Dutcher Crossing – 2007 Charles F. Mathy Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon
September 1, 2010
The Facts:
Debra Mathy spent a great deal of time looking for the right Winery before ultimately purchasing Dutcher Crossing. She made most of that journey across states and continents with her Dad. Unfortunately he passed away after battling a long illness before Debra found Dutcher Crossing. However his guiding principles and the road they had traversed together helped her find the Winery she would purchase in 2007. In tribute to her dad Charles F. Mathy, Dutcher Crossing produces a wine each year in his honor. The proceeds from this release benefit Cancer research. The Dutcher Crossing 2007 Charles F. Mathy Tribute is a Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon from Mountain Terraces Vineyard there is some Syrah from Atlas Peak and Merlot from Nelson Vineyard blended in as well. This wine was produced in limited quantities and sells for $39.
Gabe’s Take:
Aromas of deep, dark fruit such as plum, blackberry and currants are all present in the nose of this 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Throughout the palate the theme of black fruits continues; layer after layer of dark, juicy flavors emerge. These are both intense and well proportioned, the hallmarks of great mountain fruit. Hints of pine and black pepper spice notes both play a role in the middle and carry forward. Pencil lead, bittersweet dark chocolate and earth in particular all emerge on the lengthy and impressively persistent finish. A host of mineral and spice notes play a throat tingling role on the close as well. This wine has firm, tightly wound tannins that yield with some air.
A few things stand out for me about this Cabernet Sauvignon. First and foremost is that it’s a distinct offering in the Dutcher Crossing Portfolio. More so than the other Cabernet’s they make this one is more classically styled with bigger, firmer, structure. This wine is pretty tasty now, particularly with some air and/or paired with something substantial. My recommendation would be to drink it with a nicely marbled steak right off of your grill. If you have the patience to lay it down this wine will improve in the bottle over the next decade and drink well for several years after that. So for a very reasonable $39 you can both get a terrific wine and help a worthwhile cause. You can’t ask for more than that. Order this through the Dutcher Crossing Website or buy it in their tasting room.
2010 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
August 31, 2010
This weekend is Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. Throughout the three day holiday weekend numerous events will be featured. Some examples are Winemaker Lunches, Dinners, a charity auction and more. One of the main features is the Taste of Sonoma Event from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM this Saturday September 4th. It takes places at MacMurray Ranch in Healdsburg. Quite a few wineries will be pouring and there will be appellation specific tents, including of course one dedicated to Dry Creek Valley. These tents will also each feature Sonoma County Restaurants. There are also guided tastings that will be hosted by a number of different Sommeliers. Each of these is focused on one of a number of themed tasting flights.
While more than 150 wineries in all will be pouring, the following are the Dry Creek Valley producers that will be represented:
Alderbrook Winery
Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
DaVero Farms and Winery
Dutcher Crossing
Everett Ridge Winery
Forth Vineyards
Frick
Gallo Family Vineyards
Hauck Cellars
Kokomo Winery
Leonhardt Vineyards
Mauritson Family Winery
Mazzocco Sonoma
Michel Schlumberger Wine Estate
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
Mutt Lynch Winery
Pech Merle Winery
Pedroncelli Winery
Pezzi King Vineyards
Quivira Vineyards & Winery
Rancho Zabaco
Rued Winery, Inc
Saini Vineyards
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Thumbprint Cellars
Wilson Winery
Check their website for more details as there are literally a slew of events occurring this weekend and I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s going on. Their website is loaded with good and specific information including lodging and transportation choices. Tickets are also available through the website.
Wilson Winery – 2009 Blushing Syrah Rosé
August 30, 2010
The Facts:
Wilson Winery’s 2009 Blushing Syrah is a single vineyard selection. All of the fruit for this Rosé was sourced at Dorothy’s Vineyard which sits at an elevation of 1,650 feet above sea level. These vines were planted in 1995. Wilson Winery also sources their Estate Syrah at this Vineyard. The effort is 100% Syrah. This wine was barrel fermented in neutral French oak; 30% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. 120 cases of this 2009 Rosé were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $20. Wilson Winery is located at 1960 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. They’re open daily from 11 AM until 5 PM. Several tasting options are available (some require a prior appointment). They close on some major holidays so check their website for those specific details or call them at 800-433-4602.
Gabe’s Take:
The beautiful, perfectly pink hue is the first thing that becomes apparent about this 2009 Rosé as it’s poured. The nose is filled with aromas of watermelon, citrus and strawberry. Bright, engaging red fruit flavors are the story of the palate; raspberry, cherry, red plum and an underlying layer of fresh, juicy watermelon all play pivotal roles. Some of the fruit picks up a savory edge on the finish and along with some white pepper and additional spice notes, provides a throat tingling close.
There is a lot to like about this 2009 Rosé. First and foremost it’s refreshing and delicious. I found that for me this particular selection was at its best ice cold. This wine is loaded with bright fruit flavors, is perfectly dry and works well by itself or paired with a pretty wide range of foods. This is a terrific example of what Rosé should be.
Pedroncelli – 2005 Four Grapes Vintage Port
August 27, 2010
The Facts:
Pedroncelli’s2005 Four Grapes Vintage Port was produced using grapes sourced at a four acre, estate vineyard that they planted in 1995. This wine is a blend of Tinta Madiera, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional and Souza. These are grapes traditionally used for Port production in Portugal. This release represents the 16th vintage of this dessert wine for Pedroncelli. This selection was aged in mature American Oak barrels for four years. It’s bottled in 500 ml glass and has a suggested retail price of $18.
The Pedroncelli Family has been making wine in Dry Creek since 1927. Their current releases can be tasted daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM at the Pedroncelli Tasting room located at 1220 Canyon Road in Geyserville. Often times they will also have something older from the library open to taste, so when you go keep your eyes open for that.
Gabe’s Take:
Pedroncelli Winery was the first producer from Dry Creek Valley that got my attention many years ago. So they’re akin to an old friend, that I enjoy revisiting whenever I can, to catch up with. Their Four Grapes Port has been an excellent value over the years and I’m eager to see how the latest vintage stacks up to its predecessors.
This Port starts off with an intoxicating nose loaded with deep, dark fruit aromas; blackberry and plum are prominent. Throughout the substantial palate, sweet berry fruit flavors abound. Black and red raspberry are joined by subtler blueberry and copious spice notes. The finish has elements of brown sugar and fruitcake spice flavors as well as sweet chocolate notes and black pepper. That finish is lengthy, lusty and impeccably balanced. I paired it with dark chocolate, but honestly this Port is a delicious dessert on its own.
For $18 this Port from Pedroncelli represents an outstanding value. Dessert wines, particularly well made ones such as this don’t often come cheaply. This is a well crafted, age-worthy wine that offers a ton of drinking pleasure. This Port would be a great value if it was in a 375 ml half bottle so typical to dessert wines. But in a 500 ml it’s an even better value. This is no surprise though as the Pedroncelli Family has been making wine at more than fair prices for several generations.
Explore The Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley In Style
August 26, 2010
In addition to the previous opportunity we shared to spend California Wine Month in Dry Creek Valley, now comes word of another exciting option. This one is tailored to those folks who are interested in specifically exploring the wineries that are certified organic and or biodynamic. And additionally this promotion will be available through the end of the year. So if you’re going to spend some time in Dry Creek Valley before 2010 is out, here’s another way to take things to the next level.
What follows is the text of the press release about this event.
h2hotel219 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, Ca 95448
h2hotel is offering the Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley(click for the map) for California Wine Month. The package, starting at $460, includes
The Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley is a special, customized experience for visitors to the Dry Creek Valley who wish to explore the area’s certified organic and certified biodynamic wineries. Participating properties include Hawley Winery, Michel-Schlumberger, Montemaggiore, Preston of Dry Creek, Quivira Vineyards & Winery and Truett Hurst Winery. The Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley™ have partnered with h2hotel to offer visitors to Sonoma County an amazing experience. The tour begins at check-in at the hip, new h2hotel in Healdsburg where you’ll receive a welcome bottle of delicious Dry Creek Valley wine. Then, grab a bicycle and your eco-friendly picnic bag and get on your way! You will receive complimentary wine tastings at each of the participating wineries as you make your way along the tour. You can also expect a lively discussion at each of these wineries about how they became certified organic or biodynamic, how this affects their wine and why they feel it is important to be green!!
h2Hotel is a few blocks from the Healdsburg Plaza. It is the new little sister property to the acclaimed Hotel Healdsburg and features 36 “eco-chic” rooms complete with bamboo floors, balconies or patios, iPod dock, and organic sheets and linens. Hotel guests will find bicycles to borrow, a solar heated creek side pool, fireplace lounge and artisanal cocktails and dining at the modern Mediterranean spoonbar.
The Green Trail Package includes: 2 nights in a standard guest room Welcome bottle of wine from Dry Creek Valley winery Picnic for two packed in your own eco picnic bag with a hearty lunch from h2hotel restaurant spoon bar. (This stylish picnic bag is insulated, waterproof and has a lifetime warranty. It is yours to keep!)Bike rental for two (up to three hours to take The Green Trail) Rates range from $460 midweek to $690 weekend for a standard room. Go to h2hotel.com to book now!
Optional: A Biodynamic Spa add-on treatment at The Spa Hotel Healdsburg- $110 The Spa Hotel Healdsburg’s signature Meyer Lemon and Sage massage, facials or body treatments combine biodynamic and organically grown herbs and flowers with local ingredients (like olive oil and honey from Quivira Vineyards and Winery) to help you revitalize. Go to hotelhealdsburg.com to book now!
Savings midweek is 20%. Weekends no savings. Available through December 2010.Subject to availability. To book the package or learn more, visit h2hotel.com or call 877.342.2022.
Dashe Cellars – 2008 Florence Vineyard Zinfandel
August 23, 2010
The Facts:
Dashe Cellars 2008 Florence Vineyard Zinfandel is a single vineyard offering. 100% of the fruit is Zinfandel and it all comes from the Florence Ranch. This Dry Creek Valley vineyard is owned by the Husband and Wife team of Jack and Fran Florence who are best known for the Rockpile Ranch vineyards. Dashe Cellars started making this wine with the 2005 vintage, when the vineyard first came on line. Fermentation of this offering occurred in custom made gridded tanks using exclusively natural yeast. Barrel aging occurred over 12 months in all French oak, 8% of the barrels were new. The wine was racked approximately every 3 months. Just fewer than 392 cases of this selection were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $32.
Gabe’s Take:
One of the things that stand out to me about Dashe Cellars is the way they continually highlight specific vineyards with their wines. They do make some cuvee style offerings, but the core of their portfolio is the single vineyard releases from Dry Creek Valley and elsewhere. And beyond simply making single vineyard releases their style allows the fruit from these vineyards to shine and tell the story of a specific spot in a given year.
Candied black raspberry, vanilla and violet aromas are all prominent characteristics of this wine’s nose. There is a pure burst of berry fruits throughout the palate of this 2008 Zinfandel. Along with raspberry and blackberry, cherry, cranberry and pomegranate flavors all play a role. They come together to form an expressive and multi-layered palate that has some jam elements at its core. Wild strawberry, cloves, plum pudding spice, and Chocolate Bosco sauce flavors all emerge on the finish which has good length. The 2008 Florence Ranch Zinfandel is a very nicely balanced wine.
This new release from Dashe Cellars was a bit tight out of the bottle. 45 minutes in the decanter really allowed it to blossom and shine. Drink this wine over the next 5-8 years for maximum pleasure. This is another solid, well made wine from Dashe Cellars, grab it while you can.
Forth Vineyards – 2006 Rebecca’s Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
August 20, 2010
The Facts:
Forth Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a single vineyard effort. Fruit for this wine was sourced at Rebecca’s Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. This vineyard is named for their daughter. 205 cases of this wine were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $38. Forth Vineyards & Winery has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley since 1998. Jann and Gerry Forth have 10 acres under vine; all organically farmed. In addition they source some fruit from friends and neighbors. All together they make approximately 2,400 cases of wine each year. Forth Vineyards wines can be tasted seven days a week at the Family Wineries Tasting Room located at 4791 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. You can also make an appointment to taste with the Forth’s at the winery.
Gabe’s Take:
I’ve found the wines from Forth Vineyards to be impressive in general; however it’s their estate offerings that stand out more than the others to me. The care they put into the vineyards comes out in the wines from their home ranch in a very real and vivid way. I’ve really enjoyed previous vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon from Rebecca’s Vineyard and was excited to taste this latest release.
Dark, brambly fruit aromas underscored by a hint of thyme emerge from the nose of this wine, which is a little reticent at first. It needs some air to really shine and an hour in the decanter works wonders. When you take the first sip of this wine you’re hit with an immense wallop of red and black cherry flavors. More than anything else, cherry flavors are the star of the show here. Spice notes kick in as well and they lead to a lovely finish which includes graham cracker crust characteristics, mineral notes, lots of earth (which emerges as the wine opens) a hint of fennel, dusty baker’s chocolate and toasty oak notes. Good structure and solid acidity keeps things in check.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is another excellent effort from the Forth’s. This is a young wine which will improve in the bottle for a number of years so don’t hesitate to lay it down. More than anything else though, don’t think twice about buying any wine that has the Forth name on it.
An Interview With Pezzi King Winemaker Christopher Barrett
August 19, 2010
Christopher Barrett
Pezzi King Vineyards has been making wines in the Dry Creek Valley since 1993. They have an extensive range of offerings but are perhaps best known for their Zinfandels. Pezzi King were amongst the first to become known for making a designate Zinfandel from the famed Maple Vineyard. Today their focus is on Estate Wines. A recent visit to their property was a real eye opener for me. There is an astonishing amount of beauty in Dry Creek Valley and every time I think I’ve seen every amazing view, I visit a place like Pezzi King and I’m astounded again. Getting to taste their lineup with their winemaker Christopher Barrett was a real treat as well. He knows the property like the back of his hand and was a tremendous host. He was nice enough to answer some questions for me; what follows is that exchange.
Gabe: How would you describe Pezzi King and its wines to someone who is unfamiliar with them?
Chris: Pezzi King is one of the few true hillside vineyards located on the west side of Dry Creek Valley. We are known for our Zinfandels but other varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot do very well also.
Gabe: What makes Dry Creek Valley Special?
Chris: Its history and geography. At the turn of the 20thcentury, Dry Creek was one of California’s most prominent producers of Zinfandels. When prohibition hit, many of the vineyards were converted to plums and pears. It was the few vineyards left to survive by selling their fruit to home winemakers. These old vines now make up some of the oldest in California. Its geography, who knew back then that Zinfandel would do so well?
Gabe: What are the farming practices that Pezzi King uses?
Chris: We practice sustainable farming and are in the process of being certified. We would and are very close to being organic but chose to spray in between the rows. It also gives us permission to spray an inorganic chemical if needed. For example, if the grape vine moth comes in, we do not have to hesitate to eradicate the pest.
Gabe: Is there something specific that you would highlight as the biggest change since you’ve been at Pezzi King?
Chris: Yes, focusing on our vineyards and a label change. We decided to include Sonoma County on the label for national recognition. In our bottles, we are producing wines that come from our Pezzi King Estate. It is very important for us, and any vineyard owner for that matter, to strongly focus on our Estate fruit.
Gabe: Flash Forward a year, what if anything will be different, or do you hope will be different at Pezzi King 12 months from now?
Chris: I want Pezzi King to be a household name. Wines that can be cellared and put away for a special occasion and also I want Pezzi King to come to mind when your barbecuing with friends or just relaxing with a glass of wine.
Gabe: Are there unique challenges working with a winery that has shifted to a smaller case production, one more focused on estate fruit, wine club and direct sales?
Chris: There are higher expectations when making wines for the club and direct. We know the club loves our wines, but I never want them to forget why. Making wines on a smaller case production lets me cherry pick the barrels and blend lots together creating many different bottlings. I know Pezzi King has a wine for you.
Gabe: What are your thoughts on alternative closures? What role if any do you feel the price point of a bottle plays in determining the closure type? Do they have a place in your wines?
Chris: Personally I like natural corks. There is a place for alternatives though. We do use agglomerated corks for our Sauvignon Blancs and they work great. They’re for wines to drink in two to four years so SB fits right in. Screw caps would work in for this program but our line is set up for cork closures so to convert would not make sense. I believe to age a wine you want the microoxidation that a cork provides, screw caps and synthetics won’t do this. I really don’t like synthetic corks, looks and acts unnatural.
Gabe: Pezzi King wines aside for a second, left to your own devices whose wine and/or what varietal do you drink most often?
Chris: The varietals that I taste most often are SB’s, Chards, and Zins (of course) but I will drink mostly reds. I love Cabs, Merlots, Zins, and other red blends. It’s always fun to pick out the varietals in a blend.
Gabe: Zinfandel & Sauvignon Blanc get the most attention in Dry Creek Valley, for good reason, what varietal do you think should get more acclaim or acreage than it does?
Chris: I would have to say it depends on the location of the vineyard. On the hillsides, Cabs and Merlots can do very well. Petite Sirah, although not much grown in DCV, is also a sleeper.
Gabe: Along the lines of the previous question, is there any varietal not in the Pezzi King portfolio today that you plan to add at any point down the road?
Chris: Not really a different varietal, but variations of varietals. We did a late harvest Zin back in 2004 that I would like to do again. I tried to do a late harvest Sau Blanc and Zin last year but the rains came and the brix didn’t get up where I wanted them.
Gabe: Where did you work prior to Pezzi King and how did that experience shape your wine-making style?
Chris: My biggest influence came from working at Sonoma Wine Company. There I was exposed to some excellent wine-making and sponged off the information to see how it would fit my style of wine-making. I tasted a lot of wines that went through there and I would make my own blends and do fining trials to see where I could take a wine.
Gabe: I was blown away by the property when I visited, what can you tell me about that piece of Earth that makes it as unique/special for growing grapes as it is to simply sit and stare in awe at?
Chris: The Pezzi King Estate is definitely a special place. Not seen from the road and traveling up the driveway, you think your getting lost. Once you see the gate, the property opens up to the steep rolling hills that make up our vineyards. As I mentioned before, we have one of the few hillside vineyards that reach our elevation. This is an advantage in many ways. We are naturally protected from the frost, which in 2008 hit much of the county.
Gabe: Is there anything else you’d like to add Chris ?
Chris:I would like to thank you guys for taking the time to come up and visit Pezzi King. It’s a little off the beaten pathbut the payoff is well worth it. As for the wines, and not just Zinfandels, I’ll put simply with Bruce Cass’s quote “The middle third of Dry Creek Valley is Zinfandel heaven.” Bruce Cass, The Oxford Companion to Wines of North America
A huge thanks to Chris for the time he took to show us the property and taste us through the wines. Not to mention answering all of our questions. Pezzi King is a beautiful place to visit and we heartily urge you to check them and their wines out. A prior appointment is needed so please check their website for specific details regarding that, as well as announcements of special winery events.
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- Christopher Barrett
Photos by Dave
MoniClaire Vineyards – 2008 Estate Zinfandel
August 13, 2010
The Facts:
MoniClaire Vineyards 2008 Estate Zinfandel was produced from fruit sourced at their home vineyard. Their vineyards are located at 1750 Lytton Springs Road in Healdsburg. They have 5 acres under vine. The vines are head pruned and the crop yield is closely managed to insure intensity of fruit. Only a couple hundred cases of this wine were produced. The suggested retail price for this Zinfandel is $29.99. MoniClaire Vineyards is an artisan winery in Dry Creek Valley. They’re too small to have regular tasting hours but check their website for specific details on how to contact them so you can schedule a private tasting appointment.
Gabe’s Take:
There are memories and then there are memories. Having had the chance to visit hundreds of wineries over the years I can tell you that those visits come in all shapes and sizes. In Dry Creek Valley, winery visits are almost always special and often they’re intimate and personal. So having visited with just about every winery in DCV at one point or another when I tell you I still smile when I think of my visit with the Smiderle’s I hope you realize how singular it was. Peter and Mary Beth Smiderle are two of the most engaging and friendly folks in a valley loaded with lovely people. They’re a tiny little producer, but if you schedule an appointment they’ll gladly show you their wines. Trust me; it’s an appointment you have to make. So that memory at the forefront of my thoughts I’m very excited to pop the cork on their latest Zinfandel release to see how it stacks up to the previous one that knocked me off my feet with delight.
Dark raspberry and cherry notes along with a hint of vanilla bean all come out in the nose of this 2008 Zinfandel. A medley of berry flavors accompanied by copious spice notes come together to form a nice compote through the palate of this wine. Black cherry pie flavors are particularly dominant and they carry forward through the finish where graham cracker pie crust, earth and a bit of black tea emerge. This wine has soft, lush tannins and more than sufficient acidity. I paired this Zinfandel with Carne Asada and it was a tremendously satisfying match.
I was impressed with how remarkably smooth and silky this wine is. It’s an incredibly easy to drink wine loaded with pleasure. Despite alcohol over 15% this wine doesn’t drink hot at all. This Zinfandel from MoniClaire is a fine wine that will be best in its exuberant youth. Enjoy it over the next 3-5 years for best results.
Wilson Winery -2007 Tori Vineyard Zinfandel
August 11, 2010
The Facts:
The Wilson Winery 2007 Tori Vineyard Zinfandel was produced from fruit sourced at the vineyard of the same name. Tori Vineyard features unusually deep hillside topsoil. In addition to Zinfandel (95%) this wine also has a small helping of Petite Sirah (5%). The fruit for this wine was hand harvested and fermented in open top vats with three punch downs per day. 361 cases of this wine were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $32. Wilson Winery is located at 1960 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. They’re open daily from 11 AM until 5 PM. Several tasting options are available (some require a prior appointment). They close on some major holidays so check their website for those specific details or call them at 800-433-4602.
Gabe’s Take:
Wilson makes quite an array of distinctive Zinfandels. Sampling a bunch of them side by side in their tasting room is fascinating exercise. It really help anyone who is paying attention learn about basic differences in fruit from one vineyard to another and things of that nature. On the other end of the tasting spectrum I really enjoy sitting down and giving all my attention to one bottle and letting its charms wash over me as I take notes.
Raspberry and wild strawberry aromas lead the nose of this exceptional 2007 Zinfandel. Berry flavors of all stripes are on parade through the full palate of this wine. Those flavors lean dark and are accompanied by spice notes in droves; black pepper and nutmeg are prominent. This Zin has a lengthy finish that shows off copious black tea notes, minerals, earth, espresso and a touch of pencil lead.
Of all the Wilson Zinfandels I have tasted, the Tori Vineyard may well be the most even keeled. It’s marked by solid acidity, and core of solid fruits and spices. This wine will most definitely age nicely over the next 4-6 years and likely drink well for a couple after that. This is one of the very best wines in the Wilson Portfolio.
