Sheldon Wines

Santa Ynez Valley

2008 Vinolocity

$ 36.00

This is my very first blog on a Grenache bottle. This is ultimately the bottle that turned me into a Grenache fan. I had tasted many bottles in the past but really none of them knocked me away, but this Sheldon Wine 2008 Vinolocity did just that. Sheldon Wines is located in downtown Santa Rosa, California in Vintners Square. Owned and operated by Dylan and Tobe Sheldon. Dylan and Tobe produced their first wine back in 2003. They opened the Santa Rosa winery tasting room in 2010. Sheldon Wines is a micro-winery that produces wines from single vineyards that are sustainably farmed, hand-harvest, foot-stomped, and basket pressed. I was lucky enough to meet Tobe at one of our local wine industry meet ups. After meeting Tobe and making a few trips out to the winery tasting room and revisiting this wine and tasting the newly released 2008, I decided it was long overdue for a blog.

The name “Vinolocity” comes from a pseudo physics term Dylan and Tobe created to measure the, “How did my glass get empty so quickly?”. This 2008 Vinolocity is 100% Grenache from Santa Ynez Valley coming from the Vogelzang Vineyard. The Grenache grapes are grown on the strewn rolling hillside of the vineyard. Once in the barrel, this Grenache was aged in one new and six seasoned French Oak barrels, making only 175 cases. This wine has great inviting aromas of raspberry, cherry, and licorice. A perfect blend on the palate of licorice, black currant and spices. This Grenache is ultra creamy and smooth with just the perfect balance of flavors, truly an amazing bottle. Sheldon Wines makes other great bottles as well including a Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Graciano, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Loxton Cellars

2008 Sonoma Valley

Syrah

$30.00 a bottle

Last weekend I was able to meet and taste with owner and winemaker Chris Loxton of Loxton Cellars in the heart of Sonoma Valley, California. It was such a pleasure to be able to meet him and discover his awesome Syrah. Chris is the fourth generation in his family involved with grape growing and wine making. The three generations before him have all owned the family vineyard near Moorook in the Riverland of South Australia. With Chris’s post-doctoral research in the states and starting Loxton Cellars, he now calls Sonoma Valley his home. Loxton Cellars primary focus is on Syrah and Zinfandel. I was extremely impressed with the taste and quality of his Syrah that day and knew this would be my next bottle to blog.

This 2008 Syrah comes from the Parmelee-Hill Vineyard. Parmelee Vineyard lies on an old river bed in the Sonoma Valley. When Chris started this vineyard it consisted of all river stones mixed with just a bit of soil. This gives the vines great drainage and vine growth with an early start to Spring. Chris felt this vineyard was ideal for Syrah and definitely has proven to be. This is a very intense Syrah full of huge fruit but still finishing with that classic Syrah smoke taste. The flavors were extremely bold on the palate, tasting the most fruit I have experienced ever in a Syrah. This 2008 Loxton Syrah has aromas of cherry, blackberry, wood, and must. Tasting first loads of dark berries and cherry and a long lingering finish of smoke and forest floor. A huge structured Syrah that is perfectly balanced. Not only is the beginning of this Syrah huge but also the finish, making me an instant lover of this wine. If in the Sonoma Valley area and you enjoy a great Syrah this is a must stop! Chris was also awarded the “Best Port” in Sonoma County.

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.