Pinot Noir

2007 Pinot Noir, Buena Tierra Vineyard. Russian River Valley

This is the one that took the Pinot Cup at Charlie Palmer's Pigs & Pinot event here in March. Now you can experience this wine for yourself, but it's still a puppy, so drink one now and put one down for the holidays or beyond. Bright ruby red cherries, raspberries and light toasting with a faint mushroom component are evident on the nose. A mouthful of bing cherries galore on the palate exploding and gushing in the mouth and on the tongue, a veritable July 4th panorama of juiciness that makes your palate want more. Cardamom spice and green tea notes too. The wine is young and evolving, cellar time will develop its complexity. Now you know what all the hullabaloo is about.

$60

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2007 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

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

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, 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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Zinfandel

2007 Zinfandel, Guido Venturi Vineyard, Mendocino County     New!

Tasting notes coming soon!

$34

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2007 Zinfandel, Braccialini Vineyard

Arguably the darkest Zin yet from this family-farmed vineyard, the '07 continues to evolve, offering up aromas of currants, cedar, dark plums and rose petals. Dark fruit flavors dominate the palate, with notes of rhubarb pie, caramel, ripe Satsuma plums and anisette. The finish is long and toungue coating.

$34

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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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Other Wines

2009 French Colombard, Russian River Valley     New!

Aromatics of white blossoms, elderflower, guava and yeast, backed by chalky flint like notes with a little brininess reminiscent of the sea. Palate of tangerine rind, lemon, green apple and kiwi flavors anchored by a minerality. Tart and racy, my personal favorite with raw oysters.

$18

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