Category Archives: Sonoma County

White wines of California

Kenwood, Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2008 This wine is always crisp and citrussy and a consistent value in Sauvignon. Vinted and bottled in Kenwood 13.5% $10  at the winery, a gift to the class from the SFCWC  Kenwood Vineyards Husch, … Continue reading

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St. Francis Intatto Chardonnay 2009

On Monday the team at Sonoma State took a trip to St. Francis in the Sonoma Valley. We met with President and CEO Christopher Silva to see the operation from start to finish. What is striking at St. Francis is … Continue reading

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Murhphy-Goode Minnesota Cuvee Chardonnay 2008

Murphy-Goode, Alexander Valley, Minnesota Cuvee, Chardonnay 2008 This is a richer style of Chardonnay with notes of oak, brown spices, butter and vanilla in the nose. On the palate there’s a sense of stone fruits, oak, a moderate amount of … Continue reading

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Handley Dry Creek Chardonnay 2007

Handley, Dry Creek Valley, Handley Vineyard, Chardonnay 2007 The nose features tropical fruit and subtle oak in the background while the mouth shows us a light and fresh version of Chardonnay, fruity with roundness – very nice. The estate is … Continue reading

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Small Vines Russian River Pinot Noir 2008

Small Vines, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir 2008 This wine is a star. In the nose the fruit has a liqueur-like character, showing off its ripeness. In the mouth there is again that straddling of the Old and New Worlds … Continue reading

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Unti Grenache 2007

Unti, Dry Creek Valley, Grenache 2007 There’s a lovely, candy-like fruitiness to this Grenache. It’s also not a flabby one, but rather a red wine with structure, reminiscent of its Old World roots yet kissed by New World sunshine. The … Continue reading

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Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel 2007

Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley, Mother Clone, Zinfandel 2007 The nose features sweet jammy fruit, like a bit of raspberry and blackberry rolled into a crumble for dessert. In the mouth it is spicy and warm, a little viscous and focused … Continue reading

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Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay 2007

Hartford Court, Russian River, Four Hearts Vineyards, Chardonnay 2007 This is a large Chardonnay, big, rich and mouth-filling. There’s plenty of butter and oak to please those in search of a full-on California Chard yet there is also a core … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | 3 Comments

Foppiano Rose 2009

Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Rose 2009 The nose features flowers, candied red fruits and a bit of bubble gum. In the mouth the fruit shows nicely, the acidity is mild and the palate is broad. It is reminiscent … Continue reading

Posted in California, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Zinfandel

Robert Rue, Russian River Valley, Wood Road, Reserve, Zinfandel 2007 Sweet and jammy fruit exudes in the nose with the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth you’ll find a structured Zin, lightly tannic, with plenty of acidity and lastly … Continue reading

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Tagged | 1 Comment