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 Carlisle's basic Zin. Unfortunately, they don't offer this in large allocations or I would buy even more. It is a fantastic value for a quality Zinfandel. It is a blend of 47% Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Old Hill Ranch, 20% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Teldeschi Ranch, 20% Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Pagani Ranch, 10% Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah, Mounts Ranch, and 3% Sonoma Valley Alicante Bouschet, Pagani Ranch. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is strong with bramble, red raspberries, some black cherries, char and spice. Full bodied.

Silvery/gold in color, slightly cloudy but still bright.  The nose is nice with lemon cream and slight vanilla notes and just a hint of char.  Enough acidity to carry the structure.  On the palate, lemons, slight lemon cream with spice/oak.  Good finish.  This could use some more cellaring although it is drinking well now.  Hold for a few years and patience will be rewarded (and the score will rise a couple of points).  It is not overblown but a Chard for those who like a bit more round edges.  It is lovely on its own and would work well with many foods including most seafoods.  It would be

While this is good every year (and I don't know if it is always the same blend), this vintage might be the best yet.  According to the web site, it appears that it is a blend of mostly Semillon from Rossi Ranch with some Muscadelle from Pagani vineyard.  Light to medium yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose  is great with slight tropical fruit (Pineapple and Guava?) along with slight almonds and a bit of minerality.  Medium bodied.

 This is a field blend of mostly Zinfandel but also a large amount of Carignan, Valdigue, and Putzscheere (aka Green Hungarian).  This is one of my favorite Zinfandel vineyards for the texture of the wines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, bramble and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy and balance.  Plush, vibrant texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of black raspberries and black cherries with spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still young but drinking well.  Drink over the

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and some black cherries along with a touch of spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is middle of the Zin Road in terms of style.  Cherries and black cherries with some char.  Some depth.  It drinks easily on its own and will work well with many foods.  A nice choice for Pizza night.  

Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, bramble and a bit of orange zest(?).  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still young but drinking well.  Black cherries, cherries and char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would work well with grilled meats.  It worked nicely too with Hummus and veggies.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

This is a Syrah from the Sonoma Coast made in Helen Keplinger's home winery.  It drinks with a cooler climate profile and comes across beautifully.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with boysenberries, dark chocolate, slight bacon fat and violets.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is the elegant side of California Syrah.  Boysenberries, white pepper and roasted herbs.  Deep.  Still young but starting to show some maturity.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  This is great on its own but better with food.  Grilled Lamb Chops would work

Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great but not blowsy.  Melon, slight citrus and flint.  Light to medium bodied.  Crisp.  On the palate, this drinks easy but it also has some persistence.  Flavors of melon and lemon.  Nice finish.  This is very nice for drinking alone and will work well with cheeses or salads (such as crab or chicken).  Drink over the next few years.  

These usually take a decade or so to round out into form so it was interesting to try this one a bit earlier.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat, and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still a bit tight but opens nicely in the glass.  Flavors of black raspberries with some char and a nice mineral streak.  Good finish.  No harm opening this now but it may still improve.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  Great on its own, but better with food.  Thi

Bedrock makes some of the best values in California wines.  Sometimes it seems though that the whites don't get the attention.  This is an excellent Sauvignon Blanc and great value.  Light gold with some green hues in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with good minerality along with a bit of lemon.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is crisp with minerality and citrus.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work with many foods.  It would be great with Tuna Salad.