2017 Elkhorn Peak Pinot Noir Napa Valley

 

In South Napa you will find Jamieson Canyon and the home of Elkhorn Peak Cellars, a limited production family winey. Ken Nerlove grower/owner along with his daughter Elise Rutchick co-owner and jack of all trades, winemaker Kent Rasmussen and sprinkle in Faith and Lucas Nerlove and you have the heart and sole of Elkhorn Peak.

In 1983 Ken purchased an old sheep ranch and planted an acre of Pinot Noir and one of Chardonnay. While no vineyards were planted in Jamieson Canyon both the soil and climate were perfect for these two varietals. Just 3 short years later the vineyard expanded to 8 acres with the first harvest in 1987. For the next 5 years this small thriving business sold their grapes to winemakers throughout the region and became known as a top grower. Bam here comes 1994 and Ken's own label is born.

When you think about small clusters of fruit nurtured by the hands of family farmers and how that finished product reflects all the blood sweat and tears in many cases years to accomplish perfection, they hold a special place in my cellar. More importantly they hold a very real meaningful place in the economy called small business, the backbone of America and how the wine region got it's start. Listen to Ken and Elise talk about farming, winemaking and the life while you sit around sipping their juice. Fascinating to listen and learn about their story. I had no idea who Ken was and introduced to their fruit from another winemaker who bought their pinot grapes and made a very delicious pinot noir of their own. Call me a lifer fan now.

The 2017 Pinot Noir is exquisite with aromas and flavors of dark cherry with subtle hints of strawberries and plums followed by a kiss of earthiness and spice. So silky and elegant in the mouth you hate to put the glass down. I've mentioned the comment many times but these bottles are why you drink small production wines and why you should taste this label. 

Check out the website Elkhorn Peak Cellars and grab a bottle or 12 and support the small family farmer and limited production winery. It really is the good stuff folks.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Campesino Cellars Isa Grenache Rose'

An old friend from one of my favorite winemakers Macario Montoya of Campesino Cellars in Sonoma. Hello to the 2019 Isa Grenache Rose' which is a steal at $18 per bottle with only 100 cases produced. I even had a chance to share this wine with the wine loving daughters who now have their own bottles in Wisconsin and Texas. 

The 2019 Grenache Rose' color is a gorgeous light salmon. The nose shows beautifully with fresh picked ripe strawberries, sliced melon with hints of flower pedals. The mouth is juicy with strawberries, cantaloupe, cherry and a nice spice on the long finish. Stainless steel fermented and aged in neutral French oak. Perfect rose' wine Macario. 

I'll sip this on the porch, while cooking or pair with many of my favorite light dishes. Tonight I paired with air fried peppers, onions and polish kielbasa. .

Below you can click the link to order your own bottles of Macario and Griselda's Isa Rose'. Hurry before they are sold out!

Campesino Cellars Wine 

Cheers

Dan

Alma de Cattleya and Pisoni Family Vineyards Wine #AlmaLuciaWine

Several weeks back I had the wonderful opportunity to taste 4 exquisite wines by 2 very talented winemakers who happen to be husband and wife. Bibiana Gonzalez Rave produces her Alma de Cattleya wines consisting of varietals Rose' of Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jeff Pisoni produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rose' and Syrah from the Santa Lucia Highlands with several single vineyard offerings from Pisoni Family Vineyards

Bibiana who was raising in Columbia, produces wines which represent the uniqueness of Northern California. Her Alma de Cattleya wine derives its name from her heritage. Alma means soul in Spanish and Cattleya is the national flower of her native Columbia. What I real enjoyed with her wines was the versatility to pair with the patio outside or enjoy with dinner. The 2 wines we tasted were the 2019 Rose' Of Pinot Sonoma County and the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County. 

Jeff looking at the history was destined to be a winemaker. You grow up in a family business of grape growing and wine, understand the land and farming aspect and the natural progression to winemaker. Thanks to Gary Pisoni who went against the odds of planting grapes in the mountains, the result is these beautiful Lucia wines and the Pisoni Estate wines. The 2 Lucia offerings we tasted were the 2018 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands and the 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands. Both wines are elegant, sophisticated and taste well over their price point.

The 2019 Rose' Of Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Carneros regions. Harvested and night, the grapes were hand sorted and gently pressed with the juice being allowed to settle overnight. Racking commenced then the juice is aged in neutral French oak barrels for 6 months. Production on this wine is 500 cases. The nose starts with beautiful fresh cut rose petals followed by ripe strawberry and citrus. Crisp and refreshing tingling the senses. The mouth is so juicy bursting with wild strawberry and floral notes. Beautiful acidity from start to finish. A definite value at $20.

The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc fruit was sourced from 5 different vineyards on hillsides in Sonoma County. The clones selected were Clone 1 and Musque. Harvested at night, hand sorted and gently pressed this wine is aged in neutral French oak on its lees for 6 months. The nose shows nicely with sliced grapefruit and hints or orange and lemon zest followed by wildflowers. The mouth I love with the soft grapefruit and kiss of lemon citrus finishing with a hint of orange zest. So well balanced and refreshing. price point on this wine is $22 with 2250 cases produced.

The 2018 Chardonnay was sourced from Pisoni's Gary's and Soberanes Vineyards in the Lucia Appelation. Hand picked and sorted, these limited production wines are aged with native yeast in selected French oak barrels for 11 months. The blend for this wine is 100% estate fruit with each vineyard providing a unique character to the wine. The higher elevations of the Pisoni vineyards gives the wine the baked apple, pear and lemon curd character while the Soberano vineyards gives the wine a citrus blossom and wet stone distinction. The nose showcases apple, pear with hints of baking spice. The mouth is lush with apple pie and baking spice intertwined with sliced pear, a splash of lemon and finishes with a toasted vanilla crème. One fine chardonnay priced at $45 and 480 cases produced.

Final wine the 2018 Pinot Noir which was sourced from the Pisoni, Gary's and Soberanes Vineyards. Hand picked and sorted the wine is aged 40 months in French oak barrels. The wine is a combination of 41% Gary's Vineyard, 32% Pisoni and 27% Soberanes. The aromas of dark cherry, red berry clusters, spice and crushed herbs race from the glass once poured. The mouth screams pinot with dark cherry, a tartness of red currant, raspberry, a hint of strawberry with a nice subtle spice and herbal notes on the finish. Outstanding expression of Pinot Noir priced at $45 and 1460 cases produced.

Bibiana and Jeff thank you for the introduction to your wines. Ranks up near the top of some of the wines I have been lucky to taste on these tweetups. Robert thank you as well for the opportunity to taste as part of the participants selected. 

If you would like to purchase these wines below are the website links to the respective wines

Alma de Cattleya Wines 

Pisoni Family Vineyards Wines 

Cheers

Dan

2014 Eric Ross Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Nick's Block Sonoma County

"Taste The Vineyard" when drinking a bottle of Eric Ross Vineyards wine. Respect the vineyard and no interference, that's what makes Eric Luse owner and winemaker a rockstar and his wines taste exactly like each varietal should. 

I got a chance to share this bottle over a fathers day dinner with my oldest who was passing through on a visit. Perfect time to open this 2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Dark cherry and rich cola grace the nose with a hint of vanilla. The flavor is intense with the rich dark cherry, a splash of red currant with cola and toasted vanilla. The finish is long and silky. Pinot Noir as it should be! Might be my new favorite wine from your lineup Eric.

Paired this beauty with one of my favorite dishes. Pork medallions with pomegranate cherry reduction sauce with air fried veggies. What a great pairing.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Eric Ross Winery Rose' Russian River Valley Sonoma County

Never a bad time to sip one of this guys many varietals of wine. Photographer, winemaker Eric does it all but for the sake of wine grapes watch out for that mascot rooster of his.

When we all get back to visiting wine country and you have a chance to stop at Eric Ross Winery, you will notice the unique tasting room and it's rustic character almost as if you stepped back in time to the early Sonoma tasting days. Once inside you will be greeted by the tasting room staff and many times the winemaker himself is pouring and talking about his wines. Listening to Eric talk about his philosophy, winemaking and the vineyards from which his grapes are harvested, you start to "feel" and "smell" the vines/terroir characteristics with each swirl. Once you sip his wines you are hooked with lush fruit rolling across the palate and thinking how lucky you are to have discovered this juice.

The 2019 Russian River Rose' starts with a beautiful salmon color followed by hints of citrus, fresh wild strawberries and floral notes. The mouth is so full of fresh ripe strawberry with a splash of cherry, tart cranberry and a kiss of herbs on the finish. So good and paired well with the porch and 80 degree weather. Nicely done Eric.

Give the tasting room a call at 707-939-8525 and order some Eric Ross Wine today!


Cheers
Dan

Passaggio Wines Airedale Red Blend

Now more than ever small production wineries need your support as they continue with interruptions due to covid-19. Reliant on curbside pickup, online orders and wine clubs to keep their business going is life today.  One of those wineries happens to be tonight's wine Passaggio and owner Cindy Cosco.

Her tasting room is located on the Sonoma Square just a short 8 minute drive from her wine production facility. I remember meeting Cindy when she was working in the lab at Crushpad and making maybe 250 cases of her own wine. Oh those early bottles of Unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio were so good and we chatted about one day she would have her own winery and tasting room. Today she not only still produces those 2 varietals but many more. You can order your own bottle online at www.passaggiowines.com or call the tasting room at 707-934-8941 or even join the wineclub. Every purchase helps a winemakers livelihood during these unchartered times so please support her and all small wineries.

Tonight's Airedale Red is a tribute to Cindy's favorite dog breed. A blend of 50% Coplan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Hux Vineyards Petit Verdot. Lush dark and red fruit on the nose with a kiss of spice. The mouth is full of ripe fruit that floats across the tongue with dark cherry, a splash of plum followed by a burst of blueberry and a subtle warm spice on the finish. Love this wine Cindy and folks it's still available for purchase.

Cheers
Dan

2013 Campesino Cellars Syrah Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Old Lakeville Vineyard

Why Why did I not buy more of this wine. I kick myself every time I open one of these limited production wines from Campesino Cellars and once the bottle is finished I wish I had 5 more. Tonight I toast this husband and wife duo and to all those vineyard workers who are just as important to this wine as the winemaker who crafts the juice. Bravo on this one my friend.

Pouring into the glass you notice the dark rich color of the wine. The nose shows a nice earthy tone with crushed boysenberries and roasted herbs with just a hint of currants. The mouth so lush with the boysenberries rolling dark and red flavors across the palate, the earthy herbs and a hint of leather. So well balanced and the fruit exquisite.

Can't wait for the next vintage releases from Campesino Cellars.

Cheers
Dan

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