Aubert Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007
Now a decade on, the 2007 Aubert Sonoma Coast Chardonnay slowly unfurls to reveal lemon curd, poached pear, and baked apple notes, couched in mellow and toasty tones of salted butter, brioche, caramel, and vanilla. Nice delineation on the palate, where voluptuous spiced orchard fruit is neatly intersected by a firm acidic spine and beautifully […]
Au Contraire Pinot Noir 2014
The 2014 Au Contraire Pinot Noir is vastly more charming than I expected it to be given the price point. A well-crafted Pinot for less than $25.00 is a rarity and this bottle exceeds expectations. Swoon-worthy aromas of seedy raspberry, black cherry, underbrush, dried rose petal, and warm spice surge from the glass. In the […]
Square Peg Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014
Lovely purity of fruit in Square Peg’s 2014 Estate Block 8 Dry Farmed Pinot Noir from Green Valley. Grown at an 800′ elevation a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean—winemaker William Knuttel has coaxed red berries from this cool climate Pinot along with nuanced aromas of underbrush, rose petal, dried orange peel, and baking […]
Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012
Almost Burgundian in expression, the 2012 Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir offers aromas of crushed raspberries, dried cherries, allspice, caramelized brown sugar, earth and mushrooms. Bright acidity lends lift to a core that is sweetly outfitted in red fruit, with marked purity, low tannins, and acid that hits the sides of the tongue and pleasantly lingers. […]
Auteur Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard 2007
The 2007 Auteur Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir is tired and feels like the fruit is fading. On the nose, aromas of dust, dried cherries, dried rose petal and a hit of alcohol. In the mouth, a stemmy high note, followed by rose petals and red berries, but nothing really precise. It finishes hot, too. […]
Dehlinger Estate Bottled Pinot Noir Rosé 2014
The 2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Rosé offers up a nose of fresh strawberries, with a touch of tart cherry. Not overly complex, though enjoyable. There is, perhaps a trace of lemon pith on the finish. I have enjoyed other wines from Dehlinger, particularly their Syrah. My advice: skip this one, great Old World, especially Provence […]
Failla Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir 2005
The 2005 Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is austere and bright at nearly 10 years on. The nose is dominated by red fruit: rhubarb, cranberry, and crushed raspberries. It’s lean and spare and incredibly tart on the palate with pronounced, angular mid-to-back palate tannins. The tartness, unfortunately dominates the profile, giving impression that it’s […]
Red Car Sonoma Coast Rosé Of Pinot Noir 2014
Aside from the fact that the graphic designer in me is a sucker for Red Car’s packaging, the Sonoma Coast Rosé Of Pinot Noir 2014 definitely exceeded expectations. Composed of 100% cool-climate Pinot Noir, harvested at low brix and whole cluster fermented, it’s a great value given the care and quality in production. Fabulous notes […]
Peay Sonoma Coast Estate Viognier 2013
Viognier can be a devilish grape to work with—sugar levels have a tendency to soar during warm summer months, while phenolic maturity can lag woefully behind. This is why I’m impressed when I find domestic examples, such as this one that are balanced and lovely. Generous aromas of lush pear, white peach, musk and smoke. […]