2014 Passaggio Pinot Grigio California

In the middle of the historic Sonoma Plaza you will find the Passaggio Wines tasting room and owner winemaker Cindy Cosco and her staff. Now it's not been all champagne and roses but she has built a fine portfolio of wine and name in the valley.

When I first met her 8 years ago we were standing near the Silverado Trail at a custom crush facility and her total production was pushing 125 cases. She was adamant white wine was going to be her namesake and there would be no red wine. Head to her website and you will find 14 varietals and yes even red wine. Production this year will push 2000 cases. As a result of her hard work and drive these wines are made in her own facility just down the road from the tasting room. I remember when she told me "go ahead and drink it all....I can make more!" You have come along way winemaker!

Tonight's 2014 Pinot Grigio is a wonderful tropical delight. The nose shows lovely notes of pineapple, grapefruit, melon followed by lemon and lime zest. A hint of wild flowers rounds out the aromas.

The mouth is a citrus blast with pineapple and melon surrounded by lemon/grapefruit zest. Crisp and clean this wine is classic Passaggio. As good today as when first released Cindy.

Swing by the tasting room for your chance to sip these excellent small production wines!

Cheers
Dan

Rodney Strong Vineyards Dynamic Duo 2017 Rose Of Pinot Noir and 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

*Samples Received*

Spring time wines you ask? Nope I would sip these two anytime of the year. As a matter of fact Rodney Strong wines are some of the best pocket friendly exceptional wines on the market today.

Starting with the 2017 Rose of Pinot Noir. 100% Russian River Valley Pinot Noir this wine was fermented in stainless steel and clocks in at 12.5% alcohol which I really love. Winemaker Justin Seidenfeld nails this wine with a beautiful expression of rose. Wild strawberries dance from the glass followed by a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. As it opens raspberry and cherry clusters envelope the nose with a splash of the peach. The wine is so juicy with mouth watering strawberry and cherry. Each time the wine hit my lips it was as soft as a rose pedal. The finish is so long and invites you to pour more. Stock up on this wine folks before it's all gone.

Up next the 2017 Charlottes Home Sauvignon Blanc. 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Northern Sonoma County the wine was 90% fermented in stainless steel and 10% barrel fermented in french oak. I've tasted this wine over the years and the consistency year after year is amazing. If you're a fan of citrus then twist and sip. Fresh squeezed grapefruit and lime with sprinkles of lemon zest. Continue swirling and tropical notes of melon and pineapple greet the nose. The mouth is a citrus blast full of grapefruit, lemon/lime zest followed by slivers of cantaloupe. Crisp, refreshing yep that's how I love my Sauv Blancs.

Sonoma County is a great place to visit. So is Rodney Strong Vineyards located at 11455 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg CA. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Stop and sip for a while.

Cheers
Dan

2015 Balletto Vineyards Rose Of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Originally vegetable farmers on 5 acres, John Balletto was thrust into the family business upon the death of his father. Along the way the business grew and so did the challenges eventually leading to the planting of grapes on the advice of a friend and neighbor. Today you have your pick of 20 varietal/vineyard designate wines to choose from.

The 2015 Rose Of Pinot Noir shows nice on the nose with wild strawberry and watermelon with hints of fresh silky rose pedal and lime zest. Mouth watering with strawberry, cherry, jolly ranger watermelon and lime zest. Beautiful acidity and paired with my sausage baked 3 cheese Ziti dish.

Cheers
Dan

2015 Attune Station Ranch Chardonnay Carneros Sonoma County

*Sample Received*

There are those wineries, boutique in nature who you run across from time to time. The key is finding them before the world does because when it does, that juice will become hard to come by and sold out in a moments notice. I've said it before if not for Martin Cody and Cellar Angels, I might not know Attune Wines. The perfect discovery for wine lovers outside of California. Cellar Angels showcases these wonderful creations and tells their story to the world.

The story like many small wineries, acquaintances and friends come together to make the very best wine they can in small batches. Hand harvested by the light of the moon, carefully transported to protect the fruit which will be made into liquid gold, fermented slowly and finally to the barrels to grow up. Small production at it's finest. Said Martin Cody "Few people recognize how ridiculous this wine is. Oh my, it makes me weep it's so damn good." The only word I could utter after the nectar hit my lips "WOW."

The nose flows with green and yellow sliced apples, poached pear, fresh cut impatiens, vanilla bread pudding, lemon citrus and a slight hint of toasted oak. Pleasing on so many levels.

The mouth is juicy, satisfying and one of the best Chardonnay's tasted in the past couple years. Juicy apple and pear with splashes of lemon and slight drive by of spice and vanilla cream. The finish lingers long with beautiful acidity. I could go for some lobster ravioli and another splash of this wine right now.

Swing by the shop for Attune Wine link  and grab some of yours today before it's all gone. Wines you won't want to miss.

Cheers
Dan

2013 Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

*Sample Received*

At Rodney Strong Vineyards the term "Reserve" refers to their ability to craft wine from the very best barrels from the very best of their Cabernet vineyards. The grapes for these wines are hand harvested from selected lots within the vineyard,  fermented separate of each other in french oak. After 6 months the barrels are tasted and graded (oh let me be part of this process please), of which only the most worthy are then blended together and returned to the barrels to grow up and become exceptional wine. The growing season was close to perfect in 2013 with minimal heat spikes, warm summer sun but cool evenings and little to no rain as harvest approached. Picking of grapes commenced early around mid September and finished by the end of the month in Alexander Valley.

Pop the cork and pour and the richness of this wine races from the bottle. Ripe blackberry and raspberry fruits fill the nose. A hint of molasses and fresh vanilla bean with big currants and toasted oak. So appealing.

The mouth is elegant with the blackberry front and center with splashes of  raspberry intertwined. The molasses and vanilla add a smooth rich mouthfeel followed by a dusting of baking spice and currants giving it a grown up feel. The finish is long and your mouth begs for more from the glass. I paired this with a nice beef roast and the flavor profile was to die for.

Swing by Sonoma County and visit their tasting room nestled in the Russian River Valley and experience these wonderful wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Cheers
Dan