2007 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley   New!

This medium ruby colored expression of Russian River fruit offers ripe raspberries, chamomile, violets and pennyroyal on the nose. Raspberries infuse the palate, along with the flavors of brandied cherries, rhubarb pie and damp earth. The finish lingers, with slightly tart notes of pomegranates and stone fruits. The tannins are soft and finely grained and the acidity is food-friendly.

$42

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2007 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County   New!

This vintage fleshes out the distinctive personality of Pinot Noir grapes grown one County up from Mendocino. Medium dark ruby in color, this beauty unfolds on the nose with the aromas of currants, the musk of redwood forest floor, forget-me-nots, cinnamon and allspice. Dominating the palate are the flavors of Bing cherries, plums, red licorice, cola and smoked meats, with notes of berry tart and ripe figs that follow through seamlessly to a long finish.

$42

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2006 Pinot Noir, "TROIKA"

Comprised of three of his best barrels of wine, made by three of of the best French cooperages, and three of his finest vineyard sources, owner/winemaker Nikolai Stez blended three wines of the 2006 vintage -- Buena Tierra Vineyard in Russian River Valley, Wiley Vineyard from Anderson Valley, and Fruitland Ridge Humboldt County. This stunning and sumptuous medium ruby result is racy, sophisticated and rich. Beginning with a nose of raspberries, dark cherries and intensely perfumed musk rose and lavender, a touch of redwood earthiness follows with hints of mocha, cola and pennyroyal. The plush and luxuriant oak frames the magnificant flavors of cherries, pomegranate, black tea, raspberries, cassis and forest floor. Moderate fine grain tannins with a juicy mouth feel frame the finish. Opulent and sexy, not for the faint of heart. Troika's bold exuberance suggests a benefit from cellaring. Those who wait will experience depth and complexity in the already long lingering finish. Built to last. A rarified experience. The pinnacle of Nick's Pinot Noir production. Cheers and enjoy!

$120

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2006 Pinot Noir, Buena Tierra Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Classy, sophisticated and rich, this pale garnet Burna Tierra has Burgundian roots. The aromas of ripe cherries, rose petals, honeysuckle, cinnamon and stemmy herbal tones provide a welcome entrance to an astonishing sensory experience. Swirling around a deep core of cherry fruit are the full-blown flavors of green tea, plums, cola and currants, among others that appear and pass too quickly to identify. The finely grained tannins radiate pinpoints of dryness on the palate all the way through to the sweet oak finish.

$55

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2006 Pinot Noir, Morning Dew Ranch, Anderson Valley

Lighter than the 2004 and the 2005, this austere and racy Morning Dew from Burt Williams' vineyard just outside of Philo offers a nose of brandied cherries, citrus blossoms, pennyroyal, cinnamon and a hint of allspice. The flavors of Satsuma plums, Bing cherries and raspberries dazzle the palate, and the light pomegranate and chocolate cherry bon-bon finish lingers in the mouth.

$45

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2006 Pinot Noir, Wiley Vineyard, Anderson Valley

Medium dark garnet in the glass. Herbs, flowers, and warm spices on the nose as well as sage, lavender, violets and a hint of black cherry and peppercorns. Nice flavors of black raspberry, root beer, pomegranate, nutmeg and cardamom co-mingle with pronounced complexity. What a mouthful! Moderate tannins give it backbone, with a bit of earth and mushroom on the finish. It should evolve, soften, and reward even more with some cellar time. The most brooding of the Wiley Pinot Noirs to date, a classic cool weather Pinot Noir.

$60

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2006 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyard, Alexander Valley

A medium ruby color. Notable for this vintage is the lower alcohol. I pulled the trigger so to speak before we got a rain. I am not sorry. Typical Braccialini, a complex constellation of aromas - smoke, brandied cherries, anisette, and briar. Nicely integrated oak, pomegranate and cranberry flavors and a boxful of red Winesap apples with a carry thru of brandied cherries. Still a bit tightly wound, but should develop nicely in bottle in the next few months. Complexities galore that will become self evident with time. Mid palate is expansive and the finish is long with medium tannins.

$36

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2006 Zinfandel, Martinelli Road Vineyard Old Vine, Russian River Valley

History in a bottle. The venerable one, 124 years old this vintage. Not for everyone, but a classic Barolo like Zin that rivals any century vine Zins produced in California, period. Dark ruby in color. A nose of roses and violets framed by dark berries, plums, cedar and blackberry briar as only RRV can give. The palate screams blackberry, Bing cherry, dark chocolate and mocha notes. Unmistakable terroir. This is a special place for these vines. Not for the faint of heart. Expressive mid-palate and long, long finish. Moderate tannins. It will of course benefit from cellaring, but it's delicious now.

$45

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2006 Zinfandel, Valenti Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge

A newcomer to the line-up, I'm excited about the Mendocino Ridge appellation. Historically there was Zin planted here on this ranch over 90 years ago. This vineyard in '06 however is only five years old but speaks of the possibilities it could bring. Sadly there will be no '07 vintage of this as it never fully ripened and was hit with bunch rot after the rains.

Medium ruby color. Bouquet of lavender, blueberries, smoked meat with a hint of black pepper. Lovely. It rolls across the palate with grace and elegance. Blueberries, blackberries, plums and pepper. Definitely in the black fruit realm. Finishes earthy, long and focused. Great things to come.

$30

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2006 Zinfandel, Guido Venturi Vineyard, Mendocino County

Bright medium ruby, a powerhouse of aromatic pleasures of cassis liqueur, violets, tobacco and leather with light herbal flower undertones. Palate brings forth Bing cherries and more cherries, cherry pie and just the right touch of sweet oak, warm and fuzzy. Nice supple tannins focus these flavors into a lingering mouth filling finish. Drinking well now, just to get better of course!

$30

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