Limerick Lane Cellars

2008 Collins Estate Reserve

Russian River Valley - Red Wine

$52.00 a bottle

It was another beautiful weekend in Sonoma County when I stumbled upon this great bottle. I was out tasting in the Russian River Valley and decided to stop at a winery I had never been to before and taste, “Limerick Lane Cellars.” Limerick Lane has 30 estate acres located on the eastern end of the Russian River Valley just south east to the Dry Creek Valley. I felt very fortunate that day to meet and taste with one of the assistant wine makers Luke. Luke was very knowledgeable and you could definitely tell he loves what he does. He was so excited to inform me about their wines and their whole wine making process. Luke even brought me back into the cellar that afternoon to show me their process and what happens once their grapes arrive to the winery. He even poured me some of their very recent juice straight from the tanks. It was truly a treat for me that afternoon.

In the tasting room I tried some great wines but really enjoyed this 2008 Collins Estate Reserve red blend. This blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah. A hearty red blend full of rich ripe fruit. This wine has aromas of huge red cherry, slight blackberry, plum, and musty earth. First tasting on the palate huge tart red cherry, with slight dark berries. Finishing with a really nice creamy plum earthy leather taste. Definitely the chameleon of wine with huge changes as it opened up. This was the best part of the wine for me. So full of structure with so many stages to it. That afternoon out tasting just proved to me how many hidden gems there are out there in Sonoma County I have yet to discover. Limerick Lane Cellars also makes some other great wines Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and a Syrah.

Branham

2008 Senal

Rockpile-Red Wine

$30.00 a bottle

I felt it was time to blog another great bottle from my very favorite appellation, “Rockpile.” About a month ago I stumbled upon Down Town Wines tasting room in Healdsburg, California right off the Healdsburg Plaza. Down Town Wines is home to two wine makers, Branham Estate Wines and Hobo Wine Company. To my surprise that day this tasting room houses some incredible Rockpile reds. Rockpile being one of the newest and smallest AVA’s in Sonoma County. This AVA is 15,000 acres but only 160 are planted vineyards. Elevations that range from 800 to 2100 feet above sea level. The poor soils, steep slopes, rugged terrain, lack of fog, high sun exposures, and very little water retention produces smaller stressed grape’s. In turn making a higher quality of fruit with much richer complex flavors. Rockpile for me is the King of all reds! There are currently only 10 Rockpile vineyard owners, one being Gary Branham owner of Branham Estate Wines. Gary’s Rockpile red bled “Senal” is incredibly good. Senal meaning the good “omen” and protector of the vines. This bottle is a 100% Rockpile vineyard blend. Senal is a blend of 40% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Sirah. Aged in French Oak and 10% New for 16 months. This blend has aromas of blackberries, raspberry, blueberries, and leather. Tasting first of dark berries, black current, and all spice. Finishing very earthy, tobacco, and slight leather. This blend has one of the softest finishes of any Rockpile wine I have had. Senal is truly an outstanding bottle of wine again proving how incredible Rockpile wines are.

Pine Ridge

2007 Napa Valley

Onyx

$60.00 a bottle

I just recently made a trip to the Napa Valley to taste. I made a few stops that day but my tasting experience at Pine Ridge Winery was awesome. The Winery grounds, tasting staff, and of course their wines were incredible. A twitter friend Cat Purcell who works in Pine Ridge Wineries tasting room took care of our group that day. Cat knowing that I was a huge Cabernet lover lined up their vertical of Cabernet Sauvignon’s from all the great appellations in the Napa Valley. I learned that day that Pine Ridge Vineyards has 200 estate acres planted. They have estate vineyards that include 61 acres in Rutherford, 49 acres in Carneros, 47 acres in Stags Leap, 25 acres in Oakville, and 9 acres on Howell Mountain. Cat also took us into Pine Ridge Wineries cave to give us some barrel samples, she definitely beyond spoiled us that day. I have toured many caves but Pine Ridge Wineries cave was quite breathe taking.

To my surprise after tasting all their great Cabernet’s, there was still two red blends to try. Both of the blends were very good but the Onyx was my favorite. Pine Ridge Wineries Onyx is a blend of 50% Merlot from Carneros, 30% Malbec from Rutherford, 11% Tannat also from Rutherford, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. This Onyx has aromas of black berry, dark cherry, slight cigar box, and chocolate. Tasting first dark berries, dark cherries, and slight plum. Finishing with a long lasting finish of smokey bittersweet chocolate. Lots of deep structure to this blend. Truly a blend that dances on your palate. I see this blend only improving with age that is if you can be patient enough to wait. A trip to the Napa Valley really must include Pine Ridge Vineyards as one of your stops. Again I need to thank Cat for all her assistance and knowledge that day.