretty good. I didn't make any additional notes.

Day 1 - Morning at Sojourn at Chateau St. Jean

Craig and Randy were great hosts at Sojourn. The CSJ stop was an opportunity for my inlaws to see a bigger winery.

• 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/26/2009)
  Translucent light garnet. Interesting nose - earthy, flinty. Little fruit on the nose. Touch spicy. Pretty strawberry fruit, tangy. Potting soil.
• 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/26/2009)
  Translucent, but a bit deeper in color than the Sonoma Coast Pinot. Light cherry nose. Cola. Rich dark cherry fruit, but a touch savory as well. Great velvety mouthfeel. Late cola and spice. Took on a slightly gamey note revisiting this a few minutes later.
• 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/26/2009)
  Root beer on the nose. Translucent touch of blue in the color, but overall light in appearance. Nice nose of high toned bark or cinnamon. Sweet cherry touch of cola. Good.
• 2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/26/2009)
  70% Mountain Terraces vineyard, 30% Valley Floor. 40% new French oak. Translucent garnet appearance. Aromas of vanilla cream, oak. Leafy, cherry currant palate. Medium full bodied. Just okay for my palate.
• 2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mountain Terraces - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/26/2009)
  Earthy red currant fruit nose. Somewhat chunky. Deeper currant fruit. Okay. List price is a bit high in my opinion.
• 2006 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (6/26/2009)
  Sweet nose, touch of mint and eucalyptus up front on the palate. Slightly tangy currant fruit. Nice, distinctive, and a pretty good value.
• 2008 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Georges III - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (6/26/2009)
  Barrel sample - Toasty oak nose. Translucent garnet appearance. Bright currant fruit. Slightly woody finish. Pretty good. Decidedly young.
• 2007 Chateau St. Jean Fumé Blanc Lyon Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/26/2009)
  90% stainless. $20. Tangy lemon lime fruit with a slight creaminess. Pretty good, but not taking any home.
• 2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Cereal smokiness on the nose. Rich toasted oak and pear fruit. Good length. Nice Chard, but a bit over priced.
• 2007 Chateau St. Jean Viognier St. Jean Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Light color. Dead on honeysuckle nose. Medium-bodied, a bit short. Lighter handed Viognier. Pretty good. $30.
• 2006 Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Cranberry nose. Bit simple and uninteresting, especially at this price. $60.
• 2005 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Somewhat complex nose of pencil lead, graphite, leafy greens. A bit unbalanced on the palate. Somewhat underripe tannin? $75.
• 2004 Chateau St. Jean Merlot Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  14.6% ABV. $90. 3 yrs in barrel and another two in bottle. 86% Merlot, with the balance being Cab Sauv and Malbec. Nice nose of powdered sugar and a touch of chocolate. Rich cocoa dark fruit. Nice, albeit pricey.
• 2003 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Bit stemmy, coffee nose. Tannic smelling. Chewey rough tannin. Somewhat austere. Pass.

Day 1 - Afternoon - Carlisle and Arnots Roberts

We stopped to visit Mike O. in Santa Rosa were we barrel sampled mostly. I'm not including notes, since the wines were not finished. Everything was delicious, as you would expect. Unfortunately, their production for '08 is way down due to frost damage. After finishing up with Mike, we headed to meet Duncan Meyers at the Arnot-Roberts warehouse in Forestville. It was a pleasure meeting Duncan and his wife Erin. As an aside, there is a great bakery in Forestville called Nightingale if you have need of some delicious bread. The Culler Cabernet was with dinner at the Farmhouse. We also tasted a Copain Roussane and a Carlisle Two Acres.

• 2008 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/26/2009)
  Napa-Noma Summer 2009 - Picked at 21.5 brix according to Duncan. Steel fermented with 6-mos in neutral barrels. About 12.9% ABV. From Green Island Vineyard and a Sonoma Coast vineyard. Crisp with tangy green apple fruit. A fairly unique California Chard.
• 2007 Arnot-Roberts Syrah - USA, California (6/26/2009)
  Napa-Noma Summer 2009 - Cofermented with about 10% Viognier. 13.7% ABV. High toned Syrah fruit. exotic nose. I don't recall it having obvious peach or stonefruit on the nose, but the Viognier was noticeable. Rich concentrated. Some chalk nuance. Good. This only saw neutral barrels. The grapes were sourced from Griffin's Lair, Brousseau, and Petalume Wind Gap.
• 2007 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/26/2009)
  13.7% ABV. $60. High-toned cool climate fruit nose. Deeply colored, slightly translucent. The nose on this reminds me of some hypothetical super-ripe olive. Tangy fruit. Additional nuance that didn't make it into my notes. Nice.
• 2007 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson Vineyards "North Block" - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (6/26/2009)
  This was whole cluster pressed. Fruit is all Clone 99. Gamey nose. Touch of stinky cheese bacon fat and blood. Tangy fruit. Not my favorite.
• 2006 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Bugay Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/26/2009)
  Includes some Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Nice aromatics of charcoal oak, minerals. Deeply colored nearly opaque. Rich black currant. Slightly chewy tanning. Nice.
• 2007 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Griffin's Lair - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/26/2009)
  14.7% ABV. Inky smelling. Touch of iodine and saline. Concentrated cool climate fruit. Interesting. Savory.
• 2005 Culler Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/26/2009)
  Had this with Dinner at the Farmhouse Inn. No notes at the time, but I really enjoyed this wine. I recall it being pretty open for business with dark currant fruit, graphite, charcoal and some powdered sugar.

Day 2 - Morning - Grey Stack and Inman

We met Peter at the Grey Stack vineyard in Bennett Valley first thing, then drove up to meet Kathleen Inman in Windsor. Both Kathleen and Peter are doing some exciting stuff.

• 2008 Grey Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary's Block - USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley (6/27/2009)
  Tasted at the vineyard with Peter Young. High toned lime and sweet lemon nose initially that became more tropical with some time. Rich lemon meringue passion fruit. With time some saline and herbs on the nose. This is really, really delicious Sauv Blanc.
• 2007 Grey Stack Cellars The Folly Dry Stack Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley (6/27/2009)
  13.9% ABV. 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Touch of rubber on the nose. Rich. Some umami meaty qualities. Rich with a savory finish. This is a bit rustic/rough and tumble. Okay.
• 2006 Grey Stack Cellars Syrah Marie's Block Dry Stack Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley (6/27/2009)
  15.5% ABV. Inky - all but opaque. Touch stinky nose. Meaty rich minerals. Concentrated. Somewhat tannic and chunky. Little coffee. Tooth staining. Pretty good.
• 2006 Grey Stack Cellars Syrah The Narcissist Dry Stack Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley (6/27/2009)
  15.8% ABV. This is basically the same wine as the Marie's block, but with additional new oak. Peter describes it as a "cocktail wine" since it stands well on its own. Rich, more polished. Some vanilla on the nose. On the palate this seems more linear and the oak may have smoothed out some of the rustic character of the Marie's block. Pretty good.
• 2007 Inman Family Pinot Gris - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  13.1% ABV. Pale appearance. Crisp pear and citrus fruit. Medium bodied. Stoney minerals. Pretty good.
• 2008 Inman Family Pinot Noir Rosé "Endless Crush" Olivet Grange Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Very pale salmon color in the glass. Minerals and chalk on the nose. The palate is richer than I expected with crisp fruit tending toward underripe cherries? Touch of sweet tannin. Pretty tasty.
• 2006 Inman Family Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Translucent dark garnet in appearance. Rich smelling. Wet earth, some caramel oak. Cherry fruit. Late clove spices. 14.1% ABV. Pretty nice.
• 2006 Inman Family Pinot Noir Thorn Road Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  13.7% ABV. Reticent. Rich savory tea with some spice. Fruit less evident. Some reticent dark berry. Not my favorite.
• 2006 Inman Family Pinot Noir Olivet Grange Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Garnet amber translucent. Higher toned nose than the other Inman Pinots. Spices like coriander and/or cardamom. Savory, high-toned red fruit. Dried roses.

Day 2 - Afternoon with Fred Scherrer

Fred was opening all kinds of interesting stuff for us and the rest of the Saturday afternoon crowd. We had the pleasure of meeting Lydia, an oenologist with Ramey, among others in the wine business in both Oregon and Sonoma.

• 2008 Scherrer Winery Dry Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/27/2009)
  Pale salmon. Tangy green strawberry. Okay.
• 2007 Scherrer Winery Chardonnay Scherrer - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  14.5% ABV. Light colored tinged with a little green. Touch of cereal on the nose. Apple and pear fruit. Concentrated. Late butterscotch and acidity. Pretty good.
• 2001 Scherrer Winery Chardonnay Scherrer - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  Light colored. More complex nose than the 2007 tasted along side. Toasty oak, minerals. More subdued pear and apple fruit. Nice. Still fresh and light.
• 2004 Scherrer Winery Zinfandel Old and Mature Vines Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  14.5% ABV. Deeply colored somewhat translucent. Zippy acidity medium-bodied sweet spicy raspberry fruit. Not my typical style of Zin but very tasty.
• 2005 Scherrer Winery Zinfandel Old and Mature Vines Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  14.5% ABV. Very similar in nose to the 2004. Zippy, spicy raspberry fruit. Some loam. Briar. Acid structure. Tasty.
• 2006 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma County - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/27/2009)
  Transparent, slightly amber. Dark fruit. Tangy cherry. Tasty. ready to drink.
• 2006 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Bright raspberry aromatics. Mulberry. Touch of spices. Translucent appearance. I like this slightly better than the Sonoma County bottling from the same vintage.
• 2006 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir 'Big Brother' - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Sweet cherry fruit. Moderate acidity. Rich and tasty. Nice.
• 2007 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/27/2009)
  At the winery from an as-yet unlabeled bottle. Fred will age this about 1 1/2 years in bottle before releasing it. Deep dark fruit. Rich tangy black cherry fruit. Bit closed I think. Nice potential.
• 2006 Scherrer Winery Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/27/2009)
  Touch gamey on the nose. Rich black fruit. More light-handed style of Syrah to my palate. From Calypso and Timbervine vineyards.
• 2001 Scherrer Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyards - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  Bottle sweet nose of cedar and currant. Rich caramel. Tasty. Harmonized. Somewhat difficult to tease out all the nuances. Bottle evidences a lot of sediment. This has age nicely.
• 2005 Scherrer Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyards - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/27/2009)
  More reticent nose than the 2001. A little inky with graphite, cedar aromas. Deep color. Rich fruit. Nice but chewy tannins. Good.

Day 3 - Morning at Lynmar and Merry Edwards

• 2008 Lynmar Pinot Noir Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Pale pink salmon color. Tangy green strawberry fruit. Tasty.
• 2006 Lynmar Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  This includes 7% Viognier. It was done in 40% stainless the balance in French oak, a low percentage of which was new. Light cereal on the nose. The Viognier was not detectable to me Medium-full bodied with rich buttered pear flavors. Pretty good. $30.
• 2007 Lynmar Chardonnay Old Wente - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Light cereal nose. Bright apple fruit. This seems riper than the 2006 RRV bottling. Open for business. Something of a crowd pleaser. Good. $40.
• 2006 Lynmar Chardonnay La Sereinite - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Named for the river that runs through Chablis, I'm told. Bright, somewhat steely nose. Lean fruit. Pleasant, but I don't get it at $70 per.
• 2004 Lynmar Chardonnay Quail Hill Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Somewhat deeper color than the other Lynmar Chards we tasted (06 and 07 vintage). Touch woody nose. Suggestion of herbs. Tangy apple fruit. Pretty good. $40.
• 2006 Lynmar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  This shows some metallic, tin can aromas on the nose. Pomegranate. Tangy. not great. Bit too acidic and unbalanced for me.
• 2006 Lynmar Pinot Noir Hawk Hill Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Richer smelling than the RRV bottling. Dark fruit. Medium-full bodied with fruit that tends toward raspberry. Rather expensive at $70.
• 2006 Lynmar Pinot Noir Zephyr Farms - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Mineral and graphite nose. Saturated translucent appearance. Rich. Medium-full bodied. Slightly metallic cherry fruit. Pretty good. Expensive. $70.
• 2006 Lynmar Pinot Noir Quail Hill - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Bit reticent nose. Aromas of earth, black cherry. Medium-bodied with a bit of late acid turning lean. $60.okay.
• 2006 Lynmar Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/28/2009)
  Deeply colored, dark black fruit. Touch gamey. High toned cool climate fruit. Little black olive. $36.
• 2007 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Translucent dark garnet. Cherry cola nose. Served a bit too warm at the tasting room. Earth. Pretty good.
• 2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  This is apparently all Pommard clone fruit. Light violet(?) nose. Touch of black cherry. Bright black cherry fruit turning tangy cranberry late. Quite tangy in the finish.
• 2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Tobias Glen - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Darker appearance then than the '06 Flax. Dark fruit. Cherry and plum. More black fruit. Slightly fuller bodied with late acidity. Pretty good.
• 2008 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  From the musque clone of SB. Tangy nose that seems a little more New Zealand in style than most CA SBs. Sweet lemon fruit. More open and lush than the nose suggests. Quite good. I enjoyed this much better than an earlier vintage I tasted some years ago ('06 maybe).

Day 3 - Afternoon at Copain, Arista

It's a small world in wine country. Our host at Copain was the lovely Karen , wife of Jay of Carlisle fame. The Copain wines are coming on strong.

• 2008 Copain Viognier Tous Ensemble - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/28/2009)
  Ripe apricot nose. Very pale appearance. Rich sweet apricot with a touch of mandarin orange. Great QPR at $20. 13.7% ABV.
• 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/28/2009)
  Rich smelling. Earth and dark cherry. Brighter red fruit on the palate. Tangy finish. Maybe a little too tangy on the finish for me. Reasonably priced. $30.
• 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Hacienda Secoya - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/28/2009)
  Rich smelling with riper more forward fruit than the Tous Ensemble Pinot. Sweet tart cherry fruit. Tangy. Nice aromatics.
• 2007 Copain Pinot Noir Baker Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/28/2009)
  Citrus cherry. High toned nose. Bright. Underripe raspberry. I prefer the Hacienda Secoya to this. $47.
• 2005 Copain Les Copains James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (6/28/2009)
  Apparently a GSM blend that is something like 15% Syrah, 43% Grenache, 42% Mourvedre, if my notes from the tasting room are correct. Pretty nose of dark fruit. Rather elegant for Paso and other JBV wines I've tasted. Tastes a lot like a GSM made by a Pinot producer to me. Pretty good. $40.
• 2007 Copain Syrah Tous Ensemble - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (6/28/2009)
  Gamey meaty nose. Touch of smoke. Deeply colored. Balanced, somewhat linear but seamless. Touch of late tanginess. Nice QPR.
• 2006 Copain Syrah Les Voisins - USA, California, North Coast, McDowell Valley (6/28/2009)
  Elegant black fruit. Seamless. Nice texture. Nice at $35.
• 2005 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (6/28/2009)
  Smells a bit more tannic than the other Copain wines tasted alongside. Bit reticent on the nose. Bright on the palate - drinking pretty well now. I didn't get lots of complexity, but that could well be palate fatigue setting in.
• 2008 Arista Winery Gewürztraminer - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Dry. Pretty nose of floral spices and lychee fruit. Rich concentrated pear and lychee fruit. Finishes a bit quick, but this is tasty. $26.
• 2007 Arista Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/28/2009)
  Earthy Pinot tart cherry nose. Smells high toned. Tangy. Acidic palate. Don't much care for this. $36.
• 2007 Arista Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Richer, darker fruit quality to the sonoma coast. Tangy black cherry fruit. Bit one dimensional. Eh.
• 2007 Arista Winery Pinot Noir Longbow - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Earthy, touch of mushroom nose. Dark cherry fruit. Pretty tasty. Late cola. $46.
• 2008 Arista Winery Pinot Gris Mononi Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/28/2009)
  Pleasant, medium bodied. Mostly white fruit. Good balance. $26.

Day 4 - Morning at Pride

The Pride folks were great hosts as usual. Special thanks to Tim on this visit.

• 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay Vintner's Select Cuvée Mountain Top Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/29/2009)
  Light steely. Medium bodied finishes a bit woody. Mona found it a little green. okay.
• 2008 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/29/2009)
  Medium bodied with apricot flavors. This is a lighter handed Viognier to my palate. Somewhat more crisp rather than lush. Pretty good juice. Drink up young I suspect. I like this better than some of the recent earlier vintages of Pride's Viognier.
• 2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County (6/29/2009)
  Inky color. Barrel sweet touch of vanilla. Black berry fruit. Touch of smoke. Meaty. Pretty nice. More like a Cab in style in some ways to me. Pride is actually holding back some of their 2007 Syrah to blend into the 2008 since they had such a small crop for the 2008 vintage.
• 2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot - USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma (6/29/2009)
  Barrel Sample - Dark color with a lighter rim, somewhat translucent. Sweet nose of vanilla and chocolate. Dark berry fruit mocha. Late acidity. Quite tasty. This is going to be a great vintage for this wine I think.
• 2006 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot - USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma (6/29/2009)
  Sweet caramel oak nose. Some vanilla. Touch of powdered sugar creme brulee. Somewhat more austere than the '07 barrel sample. Concentrated black fruit. Deeply colored in the glass with a hint of tawny at the edge. Nice. $56.
• 2006 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Rich cedar currant with a touch of caramel. Chewy tannins. Good.

Day 4 - Afternoon in Napa

We decided to take Mona's parents to see a couple of the bigger wineries, since they are brand new to the whole wine country experience. Beringer is doing some nice stuff, but Sterling is a laggard.

• 2007 Sterling Vineyards Pinot Gris - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Light melon nose. Pleasant dry lemon fruit. Ok, maybe even better than I feared.
• 2007 Sterling Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Crisp tangy lemon fruit. Not bad, but a bit simple.
• 2006 Sterling Vineyards Sangiovese Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Reticent with some concrete on the nose. Medium bodied with a little dry cherry fruit. Eh.
• 2005 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (6/29/2009)
  Deep color, slightly translucent. Cedar oak nose. A little dusty and peppery. Rather dry smelling. Black currant. Medium-full bodied juicy black fruit. not bad. $40.
• 2007 Sterling Vineyards Malvasia Bianca - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Aromatic slightly lychee nut gewurz like. Sweet smelling. Sweet peachy flavors on the palate. Well made, not sure when I would drink this though.
• 2008 Sterling Vineyards Viognier - USA, California, North Coast (6/29/2009)
  Tangy bright peach/apricot fruit. Pretty tasty. Maybe a little bit sweet. Worth taking a couple bottles along.
• 2004 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Black currant fruit and a touch of cedar on the nose. Tangy bleh palate. Pass.
• 2006 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Rich cereal toasted oak nose. Bright pineapple and sweet lemon. This is all from the Gamble vineyard, 75% new oak. 100% malo, weekly lees stirring. Very interesting and distinctive Chardonnay when you are in the mood for something not ashamed to scream California Chardonnay. Like this.
• 2004 Sterling Vineyards Merlot Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Touch corky? Light menthol tangy black currant. eh.
• 2004 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/29/2009)
  Pretty nose - touch menthol and mint mocha. Cherry fruit. Softish tangy cherry. Finishes a bit hot.
• 2001 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Franc Third Century - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/29/2009)
  Really used to enjoy this wine, but it seems past its prime to my palate. Simple dark fruit maybe a little weedy.
• 2007 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Cereal nose more apple pear fruit. Good sweet ripe fruit. This is picked about a half degree less brix than the Sbragia according to the tasting room host. about 75% new oak. Pretty solid chard. $35.
• 2002 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Franc Steinhauer Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/29/2009)
  Rather bright fruit nose with a touch of brown sugar. Bit of dry tannin in the palate. Pretty good.
• 2003 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Complex nose touch of cedar and menthol. Dark fruit. Rich balanced dark touch of brown sugar. More reserved style of cab.
• 2005 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  Tasted alongside a 2003. More reticent cedar currant nose. Rich dark currant fruit. Plush. Similar to the '03 in flavors. Touch of brown sugar. Seamless. Nice. Slightly prefer this to the '03.
• 2004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Port - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/29/2009)
  19% ABV. 100% Cabernet. Rich sweetish. Okay, not my style.

Wines with Dinner at Cyrus

• 2007 Leo Steen Chenin Blanc Saini Farms - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (6/29/2009)
  With dinner at Cyrus. Dry chenin done in a somewhat lean style for California. Bright lemon fruit with some mineral and herb complexity. Not outstanding on its own, but made a very nice pairing with our first couple courses.
• 2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/29/2009)
  With dinner at Cyrus. This was a fascinating Pinot that in some ways didn't drink like a Pinot. Bright lovely raspberry fruit on the palate. Slightly candied. relatively low acidity. Medium-bodied. Enjoyed.
• 2006 Favia Rompecabezas - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (6/29/2009)
  With dinner at Cyrus. Apparently a GSM blend. Blind, I might have guessed this was a Pinot initially given its lighter color and relative elegance. Reminds me some of the Copain Les Copain from James Berry Vineyard. Pretty good, but I was not blown away. With a little time I got more Grenache fruit.

Day 5 - Morning at Paul Hobbs

We met Lauren at the Lindsay estate to taste the Paul Hobbs wines, then stopped in a Deloach out of curiosity.

• 2007 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Medium light gold with a slight haze. Light cereal toast French oak. Touch of pear fruit. Rich tangy sweet apple fruit. Pretty good. According to our host Lauren this is unfined/unfiltered, whole cluster press, indigenous yeast, primary and malo fermentations in barrel. $45
• 2006 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Lindsay Vineyard Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Translucent dark garnet, slightly clearing at the rim. Pretty nose of cherry with a touch of pomegranate. This saw 86% new oak, but it doesn't really taste like it. A pretty solid Pinot, but overpriced in my opinion at $85.
• 2006 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/30/2009)
  Opaque center, garnet edges, clear rim. Cedar and dark currant nose. Touch of leather and tobacco mocha. This was apparently opened yesterday. Rich black currant fruit on the palate with some additional cedar elements. Toothy tannin. Very nice cab. $75
• 2006 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Marchiori Vineyard - Argentina, Mendoza (6/30/2009)
  At the Paul Hobbs winery...Deeply colored, almost opaque. Touch woody nose. Caramel dark fruit, tobacco. Sweet black candied fruit palate. Really good stuff, particularly at $40. Like it.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards O.F.S. Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Moderately dry rose with a distintive watermelon flavor. not bad.
• 2006 DeLoach Vineyards Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Mostly lemon pear nose. Maybe some light toasted cereal. Soft pear fruit. Bit hollow mid palate. Ok. $16
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Chardonnay Russian River Valley OFS - USA, California (6/30/2009)
  Richer more buttery cereal than the regular RRV bottling we tasted ('06). Pear fruit. not bad.
• 2006 DeLoach Vineyards Chardonnay Golden Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/30/2009)
  Less prominent oak in this bottling as compared to the '07 OFS. Minerals and pear fruit.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Translucent ruby. Earth dark fruit nose. Pretty cherry fruit on the palate. Okay. $24
• 2006 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir O.F.S. - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Wet earth. Touch of mushroom. Something of a floral green quality. Finishes with some spices. Eh. $38
• 2006 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/30/2009)
  Translucent with hints of amber. Savory smelling earth, tangy cranberry, pomegranate. $85.
• 2006 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir Maboroshi - USA, California (6/30/2009)
  Brighter color than the other deloach pinots. Reticent earth nose. Meatier dark fruit. Mona noted a little apricot.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir Green Valley - USA, California (6/30/2009)
  Medium bright, translucent color. Unfortunately my notes after that are limited to "ok".
• 2006 De Loach Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Van Der Kamp - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Pretty bright high toned fruit. Cranberry. Not bad.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Pinot Noir Masut Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Wet earth nose. Tangy dark cherry. Interesting.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Zinfandel Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Dark appearance. Touch of briar and loam on the nose. Reticent. Somewhat. Medium-full bodied and tangy. A bit too acidic.
• 2007 DeLoach Vineyards Zinfandel Nova Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Lake County (6/30/2009)
  15% ABV. from 40 yr old vines. Lighter styled zin with a touch of dust and olive. Pass.

Day 5 - Afternoon in Healdsburg, then dinner in

Sourverain has gone way down hill in my opinion. The surly pourer and hot temperature in the tasting room didn't help. The Rosenblum folks were friendly though.

• 2008 Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  Bright slightly peppery nose. Lemony, lean bright lime. Not bad.
• 2005 Chateau Souverain Zinfandel Buchignani-Garcia Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (6/30/2009)
  Translucent slightly amber. Medium to full bodied. peppery. Pass.
• 2004 Chateau Souverain Merlot Winemaker's Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  Somewhat deeper color. Rich tannin. red fruit. Ok, but not at $35.
• 2007 Chateau Souverain Chardonnay Winemaker's Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Rich pear fruit. Butter. Pretty good.
• 2006 Chateau Souverain Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  Bit of pinot funk on the nose. Ok. Cranberry cherry fruit.
• 2005 Chateau Souverain Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  Plummy black fruit. Simple. Served a bit warm like all the wines in this tasting room.
• 2006 Chateau Souverain Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  Slight gaminess on the nose. Plummy black fruit. Better than the 2005, but not especially good.
• 2003 Chateau Souverain Petite Sirah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  This apparently includes some Cabernet. Chewy black fruit high acid. I used to like their petite, but I'll pass on this.
• 2005 Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker's Reserve - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (6/30/2009)
  Cedar currant nose. Black fruit. Not bad. I would give this another chance if it were served at a cooler temperature, but for $40, I'll pass.
• 2008 Rosenblum Cellars Viognier Kathy's Cuvée - USA, California (7/1/2009)
  Bright apricot a touch of something like lemon verbena. Sweet rich open styled, fruit driven Viognier. Decidedly on the luscious end of the spectrum. Newly released and great QPR.
• 2007 Rosenblum Cellars Marsanne Preston Vineyard Dry Creek Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  $25. Creamy tasty white fruit - the exact fruit eluded me, kind of apple meets apricot. Pretty tasty. This didn't have any of the nutty qualities I sometimes find off putting in Marsanne.
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Annette's Reserve - USA, California, North Coast, Redwood Valley (7/1/2009)
  Concentrated, but not especially Zin like to my palate. Somewhat funky tea finish.
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Aparicio Vineyard - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (7/1/2009)
  Sweet zin fruit nose. Dark berry. Jammy juicy soft pleasant. Low structure. Pretty good for current consumption.
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel 30th Anniversary Reserve Rockpile Road Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (7/1/2009)
  14.8% ABV. Good nose of mineral, tar, floral quality. Rich red berry fruit. Nice, but the price seems a little out of line at $65.
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (7/1/2009)
  Juicy nose. Bright berry fruit with rich fruit on the palate. Not bad. $35.
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Syrah Abba Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (7/1/2009)
  Soft. Somewhat inky and monolithic. Dark plump fruit. ok. $25
• 2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Reserve Carla's Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (7/1/2009)
  14.9% ABV. Peppery nose. Red stewed fruit palate. Bit of cranberry tart in the finish. $30.
• 2004 Rosenblum Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux Blend Holbrook Mitchell Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville (7/1/2009)
  Cedar currant nose. Bit high toned for Cabernet. This starts well, but doesn't follow through. $40.
• 2006 Balleto Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/30/2009)
  13.8% ABV, $14. Pretty good value. Ripe apple and pear fruit with a touch cereal. Round. Not bad.
• 2007 Breggo Cellars Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/30/2009)
  14.2% ABV. $50. Mostly uniform translucent ruby in the glass. Bright pretty cherry candy. Medium-sweet cherry tart berry fruit. Late cranberry. Pretty good. I would be more excited if it were in the $35 range.
• 1989 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/30/2009)
  13.3% ABV. Purchased at the winery the day prior. Cork shows a little seepage, but not all the way up. Deep color. Almost opaque with 1/3 inch clearing at the rim. Dark cedar red currant nose. Medium-bodied and somewhat Bordeaux like. Touch of earthy meaty and a little green bell pepper. Fun to taste, but I generally prefer my California cabs a little younger. I wonder what this wine was like when it was young.

Day 6 - Morning at Twomey and Rued

• 2008 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/1/2009)
  High toned bright lime lemon and a touch of pepper on the nose. Maybe some passionfruit. Tangy. This was the first wine of the day and my toothpaste was interfering some. All around, I think it may have been just a touch to lean and severe for my tastes, but had potential. $25
• 2007 Twomey Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (7/1/2009)
  Sweet strawberry nose. Translucent light appearance. Rich central coast pinot fruit -tangy strawberry. Pretty good. Not especially complex.
• 2007 Twomey Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (7/1/2009)
  Similar in appearance to the SB County bottling. Light appearance. Rich smelling with a touch of nutty oak. More tangy cranberry fruit. $50.
• 2007 Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (7/1/2009)
  Light appearance. Reticent nose touch of spice. Sweeter attack than the other Pinots but quickly turns tangy red fruit. $50.
• 2007 Twomey Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/1/2009)
  Richer smelling than the first three and somewhat deeper in color. More fruit spice and earth. Sweeter red cherry berry fruit. Pretty nice. My favorite of the '07 Twomey Pinots.
• 2007 Twomey Syrah - USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma (7/1/2009)
  Saturated translucent dark garnet. Touch of stonefruit on the nose. Jam. Soft attack with plummy plush fruit. Drink now, good value at $25. A fresh bottle showed some yeasty notes on the nose. This is apparently a one-time-only bottling of Syrah for Twomey.
• 2005 Twomey Merlot Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/1/2009)
  Saturated black garnet translucent. Touch of mocha. Medium-bodied and soft. Bit fading. Okay. A second fresh bottle showed brighter fruit and more mocha along with a bit more tannin.
• 2007 Rued Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  13.5% ABV. Tangy lemon nose. Big TWANG on the palate. White lemon fruit. Bit unbalanced for my tastes. $16
• 2007 Rued Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/1/2009)
  14.5% ABV. Very pale, almost clear appearance. Light nose of white fruit. Medium bodied. White fruit. Low oak. Pretty tasty for $18.
• 2006 Rued Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (7/1/2009)
  Tangy black cherry nose. Touch of toasty oak. Rich black cherry palate. Medium-full bodied. Pretty tasty. Bit of oak in the finish. Not a bad RRV Pinot for $35.
• 2004 Rued Zinfandel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  15.8% ABV. Peppery and a touch dusty on the nose. medium-full bodied. Bit hot in the finish. Ok.
• 2005 Rued Zinfandel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  15.8% ABV. Richer smelling than the 2004 with more zinberry spice. Sweeter black fruit palate. Touch of residual sugar. Pretty good if you don't mind the RS. $25.
• 2006 Rued Zinfandel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  14.9% ABV. Similar nose to the 2005 with some spices. Light red berry fruit. Tangy attack and not much finish. Not great. $25
• 2005 Rued Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  15.4% ABV. Slightly dusty nose of olive and currant. Full bodied black currant fruit on the palate. Ok. A bit rustic. $45.

Day 6 - quick stop at Unti

Alex was our host at Unti. They continue to explore possibilities with Italian and Rhone varietals and are making some interesting wines.

• 2008 Unti Vineyards Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  The fruit for this rose was 80% grenache and 20% Mourvedre. The appearance is extremely light. Very pale, almost looks like white wine. Very light strawberry presence, almost as an after thought. The palate shows some sweetness, either through alcohol or some kind of sweet ethereal fruit. Interesting, but not exactly what I reach for in Rose. Others like this more than I.
• 2007 Unti Vineyards Barbera - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  Saturated dark garnet with a little translucence. Smells berry-like. Touch of pencil lead oak (this apparently saw 25% new French oak). Pleasant grapey berry turning lemony in the finish. Pleasant/interesting. Someone remarked this makes a fairly good warm weather red. Interesting, not sure exactly on what occasion I would pull this from the cellar - maybe a good pizza wine.
• 2006 Unti Vineyards Grenache - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  77% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre. Fairly deep color with touch of violet at the rim. Translucent. The nose reminds me of CDP somewhat. Cherry chalk. Medium-full bodied. Peppery. A bit unbalanced and rustic, but okay. $30.
• 2006 Unti Vineyards Zinfandel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  14.5% ABV. Saturated color. Dark fruit nose. Smells a little tannic. Subdued, touch meaty. Okay, but not really my style of Zin.
• 2007 Unti Vineyards Sangiovese - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  Grapey hay slightly dry cherry nose. Touch of late chewy tannin. More dry cherry on the palate. Not bad. I'm not a big fan of California Sangiovese, but this is pretty interesting, but a little bit expensive maybe for what it is. $35.
• 2007 Unti Vineyards Montepulciano - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  Good deep color. Touch of higher toned grapey flavors on the nose. Little bit of olive. Medium-bodied pleasant black fruit. Relatively low tannin. Interesting. Unti made about 100 cases of this.
• 2005 Unti Vineyards Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  4% Grenache. Deeply colored, almost opaque. high toned lemon dark fruit nose with a suggestion of green. Full bodied black fruit on the palate turning slightly acidic with some olive in the finish. Just okay. $26.
• 2005 Unti Vineyards Syrah Benchland - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  This is produced better draining soils on the benchland east of the winery. Durrell clone, planted in 1991. 40% new French oak. More polished than the regular syrah with chewy black fruit on the palate. Seems like a warmer climate Syrah. Chewy.
• 2006 Unti Vineyards Petite Sirah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  This was opened yesterday. Inky opaque. Sweet blackberry fruit with seeds on the nose. Rich sweet black fruit with a touch of sweet lemon drop acidity. This is a really teethstainer.

Day 6 - Lunch stop at Lambert Bridge

Lambert Bridge is a great stop for a picnic. Their wines are striving for French qualities, which to me seems a little odd when you are growing fruit in California. The Alban Reva was with dinner at Zazu.

• 2007 Lambert Bridge Viognier - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  Fairly crisp style of Viognier with light apricot fruit and moderate acidity. Okay.
• 2007 Lambert Bridge Zinfandel Maple Vineyards - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  14% ABV. 10 mos in French oak. Translucent ruby. Suggestion of maple in the nose. Tangy cherry fruit. Little raspberry. Okay. This is pretty boring Zin for $50.
• 2006 Lambert Bridge Petite Sirah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/1/2009)
  Not quite inky, but dark. Bright raspbery colored edge. Subdued nose with a touch of toasty oak. Rich sweet attack. Medium full bodied. Decidedly on the elegant side of Petite Sirah, but I wonder if the grape has lost something - a certain amount of its self expression - as a result. $45.
• 2006 Lambert Bridge Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/1/2009)
  77% Cab Franc, 7% Cab, the balance Merlot and Petite Verdot. 20 mos in French oak. Light leafy aroma. Medium-bodied red currant and red berry fruit. Not really my style - a little ordinary.
• 2005 Lambert Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/1/2009)
  98% Cab, 24 mos French oak, 18 mos bottle aging. 14.4% ABV. Saturated translucent garnet. Bright red currant nose. Touch of cedar and wax. Medium-bodied, somewhat elegant red berry fruit. Light rather open. Slightly drying tannin late.
• 2005 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (7/1/2009)
  At Zazu with dinner. Frankly awesome stuff. Complex nose of superripe olive tapenade eucalyptus, apricot. Ripe concentrated and drinking darn well now. Dense black and red fruit. This is a contender for WOTT (Wine of the Trip). (95 pts.)

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James

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