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 one of  the better Sonoma Cabs I have had.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is elegant but still powerful with cassis, black cherries, baking spices and slight fresh tobacco notes.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is young but already showing nice complexity.  Layers of black cherries and cassis with a touch of earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with foods.  It would works nicely with Eggplant Parmesan.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. 

Jamie Kutch tends to make very elegant Pinot Noir's.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cherry cough drops, slight sour cherries and slighter cola.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Nicely balanced.  On the palate, this seems fully mature.  Some depth and complexity.  Good finish.  This is drinking very well and seems about at peak.  It  should be at this level for at least another five years.  It is very nice on its own and will work well with the right foods.  This would be a nice pairing with grilled Salmon.  

This appears to be available only from the winery.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight bramble and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is plenty of depth.  Flavors of cherries and black cherries with some pepper.  Good finish.  A bit of complexity.  This is drinking well now on its own and should work well with many foods. A nice choice with meatloaf.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

This is a blend of 77% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with black cherries, slight blueberries, sandalwood, and slight black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Light drying tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of spice and pepper.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another five to eight years.  It is nice on its own and will work nicely with many foods.  It would work well with Roasted Chicken.  

Sadly, this was very badly corked.  TCA.  Not rated.

This is a Zin blend with Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, and Peloursin.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and tart cherries.  With air, a bit of sea air/salinity comes out.  Full bodied.  Nicely balanced.  Great texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, there is some warmth.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, slight blueberries, chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  A nice choice for Pizza night!

Purple in color with ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black cherries, cherries, slight chocolate and a hint of bramble.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some complexity and depth.  Flavors of black cherries with some char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now but should have another five to eight years left.  Nice on its own, this will need bolder foods.  It should go nicely with BBQ Spare Ribs.  

Fred Scherrer makes classic old school Zinfandel.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with bramble, cherries, slight black cherries and char.  medium to full bodied.  On the palate, cherries with a slight cough drop note.  Anise on the finish.  Overall a very enjoyable, non-flamboyant Zin.  It is nice on its own but probably better with food.  A great choice for Burgers off the grill.  Drink over the  next few years.