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

Sometimes when in a restaurant in can be challenging to find a wine that is priced fairly and good.  Often, I just turn to beer.  Last night, this one was on the menu for $45 at a nice restaurant.  This retails for about $26 in a limited release, so the price is a bit high, but not bad for a downtown restaurant.  sadly, it was served quite warm.  We asked for an ice bucket and got a marble cooler that had limited effect.  Nevertheless, the wine was good.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, cherries, slight anise and alcohol.  On the palate, lush black cherries an

These wines are taking forever to come around.  Just now starting to show something.  This is going to be a beautiful wine.  Its outstanding now, but not nearly at peak and needs a lot of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, minerals, black pepper and slight black olives.  On the palate, this is cooler climate in style.  Black raspberries, slight black olives, earthiness and a mineral streak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  

This was a bit backward and tight and the moment.  It needed some time and air although it is getting close.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight bramble, and raspberries.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Once it opens, it is just delicious.  Deep but tight.  Gobs of juicy black cherries and raspberries.  An underlying char.  Works with big foods.  Nice finish.  Will it age?  Yes.  How well just depends on how you like you Zins.  

Inky purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black cherry fruit.  Some bramble.  A bit if spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely, juicy texture.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Some depth although this is young and its packed tight.  It does unwind in the glass.  Nice finish.  This is really enjoyable now and should store well for a decade or more.  

I love ridge Zin and Zin blends.  And I love Pagani fruit, so I thought I would like this more than I did.  Its good, and maybe with some time it settles down a bit but I hoped for more.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries and some bramble to it.  Also a bit of underlying charcoal.  On the palate, this is solid black raspberry fruit but it seems over ripe and bordering on cloying especially on the finish.  Perhaps with some cellaring it some into more balance and if so, there is room for a couple of points of upside.  As it is, it is a good wine but if sweetness bothers you, p

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cigars, cherries and a eucalyptus note.  On the palate, cherries and spice.  No tannins but drinking young.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  A bit of a different take on a RRV Pinot, more elegant and "French" than many.  Very nice showing.  

Light yellow in color.  The nose is gorgeous with lemon cream notes.  Slightly oily texture.  Young but already showing a deep complexity.  Lemon cream notes with an interesting slight mint note on the finish.  There is some oak here, but it is integrated beautifully.  This should age well for a decade, probably two.  There is some upside potential.  

A nice throwback wine.  Consumed at 20 years from vintage.  Purple in color moving to ruby/orange at the rim.  Black raspberries and black cherries on the nose which follow thru to the palate.  Also some warm earth and dust.  This is soft with no tannins.  While it seems past prime, there is still fruit left and it drinks nicely.  Not as complex as I might have thought but some.  Clipped finish.  All in all a nice showing at this point.

This was pop and pour and probably could have used a bit more air.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with dark cherries, slight bramble, a bit of pepper and iodine.  On the palate, this is quite juicy.  A bitterness at first which turned more to a sour cherry note.  I preferred the later.  Nice finish.  This is a big wine and while a bit jammy, in no way over the top.  A crowd pleaser.  

This was brought by one of our guests.  Pop and pour.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice.  Very much a cooler climate, lighter styled Syrah.  The nose has lots of red berries.  Some licorice and a bit of pepper.  Medium bodied.  Cherries and dark cherries on the palate.  Good acidity.  Sinewy tannins.  Not a block buster but a fine wine.