2017 Hook & Ladder The Tillerman Red Wine Blend Chalk Hill Sonoma County Estate Bottled

 

Huge fan of Hook & Ladder Winery and winemaker Jason Deloach. Launched in 2003 by his grandfather and grandmother after the sale of Deloach vineyards, the winery amply named after Grandpa Cecil's 17 year career as a firefighter. Jason joined 3 years later and is making exceptional wines.

I had the opportunity to visit Hook and Ladder a few years ago meeting Jason and his wife, getting a tour of their operation and one of the highlights was having the opportunity to barrel taste. Folks if you ever get a chance to barrel taste by all means jump on it. The progression of a varietal from early barrel life to ready to bottle in your mouth is eye popping. Imaging bitter to heck yes give me another glass of that one and having the winemaker talk about the barrel ageing and transformation. Great wine learning experience.

The Tillerman Red is a wine I like to have on hand for its versatility and is an easy sipping wine. If you check their website out the 2019 is the current release but the consistency vintage to vintage is what makes this wine special as all their wines. The 2017 is a blend of 49% Cabernet, 1% Sangiovese, 26% Cabernet Franc and 24% Merlot all harvested from the family's Los Amigos Ranch in the Chalk Hill district. The nose is full of ripe berries with dark cherry, raspberry, with a hint of floral notes and spice. The mouth is full of juicy raspberry, hints of cherry with black currants, a kiss of spice and earth on the smooth silky long finish. 

Touring wine country, I would recommend a stop at Hook and Ladder Winery to taste, sip and savor. They would appreciate you buy a bottle or 3 and even sign up for their wine club to receive shipments right to your home. 

Keep an eye out I have a few more of their newer vintages to taste!

Cheers

Eric Ross Winery "Taste The Vineyard"

 

Driving up Arnolds Drive in Glen Ellen you come across on your left what appears to be a red rustic general store at first glance but soon you realize no it's the king of Struttin Red Eric Ross Winery. It also doesn't hurt when you see this friendly but large steel rooster welcoming you to the winery. Be careful he is always watching you!

Inside is cozy and warming giving you the chance to sip wine in a relaxed atmosphere. Behind the counter pouring is none other than Eric Luse owner and winemaker cracking jokes and talking about his exquisite wines. Originally from the Midwest, Erics family were dairy farmers in the Emmetsburg Iowa area before their move west. I will say his Midwest hospitality has followed him all these years because you will not meet a more down to earth host.

I've basically tasted his entire portfolio of wine from the Struttin Red and White, Albarino, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Cabernet but he let me know I'm sure you never tasted the Gout De La Vigne. He was correct the only wine I have not sipped from him (he even signed the bottle).

The 2017 Gout De La Vigne Silver Image is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. The first thing you notice is the light ruby color as you swirl the wine in your glass. The nose showcases red and dark fruit with raspberry, strawberry/cranberry followed by hints of blackberry and spice. The mouth luxurious, silky with red and dark fruit along with a kiss of spice on the lingering finish. Medium bodied yet elegant and not overpowering. Drink while preparing dinner (I always taste the wine to ensure it will pair well) and I will say firsthand this pairs nicely with my homemade vegetable beef soup.

Eric Ross Winery is a must stop on your list of tastings on the Sonoma side of the valley. The trademark "Taste The Vineyard" is truly in every bottle specific to the vineyards the grapes represent and the geographic region in which they are grown. Doesn't hurt that Eric has this winemaking down pretty well. 

Pedroncelli Winery Geyserville California, A Little Taste Of Heaven

  

At 1220 Canyon Road in Geyserville you will find the wines of Pedroncelli Winery, a family-owned wine producer since 1927. For over nine decades, the Pedroncelli's have been producing fine wines which you can enjoy with confidence.

Great wine starts in the vineyard and the Dry Creek Valley is known as prime land for growing grapes which the Pedroncelli's are well versed. Interesting fact half of the Zinfandel planted In Sonoma County is in the Dry Creek Valley. The marine fog intrusion in the evening cooling the grapes makes this valley ideal for quality fruit. Another interesting fact is the consistency of the winemaking, cellar and vineyard team with multiple years of experience, they know and understand every piece of the process from growing, to harvest and crush, to winemaking, blending and bottling. 

My friends Julie and Ed tell me there are I believe 21 wines produced by Pedroncelli under the watchful eye of winemaker Montse Reese. Having tasted through most if not all of the portfolio at one time or another, I will say consistent, eloquent, food friendly and quality in each bottle. Some of the wines recently to dance across my palate include the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, the 2019 Pinot Noir and the 2018 Zinfandel.

Pedroncelli's Sauvignon Blanc is a fan favorite with notes of pear, apple, Meyer lemon, tropical fruits with a hint of minerality. I love to pair this wine with both chicken and seafood and also on it's own. Love this crisp clean wine.

Regardless of vintage the Pinot Noir drinks like a $50 wine with a nose of rose pedals, cherries and vanilla bean. The mouth carries from the aromas with juicy cherry, plum and a kiss of toasted vanilla. I love pairing this with wine with maple glazed salmon or any salmon dish. 

The mother clone Zinfandel rounds out my recent tasting with clusters of ripe berries, a hint of pepper and cinnamon. The mouth starts with a wild berry jam, cherry with a hint of vanilla and spice on the finish. I absolutely love pairing this wine with anything barbeque, it elevates the meal.

Pedroncelli is a must stop when visiting Sonoma County. White, rose', soft reds, bolder reds they have it all. What you will find are quality wines that won't break the bank. Did I mention that they are some of best people you will meet in the industry.