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

Ruby with  purple swirls.  The nose is peppery with black cherries, and char.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and char.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a very nice, easy drinking Zin that is middle of the road (between Claret and Fruit Bomb) in style.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  This will work well with ribs or a burger.  

This is a 100% Pinot Noir from California's Russian River Valley.  It is designated as a "Reserve" although there doesn't appear to be any such designation on the label.  The way to tell is that it does say Russian River Valley on the label.  Either way, this is an outstanding Pinot Noir and more than fairly priced for the quality.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has fresh cherries with slight cherry pie filling, licorice and slight cola notes.  While not a delicately styled Pinot, it is also not huge.  More middle of the road for a California Pinot.  Medium to full bodied.

This is a field blend (mostly Zinfandel) from Sonoma.  Of course, 2011 was a difficult vintage.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, flat.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is somewhat surprisingly ripe.  Black cherries and cherries with some prune notes.  There is some depth and complexity.  A long finish.  This is probably better on its own but would work with pizza.  Drink up over the next few years. 

This winery has since been sold, but they went out with a bang producing some very highly rated Cabernets.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, slight graphite, black cherries, baking spices and slight char.  Full bodied.  Delicious.  Depth.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and cassis with underlying char and slight spice.  It unwinds nicely in the glass.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with food such as braised short ribs or roasted vegetables. Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

Nice to revisit this (last tasted in 2017) as it showed good if not up to expectations.  This was a much better showing for whatever reason.  Pale golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with lemons and bigger than expected.  On the palate, this has medium body with good acidity.  Lemons and lemon cream.  Nice minerality.  A long finish.  This is drinking well if fully mature.  It should continue to drink well for another eight to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own and would work well with grilled trout or other fish.  

Light golden with a touch of green, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with lemons and minerals.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, a bit leaner of a texture.  Lemony with slight grapefruits and some smoke.  A bit clipped on the finish.  Good acidity.  This is drinking well and should continue to do so for another eight to twelve years.  This will drink well on its own but better with food.  Lobster Bisque would be a nice match.  

This took about 30 minutes to blow off bottle stink and open after removing the cork.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, smoke and a nice earthiness.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of smoke and underlying minerality.  The tannins are all resolved and this is ready to drink.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five years.  It drinks great on its own and will work well with foods off the grill (although not sea food).  

This is a Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast.  It fits nicely into The Prisoner Wine Company's portfolio.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is big with bold cherry and black cherry fruit.  There is also some spice and a touch of cola notes.  Full bodied with a lovely texture.  On the palate, the ripe cherry fruit comes thru with underlying vanilla and spice. Very tasty.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder foods from Salmon to pork.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

From a different time, back when Pax Mahle was making really big wines in really big bottles.  The label lists 15.5% ABV.  For those who questioned how well a wine like this could age, at 17, this is doing just fine with years left.  Purple in color with ruby around the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black raspberries, spice, slight root beer note and a wisp of smoke.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, blueberries, spice and slight earthiness.  Long finish.  No sign of alcohol in the wine.  This is fresh and vibrant.  It seems like it could

This is a really pleasant Cab for a pretty good price considering its from Chalk Hill.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, dark chocolate, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is straightforward with nice cassis fruit, some black cherries with some underlying spice.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  This will improve with a couple more years in the cellar.  It should drink well for seven to ten more after that.  It drinks great on its own but would certainly work well with a nice steak or even Mac and Cheese.