Sonoma Valley

This is 84% Syrah and 16% Viognier from Sonoma.  There are three version of this wine which Robert Parker compared to the three Guigal Lala wines from the northern Rhone.  Luckily, they were not that expensive back on release.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, bacon fat, slight dried flowers, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this seems mature and close to peak.  Flavors of black raspberries, slight blueberries, spice, and a hint of earthiness.  Long finish.  This wine is complex and deep.  This is great on

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.  

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.  

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.  

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens to shows cedar, cassis, graphite and slight chocolate.  Soft texture.  On the palate, dark cherries and cassis with some chocolate and char.  Some black licorice on the finish. This is drinking well right now.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  A nice with a chunky stew.  

This is a field blend of over twenty varieties from the home ranch of Bedrock including Zinfandel, Carignan and Mataro.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is complex with black cherries, plums, black raspberries, spice, black pepper and char (and more).  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  This is young but this bottle anyway, was open and drinking well.  The palate is deep, concentrated and complex.  Black cherries, black raspberries, plums, spice and char with a slick but plush texture.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with foo

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.

Another winner from Carlisle.  I am sure these will age nicely, but I just can't keep my hands off of them young.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice, blueberries, and cedar.  Full bodied.  Lovely, almost lush texture.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, black raspberries, with slight char underneath.  Long finish.  Just delicious.  This is great on its own and will drink well for another ten years.  It also will work well for spicy and bigger foods.  Besides pizza, this would be great with ribs off the gr

Like most of Beddrock's basic level bottlings this is a tremendous value )in Sauvignon Blanc).  Light golden in color with some green hues.  The nose is nice with lemon and lime notes, melon, and just a hint of tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, lemon-lime and honey-dew.  Good finish.  Tasty.  This is nice on its own and will work nicely with fish or lighter foods.  A nice wine for Sushi.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.