Pinot Noir

2010 Pinot Noir, Ritchie Vineyard, Cinder Cone    New!

Tasting notes coming soon!

124 cases produced

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2007 Pinot Noir "TROIKA"

Comprised of three of my best barrels, made by three of the best French Cooperages and three of my finest vineyard sources: Buena Tierra in Russian River Valley, Wiley Vineyard in Anderson Valley and Fruitland Ridge in Humboldt County. Alas, it is the last version of this great wine. This magical blend cannot be made again; a vineyard no longer exists and one other source is no longer available to us. Made in the mold of the 2006 Troika, which was a wine apart from any, I’ve made. The blend and the vintage held the magic. The 2007 shows more restraint of the aromatic profile, but grows in glass, more earth, forest floor and toastiness, then fruity, cedar and crushed cardamom. Black currant and huckleberry flavors followed by licorice and a hint of spice and white pepper on the palate. Still growing in glass, good complexity and length. Still an adolescent of a wine, trying to evolve. A beautiful mouth filling and very satisfying creaminess and fullness dominate after a while. Cellar for a few more years, still an adolescent wine, older is better here I surmise or enjoy now with some time in the glass. The last of this breed.

75 cases produced

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2010 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley    New!

Tasting Notes coming soon!

872 cases produced

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2010 Pinot Noir, Mendocino Ridge

From a new/old vineyard for us, the Valenti Vineyard is located on Greenwood Ridge Road above the Anderson Valley. This portion of the vineyard used to be Zinfandel (we did produce one Zinfandel vintage from this site), but because of ripening issues for Zin on this mountain ridge, it was budded over to pinot noir. I’m happy to say that 1/3 of the bud stock came from the Morning Dew Ranch (Burt Williams’ vineyard) from the valley below. Originally, this Pommard clone came from the Rochioli vineyard in Russian River Valley. Although it’s the first crop from these vines, it shows potential in this terroir, mountain fruit, and 1200’ elevation. I’m very interested in this part of the territory as I think the vines age, they will produce spectacular wines.

Medium deep ruby in color, earthy, Burgundian, some toastiness and brushy woodiness reminiscent of the Manzanita close by. Definitely in the red fruit spectrum with a whisper of flowers. The palate consists of firm red fruits, cranberry, red raspberry, apple skin, rosehips and a woodiness suggesting its mountain origin. Pinot noir for sure. A medium tannin structure that gives it grip and texture, suggesting some aging potential. A wine that will drink well now or cellar for a couple of years. Enjoy this wine with cheese such as Point Reyes Toma, or perhaps a nicely ripened Epoisses.

148 cases produced

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2009 Pinot Noir, Wiley Vineyard, Anderson Valley

What I call one of the “grand crus” of California wine, year after year, a favorite of mine.

Deep bight and dark royal ruby in color, the aromatics can hardly be restrained from jumping out of the glass. Coriander, lavender, pennyroyal, some wood, black fruit and black tea, exotic and complex olfactory senses. Deep and brooding, I am just taken by the concentration and intensity of the nose; I suppose I can go on and on, or rather, the wine can!

The palate is rich and dense, filled with dark black cherry, mulberry, rich black raspberry, black tea and minerality, a structured wine that in my opinion is still developing. A dreaminess to the tannin and oak that enhance the mouth feel and will grow further into silkiness. This wine, while drinking well now, will reward for years to come. If one can only predict intuitively, I’d say drink one a year for the next 8 years. This wine begs for an Asian duck or pork rib recipe, anything with a complex array of spices, which will just enhance the experience, or anything else you can come up with. As with wine, the possibilities are endless! A santé!

296 cases produced

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2010 Pinot Noir, "Wet Kiss", Russian River Valley

Our first release, this blend is comprised of three different vineyards: 25% Ritchie Vineyard Martini Clone (35 years old - yes, from the famous Russian River Valley grower Kent Ritchie!); 37.5% Cameron Vineyard Martini Clone (30+ years old); and a relatively new planting of Swan Clone at River South Vineyard (3 years old).

The nose is imbued with black stone fruits, clove, warm cereal, subtle vanilla, and toasty oak, as well as some floral compounds of musk rose, and violets. It's warm and sensual. The wine is bright cherry red in color with outstanding clarity.

The palate is simply vivacious, sexy, and wet. Should I say juicy? Filled with spice and black to red fruits with some dried black olives. Well structured, generous and deep with complexity and savory acidity. Mouth filling flavor that lingers. A wine that drinks well now, but will cellar and reward as time passes. It was exciting making this blend with such formidable fruit. The tannins are moderate and will definitely soften with time. Try it with assorted salumi or rosemary lamb roasted over oak wood barrel staves.

397 cases produced

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Zinfandel

2010 Zinfandel, Bertoli Vineyard, Leras Ranches, RRV

This vineyard, originally owned by the Bertoli Family, was planted sometime between the late 30’s and early 40’s, making it approximately 70 years old.  Nick Leras is the current owner and both farms and manages the vineyard.   Mr. Leras is a famous and savvy Russian River Valley winegrower who has been farming these parts for many a decade.  The vineyard is head-trained and completely dry-farmed and the soil is primarily dark clay loam.

The wine has a beautiful crimson hue.  Effusive and jumping out of the glass, this Zinfandel demonstrates a rather evolved aromatic complexity, which touches on herbs, spice and fruit.  Aromas include lavender, rose, licorice, with a hint of black pepper and of course berries (more like boysenberry pie!).  A bright and opulent mouth-feel.   The acidity carries through the wine bringing fruit and spice to the forefront, while the mild tannins in the background complete the palette experience.

The essence of this wine is boysenberries, which I didn’t realize are a hybrid of the European Raspberry, the common blackberry and the Loganberry.   A complete medium bodied Zin that’s fun and will bring enjoyment to those who appreciate the fruit and spice spectrum. Try with barbeque sausage, or Spanish Albondigas.  Enjoy!

172 cases produced

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2009 Zinfandel, Guido Venturi Vineyard

Very deep red, subdued nose initially, grows in glass. Black cherries, plums, and sage with woody brambly undertones, followed by a bright muscular and dusty kind of mouth feel with plenty of structure. Black tea and black fruit flavors with just a touch of spice, a nice juiciness and rusticity. Medium tannin that gives the wine meatiness. Will cellar well or, of course, drink it now. Try it with your favorite cut of steak nicely charred over a wood-fired bbq.

300 cases produced

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2009 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyard, Alexander Valley

Bright and dark ruby in color with aromas of briar, tobacco, and brandied black fruit with a hint of older oak. Black plum flavors with sage and black and white pepper notes. Earthy and full, with a tannin understructure that hints at a black tea component. Full and pleasureable. Very broad with plenty of muscle, juiciness and silk. Still evolving. Should cellar well, drinking window through 2015. Or, drink now, of course.

254 cases produced

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2007 Zinfandel, Martinelli Road Vineyard Old Vine, Russian River

Dark ruby in color, this wine jumps out of the glass with a briar berried liquor-like aroma of marmalade, preserved fruit, and roses. Not sweet on the palate, but smooth as a baby’s bottom with flavors of red and black berries, cedar, briar brandied cherries, and the chalkiness of the terroir. The next to the last Martinelli Road release. This wine will benefit from bottle aging and cellaring.

This vintage, from 127-year old vines, is a “Monster Zin” – big, ripe and juicy! It’s not for the meek. Enjoy!

434 cases produced

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Other Wines

2011 French Colombard, Russian River Valley

Notes coming soon

286 cases produced

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2009 Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wine, Russian River Valley

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212 cases produced

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