Nov 162013
 

Dry Creek AVA

A Dry Creek AVA

Barring another wine country emergency (sarcasm), our visits this fall were our last California wine journeys for 2013. The sigh of relief from winemakers across both Napa and Sonoma was audible as the harvest came to an end.

A  textbook growing season created much excitement in all the wineries we visited as bin after bin of near perfect grapes arrived to be carefully converted into the elixir of the Gods. The excitement and anticipation for these wines once bottled, is the talk of most winemakers we met.

Fall in wine country is a surreally beautiful time with acre after acre of vineyards turning Technicolor shades of yellow, gold, red and maroon. Interestingly enough some of the older vines fighting various vineyard plant diseases create the most vibrantly colored fall leaves. Could this colorful display be the vine’s farewell gift to those of us who loved their annual gift of grapes? Continue reading »

Jul 212013
 
2011 St. Rose Vineyard & Winery Nunes Vineyard-Block Ten Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $38 (S) – Rating 93

A Pinot lover’s Pinot Noir. Very small production…only 72 cases. This hand-crafted medium-bodied Pinot offers a wonderful bouquet of aromas including notes of raspberry, strawberry and blackberry with hints of saddle leather and spice. Absolutely delicious on the palate with bright fruit flavors cherry, plum, ripe raspberry red berries and spice. Nicely structured with supple tannins and juicy acidity. Lots of inciting spice in the log finish. It’s worth a call to get this artisan Pinot before its gone. Buy This Wine