2018 Pedroncelli Cabernet Franc Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley Barrel Select

 

I definitely have a preference for family wineries and Pedroncelli Family Winery hits near and dear to the heart. I mentioned in an earlier post they have been growing grapes and making wines for 95 years and still to this day family owned and operated. Amazing after all these years and the quality of the wines are exceptional.

Tonight, we popped the cork on the 2018 Cabernet Franc as the weather felt more like fall than the hot temps we just encountered. On the nose, rich blackberry and raspberry followed by a hint of wild violets and black pepper notes. The mouth is lush with dark berries, juicy raspberry and plum, with a hint of spice on the long juicy yet soft finish. Wine is a keeper.

Visit the Pedroncelli Wine Store to grab your bottles of Cabernet Franc and many of the other award-winning exceptional wines they produce. Rather visit them, reserve a time to taste these wines in person and hear more about the Pedroncelli story.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Michael Pozzan Merlot Napa Valley

 

Picked this gem up on a last visit to my friends wine store before she retired from the business. I'm a big fan of the Giapoza wines so this was a no brainer.

Definitely a family business with Michael, his wife Mary Ann, sons Dante and Matthew plus Matthews wife Kimberly. What I have found with the Pozzan Family wines, they are very versatile and pair with a variety of foods or they can be enjoyed on their own with family and friends over a conversation. 

The 2018 Merlot nose shows notes of fresh sliced plum, hints of redberries, a dusting of cocoa powder and wild violets. The mouth is soft yet extremely flavorful with juicy plum and a red raspberry/cherry combination with a splash of mocha and spice. Really nice Merlot and one you should keep on hand.

Cheers

Dan

2017 Harbor Ridge Winery Pinot Noir Door County Wisconsin

 

I can't tell you how many times I've driven past Harbor Ridge Winery on Highway 42 in Egg Harbor and never stopped but it was always full of cars and folks sitting outside. Well on our yearly trek to the Door County Peninsula I just had to stop and see for myself why all the visitors. Found out pretty quickly they produce wines for all types of wine lovers from dry aged to fruity and sweet. Do a little tasting, check out all the winery swag, listen to live music on the weekends and finally grab that bottle and sit on the patio enjoying wine in the outdoors. Oh and the staff is so friendly and helpful. They did appreciate my Packer attire.

So the labels are both fun and serious I'll say. Now today I'll talk about the 2017 Pinot Noir but the other wines I purchased on my visit were the Three Wise Guys Pinot Grigio, 2018 Chardonnay, Savvy Blonde Sauv Blanc and finally Bouquet Rose. I'll taste those in the near future (although I did kill one of my bottles of Pinot Grigio on a hot July day).

The 2017 Pinot has a really nice nose of dark cherries and cranberries, woodsy forest floor and a kiss of spice. The mouth is really really good with the dark cherries intertwined with a cranberry/strawberry cluster combo and finishing with a hint of vanilla and spice. Flavor packed wine yet sophisticated and elegant. My only regret was not grabbing more of this wine. It's only a 6 hr drive..... roadtrip!

Put Door County Wisconsin on your bucket list and make sure you stop by Harbor Ridge Winery when you visit. As they say "Solving The World's Problems One Sip At A Time".

Cheers

Dan

2019 Pedroncelli Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

 

Imaging 95 years of growing grapes and producing wines. How many berries have been harvested or barrels of juice have been fermented and aged? Think over those years the number of bottles and cases of wine that have been sold and consumed at family gatherings, weddings, relaxing by a fire or a nice dinner. I wonder if Julie or Ed would guess the number of bottles produced over the years (no Ed a lot was already used by me)?

Happy 95 years to all the Pedroncelli's! They continue to produce food friendly and stand alone wines which do not break the pocket book, yet deliver a luxurious mouth feel as if you are drinking $100 bottles. Consistent quality vintage after vintage. 

Tonight, we opened the 2019 Pinot Noir Signature Selection. On the nose crushed cranberries and cherries with cinnamon spice and a kiss of toasted oak. The mouth is full of ripe juicy cherry and strawberry, cola and finishes with a dusting of warm barrel spice. One of if not my favorite pinot noir. 

Looking for a great opportunity to taste their food and wine together, book your place at their Sip & Savor Dinner on August 20th. Great looking menu and awesome wines. Why stop there and equally delicious stop by the tasting room for a taste, purchase and sign up for the wine club. Sounds like the perfect pairing.

Cheers

Dan

2020 Hook And Ladder Olivet Ranch Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

 

Hot weather called for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and this crisp delightful wine from Jason Deloach and Hook & Ladder Winery was just what the glass needed.

The grapes were planted in 1985 in front of the winery in the home vineyard Olivet Ranch. Once harvested and pressed, the juice aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak barrels until bottling.

Once in the glass the aroma of fresh cut melon with floral notes, lemon grass and citrus zest please the nose. The mouth is a citrus blast so crisp and refreshing. Flavors of meyer lemon and key lime with splashes of nectarine roll across the tongue. The bottle never lasted the night. Must buy more.

Make sure on your next visit to Santa Rose you swing in for a taste and then grab a few bottles for your cellar. Located at 2134 Olivet Road in Santa Rosa, you have multiple reservation options based on your tasting preference. Trust me they make the good stuff.

Cheers

Dan