Read Holland Pinot Noir “Deep End” 2018
Snappy, bright cherry and raspberry pre-breathing soon turns to summer-ripe red cherries and raspberries, cherry liqueur, black truffle, black tea, dried red rose petals and minerally earthiness. The wine gets richer and more layered as the wine hangs out in the glass…gets better over 5+ hours of ample air exposure. Medium bodied, high intensity, youthful […]
Onward Pinot Noir “Cerise” 2013
Multi-layered, intense and light on its feet, the 2013 Onward Cerise Pinot Noir has a bright, lighter red color, smells of griottes (fancy for wild red cherries), rose-scented candle wax, nutmeg and pretty French oak. The flavors go in the same direction with raspberry, floral incense, dried orange peel and black tea sneaking in there. […]
Navarro Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019
On the light and delicate side of Rosé wine with light wild red cherry, pink rose petals and mandarin orange smells and flavors. The light, transparent color will please the army of Rosé drinkers who judge by color. And the flavor is in line with the look: very dry, shining acidity and subtle flavor. On […]
Navarro Gewurztraminer “Deep End” 2017
Not your average Gewurztraminer, the tightly-spaced, hillside, low-yielding Gewurz vines used for “Deep End Blend” makes for an outstanding wine. Smell and taste grapefruit marmalade, orange zest, white pepper, mango, dried apple slices and tarragon. This is fermented dry to 13.9 alcohol, which is low by most measures for excellent California wine, but high for […]
ANTHILL FARMS Pinot Noir “Demuth” 2016
For years this has been one of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. Why? Because of its Burgundy-like marriage of brilliant cherry fruits and graceful earthy spice. And texture…richness under control. My tasting notes include deep red wild cherry, red roses, dried ginger, black truffle and vanilla bean. A natural beauty. Get this while you can.
Halcon Pinot Noir Oppenlander 2016
It’s doubtful you will happen upon Oppenlander Vineyard. It’s in, or part of, the census-designated place (step below town) of Comptche, 12 miles from the Pacific and 25 mile drive from the nearest town, Mendocino. Yes, it’s a cool vineyard, ideal for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that grows there, so brightness in wines from […]
HALCON Pinot Noir “Bearwallow” 2016
It’s tricky to make a delicious, truly delicious, Pinot Noir from an “extreme” vineyard like Bearwallow. Paul Gordon of Halcon knows how and achieved it in his first release of Pinot Noir from “Bearwallow.” By extreme I mean very cool micro-climate at the northwest end of Mendocino’s Anderson Valley where vines and valley turn to […]
NAVARRO Pinot Noir Methode L’Ancienne 14
From first whiff you know this is a wine you, and everyone with you, is going to love and drink up. Just make sure to pour yourself a full glass. The nose is warm holiday spices, mocha and cherry preserves. More of the same in the mouth: ripe, soft, gently spicy and comforting. This has […]
Navarro Dry Gewurztraminer 2017
First off, the Navarro Vineyards Dry Gewurztraminer smells awesome. Honeydew melon, fresh ginger, peach, grapefruit, orange blossoms and white pepper. The taste moves on to orange zest, more melons and fresh-cut flowers. (Steers away from the honey/lychee/oily style of Gewurz). Medium/high acidity, typical of cool Anderson Valley wines and a ballerina-like strength and lightness. Fuji […]
ROGSTAD Pinot Noir “Tidrik” 2015
Spot-on tasty, cool climate California Pinot from Napa winemaking veteran Steven Rogstad. Get sappy red cherries and cranberry sauce on the nose along with pretty violet and pink rose notes. There’s a lightness to this wine that borders on ethereal. Bright, solid core of red fruits in the mouth, then savory on the finish with […]
