Start The Party Early !
February 25, 2010
2010 marks the 20th Anniversary of Passport to Dry Creek Valley TM. As such the Winegrowers have added a new event to kick things off. Gateway to Passport takes place the evening before Passport to Dry Creek Valley TM. It will be held at renowned chef Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen located in Hotel Healdsburg. This 3 hour, Cocktail Party style event has limited ticket availability. So if you plan on attending it we’d recommend jumping on tickets ($150) before too long. In addition to a sure to be impressive menu (take a look at the menu here) by Charlie Palmer, a dozen Dry Creek Wine producers are scheduled to be there to pour their wine. From all appearances it sounds like a fantastically regal way to kick off what is always a particularly fun weekend in Dry Creek Valley. Tickets for both Passport to Dry Creek Valley ™ and Gateway to Passport are on sale through the Winegrowers website as well as by calling 877-545-3198. Sunday only tickets have already sold out, but two days Passports are still available.
Kokomo Winery 2006 – Green Pastures Vineyard Syrah
February 20, 2010
The Facts:
The 2006 Kokomo Green Pastures Syrah is 100% varietal. This is single vineyard wine. Green pastures Vineyard is dry farmed. It was aged in 100% French Oak, 30% new. 500 cases were produced. Retail price is $27. Winemaker Erik Miller took the name of his hometown in Indiana for his label. This winery was established in 2004.
Dave’s Take:
This is my first time out trying a bottle from Kokomo Winery and I won’t lie, I’m kind of excited. Once in a while you get a gut feeling on a wine and their 2006 Green Pastures Syrah is beckoning me to give it a try.
The impressive nose is filled with rich berry fruit, a really nice floral component and a bit of white pepper. The palate is rewarded with blueberry, blackberry, and bacon fat. A medium to long finish reveals a nice minerality and continued blackberry. This is a well balanced wine with medium tannins. I feel that it could use another year or so in the bottle to develop a bit more. It will drink well through 2016 but keep a close eye after that. Pair this with a nice hearty, gamey meal such as lamb or venison…these are the perfect compliment to this food friendly wine.
All and all this is a solid wine I look forward to trying others in the future from them. The floral component on the nose really drew me in. Now all of you know, flowers and dirt are my thing. Perhaps I should treat my backyard as a salad bar…my dog already does. Could her palate be more advanced than mine? Time will tell.
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Dry Creek Vineyard – 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
February 16, 2010
The Facts:
The Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon was made entirely from Dry Creek Valley Fruit. The vines have an average age of 10-15 years. This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (6%), Petit Verdot (3%), and Cabernet Franc (1%). Fermentation took place over 18 days in Stainless Steel. Barrel aging was accomplished over 20 months in a blend of French (54%), American (28%), and Hungarian (18%) oak; 40% of the barrels were new. The suggested retail price for this wine is $25
Gabe’s Take:
Dry Creek Vineyards wines are as readily available around the country as those of any Dry Creek Valley Producer. Their broad range of offerings in an array of price points makes them a go to Winery regardless of what you’re looking to spend. That wide availability also makes them an emissary of sorts for the whole valley since in some parts of the country their releases are the only Dry Creek offerings folks might see.
The 2006 Cabernet opens up with aromas of blackberry and dust. Cherries and plum are in the forefront of the palate. These are joined by blueberry and spice characteristics. Dark chocolate notes make their presence known at the midway point and lead to the finish which shows kirsch liqueur, hints of curry spice and medium, dusty tannins. Fine acidity keeps this wine nicely balanced. An excellent match for sliced brisket on rye topped with gruyere.
This Cabernet Sauvignon offers a lot of bang for the buck. Most importantly it displays lots of varietal character. Secondly it shows off its Dry Creek Valley heritage. For $25 this wine is an excellent value. If you shop wisely you’re likely to find it for closer to $20. In either case this is a solid and dependable wine. It’ll also knock most Napa Cabernets in this price range out of the water.
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Papapietro Perry – 2006 Pauline’s Vineyard Zinfandel
February 15, 2010
The Facts:
The Papapietro Perry 2006 Pauline’s Vineyard Zinfandel is 100% varietal hailing from Pauline’s Vineyard. It spent a total of fifteen months in a mix of 2-3 yr old French Oak. 342 cases were produced. The approximate retail price for this offering is $36.
Dave’s Take:
My expectations always go very high for low production wines such as this, perhaps too high. That being said, this selection exceeded my expectations on all counts. This is exactly what an artisan wine from Dry Creek should be – true to its varietal, true to its terroir, and absolutely delicious from start to finish.
On the nose, this garnet hued wind blends together plum, cassis, and spice to pleasantly waft over your senses. While a bit fruit forward initially, this is by no means a big zin monster. This is well balanced; with the plum and cherry fruit giving way to more subtle flavors of bramble and chicory. The lengthy finish of cherry and black pepper is fantastic. If you are looking for a more refined zinfandel this one hits the mark – dead on.
I like the big Zins too, don’t get me wrong, but there are times when your palate grows weary of that and you need to drink something a bit more elegant and refined. Thankfully this is a bottle that I reviewed on my own…sorry Gabe – No Zin for you! You can thank the Soup Nazi for the attitude; I just want to thank Papapietro Perry for producing a truly terrific wine.
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Forchini Vineyards & Winery – 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel
February 10, 2010
The Facts:
The 2006 Forchini Vineyards Dry Creek Valley, Old Vine Zinfandel, Proprietor’s Reserve was aged for 20 months in 40% new American oak. It was co-fermented with small amounts of Carignane. The grapes were produced from 90+ year old non-irrigated head pruned vines grown on Forchini’s own Dry Creek Bench Vineyard. 1002 cases were produced. The suggested retail price is $23.99
Dave’s Take:
Having had many Dry Creek Valley Zinfandels, when I come across one that is left of center I can’t help but take notice. Perhaps it’s the co-fermentation with Carignane; perhaps it’s in the technique used in growing the grapes. Maybe the soil is just a little different than everyone else’s or the winemaker has a very unique style. I expect all of these play a bit of a role, as they usually do, regardless this is a wine worth seeking.
Aromas of berry fruit mixed with a touch of smoked meat and spice. The palate is filled with vibrant cherry and blackberry. There is a bit of raisin and anise on the mid-palate. The medium finish exposes a hint of mint and spice. Nicely balanced with decent tannins, make this selection a good buy for the $24 asking price.
Once you get hooked on wine, you find yourself drawn to the art of it all. Check this winery out; I am sure their tasting room is filled with surprises. Whether or not the wines become your favorite, I do believe that this winery will stand out after a day of tasting.
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Dutcher Crossing – 2006 Nevins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
February 9, 2010
The Facts:
The 2006 Dutcher Crossing Nevins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a single vineyard offering. This wine is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon. Nevins Vineyard in neighboring Alexander Valley sits at a height of 900 feet. Barrel aging was accomplished over 23 months in French oak; 50% of the barrels were new. 462 cases of this vintage were produced and the suggested retail price is $39.
Gabe’s Take:
I consider Cabernet Sauvignon to be one of the most under appreciated varietals in Dry Creek Valley. And while the selection I’m looking at today was produced using Alexander Valley fruit my theory applies here too. While Cabernet from Alexander Valley seems to get a bit more recognition than the fine examples from Dry Creek Valley, it’s still way below the radar when compared to some other regions like Napa. And that’s a shame, because there are many great values to be had.
The nose of this 2006 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon leads with berry and floral notes that are underscored by hints of thyme and vanilla. The palate is loaded with numerous layers of intense, perfectly dry fruit that is joined by spice, leather and black olive reference points. White and black pepper intermingles beautifully on the lengthy, lingering finish that also features earth and chicory characteristics. This wine has firm tannins and well balanced acidity. Grilled Tri Tip would be an excellent match for this Cabernet as would Beef Wellington.
If you’re going to drink this wine over the next 2-4 years it would be best to decant it for a couple of hours. However, if you have the ability and the patience to lay it down for 5-10 years you’ll be rewarded in kind. The 2006 Nevins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Dutcher Crossing is really a baby, early in its life cycle. This wine is further proof that there are great Cabernets available in both Dry Creek & Alexander Valleys that represent much better overall values than their Napa Counterparts.
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