Sonoma Coast

One of my favorite chardonnays.  Golden in color.  There is some oak on the wine but it is well done and mostly integrated on release.  After a couple of years in the cellar, it drinks amazingly.  The oak presents itself as a vanilla note which works well with the lemon cream and slight citrus of the Chardonnay.  Almost seamless texture.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own and a great match with swordfish or salmon.

Screw capped.  Light golden in color with a slight greenish hue, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with apples, a slight nutty note, and baking spices.  Perfect for autumn.  Medium to full bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, apples with some oak notes.  Persistent finish.  This is a really enjoyable Chardonnay that works well on its own but is crisp enough to work nicely with food.  It went well with a variety of cheeses.  For the "oak adverse", give it a couple of years or a nice decant, but otherwise, this should drink well for five to seven years.  

Wow.  This wine rocks.  Maybe the best Chardonnay I have had from this winery and I was already a big fan!  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with vanilla, spice and lemon cream.  With air, maybe a bit of peach.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  Almost viscous in texture.  On the palate, this is so smooth and seamless.  Peaches, lemon cream, vanilla and spice.  Delicious.  Long finish.  Drinking great right now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years.  Wonderful on its own, this would work well with a Mushroom pasta in a cream sauce.  

With fruit coming from Heintz Ranch, which has been operational since 1912, this wine offers soft and delicate fruit, it does not pretend to be overt. There is noticeable, black cherry, strawberry, huckleberry, with earthy under notes and light green tea. Whereas the acidity is in check, there is a velvety quality to this, a tactile, drinking experience. 186 cases. The judicious use of oak aging allows for purity of fruit. ORIGIN: Russian River Valley, Sonoma. ALCOHOL: 13.5%.

Green/gold in color, slightly cloudy.  The nose is very nice with vanilla and lemon cream.  Full bodied.  Slight tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and delicious.  Lemon cream with a touch of limes.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is very young but has such precision that its worth opening now.  Delicious on its own, this works with assorted cheeses and lighter foods or sea food.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

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.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens with air.  Sweaty with a burnt note along with cherries and slight cola.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, sweet black cherry fruit.  Deep.  This drinks very easy but it has a complexity that should come out with age.  This drinks well today and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with food.  Mushroom pizza would be a great match.  

My first time trying this winery.  Very impressive.  In a blind tasting of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, this was the runaway winner for the group.  Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has smoke, cherries, black cherries, slight cola and a nice earthiness to it.  Lovely velvety texture.  On the palate black cherries and slight anise.  Long finish.  This is still youthful but approaching maturity.  Drinks great on its own and will work well with food.  Mushroom Risotto would be great.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This is a bigger wine than many of the Sonoma Coast Pinots, as such, it will perhaps, take a bit longer to mature.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is very tight.  Spice.  With air, black cherries and slight sour cherries emerge.  Great, lush texture.  On the palate, cherries, coffee and slight sour cherries.  This is either ripe or has a bit of residual sugar as it does come off almost sweet.  Nice finish.  These needs another seven to ten years in the cellar and it should come together beautifully.  Right now, this is a Pinot for those who like them t