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