Sonoma Coast

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens with air.  Sweaty with a burnt note along with cherries and slight cola.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, sweet black cherry fruit.  Deep.  This drinks very easy but it has a complexity that should come out with age.  This drinks well today and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with food.  Mushroom pizza would be a great match.  

My first time trying this winery.  Very impressive.  In a blind tasting of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, this was the runaway winner for the group.  Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has smoke, cherries, black cherries, slight cola and a nice earthiness to it.  Lovely velvety texture.  On the palate black cherries and slight anise.  Long finish.  This is still youthful but approaching maturity.  Drinks great on its own and will work well with food.  Mushroom Risotto would be great.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This is a bigger wine than many of the Sonoma Coast Pinots, as such, it will perhaps, take a bit longer to mature.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is very tight.  Spice.  With air, black cherries and slight sour cherries emerge.  Great, lush texture.  On the palate, cherries, coffee and slight sour cherries.  This is either ripe or has a bit of residual sugar as it does come off almost sweet.  Nice finish.  These needs another seven to ten years in the cellar and it should come together beautifully.  Right now, this is a Pinot for those who like them t

Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cola, spice along with a slight earthy funk.  Medium bodied.  Soft texture.  Flavors of cherries, slight root beer and spice.  Light tannins.  Nice finish with a hint of mint.  This is drinking well now although just a bit shy of maturity.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Better with food, this would be a nice match with Tandoori Chicken.  

Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, iodine and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Tart acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate cherries with some spice.  A bit of cherry cough drop on the finish.  This seems to be just getting to peak.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  It will work better with food due to the acidity.  It would be a nice match with Roasted Duck.  

One of my favorite Chardonnays (both the winery and this vineyard).  Light golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with minerality, slight vanilla and grapefruits.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, minerality and slight grapefruit.  Lemon candy on the long finish.  12.9% abv.  This is still drinking youthfully.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen more years.  Great on its own, this will work well with lighter foods but also seafood and even fried chicken.  

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight black pepper and a hint of purple flowers.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit with some char.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy and is tasty.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A nice wine with a really good burger.  

Made in a more classic California Chardonnay style, this Migration offers traditional lemon-lime, apricot, white peach, resin and guava notes along with honeysuckle, pear and a pleasant mouth feel. There is a good balance of oak and non-oak, excellent acidity and a subversive viscosity. Aged 10 months in just 34% new French oak allows the fruit and acidity to shine through. Made of all Chardonnay, the grapes came from five different vineyard sites within the AVA, which helps to provide a more well rounded Chardonnay. ORIGIN: Sonoma Coast. ALCOHOL: 14.2%.

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with grapefruits, slight lemon, and a hint of vanilla.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is lean but piercing (in a good way).  Grapefruit notes with just a bit of spice.  Long finish.  Tasty.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with lighter foods but also Salmon or Tuna steaks.  Drink over the next five years.  

This is the basic Pinot Noir from the home winery of winemaker Thomas Rivers-Brown.  An excellent value in Pinot Noir.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and sour cherries with some char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Some depth.  Lots of cherry and sour cherry notes.  Long finish.  This will improve with a few years in the cellar though it drinks nicely now.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with Roasted Chicken.