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.

Passaggio

Passaggio

Code Seven

2012 Sonoma Coast

Pinot Noir
 $46.00 a bottle

  

Cindy Passaggio is a very talented women full of passion with the love for wine and family tradition. I have been honored to have been her friend over the last four years and watch her grow into an amazing winemaker. In 2004 Cindy left her 15 year law enforcement career to follow her true passion to make wine. In 2007 Cindy starting making her own wine. Just this year Cindy has opened the Passaggio Wines Tasting Room in the heart of downtown Sonoma. I had the pleasure to meet Cindy at her beautiful new tasting room last month and sit down with her and try her line up of wines.

I have always been a huge fan of Cindy's unoaked Chardonnay but that afternoon her Code Seven 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir blew me away. Not only was this Pinot full of structure but it had new flavors that I have never come across before in a Pinot Noir. Passaggio's Sonoma Coast Pinot has aromas of sweet candied cherries mixed with hints of citrus fruits and spices. On the palate, velvety rich red cherries, slight cinnamon that gives this Pinot a touch of spiciness. I also tasted hints of rhubarb with a very intriguing orange peel finish. The finish on this Pinot gives this bottle a load of pizzazz. Truly a beautiful bottle! With Thanksgiving right around the corner this bottle would only enrich your turkey dinner. Passaggio Wines makes many other great bottles, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rose, Grenache, Sangiovese. Cindy also makes two other Pinot Noirs, a Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

 

Dutcher Crossing

Dutcher Crossing

We are blessed with so many great wine regions in Sonoma County. I never seem to make it out to the Dry Creek Valley enough. Earlier this Summer I was invited out to Dutcher Crossing in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley to visit and taste their wines. Their property was stunning and their wines were amazing.

That afternoon a winery employee by the name of Ryan gave us the winery tour and a golf cart ride throughout the winery's property. Ryan was so full of great information and passion for Dutcher Crossing; I swear he knew every vine in their vineyard.

After touring the vineyards, we were spoiled with this awesome cheese platter to pair with their wines.

I tasted most of the wines at Dutcher Crossing that afternoon but a bottle of Zinfandel stood out among the rest........................

Dutcher Crossing

2012 Maple Vineyard

Dry Creek Valley

Zinfandel

$42.00 a bottle

The 2012 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel is 92% Zinfandel and 8% Petite Sirah. I was told Tom and Tina Maple grow some of the best Zinfandel in the Dry Creek Valley. Dutcher Crossing harvests their grapes with counsel from Tom and Tina Maple. Maple Vineyard is a 25 acre ranch planted midway up the valley to dry farmed and head trained Zinfandel. The 2012 Maple Zinfandel spent 9 months in barrel, 35% New French oak and 65% Neutral French oak. This Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel has aromas of spice, red currant and red berries. An incredible Zinfandel, first tasting cranberries, red currant, and white pepper. The wine finishes with creamy vanilla and a touch of oak. Dutcher Crossing 2012 Maple Zinfandel is one of the most complex Zinfandels I have had. This Zinfandel is not jammy and radiates with spice and definitely rocked my palate. Debra Mathy has quite the winery in Dry Creek Valley, of course with the help of her winemakers Kerry G Damskey, Nick Briggs and Matt Ward. If in the Dry Creek Valley, Dutcher Crossing Winery comes highly recommended. 

 

 

Paradise Ridge

Paradise Ridge Winery

If venturing to Sonoma Wine Country, Paradise Ridge Winery is a must stop. A 156-acre wine estate with panoramic views overlooking the Russian River Valley. The winery has an indoor and outdoor tasting bar, an outdoor sculpture garden exhibit, and great wines to taste. Paradise Ridge also harbors some bottles made with grapes from my favorite appellation, Rockpile. Family owned and operated, Walter and Marijke Byck planted the vineyards back in 1978 and opened the winery in 1991. The winemaker of these lovely bottles is Dan Barwick.

I have previously visited Paradise Ridge Winery. On my last visit a month ago,  I was highly impressed by the qualities of the wines. There wasn't a bottle that day that I tried that I didn't like. I'm not a huge fan of Merlot but I loved their Merlot that afternoon. I left Paradise Ridge winery that day with two new incredible wine finds. Both bottles were just released.

Paradise Ridge

2011 The Bounty

Russian River Valley

Rhone Style Blend

$42.00 a bottle

The Bounty is a superb Syrah blend of 35% Syrah, 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Zinfandel, and 5% Merlot. This blend also contains a touch of Rockpile in it making it taste very distinguished. This blend has aromas of candied cherries and vanilla. Tasting first red cherries, tea, crushed stones and earth with a finish of Carmel and slight bay leaf. Lots of structure to this blend making it ever so delectable.

Paradise Ridge

2011 Merlot

Foppiano Vineyard

Russian River Valley

$44.00 a bottle

Paradise Ridge's Merlot was quite striking to me. The complexity and boldness of this wine was so remarkable that it changed my whole view of Merlots. Definitely a Merlot that drinks like a Cabernet. This Merlot has aromas of Cherry, leather and pepper. Tasting first tart cherries, cranberries and leather with a finish of tobacco and pepper. Great earthiness to this bottle.

Paradise Ridge also does an excellent job with their artisan cheese wine pairings. Each cheese paired perfectly with the selected wine. Artisan cheese wine pairings are daily but by appointment only. Paradise Ridge also makes a Sparkling, Sauvginon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet. If in the area of Sonoma Wine Country definitely make the stop to visit and taste at Paradise Ridge Winery, you will love the experience.

MacPhail Pinot Noir

MacPhail 2011

Anderson Valley 

 Pinot Noir

$40.00 a bottle

Just last week I was invited out to visit and explore the wines of MacPhail Winery with Jim Morris, @sonomawineguy on Twitter. Jim is the General Manager for MacPhail Winery. When I arrived I was given this lineup of different Pinot Noirs to try..........

2011 Anderson Valley, 2010 Sonoma Coast, 2011 Russian River Valley, 2011 Santa Rita Hills

Honestly I enjoyed them all but the 2011 Anderson Valley Pinot stole my heart that afternoon. This Pinot is a cuvée of Anderson Creek Vineyard and Annahala Vineyards. These grapes were hand picked and de-stemmed, then hand sorted twice. The juice was then aged 11 months in 100% French Oak, 50% new, 25% 1 year old and 25% 2 year old. The wine is then bottled 100% unfined and unfiltered. 

MacPhail's  Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is very aromatic on the nose with aromas of vanilla, strawberries, cherries and smoke. A super smooth Pinot tasting first lots of red fruits, strawberries, cranberries and cherries. The finish is long lasting of vanilla, pipe tobacco and leather. The backend on this Pinot really counter balances the sweet up front red fruits making this Anderson Valley Pinot velvety smooth. Definitely a special bottle of Pinot Noir.

James MacPhail built this small family winery in Healdsburg, California back in December 2008, producing only small batches of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose. MacPhail winery is not open to the public. Tastings are by appointment only, Monday-Saturday. Coming this Summer 2014, MacPhail Winery will have a new tasting lounge at The Barlow in Sebastopol, California. Much thanks to Jim Morris and MacPhail Winery for spoiling me with such great wines that afternoon. @macphailpinot @sonomawineguy @TheBarlow707

Skewis 

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir

I have quite the love for Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs. A few months ago I stumbled upon a very cute and quaint tasting room in Healdsburg, California that housed some incredible Pinot Noirs. There were two bottles that day that blew me away. I was was fortunate it enough to taste with owner and winemaker Hank Skewis. Hank came to California in 1994 and was able to purchase grapes from Anderson Valley's Flood Gate Vineyard. Hank also met his wife that year, which began their journey of wine making together. In July 2011 they opened their first tasting room in Healdsburg, CA. They harvest fruit from six vineyards in three appellations; Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, and the Sonoma Coast. I fell in love with Hank's 2010 Skewis Ridley Vineyard Pinot Noir and his 2008 Skewis Marguerite Pinot Noir, both from Anderson Valley.

Skewis 2010 Ridley Vineyard

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir

$50.00 a bottle

  

Ridley Vineyards is located on the valley floor in the heart of Anderson Valley. The vineyard stays dry and warm but, gets frequent thick moist fog in the evenings, allowing these grapes to become superb. This Pinot has aromas of candied cherries, anise, and slight mushrooms. This Pinot very elegantly romances the tongue with creamy red cherries, engaging spices, and ever so slight mushroom finish, with a lite splash of cola on the palate. Ridley Vineyard Pinot is truly exceptional, definitely softer and brighter of the two Pinot Noirs

Skewis 2008 Marguerite Vineyard

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir  
$32.00 a bottle

Marguerite Vineyards are dry farmed vines located in the hills of the coastal region of Mendocino County, at an elevation of 1500 feet. This Pinot has strong aromas of forest floor, earth, and mushrooms. This well structured robust Pinot Noir first tastes of earth and dusty forest floor. I got an ever so slight taste of cherries on the back end, finishing with creamy mushrooms and woody smoke. Marguerite Vineyard Pinot was the bigger and bolder of the two Pinot Noirs. I loved pairing this wine with food which only enhanced it's flavors and softened it edginess. This yet again was another exceptional Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. After tasting Hank's wines, without a doubt Hank Skewis has mastered the Pinot grape.

Coros of Mendocino

Coros of Mendocino

An hour north of Sonoma wine country you can find a hidden gem to home of some great wines. Hopland, California produces a signature Zinfandel blend called Coro, crafted from Mendocino county grapes. My first trip up North to Hopland about two years ago I found these Zinfandel blends amazing. Each winery that participates in making these blends follows similar guidelines but each winery's Coro blend is a little different in their make up of what reds are blended together. Mendocino's Winegrowers Alliance developed the protocols to these Zinfandel blends and they have agreed to follow as a group. The base make up of the Coro blends is (40%-70%) Zinfandel. The second tier of Coro blends can range from Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sangiovese, Grenache, Dolcetto, Charbono, Barbera and Primitivo. No other varietal can exceed the percentage of the Zinfandel. Making each one of these Coro blends so unique and special.

Coro meaning "chorus" was picked to represent the chorus of Mendocino winemakers coming together blending their skills and wine to produce these stunning Zinfandel blends. Each of these bottles carries the same label, the only difference is the producing wineries name and percentage of the blends make up. The other night @winetom and I opened three of these bottles to taste and compare. These were our thoughts.........................

2006 Parducci Coro

55% Zinfandel 19.5% Syrah 18.5% Petite Sirah 5%Grenache 2% Charbono

  $38.00 a bottle

@SLHousman: Parducci's 2006 Coro was a beautiful glistening garnet red with aromas of cherry and strawberry. Refined and elegant with great structure tasting tart cherry, other soft red berries, green tea, cinnamon and dried plums. This bottle was my favorite Coro of the three we tasted. Definitely elegance in a glass!

@Winetom: Tasting tart red cherry and a hint of spice or oak. Something green so faint I couldn't nail it. Cinnamon pops its head in here and there. Then hints of dried plum in the finish. Balanced acids and fruit harken back to Zinfandel from the mid 80's.

 

2007 Parducci Coro

 47% Zinfandel 45% Syrah 8% Petite Sirah

 $38.00 a bottle

@SLHousman: Parducci's 2007 Coro was a deep dark plum purple. This wine had dominating aromas of blackberry, and hidden hints of leather. This 2007 was much more robust and heartier then the 2006; tasting of tart black fruits, white pepper and raisins. A very powerful glass of wine that screamed for food!

@Winetom: A very woody nose like a holiday cologne. Velvety on the tongue ,first red berry fruit then a dark brooding fig with raisin elements that kick in. White pepper that is classic of 80's Zinfandel also delights the tongue.

 

 2009 MCFadden Coro

  65% Zinfandel 20% Syrah 15% Petite Sirah

 $37.00 a bottle

@SLHousman: 2009 McFadden Coro had aromas of candied cherries, plums and vanilla. Tasting bright red cherries with a little woodiness of bark with a prune finish. This bottle was the spiciest of them all with the spice still lingering long after the finish. Definitely a glass not lacking zest!

@Winetom: A big plumy nose with some bark that reminds me of the Santa Cruz mountains. Tasting vanilla and tart cherry being somewhat overpowered by a strong woodiness. Super spicy finish which later turns to prunes. For lovers of darker wine let this one breathe.