Hardball Cellars

Hardball Cellars

2013 Alexander Valley 

Pinot Noir

$36.00 a bottle

Alexander Valley is one of my favorite areas for Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County. This area produces some incredible grapes for Cabernet but just recently a bottle of Hardball Cellars Pinot Noir, from this area, stole my heart. Hardball Cellars is a family owned and operated winery run by owners Mike and Cindy Westerburg. Both Mike and Cindy grew up in Oregon but ventured south to California to make wine. After moving to Napa, Mike began experimenting with home wine-making, following in both his parents and grandparents footsteps. Five years ago I was very fortunate to have met and become friends with both Mike and Cindy. Mike has definitely become quite a talented winemaker. With wine-making in his blood, you can taste Mike's passion in his wines. You can try Hardball Cellars wines in their tasting room located in San Francisco or contact Mike directly for a private tasting. @MikeWesterburg @HardballCellars 

The fruit from this Hardball Cellars Pinot Noir comes from the 245-acre Warnecke Ranch, which is located on Chalk Hill. The vineyard is physically located along the Russian River but it is actually located in Alexander Valley. With this vineyard being located along three miles of Russian River frontage, these Pinot grapes get the cool air overnight and Alexander Valley's warmth during the day. The grapes from this bottle were hand picked, sorted and gently destemmed. The wine was fined, then filtered and aged 9 months in reconditioned French oak barrels. Hardball Cellars Pinot is full of enticing aromas of red cherries, strawberry, marzipan and vanilla. On the palate, a very smooth and silky wine, tasting bright red cherries, slight clove, with a delicate finish of almonds and vanilla. Mike has definitely made one beautiful bottle of Pinot Noir. Hardball Cellars Pinot is pure elegance in the glass. Hardball Cellars also makes a Chardonnay, Russian River Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet.