2014 Passaggio New Generation Unoaked Chardonnay

I bought this wine a few years ago and just found it buried in the cellar. A fan of Cindy's wines since I was first introduced to them a little over 10 years ago. The name of her label Passaggio means passage way in Italian and falls in line with her roots and family winemaking.

The 2014 Passaggio Unoaked Chardonnay was fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel. The nose shows nicely with fresh sliced apple, pear, lemon citrus and white floral notes. The mouth is very fruit forward with tart pear and apple followed by lemon citrus. The finish is crisp and begs you to drink more.

Visit Cindy at her tasting room located at 25 East Napa St Suite C in Sonoma. A huge congratulations are in order as she has now also moved into her own production facility a testament to her continued success. Swing by for a sip.

Cheers
Dan

2013 Pozzan Back Barn Zinfandel Oakville Cuvee

Picked this little gem up on a visit to my local wine store First Avenue Wine House and it just happened to be open for tasting. This happens a lot on the weekends and so fun to stop in and get harassed (maybe I might add fuel to the fire) and taste what Traci has pulled for her customers to sip and buy. Not a huge Zin fan but when I find some like this Michael Pozzan Winery I become one very quickly.

The 2013 is a single vineyard production with grapes harvested from the vineyard located in Oakville next to the home of Michael and Mary Ann Pozzan and aged 18 months in French and American Oak.

The nose shows a nice rich red raspberry aroma with hints of vanilla bean and an accent of black pepper with a puff of smokey oak. The mouth is lush and elegant with the juicy raspberry and combination of caramel/vanilla creme followed by the slightest hint of pepper and oak. The finish is long and seductive. I paired this with slow cooked pork loin and a slam dunk. A keeper for sure.

Shop local and shop small production. These gems are sure to please your palate.

Cheers
Dan

Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Single Vineyard Wines

*Samples Received*

A wonderful 3 bottle tasting of Davis Bynum Wines consisting of the 2015 Virginia's Block Sauvignon Blanc, the 2014 River West Vineyard Chardonnay and finally the 2014 Jane's Vineyard Pinot Noir. First though a little background on the winery.

Going back to 1951, Davis Bynum started experimenting making wine at home with his first 2 batches drinking very well to his amazement. Fast forward to 1973 (there were many more gallons produced during the time span for friends and family), for the first time a single vineyard Pinot Noir was ever produced in the Sonoma County Russian River Valley. He knew back then what we all know today, the climate and soil are perfect for growing one of the most delicate grapes in winemaking. Today, while Mr. Bynum has retired from the day to day grind of winemaking, his vision for quality lives on. The philosophy is simple the wines "should be shaped by the land from which they come."

Up first the 2015 Sauvignon Blanc price point $25. The 5 acres from which these grapes are grown and harvested is named after Mr Bynum's wife Virginia. Whole cluster pressed and fermented with natural yeast in french oak and stainless steel and aged 4 months. Loads of tropical fruit with complimenting peach, grapefruit, lemon zest on the nose with the palate showing grapefruit, white peach and juicy lemon long into the finish. Crisp and clean I paired this wine with panko breaded white fish and the pairing was spot on. A really nice wine.

Second wine is the 2014 Chardonnay with a price point of $25. The grapes for this wine come from the River West Vineyard consisting of eighty seven acres of 6 different clones. 100% malolactic fermentation and aged 10 months in french oak. From the moment you pour the wine the baking spice races from the glass with warm apple and pear with hints of fresh cut daiseys. The mouth is rich and creamy with apple, pear and vanilla creme. Well done elegant chardonnay.

Finally the 2014 Pinot Noir with a price point of $35. The grapes from Jane's Vineyard were hand picked, de-stemmed and cold soaked in steel tanks. The wine was aged 10 months in french oak. The nose is classic RRV Pinot with cherry, spice and earthy tones. The mouth is full of ripe cherry, tart cranberry, warm spice and earthy forest. I'm a pinot fan and this is a keeper.

Swing by your local wine store or if in the RRV swing by the winery for a taste. 3 solid delicious wines

Cheers
Dan