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

This is a fairly priced Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast.  Msrp is $25 but can often be found for less.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with vanilla, slight lemons and baking spice.  Creamy texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, the vanilla and slight lemons come thru.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own.  It will work well with heavier sea foods, pasta or fowl.  Drink over the next few years.  

Light golden in color.  The nose has pears, yeast, and baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the pears come thru with underlying toast.  Nice mouthfeel.  A bit warm.  Long finish.  This is very nice with oak showing but not overwhelming.  It will work with seafoods or fowl.  Drink over the next few years. 

Limerick lane is making some of the best Zinfandels.  They are world class red wines.  This is a big, intense Zinfandel at the moment that is delicious to drink.  It should calm down for those who prefer more of a claret style.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper and char.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit.  Underlying char.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own or will work well with ribs or grilled meats.  

Light ruby in color.  The nose has bright cherries and a slight earthiness.  On the palate, this is light bodied.  Thin with tart cherry fruit.  There is some earthiness on the palate as well.  Long finish.  This is easy drinking and refreshing.  Drinks fine without food.  It will work with light foods too.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

For those who like a buttery, plenty of oak style California Chardonnay, this is a great option.  It can sometimes be found for less than $20!  Green gold in color.  The nose has fresh lumber, slight vanilla, butter and slight lemons.  On the palate, the lemon, oak and vanilla carry thru.  Nice texture.  Persistent oak on the finish.  It will be kind of wine that is divisive; love or not.  More for sipping on its own though it will work with roasted fowl quite well.  I admit this is not my personal favorite style, so your mileage may vary.  

This is a great value in California Cabernets.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very nice with cassis, baking spices, slight figs and slight fresh oak.  On the palate, this drinks easily but also has some structure to it.  Cassis flavors wrapped with spice and char.  Medium tannins.  This drinks well on its own now but will continue to mature and likely improve slightly over the next ten years.  This will work well with grilled and roasted meats or fowls.  

This is the "second label" of star winemaker Helen Keplinger's home winery.  It is made from 31% Sonoma Grapes and 69% Sierra Foothills Grapes.  A blend of 55% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah.  A delicious wine.  Purple in color with ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, gravel and slight plums and earth.  On the palate, this is full bodied but very lively with lots of energy.  Black raspberries dominate at the moment but the black cherries are also present.  There is also a layer of gravel and scorched earth that is a lovely counte

An excellent wine.  I have been a big fan of Macario Montoya's wines for a while, but I believe this was the first time trying this wine.  I am not sure if there is anything else in this blend other than Grenache.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, chocolate, spice and slight oak notes.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a wonderful texture.  Medium tannins.  Black raspberries, black cherries, slight blueberries and a bit of chocolate over a mineral base.  Long finish.  This wine grabs your attention but it is not overblown.  It should last another decade at least.  It

This reminded me of a "classic" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from twenty years ago.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, a bit of cola,, spice and a slight funk.  Pretty.  On the palate, this has sweet black cherry fruits.  Moderate tannins.  Good acidity.  Some depth and complexity.  Lot of energy.  This is in a great place right now.  It should be at this level for another 5 to ten years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

This is a reasonably priced Zin.  It is slightly sweet and on the lighter style of Zin so factor that into your buying decision.  I quite enjoyed it.  Drunk over two nights, it was better on Night 2.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, spice and dust.  On the palate, the cherries come thru.  No tannins to speak of.  Easy drinking.  Slightly sweet/ripe.  Nice finish.