Freestone

2008 Sonoma Coast

Pinot Noir

$55.00 a bottle

I felt it was time to blog another great Sonoma County Pinot Noir. We are so lucky to have so many great ones to choose from here. My favorite and first choice for Pinot Noir is the Russian River Valley with their complexity, huge structures and earthiness. So I was surprised that I really enjoyed this 2008 Freestone Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. This wine is definitely at the top of my list for great Sonoma County Pinot. Last year I attended an event called “Pinot Smack Down” which numerous North Coast Pinot Noirs were all under one roof for us to taste and judge. There were many good wines I tasted that day but this 2008 Freestone Pinot Noir really stood out among the rest, and was an easy first place vote for me. Freestone Winery and Vineyards is located just 5-8 miles from the Pacific Ocean just west of Bodega Bay in the small town of Freestone. This location provides a long and cool growing season just perfect for Pinot Noir. Freestone Winery is owned by the Phelp’s family of Joseph Phelps Vineyard. In 1999 they began developing 100 acres of vineyards near Freestone and in 2007 produced their first harvest of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Freestone Winery practices bio-dynamic farming, enhancing the natural vineyard under the guidance of winemaker Theresa Heredia. I was finally able to visit and taste at Freestone Winery this week for the first time. I was also able to meet and taste with Freestone’s, extremely knowledgeable tasting room manager, Brad Schneider. Brad insisted that I try all their wines that day even though I was just there for the Pinot Noir. After revisiting their Pinot Noir I remembered why I enjoyed this wine so much. This 2008 Pinot Noir has enhancing aromas of black cherry and cedar box. First tasting vibrant cherry and tea that lingers, infusing into spices and a light earthiness. This Pinot’s finish is creamy and extremely smooth on the palate leaving you craving another sip. Freestone’s 2008 has great acidity, great structure, rich with flavors but yet very elegant. Wine Enthusiast gave this bottle a 90 point rating. If heading out to the Sonoma Coast a definite must stop!

Inspiration Vineyards

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dry Creek Valley

$48.00 a bottle

Over the last year and a half I have met some very incredible people in the wine industry through twitter and blogging. When I find that memorable bottle to blog it’s always important for me to meet up with the winemaker and or owner to hear their story and what goes into creating that great bottle. I wanted to start off my blog this 2012 with a winery owner and winemaker that left everything behind to follow his dream of owning a winery and making his own wine. Jon Phillips and his wife Barbara left everything behind in the bay area and headed up to the wine country to pursue a dream. Jon Phillips of Inspiration Vineyards has such a passion for wine that radiates off him, there is definitely no denying that he loves what he does. I had the pleasure through twitter to meet up with both him and his wife, whom turned out to be two amazing people that I’m so lucky to have had the chance to meet. Back when this 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was still in the barrel I was able to meet up with Jon to taste a barrel sample. After sampling that day I knew then this was going to be a great wine and future blog.

Knowing my love for the Rock Pile appellation and wine, Jon was very excited to have me sample this Cabernet Sauvignon. Jon was able to purchase a small amount of the Rock Pile to add to this Cabernet. His 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 80% Cabernet from Dry Creek Valley, 10% Merlot from Rock Pile, 5% Cabernet from Sonoma Valley, 5% Cabernet Franc from Sonoma Valley. This Cabernet is aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 33 months, 30% which are new. With this combination of vineyards I feel that Jon has really perfected his Cabernet Sauvignon. A super smooth Cabernet that is complex with flavors yet has a nice softness on the palette. Aroma’s of this wine are of huge fruit, dark berries, black currant, dried fruit and spices. Tasting first blackberry then other dark berries, plum, and extremely rich spices. This 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon finishes with mocha and light cigar box. Definitely ready to drink and enjoy now but I think wine will be at it’s prime in two years. Inspiration Vineyards is a small winery located in the Russian River Valley and makes several varietals of wine that include Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Syrah.

Annadel Estate Winery

2008 Sonoma Valley

Anni’s Blend

$36.00 a bottle

I’m going to finish the year and found it only fitting to write my last blog on an incredible Sonoma Valley Cabernet Blend that I just recently discovered. Earlier this month I was invited out to Annadel Estate Winery in Sonoma Valley, California for a private tour and tasting with part owner and assistant winemaker, Abigail Zimmerman. Owners Dean and Abigail Zimmerman followed their dream, buying the ruins of a former winery and abandoned old farmhouse and turned it into what is known today as, Annadel Estate Winery. Making three varietals of wine most of which are estate grown, a Rose of Zinfandel, Zinfandel, and this incredible Cabernet Blend.

I was given a tour of the gorgeous grounds and vineyards that day by golf cart with Abigail. The history of the property itself was amazing. On my tour I was shown the old winery ruins, barns, and saloon dating back to the 1800’s. Really an unforgettable treat. After my tour of the vineyards and grounds we went back to the main farmhouse to open their three wines to taste. I fell in love with their Cabernet blend instantly. This Anni’s Blend is 100% Estate grown and is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Truly this wine is heaven in a bottle. This blend has aromas of dark berries, black currant, cigar-box and earth. Tasting first big bold blackberry and black pepper, and spices. This wine is definitely not shy with many structured palate pleasing layers. Anni’s blend finishes with a light coco and a taste of cedar. I was just informed that this 2008 is just about sold out but the 2009 is soon to be released. I was lucky enough that day to taste their library 2007 of this blend which was even more incredible. Definitely a wine to buy and hold onto if you can. Annadel Estate Winery does not have a tasting room and is by appointment only. If you are in the Sonoma Valley area and would like to try their wine’s you can contact Abigail Zimmerman for a private tasting (707) 934-7374. Truly a memorable experience and a remarkable wine. Cheers to 2012 and to many more amazing wine adventures in search for that perfect bottle!

J. Keverson

2008 Dry Creek Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

$34.00 a bottle

I’m happy to report I finally found a Dry Creek Cabernet that I love. I have tasted many different Cabernets from this region and found very few that I like. J. Keverson’s Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty incredible. The winery is a hidden gem located in the heart of wine country, right off the Plaza in Healdsburg, California. J. Keverson winery is a small winery only producing 1300 cases a year. Making also Chardonnay, Brut Sparkling, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and Syrah. I have been a huge fan of both their Alton Lane Zinfandel and Carneros Chardonny which I have blogged in the past. I was lucky enough awhile back to meet up with one of the owners and winemaker, John Hazlewood and taste a sample of this Cabernet Sauvignon from the barrel.

We both agreed then that this Cabernet was going to be great. Barreled in 25% New French Oak for 28 months. This wine now bottled and released is tasting awesome. Taking a 2011 Best of Class at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and given 91 points from Wine Enthusiasts. J. Keverson's Cabernet Sauvignon has huge aromas of dark berries, slight raspberry and chocolate. This Cabernet is rich with flavors and huge structure with several palate pleasing layers. First layer is big, tasting of black berries and chocolate. Second layer tasting of spices and black pepper and finishing with earth and light oak. This wine has a huge beginning and a finish that will only dominate with age. The huge beginning of this Cabernet Sauvignon of black berries and chocolate is definitely my favorite part to this wine.

Gracianna Winery

I am very grateful to have been invited out a couple of weeks ago to the beautiful vineyards and future site for the new tasting room of Gracianna Winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The winery tasting room is started and expected to be completed in April of next year. The Amador family is very close knit and very inspiring to me, building their dream of a family owned and operating winery. When I arrived out to their vineyards that afternoon I was greeted by Trini Amador IV winemaker and one of the family owners and his sister Ashley Amador, another family owner. Trini and Ashley Amador were so kind and so full of passion that it radiated off them and was so contagious. Instantly making me feel as if I was part of the family. Both were extremely excited to share their Gracianna wines and story with me. The name Gracianna comes from an Amador family grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga. The present on the wines label symbolizes their gift of giving to family and friends old and new and bringing everyone together in celebration. Their bottles of wine are their family gifts to share with everyone. Trini Amador knew at a very young age that he wanted to make wine. He was caught by his parents at the age of sixteen trying to make wine in family garage. Today Trini Amador IV makes three great varietals all from the Russian River Valley. Gracianna wines are all unfined and unfiltered.

I first tasted their 2010 Chardonnay. A 100% Russian River Valley, barreled in 100% French Oak. This Chardonnay had great aromas of citrus, lemon, and grass. First tasting crisp light pear, grass, and finishing with a lemon, vanilla cream. The finish is the biggest part to this Chardonnay and my favorite part. Gracianna 2010 Chardonnay is not over powered with oak, still tasting lots of fruit on the palate. This is a very nice Chardonnay taking “Best of Class” at the 2011 Sonoma County Fair. $34.00 a bottle.

Their second wine I tasted that day was my favorite one, 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. A 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the Bacigaulpi Vineyard, barreled in French Oak for eleven months. This is definitely a true Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, full bodied, complex, with huge structure. My kind of Pinot Noir. Gracianna’s 2009 Pinot Noir has aromas cherry, mushroom, and musty earth. First tasting red cherry, spice, and light licorice, finishing with that Russian River mushroom forest floor. A very robust yet smooth, well balanced Pinot Noir, taking a gold metal at the 2011 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. $48.00 a bottle.

Lastly I tasted the Gracianna 2009 Russian River Zinfandel. This Zinfandel is a blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petit Syrah, again coming from the Bacigaulpi Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. This wine is aged in both French and American Oak for 11 months. Gracianna’s Zinfandel has huge aromas of dark berries and light must. A very big and bold wine tasting of blackberries and spice. As this wine opened up it became much more softer and silkier to the palate. $42.00 a bottle.

Again I want to thank Trini and Ashley Amador for sharing their wines and a great afternoon out at their Vineyard. Also I want to thank Trini Amador III and Lisa. I can’t wait to make another visit next year to see the completed tasting room.

Hopland Passport 2011

I had an incredible journey through Hopland California wine country last weekend. I was invited to attend their 20th Annual Hopland Passport Weekend and “wow” what a weekend it was. Sixteen wineries participated and I made to most all of them. I must say I was pleasantly surprised how many wines I found that I really enjoyed. Hopland creates some amazing Viogniers, Zinfandels, Zinfandel blends called “Coro”, Cabernets, and Cabernet blends. There were so many great wineries and wines that I can’t share them all but I will share some of the bottles I brought back.

Jaxon Keys Winery was my first stop that morning. A Beautiful farmhouse set on a hillside with gorgeous vineyard views, breath taking really. They had everything open that day to taste and boy what a line up!

I have to say I enjoyed most of their wines but I fell in love with both their estate grown 2010 Viognier and 2009 Mae’s Block Zinfandel.

2010 Jaxon Keys Viognier has aromas of huge grapefruit, light tangerine and grass. This is a very long structured Viognier tasting first huge grapefruit, peach, light grass with a lingering smooth finish of honey, melon, and cream. This is definitely a crazy good Viognier! Jaxon Keys Winery describes this Viognier well, “Very pretty, and not shy.” 2009 Jaxon Keys Mae’s Block Zinfandel has aromas of deep dark fruits and spice. First tasting huge dry fruits of blackberry and black cherry, finishing with lots of spice, clove, tea, and pepper. Before this trip I have to admit I was not that crazy about Zinfandels but after tasting so many great ones in Hopland I am turning into a Zinfandel lover. Parducci Winery had some great Cabernets and Zinfandels. They pride themselves on being America’s greenest Winery, committed to sustainable wine growing practices while protecting the environment and supporting local farmers. One of the owners of Parducci Winery, Paul Dolan has his own vineyards and label and makes some awesome wines.

I thoroughly enjoyed all four varietals of Paul Dolan wines I tried that day but his Zinfandel was my favorite. Paul Dolan’s 2009 Mendocino County Zinfandel was wonderful. Wow, I never thought I’d say that about a Zinfandel, but so true. This wine has aromas of dark fruit, huge blackberry and earth. First tasting blackberry and slight raisin, finishing with a pepper earthiness that gives it a Cabernet resemblance. This Zinfandel is full bodied and very rich with flavors that balance perfectly together.

There were so many great red blends in Hopland but there was just something very special about this Cabernet blend that made it stand out among the rest, Cesar Toxqui Cellars Heirloom IV Red Blend. This wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel, 7% Merlot, 3% Viognier. This blend has an incredible nose to it. With aromas of red cherry, leather, slight floral. Tasting of a caramel covered cherry, slight blueberry and earth. An easy to drink blend that is super smooth and great without food. It was such a treat that day to be able to meet owner and wine maker Cesar Toxqui. He was so excited to tell me all about his wines and really wanted to hear what I thought of them. While talking with Cesar there was no hiding that he truly loves what he does and that definitely shows in this bottle.

Some other wineries and wines that stood out for me that weekend was McNab Ridge with their Cabernet’s and Cabernet blends. Campovida which now resides where Fetzer use to be, had a Redvine Series blend of mostly Cabernet that I really enjoyed. McFadden Winery which I was introduced for the first time to the Zinfendal blend’s called “Coro.” I was very fortunate that night to have shared dinner with Mr. Guinness McFadden himself along with Rich Parducci and the very beautiful Margaret Weibel of Weibel Winery. That night I had told Mr. McFadden how much I loved his Coro that day and the generous man he is had brought a bottle to dinner among other bottles to share.

I want to thank the town of Hopland and all the wineries that participated in Hopland Passport Weekend for showing me such great hospitality and sharing their great wines with me. It was truly an incredible weekend. A last big thank you to John Cesano and Megan Metz for giving me a reason to venture further North for wine.

Trione Vineyards

2005 Block Twenty One

Alexander Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

$64.00 a bottle

I am way overdue on the blogging of this incredible Alexander Valley Cabernet. Trione’s Cabernet has been a favorite of mine for some time and is an excellent representation of how great Alexander Valley Cabernet's are. Trione Winery is located in the heart of the Alexander Valley in Geyserville, California. I have called this my home away from home. Not only can you find amazing Cabernet but the scenery is breath taking.

The Trione family has been growing grapes in Sonoma County for thirty five years, with over seven hundred and fifty acres of vineyards. I have personally gotten to meet and work with winemaker Scot Covington. Scot is a very modest, humble, and extremely talented winemaker. Since I am such a Cabernet lover I felt it only appropriate to blog Trione’s very first Cabernet vintage. This 2005 Cabernet is truly a master piece with excellent age on it but I feel it could still improve with time. A blend of 85% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 2.5% Petite Verdot, and 2.5% Malbec. This Cabernet has aromas of red currants, dark fruits, sage, and hints of musty light oak and pepper. First tasting on the palate lots of dark fruits, light cherry, and spice. Finishing with a leathery cigar box light pepper taste. A very spicy Cabernet full of layers but not over bearing and extremely smooth.

I have been extremely fortunate to be invited now for my second year to help with harvest at Trione Winery. They truly make me feel as if I’m part of the Trione family. My twitter friend Jess @Moxie_Lady who works at Trione Winery who knows my passion for wine, had asked me last year if I would be interested in helping them and being part of their harvest. I felt very lucky to be asked and definitely could not turn down that opportunity. So again this year I worked side by side with Mark & Cathy Trione, Scot Covington the winemaker, and many other Trione family members. With the first load of grapes being Pinot Noir in the 2011 harvest we all toasted in celebration with a little sparkling. A big Trione family celebration that I am ever so thankful to have been part of. I learned so much about harvest and what goes into the whole process.

Trione Vineyards

2007 Russian River Valley

Pinot Noir

$35.00 a bottle

Helping with Trione Winery 2011 harvest and their first grapes to come in being Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, I had to blog their 2007 vintage. My favorite Pinot Noirs come from the Russian River Valley appellation and this Trione 2007 Pinot Noir is exceptional. A true Russian River Valley Pinot. Tasting these Pinot grapes only a few hours after being picked still amazes me that they create such an incredible bottle. The light fruit and earthiness of Russian River Pinot’s, complex structures and heartiness is what I love so much about these Pinot Noirs. Trione’s 2007 Pinot has aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and earthy mushroom. First tasting light dark cherry and spice. Finishing with an earthy mushroom forest floor. A hearty yet super smooth Russian River Pinot Noir. Trione Winery also makes some other great wines, a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonny, Syrah, and a Bordeaux Blend.