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 the first Chardonnay-centric sparkler MacRostie has ever made and, as an inaugural effort, they nailed it, creating a lovely wine that is complex and just plain enjoyable to drink. This is a soft, velvety sparkler that drinks incredibly smoothly. The carbonation is fairly mild, a plus in that we get more of the aromas and flavors of the wine than it being obstructed by bubbles. Soft baked bread, light lemon-lime, whispers of resin, grapefruit, white peach and Asian pear fill the palate.

Green/gold in color with a bit more green than most Chardonnays.  The nose is sweaty with slight smoke and plenty of green apples.  very nice slick texture.  Good acidity, yet the mouthfeel is softer.  Of course, young, but showing a fair amount.  The  palate has apples, vanilla, and some char.  Long finish.  Overall, this is very good and seems to be built for the long haul.  This is not "lean and mean", but it is also not a fruit bomb.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Great on its own, it would be a classic pairing with a seared peppercorn Tuna Steak.  

Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, cranberries and slight rhubarb along with some spice and char.  Wonderful semi-plush texture.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  The palate is riper/stronger than the nose (in a good way).  Cherries and Kirsch with some char.  Long finish.  This has some complexity and depth as it nears peak.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Very nice on its own, this would be great with Roasted Duck.

One of our favorite Chardonnay producers.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has great minerality along with a bit of lemons, spice and char.  Full  bodied.  Crisp acidity.  Slightly creamy texture.  On the palate, this has great lemon notes with underlying minerality and a touch of char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own, but there is a strong backbone of acidity that will make it better with food.  It would be a good wine to have with lobster.  Drink over the next ten years.  

Emeritus has long had a love affair with Pinot Noir, always seeking new ways to let grapes and ground express what’s in the bottle. This 2020 offers bright fruits of wild cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, plum with back notes of light green tea leaf, very light cola, and light earthiness and minerality - notes that Sonoma coast fruit is known for. There is a nice velvety viscosity to this as well as mild tannins that support the fruit and mellow out the overall feel of the wine.

If you look around, this varies in price from $35 to $70 typically.  At the former, that is a tremendous value in California Cab.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has spice, cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, ripe cassis (not over ripe) with some underlying char.  Long finish.  Very tasty on its own and makes a great wine with burgers or meatloaf (or a steak).  Drink over the next ten years.  

This is one of the best values in Syrah.  It is also one of the best Syrahs.  it ages so beautifully, it is a pleasure to drink one at age 18.  Perfectly mature but not showing any age.  Purple in color, shimmering bright.  Opaque.  The nose is great with black raspberries, a hint of barnyard, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Lovely texture.  Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  Long finish.  great on its own but perfect with dinner.  It will work with most fowl, meats or pork.  It raised a veggies

This is a Pinot Noir from the folks who make Schrader.  14.5% abv.  Ruby in color, darker at the core, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, black cherries, and spice with a nice earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and plums with some spice.  This is a huge Pinot with tons of fruit.  Some may find that off putting while others may finally have found a Pinot they love.  It drinks great on its own and will pair for food similar to a Napa Cab (i.e steak, etc.)  Drink over the next ten years.  

This is 93% Zinfandel and 7% Syrah from Sonoma County.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight plums, an interesting note of menthol, and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is juicy and delicious.  Black cherries with spice and slight char.  Long finish.  This is young but drinking well.  It is nice on its own and will work well with grilled meats and veggies.  Drink over the next seven to ten years. 

First time trying this winery.  Tasted over two days, it was significantly more open (and better) on day 2.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  Lemons, floral notes, citrus and herbs.  Medium bodied.  Some minerality.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, lemons with slight orange and a slight minerals note.  Good finish.  As Sauvignon Blancs go, this is heavy and present.  Not a light, easy going aperitif.  Good on its own, this would be better with some food.  It would be nice with Tuna Steak with a Chimichurri Sauce.  Drink over the next five to seven years.