Sonoma Valley

Another great basic release from Bedrock.  This time its their Sauvignon Blanc.  Light golden with some green swirls in color.  The nose has some candied grapefruit and a bit herbal tones.  Very pretty.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Grapefruit with some lemon.  There is some depth here though I wouldn't age it more than a few years.  Lots of energy right now.  It will work well with lighter foods and salads.  It is also great in the glass on its own.  Very tasty.  

Monte Rosso is one of the top vineyards for California Zinfandel.  Many producers utilize its fruit.  Although it is not my favorite Bedrock Zin, it is an outstanding Zin.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has nice cherry and black cherry fruit with some char and spice.  Medium bodied.  It is not a fruit bomb but is not shy either.  Very concentrated black cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Works well with spicy and hearty foods.  

Sadly, this bottle did not hold up.  At 34 years from vintage, it would have been nice, but the odds were against it.  The bottle was oxidized.  Likely culprit, was cork failure.  

Carlisle conitnues to pump out some of the best Zinfandels.  Period.  That they cost under $50 is even better.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight bramble, char and black cherries.  On the palate, the texture is wonderful; lush yet precise.  Lots of black rasberry and boysenberry fruit.  Depth.  Needs spicy or big foods.  Long finish.  Just a delicious wine.  

This is really in a nice place right now.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, spice and a bit of char.  On the palate, this has a really nice texture.  Despite the vintage, a lot of Sonoma Zins did just fine in 2011 and this is one.  Black cherries and black raspberries with some char.  Good finish.  Not a monster Zin but plenty of fruit too.  Works well with food.  

This was done as a one off in order to raise money for victims of the earthquake.  This vineyard is an enclosed small vineyard at about 800 feet of elevation.  This is a wine that is still tight but with just a bit of air, it is drinking beautifully right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, spice and a bit of bramble.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good acidity.  Very food friendly for medium or heartier foods.  Nice finish.  I don't think this gets better from here but will undoubtedly change and mature.  

This is one of the classic vineyards in California.  A whole host of wineries use this to make some very fine Zinfandels.  Carlisle's version tends to be middle of the road.  Interestingly, it also tends to be a pretty straightforward Zin the Carlisle lineup.  Of course, that is not a bad thing.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice and a bit of anise.  Those qualities carry thru to the palate.  This is on the bigger side but far short of many and certainly not jammy.  A nice depth to it.  If you like more of a claret style, these have sho

This is a nice value in California Chardonnay.  It is pretty classic in style but maintains an even keel which is nice.  It retails for around $16.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some slight butter along with vanilla and melon.  On the palate, this has some oak showing  but there is also plenty of fresh vibrant citrus and melon fruit.  Nice texture.  Would work with a variety of foods.  Good finish.  Nice value and a wine that will satisfy a lot of people.  Drink in the next few years.  

This is a nice value in California Chardonnay.  It is pretty classic in style but maintains an even keel which is nice.  It retails for around $16.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some slight butter along with vanilla and melon.  On the palate, this has some oak showing  but there is also plenty of fresh vibrant citrus and melon fruit.  Nice texture.  Would work with a variety of foods.  Good finish.  Nice value and a wine that will satisfy a lot of people.  Drink in the next few years.  

This is one of the most straight-forward, "classic styled" Zins that Mike Officer makes.  It is always outstanding although it might not be as individualistic as some other vineyards.Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, spice and bramble.  Very ripe fruit.  On the palate, the dark cherries continue along with some underlying plum and spice.  Smooth and no heat.  Very nice texture.  Long finish.