A delightfully seductive Chardonnay that veers away from traditional, California Chardonnays, this offers deeper, richer notes of resin, honeysuckle, butter rum, light orange zest, apricot, and quince. It has a creaminess and lithe viscosity that rolls over the tongue. With only 33% new oak used on this you might think it would be more prevalent, but the fruit itself shines forth, the volcanic soils providing and earthiness and minerality. ORIGIN: Russian River Valley, Sonoma. ALCOHOL: 14.7%

Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight chocolate and a bit of spice.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black raspberry and slight blueberry fruit.  Long finish.  Tasty.  This is drinking well on its own and would work nicely with a chocolate dessert.  Drink over the next ten years.  

This was accidently added to a tasting of Loire Cabernet Franc.  It is of course, Pinot Noir.  Certainly not a fair way to sample the wine as it was only after the wines were unveiled that the mistake was identified.  A couple people did say it was Pinot like which is very impressive.  Still, here is the tasting note.

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries with a slight cough syrup notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries with slight underlying chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco.  Great texture.  This has a nice complexity that unwinds in the glass.  Drinking well on its own, this would be better with food.  It could probably stand up to a bit of spice such as tacos or even curry.  Drink over the next eve to ten years.  

This is 100% Cabernet Franc.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has some Brettanomyces coming off as slight barnyard.  It has an "old school" Chinon quality to it.  Also some black cherries.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru (not the barnyard).  It does taste mature despite being relatively young.  Most likely that is the Brett. This will work better with food such as stew or chili.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.

Great value in Loire Cabernet Franc. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has nice black cherry fruit with some strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Very accessible.  On the palate, more black cherry fruit. Nice finish.  This drinks very easy.  Nice on  its own, this would work nicely with roasted chicken.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

Beautiful showing for this wine.  It sees a year in large used oak and chestnut barrels and then another year in stainless before release.  Ruby  in color with a light purple core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, with cigar tobacco.  Medium bodied.  Very smooth texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some tobacco.  Nice depth and complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  This will be better with hearty foods such as Lamb Stew.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

This is the top of the line from this top producer of Loire Cab Francs. The vineyard dates back to the 1930's. It showed well, but not as special as one might hope. Does it need more time? Who knows. Is it in a dumb phase? Possibly, but that seems unlikely. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherry fruit, a cola note and slight chalk. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black cherry fruit with slight tobacco note and slighter sorrel. Nice finish. Seems to be drinking well now and should continue for another eight to twelve years.

Ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with a bit of a cough syrup quality.  medium bodied.  On the palate a very slightly sweet black cherry fruit.  Some depth and complexity.  Nice finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that will be a nice choice with a burger.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black pepper, slight chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, layers of black cherry fruit with some chalkiness.  Silky texture.  Nice finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well on its own, it will work better with food.  Drink over the next ten years.