2009 Ceja Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

I had no doubt when I pulled this from the kitchen cellar this 2009 Ceja Pinot would be as good as the day it was released. For the past 12 years I have tasted their wines just after release and those I have allowed to age. Think about 10 years in a bottle what could happen to the wine both good and bad, but then take into account the winemaker, the grapes, the vineyard and style of winemaking. Family wineries take pride in their meticulous attention to detail and care what juice fills those bottles which they sell to family, friends and wine aficionados near and far. This bottle is why you drink small production family wines and especially Ceja Vineyards wine.

Pop the cork and dark cherries and cola race from the glass followed by earthiness and fresh herbs. Just something about cherries and earthiness that gets my senses primed for what's next. The mouth is rich with cherry, plum intertwined with savory herbs. The finish is long and juicy. I just love this pinot.

Make sure you swing in and see my friends at Ceja Vineyards on your next wine country visit. After you taste these wines don't be surprised if you sign up for their wine club and leave with a few bottles

Cheers
Dan

Pedroncelli Winery Wisdom and Courage

Some days you need both Wisdom and Courage and I have the perfect solution in Pedroncelli Wines. Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley is known for producing exceptional grapes and the Pedroncelli Family has been part of that success since 1927, first with grape growing and then adding winemaking to their business.

I've been lucky to have the opportunity to taste so many of their varietals and vintages and each is rock solid. Exquisite and affordable a combination you can't beat. I started off with the 2016 Wisdom Cabernet Sauvignon from the Dry Creek Valley Estate Vineyard. Pop the cork and aromas of blackberry jam, a hint of raspberries, barrel spice and soft oak nuances. The mouth is lush with intense dark fruit. Blackberries and plum dominate with a splash of raspberry, crushed dried herbs and a kiss of barrel spice on the soft finish. One of my favorite cabernets.

Up next is the 2017 Courage Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley Faloni Vineyard. Cherry and blackberry followed by cloves and a hint or pepper. The mouth is solid with cherry, raspberry and blackberry followed by a splash of dark cocoa and barrel spice with a kiss of wild violets. For a big wine the finish was as velvety as milk chocolate. Paired this wine with a hickory bbq sauce over chicken and a perfect pairing.

If you are near Geyserville on your next Sonoma County wine trip I highly recommend stopping in at Pedroncelli Winery to sip a savor these excellent wines.

2017 Illahe Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon

A swing by my friends wine shop Pre Christmas yielded this small lot Oregon Pinot Noir. Apparently this was the tasting and dinner I missed when they were in town earlier this year. Glad I was able to score one of their wines.

Located in Dallas Oregon, they make wine "as naturally as possible from soil to bottle" with some made entirely by hand. They press their pinot noir in a wooden basket press aging the wine in both French and Oregon oak. 50 acres of pinot noir vines make up the 60 acres planted which consists of 7 varietals. The other grapes grown include Pinot Gris, Gruner Veltliner, Tempranillo, Viognier and Lagrein, Schippettino and Teroldego which are Northern Italian vines. The vineyards are located in the Mount Pisgah area, the location is known as a prime growing region. Illahe is one of the few vineyards who utilize horse power to mow and deliver harvested grapes to the winery (Percheron Draft Horses).

The 2017 on the nose shows ripe strawberry, wild dark berries, wild violets, dusty earth and a hint of cocoa powder. The mouth is lush and rich with strawberries and intermittent splashes of earth, spice, vanilla and cocoa. At $25 this is an absolute steal for small production Oregon Pinot Noir.

I recommend checking out Illahe Vineyards the next time you are in Oregon Wine Country. I can't wait to swing out and taste even more of their wines.

Cheers
Dan

2014 Campesino Cellars Alina Sonoma Valley California

Tonight's wine was in the back of the cellar and I knew without a doubt it would be a good one. Campesino Cellars, small lot handcrafted wines which can be enjoyed young or if you prefer lay them down and watch them age gracefully. Just don't forget they are in there like I did (humidity damaged the label)

Alina is a blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne harvested from the Sonoma Valley. The nose is full of citrus and floral notes followed by a kiss of honey and a faint hint of spice. The mouth is crisp and refreshing with sweet pear, peach, tangerine, grapefruit, honey and toasted nuts with a touch of barrel spice on the finish. Allow it to warm and watch the flavors intertwine and dance across your palate. Really nice wine Macario.

Swing by their website and pick up the 2016 vintage of this exquisite wine before it's sold out. One of my all time favorite white blends.

Cheers
Dan

Stone's Throw Winery Uncle Gino's Daily Red California Table Wine

A Wisconsin Winery located 2500 miles northeast of Napa who has been trucking in carefully selected grapes from California vineyards is tonight's feature wine. We make the vacation trek every year to Door County Wisconsin because well once you are there you never want to leave. Each little town is unique whether it's shore line graces the Bay of Green Bay or Lake Michigan and the people are so nice. Great food and you will not find chains but owner/family operated eateries. Plus they have wine and my stop on one of the days was at Stone's Throw Winery in cute Baileys Harbor.

A very unique story where grapes are harvested and immediately trucked from California to Wisconsin, crushed and then handcrafted into fine wine. So naturally I needed to stop, taste some wines and make a purchase of a few bottles. After all named Door County's Best Winery 2018 and Best Wine Bar 2018 and 2019.

The nose on Uncle Gino's Daily Red shows a nice spice to start things off with cherries, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla and a hint of earthiness following. The mouth is seductive with cherry, raspberry and hints of dried herbs and so smooth. I agree with Uncle Gino I could serve and drink this daily. Paired with a deep dish pizza and oh so good.

If you are up in Door County swing by Stone's Throw Winery for a tasting and even some food. it's a great stop and great wine!

Cheers
Dan