Another lovely wine by Ceja Vineyards. The Carneros fruit offers great body and structure. 100% barrel fermented and sur lie aged (no malolactic fermentation) for 11 months, this Chardonnay has a full bodied richness, balance and creaminess that is food friendly but still satisfying to the palate when enjoyed by itself.
This extremely versatile food friendly blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Syrah, 20% Cabernet is one of the better “House Wines” we’ve tasted. The nose is a pleasant blend of dark cherries, cocoa and spice. The dark red fruit flavors and minerality are well integrated with subtle tannins. The Pinot Noir adds to a very satisfying finish. Ceja Vineyards call this their breakfast, lunch and dinner wine. I’ll have a glass with Ranchero Eggs and smoked bacon, please.
Fun is the word that comes to mind. This Wine Guerrilla Old Vine Zinfandel is a big fruit forward, jammy delicious sip. So well balanced with integrated tannins and fruit, the 16% alcohol goes unnoticed. Lot’s of blackberry goodness with a hint of root beer and minerality. A touch of Petite Sirah, Carigan and Alacante in the blend adds depth. Twist the screw top and let the fun begin. BTW…The wine paired sinfully well with dark chocolate.
Dendor Patton Wisdom is a uniquely well-balanced and food friendly Zinfandel. Not as big and jammy as some from Sonoma, this beautiful medium-bodied Zin from Mendocino has a lovely nose of blueberry and briar with soft tannins and enough spice and oak to add character. The blend includes 7.5% Petite Sirah which adds to and compliments the structure.
The flavors of St. Rose Pinot Noir are subtly rich with a hint of the smoky fog that often covers the vineyard. Not as fruity or fleshy as some from Russian River, St. Rose has a unique presence in the glass and on the palate. Fred and Wendy Nunes of Nunes Vineyards hold back just enough of their grapes to make fewer than 200 cases of their own St. Rose Pinot. Other wineries consistently reach 90+ scores with these single vineyard designated grapes. This is a unique Pinot worth ordering.
