Wines - Archives
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2006 Pinot Noir, Fruitland Ridge, Humboldt County This new vineyard designate offers an inviting nose of rose petals, ripe strawberries, green tea and red licorice. From the moment it hits the palate, this medium-to-full-bodied Pinot gushes forth with a constellation of flavors: Bing cherries, cola, orange peel, cherry tart, caramel, and damp earth. The long finish delivers finely grained tannins and a superb integration of oak with the bright full flavors of currants and raspberries. This wine is crafted from all Martini clone Pinot Noir, a rarity nowadays. This vineyard is just starting to show its true potential.
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2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Bold and Burgundian on the nose with a light to medium ruby color. The aromas of dark fruits, toasty oak, cinnamon, Oriental spice and warm strawberry turnovers are dominant at this stage in its life. It gushes forth with flavors of cola, root beer, cherries, plums, licorice and green tea. Soft, warm, and luxurious velvet comes to mind. A pleasure to drink now, but the finely grained tannins suggest graceful aging. Dark cherries dominate the long, juicy finish, with some hint of green tea as well. All reflective of the River area in which we live. Enjoy!
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2006 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County Medium dark ruby in color. Nose is vibrant and redolent with aromas of boysenberry and black raspberry framed in oak vanillins with a touch of herb. Expansive and fruit forward on the palate with cherries, black raspberries, white pepper, Oriental spice and earthiness, with a touch of cedar on the finish. Juicy and seamless, full bodied and rich. Moderate tannins that will soften with time. Rustic elegance. The best expression yet of terroir from this Humboldt vineyard.
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2004 Zinfandel, Martinelli Road Vineyard Old Vine From a 100+ year old heritage vineyard. Medium-dark ruby. A powerhouse that offers a bouquet of blackberries and perhaps black raspberries with a kind of bramble thicket nose. More cherries, cedar, tobacco and earth to follow. Complex bouquet. Juicy and rich with cranberry, elderberry, huckleberry, chocolate and white pepper. Should I go on? Great natural acidity. Expansive mid-palate is reminiscent of some fine Italian wines, maybe a high end Barolo? Finishes bright and earthy, with some hints of minerals and sage. Medium tannin. This is just going to get better. I suggest decanting. Serve with duck breast with a cherry port sauce or filet mignon with demiglace, smothered in morels. Definitely a food wine. Drinking window - now to 2015.
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2005 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley As a lot of you well know by now, the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a blend, different every vintage, but the same in a lot of ways. We are always looking to improve on something that sometimes is impossible to improve upon. The fact is that this is pure and unadulterated Russian River Valley, the terroir being unmistakable. This blend consists of one block of Russian River South Vineyard, clone 115, two blocks of Buena Tierra Vineyard, 777, and Original Planting, and Pommard from the Martinelli Road Vineyard. No bleeding off (saignee), or any added enzymes, just pure niceness. Alas, I have been harassed to write the notes on this wine for months (release date was in June). I've just kinda been waiting for a "maturity" or fleshing out of the wine itself in order to write some accurate notes. I finally think it's reached that point. Yum! Light to medium ruby in color, this offering evokes a perfume of flowers, Naked Ladies and Musk Rose, as well as brown sugar, strawberries and raspberries, with cardamom adding spice; herbal, smoky overtones, a complex tapestry of aromatics. On the palate, this classic Russian River Valley gushes with cherries, cola, red licorice, and warm strawberry rhubarb pie. Finishes with flinty, chalky and earthy tones, rich, and well integrated with sweet oak. Beware this silken offering is seductive, bottle after bottle. Should cellar well for at least 6 - 8 years. Fill ones mouth and kiss thy lover! Splendor in the glass indeed!
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2005 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyard You all remember this one. Dark ruby in the glass. A forward bouquet of brandied black cherries and spices (cardamom comes to mind). Mouthful of cherries, black cherries and more cherries, maybe even black raspberry; fruit galore, mouth-filling, decadent and voluptuous (call a friend). Finishes long with toasty oak, exotic spices and chocolate liqueur. Big, ripe and juicy. Very rich and delicious. Drinking great now, but I'll bet it will continue to develop. Drink now to 2009 and beyond. Serve with smoked baby back ribs with plenty of your favorite sauce. Yum!
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2005 Redwood Red This field blend from a 70-year-old vineyard consists of 70% Early Burgundy, the California name for Abouriou, a varietal used mostly for blending in the Cotes du Marmandais wines of southwest France. The rest of the blend consists of 12% Zinfandel, 8% Carignane and 2% Barbera. Aromas of black raspberries and other dark fruits, with hints of forest floor and white pepper follow through on the palate. Typical of Abouriou, there is a tongue-coating licorice effect on the long, plush finish, which offers lingering flavors of dark chocolate and cherry tarts.
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2005 Pinot Noir, Buena Tierra Vineyard, "Original planting", Russian River Valley From 28 year old vines. Medium garnet in color, aromas of caramelized figs, nutmeg, smoky cherries and rose; ethereal, fleeting and complex as the river on a summer night. Opens with blackberry on the palate and tart smoky cherry, then turns to black raspberry, dark plums, with spicy, minty, herbal notes; lofty Chinese spice and green tea with hints of white pepper. Heaven on earth in a glass. A little time will reward even more.
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2005 Zinfandel, Guido Venturi Vineyard Medium ruby in color. Slightly floral with musk rose aromas, dried herbs, with rosemary at the forefront. Cherry and boysenberry dominate on the palate with hints of brown sugar and spice, complemented by sage and sun-dried tomatoes with cedar undertones. Medium long euphonic finish with medium tannins. A contemplative Zin, that's easy to drink with light fare or by itself. Drinking window - now to 2009. Pair with Teriyaki salmon, Manchego meatballs or smoked rosemary chicken.
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2005 Pinot Noir, Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley This classic Burgundian Pinot from Burt Williams' vineyard near Philo is still tightly wound, but it promises to soar to new heights of expression with its dense, multi-dimensional fruit. Wild strawberry aromas on the nose as well as a spicy component of cloves, sage, allspice and Oriental spice box which says this is a very serious effort that will benefit from cellaring. On the palate, the wine has a fleshy appeal, with layers of flavors lingering just beneath the surface. The wine gushes with flavors of brandied bing cherries, elderberries and dark fruit, with nuances of rose petals and damp earth lingering in the background. The red licorice finish, framed in a chalky structure, lingers on the palate. DOUBLE GOLD 2007 MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR WINE COMPETITION
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2005 Pinot Noir, Humboldt county Dark ruby in color, the cola, raspberry, cherry and cedar aromas are an open door to a bold, full-bodied and forward style. On the palate, the juicy flavors of ripe pomegranates and Duarte plums predominate, with earthy hints of redwood forest and toast on the long, lingering finish.
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2004 Pinot Noir, Wiley Vineyard, Anderson Valley Dark garnet in color, with a nose of brandy-infused berries, lavender and violets that belies its depth. Flavors of cherry, huckleberry, black raspberry, cranberry and pomegranate roll over the palate with a hint of underlying mushroom. Sweet oak keeps the slightly higher acid levels, typical of Anderson Valley, in line. Drying tannins on the lingering finish suggest a long life ahead for this food-friendly Pinot. 24-year-old vines. (Nick's favorite)
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2004 Pinot Noir, Buena Tierra Vineyard, Russian River Valley Light garnet in color, with a powerful nose of brandied cherries, raspberries and cherry pie, with notes of rose petals, hibiscus and honeysuckle that follow through on the palate within an expansive frame of sweet oak. Heady and racy, romantic, sophisticated and elegant, finishing delicately with green tea and supple tannins. A seductive sipper. Think erotica in a bottle with Alicia Keys in the background. This is a 26 year-old vineyard. The wine gains complexity and weight with age in the bottle. (Zina's favorite)
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2004 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Medium ruby in color, this classic Russian River charmer delivers layer upon layer of Bing cherry, raspberry and cranberry aromas, with notes of cola, cinnamon and smoke. The dazzling layers of fruit saturate the mid-palate, adding notes of ripe pomegranate within a chalky structure. The oak is beautifully integrated, culminating in a long, lingering finish of dried cherries and spice.
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2004 Pinot Noir, Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley The darkest of the 2004s, Morning Dew Ranch near Philo is owned by Burt Williams, founding winemaker of Williams-Selyem Winery, where Nick worked for 17 years as Burt's winemaking assistant. The nose offers stunning aromas of Bing cherries, pennyroyal, sage, wild strawberries, sandalwood and spice. On the palate, the fruit soars, framed by spicy, sweet oak. Thimbleberry, huckleberry, mint and a hint of manzanita wood are the Mendonoman descriptors. Notes of smoked bacon and cinnamon linger on the long finish.
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2004 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County Dark ruby in color, with a nose of dark fruits, oriental spice box and earth, this wine delivers a big mouthful of boysenberry and Bing cherry flavors that move seamlessly across the palate to a long finish. The hint of earthiness suggests a redwood forest floor after a rain. Full-bodied, rich and fleshy, it is well balanced with harmonious oak that enhances the deep fruit flavors.
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2003 Zinfandel, Sonoma County Medium ruby in color. Bouquet of raspberry, deep dark cherry, some coffee followed by a hint of smoke. A mouthful of juiciness, with raspberry, blueberry, Oriental spices, clove, anise and vanilla. Medium tannin and medium to full body with the trademarked elegance of our wines. Very pleasant. Drink now to 1-2 years.
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2003 Zinfandel, Martinelli Road Old Vine, Russian River Valley Dark ruby color. Floral bouquet of violets and mystery perfume that speaks something different to everyone who smells it. (It's the terroir!) Mouthfuls of huckleberry, perhaps huckleberry pie, white pepper, a hint of chocolate and toastiness. Rich, juicy, moderate tannin, long finish. Absolutely delicious! Will live a long time. Drinking window (now if you must) or anywhere from 1-15 years would be my guess. A classic!
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2004 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyards, Alexander Valley Dark ruby in color. Bouquet is a little reserved right now but with a telltale fruitiness which hints at warm cherry pie and anisette. Very interesting perfume, which needs time in glass to really blossom. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, blueberry, anise and chocolate. Great acidity and mouth feel, full-bodied with moderate tannins, long and brooding. Great thick juice. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Drinking window (now if you must) or from fall of 2006 - 3 years.
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2003 Pinot Noir, Wiley Vineyard, Anderson Valley "Exotic scents of sandalwood-tinged black fruit and red currant are replicated on the palate of this plush, super smooth Pinot. Flavors of red raspberry and strawberry give the wine a kirsch-like viscosity with complex notes of sour cherry and pomegranate with a hint of green tea; medium tannins and excellent balance." -- Steve Pitcher, Wine News, August/September 2005
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2003 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Dark cherry, pepper, Asian five spice, blackberry and mushroom forest floor with toasty oak aromatics. Bright red and black fruit flavors: cherry, black cherry, blackberry, along with licorice, cola and a hint of mint. Very juicy with moderate tannins. Good acidity, good structure, and a rich, juicy finish.
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2003 Pinot Noir, Buena Tierra Vineyard, Russian River Valley " ... Rose, raspberry, pomegranate, blackberry, cassis, earth, mushroom, dried herb and white pepper aromas and flavor; Burgundian style."-- San Francisco Chronicle, Sep. 22, 2005 The best Buena Tierra to date!
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2003 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County "Humboldt County, CA may not be a celebrated wine region, but this delicious Pinot Noir should put it on the map. Its bold, spicy perfume suggests berries and forest floor. The palate that follows is supple and elegant with gentle tannins wrapped around rich black cherry fruit. The finish is of moderate length and quite gratifying. A labor of love from a small one-man, one-woman North Coast winery, and it shows."-- Dan Friedman, NYC Wine Report, October 3, 2005
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2002 Pacini Vineyard Zinfandel, Mendocino County A Mendocino Heritage vineyard. Light to medium ruby, chocolate and berry upon entry, soft and briary, some cherry, plum, raspberry spice, creamy, sweet, mildly tannic, good weight, and nice body. Spicy cedar, briary tobacco and earth on the finish, bringing to mind blackberry thicket green on the palate (if you can imagine this). Will drink well on release, should evolve more within 6-12 months, but should be consumed in 1 - 3 years. Enjoy!
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2002 Braccialini Vineyards Zinfandel, Alexander Valley Vibrant and bright medium ruby filled with dark loganberry, black raspberry and spice bouquet. Round, brandied cherry, sweet red licorice and a hint of anise, mouth filling on the palate. One of the most focused Braccialini Zins I've made. A young wine that will develop real nicely as you Brac fans know. Consume in 1 - 5 years. Cheers!
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2002 Martinelli Road Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley Medium to dark ruby, wild blackberry blossoms on the nose, sweet black cherry, hints of dark licorice spice, earth and a hint of framboise on the palate. Powerful, unmistakable terroir; full body, rich, moderate tannin, long mid palate makes it's way to a long licorice-cedar coddled in earth like finish. Big, rich, wild and waiting. Young, while being venerable, history in the bottle (if only vines could talk). Probably a year away from showing all, but if you must, you can coax this one in 6-8 months, but for full effect, consume from 1 - 10+ years. Sante!
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2002 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County Dark ruby-purple, smells of spice, boysenberry and earth. Boysenberry to blackberry fruit flavors on the palate with distinct redwood forest floor-like flavors bordered with Chinese spices. Warm, full bodied and fleshy. Not extremely complex but not singular either. Medium tannin with good richness. The earthiest of my wines. A good value.
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2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Ruby in color, aromas of black cherry, root beer and cola, spice and smoke. Deep red fruit flavors. Again, black cherry, cranberry, raspberry, pomegranate and some licorice. Stony-chalky, moderate tannins on the finish with nice complexity and tight structure will make this age beautifully.
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2002 Pinot Noir, Wiley Vineyard, Anderson Valley Medium garnet in color, complex nose - floral, mostly red fruits (cherry, raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate). Flavors are similar to the above aromas, in addition to sweet and sour cherry, hibiscus, and a spot of green tea with a hint of tangerine rind. Lush, mouth-filling velvety finish.
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2002 Elk Prairie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Humboldt County Medium ruby in color, deliciously aromatic nose! Black raspberry fruit aromas, fruity, minty in the nose. Rich, velvety full mouth-filling flavors; cherry and black raspberry, cloves and sweetness on the palate, finish full and round. Medium to moderate tannins and fruit galore, complexity notwithstanding. A perfect balance of fruit and tannins. C'est la vie my love!
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2002 Buena Tierra Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Light ruby in color. Nose of cherries and cherry pie, cinnamon spice. Tastes of raspberry and cherry, red licorice whips, roses and toast. Rich and supple in the mouth. Finishes with medium tannin and green tea. Easy to drink now. Unfined and unfiltered, from 30 year old vines.
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2001 Braccialini Vineyards Zinfandel, Alexander Valley Medium dark ruby, fragrant, wild berry, anise, pumpkin pie spice and sage on the nose. Sweet blackberry, vanilla, cedar, spice and anise on the palate. Very forward, very big and rich, powerful, full-bodied, yet elegant. Killer juice!
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2001 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley I am experimenting with newer plantings of Pinot Noir, so this selection will probably change from year to year. For now, this wine is a selection of two vineyards, one at four years old with a selection of Dijon clone 115 and Pommard, and the other an 8-year-old Pommard.Brilliant, medium ruby in color, cherry to strawberry, cola and spice notes on the nose. Cherry, cranberry and subtle floral and cola notes on the palate. Good acidity, tight, lean, masculine. Medium tannin profile, great structure, will age nicely.
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2001 Buena Tierra Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Started as an experimental lot of about 1 ton, very expensive grapes. Didn't get to cold soak due to fermentation in picking bins. This vineyard is in the middle reach of the Russian River, directly across the river from Rochioli. Same soils (Yolo), well drained, 25 year old vines with small production. Clones are not identified. A fantastic potential for wine from these grapes is evident, especially the 2002 in barrel, the luxurious lady of our Pinot Noirs. Light garnet in color, raspberry, cherry, light cinnamon and rose in the nose. Smooth and rich entry of raspberry, cherry and cinnamon sweetness. Finishes with a hint of green tea and rich light tannin. Great depth for a feminine wine, mouthwatering. Will continue to develop. Limited this vintage.
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2001 Elk Prairie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Humboldt County The California Grapevine describes this as "Medium ruby color; attractive, intense, fragrant, spicy, toasty, ripe cherry and raspberry fruit aroma with notes of clove and cola, full body; big, rich, textured, cedary, slightly jammy, concentrated, ripe cherry fruit flavors; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. A big wine, showing a lot of oak that became more apparent with airing in the glass. Very highly recommended."
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A note on my notes, I write these descriptors at the time of release, when you taste these wines, you'll probably taste other things as these wines continue to change and evolve. Hold these notes only as far as you can throw them, the wine plays by its own rules. Everything is released unfined and unfiltered. Sediment does accumulate with age. Stand up these bottles a day before opening, if you can. Enjoy the power, the beauty and the elegance of these wines as I do.
Cheers, Nikolai