Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery – 2008 Gewurztraminer
March 31, 2010
The Facts:
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery has been growing grapes and making wine in Dry Creek Valley for many years. Their first release was in 1974. They started as a family winery and remain that way with several generations involved in the business. The Kreck family manages quality by having their hands in every aspect of the operation. In addition to Dry Creek Valley they also have vineyards in neighboring Alexander Valley. Their portfolio is comprised of relatively small lot wines and total Winery Production standa at around 15,000 cases.
The Mill Creek Winery 2008 Gewurztraminer was produced using estate grown fruit. This offering is 100% varietal. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. 260 cases of the 2008 vintage were produced. This wine sells for about $16.
Gabe’s Take:
Lychee fruit, underscored by vanilla and an ever so slight hint of mango fill the nose of this 2008 Gewurztraminer. Continued lychee as well as apricot, honeysuckle and hints of brioche are plentiful throughout the even keeled palate. The finish is lengthy and persistent with white pepper and cloves making up a final, pleasing bite of spice; they’re joined by some mineral notes as well.
Gewurztraminer can be a tricky white varietal. Too often it’s planted in the wrong place or made in a style that for my money is too sweet for table wine. This example from Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery is the antithesis of that. It brings to mind a subtle hint of sweetness but it’s really a dry wine, and quite a lovely one at that. The finish and the balance are both impressive elements. Enjoy this Gewurztraminer on its own or pair it with a spicy stir fry dish.
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Quivira – 2008 Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
March 30, 2010
The Facts:
Quivira Vineyards & Winery 2008 Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a 100% varietal offering. Fruit for this single vineyard offering was sourced at their Estate Vineyard named after a 130 year old Black Mission Fig Tree that stands in its midst. In 2005 the vineyard was certified organic and biodynamic. Fermentation was accomplished in 100% stainless steel; aging was over 6 months sur lies, also in stainless steel. Just more than 3,300 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $18.
Gabe’s Take:
Perhaps it’s due in some small part to the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to pick and eat figs off the namesake tree. Or maybe it’s how much I’ve enjoyed this offering in the past. In either case for me, the Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is one of the first selections that come to mind when I think of the Quivira. With that thought bouncing around my head I was pretty excited to see how the 2008 vintage stacks up.
Aromas of quince and grapefruit dominate the expressive nose of this 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. Citrus is the main theme of the palate with tangerine, lemon, and continued grapefruit all contributing. Passion fruit, wisps of apricot and vanilla bean make their presence known as well but to a lesser degree. The finish is crisp and refreshing, marked by a combination of savory and sour fruit notes. This selection has terrific acidity and very nice overall balance.
This offering from Quivira is most definitely from the citrus side of the Sauvignon Blanc column. This wine provides consistency and value. For $18 you’re getting a very nice example of Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc. With more than 3,000 cases out there it shouldn’t be hard to track down either.
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Dutcher Crossing – 2008 Maboroshi Vineyard Pinot Noir
March 29, 2010
The Facts:
The Dutcher Crossing 2008 Maboroshi Pinot Noir is a single vineyard effort. The Maboroshi Vineyard is located in the Sebastopol Hills section of Russian River Valley. This organically farmed hillside vineyard sits between 400 and 600 feet above sea level. Maboroshi Vineyard was planted in 1999 to two clones; Dijon 667 and 115. This wine was produced using a 50/50 split of those clones. Barrel aging was accomplished over 8 months in French oak; 35% of the barrels were a year old. A mere 156 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $42.
Gabe’s Take:
I’ll admit that Pinot Noir is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Dutcher Crossing Winery. But Debra Mathy and winemaker Kerry Damskey have shown in their releases that their vision is wide reaching. Filling in the gaps between their relatively large-scale releases with small lot wines is precisely what makes their burgeoning portfolio so interesting to me.
Wild strawberry and cinnamon aromas play a prominent role in the seductive nose of this single vineyard Pinot Noir. Red and black cherry notes (with black dominating) take center stage throughout the palate. Candied fruit echoes through in a supporting role. Vanilla and black pepper characteristics are both apparent in the finish which is persistent in intensity and length.
What stands out most to me about this Pinot Noir is two fold. On the one hand this wine is very true to its varietal. It has the qualities that I think of when top notch Pinot from a region such as Russian River comes to mind. But alongside those true varietal characteristics, it shows off the style of a wine loaded with a solid core of bold flavors that Dutcher Crossing has come to be known for. So whether you’re a fan of well made Pinot Noir or of Dutcher Crossing specifically this wine is a very solid bet.
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David Coffaro – 2006 Terre Melange
March 28, 2010
The Facts:
David Coffaro Estate Vineyard has been making wine commercially since the 1994 Vintage. Starting in 1979 until that first commercial vintage they sold off most of their fruit to other producers. Current production varies from 5,000 to 7,000 cases per year. 75% of their wines are sold through a futures program. The David Coffaro 2006 Terre Melange is a blend of Peloursin (33%), Carignan (25%), Syrah (25%) and Mourvedre (10%). Fruit for this selection was sourced from vines planted in different soil types throughout Dry Creek Valley. 225 cases of this vintage were produced. The current vintage is the 2008 and has a suggested retail price of $28.
Gabe’s Take:
When I think of David Coffaro’s wines, blends are the first thing that comes to mind. His varietal wines can be quite nice too, but for my money blending is his forte. So I was excited to sit and re-taste the 2006 vintage of Terre Melange. I’d previosuly had it last summer in his tasting room.
Vanilla, blueberry and plum aromas present a deep, and brooding nose loaded with dark fruit. Black raspberry is the star of the palate along with hints of graham cracker crust and subtle wisps of anise. The fruit flavors which alternate between bright and dark (leaning towards dark mostly), provide a welcoming and appealing host of flavors. Chocolate covered cherry characteristics lead the finish, followed by plum pudding spice, black pepper and a bevy of earth notes. That finish is both lovely and lengthy. This wine, like the Coffaro portfolio in general. Is marked by good acidity and terrific balance.
For me Terre Melange represents a style of wine that I would bust open for dinner, but continue to drink throughout the evening. It’ll pair well with medium to full flavored foods and also drinks well all by itself. If you’re currently unfamiliar with the David Coffaro Estate Vineyards offerings, the blends are where I recommend starting.
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Fritz Winery – 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
March 16, 2010
The Facts:
Fritz Winery in Cloverdale has been making wine in Dry Creek Valley for over 30 years. In addition to a number of Dry Creek releases they also source fruit from vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley. The Fritz 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is 100% varietal. Fruit for this selection was sourced at seven distinct vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley. Fermentation took place in 100% percent French oak; this was followed by 8 months of barrel aging. 5,025 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $25.
Gabe’s Take:
Fall Orchard fruit such as apple plays a prominent role in the nose of this Chardonnay. It’s underscored by brioche. The palate of this wine is marked by a rich, round mouth-feel. The apple theme continues with golden delicious reference points followed by lemon zest flavors and pie crust notes. This leads to the finish which features a tremendous wallop of spice and mineral notes including nutmeg, clove, cardamom, and white pepper. This Chardonnay is crisp and clean with good acidity.
The 2007 Russian River Chardonnay from Fritz hits my sweet spot. When it comes to this varietal I long ago tired of over-oaked examples. This particular one finds a nice balance. The oak is present and adds complexity to be sure, but it never detracts from all the fresh fruit flavors. With more than 5,000 cases made this selection isn’t going to be too difficult to find. Although the retail price is $25 it’s often available closer to $20, making this a nice value as well.
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Wilson Winery – 2007 Ken’s Reserve Zinfandel
March 8, 2010
The Facts:
Wilson Winery makes about a dozen different designate Zinfandels. They make other varietals too, but Zinfandel is clearly their thing. The Wilson Winery 2007 Ken’s Reserve Zinfandel was produced using Estate fruit. In addition to Zinfandel (98%), some Petite Sirah (2%) was blended in as well. Barrel aging was accomplished over 15 months in French oak from various coopers; 43% of the barrels were new. A mere 120 cases of this offering were produced. The suggested retail price for this selection is $60.
Gabe’s Take:
The vast array of Zinfandels that Wilson Winery produces is impressive in both breadth and diversity. I’ve tasted most of them more than once over the last 6 or so months and I’m duly impressed each time I go back to them. My recall is usually pretty good but I didn’t remember anything about the Ken’s Reserve before I sat down to taste it this time out.
Candied raspberry, blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas lead the nose of this 2007 Reserve Zinfandel. Fleshy sweet red and black plum fruits star throughout the palate along with copious spice; nutmeg is particularly prominent. Chocolate, cranberry, sour blackberry and wisps of espresso emerge in the impressively lengthy finish. This wine is lush and mouth filling. As you drink this Zinfandel it takes hold of all the appropriate senses and brings them on a long and pleasing ride.
Ken’s Reserve is perhaps the most structured of the wide array of Wilson Zinfandels. Despite alcohol that clocks in at 16%, this wine goes down smoothly and doesn’t give off any heat. In fact this wine has terrific overall balance at it’s core. It’s delicious now, particularly with a couple of hours of air, but it’s still a young wine. Give this selection a year or two and it’ll be a complete knock out. This is another fine release by the folks at Wilson Winery.
Big Fish – 2007 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
March 7, 2010
The Facts:
Big Fish Wines is a California producer that sources fruit in a number of different appellations. They make a Syrah whose fruit is sourced in Santa Barbara County. Their Zinfandel is produced using Dry Creek Valley fruit. The name comes from the owner’s love of Deep Sea Fishing. The elements that make up their labels also each have personal meanings to them. The 2007 Big Fish Zinfandel is the second release of Zinfandel for Big Fish. Alcohol content is 15.2%. The suggested retail price for this wine is $36.
Gabe’s Take:
I’m always glad to see producers sourcing fruit in Dry Creek Valley. When it comes to Zinfandel sourcing in Dry Creek is about as natural as it gets. Bramble, eucalyptus and vanilla notes are all in evidence in the nose of this 2007 Zinfandel. Black raspberry is prominent throughout the palate. It’s underscored by dusty dark chocolate notes and cherry; the vanilla theme continues. Sour raspberry, kirsch liqueur, and black pepper are the most prominent components in the finish which is of medium length. This wine is kept in check by sufficient acidity.
This Zinfandel leans heavily towards the classically styled variety. It shows some heft and a bit of heat but ultimately things stay in balance. All of those elements come together to make this a fine example of Dry Creek Valley fruit. This wine is very tasty now and will work very well with a hearty bowl of chili or some BBQ. Drink it over the next year while it’s exuberant fruit flavors remain in evidence.
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