Nikolai's Notes - Current Releases

	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. Total production: 715 cases.
	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. Total production: 282 cases.
	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! Total production: 364 cases.
	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. Total production: 202 cases.
	2006 Pinot Noir, Humboldt County New Release! 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. Total production: 350 cases.
	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! 14.3% Alcohol, 580 cases produced
	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. Alc. 15%. 274 cases.
	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! Alc. 16.5%. 384 cases.