2016 Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

 

This was a special pickup Pinot Noir made by the late Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat for his special partnership with Barbara Barham Mendelsohn and Richard Mendelsohn. The grapes for this wine are harvested from the Lala Panzi Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg, consisting of a 5-acre plot of carefully selected clones. Each year, one limited edition Pinot is produced in limited quantity. I wish our paths had crossed because this guy made some really fine wines.

The nose is full of fresh pressed cherries and raspberry with earthy tones and some toasted spice. The mouth is lush, rich and elegant with cherries, strawberries and a kiss of blueberry followed by black currant and dried herbs. Outstanding Pinot friends. I paired this with honey-cayenne salmon and the simple staples of baked beans and potato salad. Oh so good!

Seemed like an appropriate time to pull the cork on Open The Bottle Night. 

Cheers

Dan 

2019 Achille IGT Toscana Rosso

 

The I Colli estate can be found in the northern part of the province of Siena, specifically in the territories of Monteriggioni and Vagliagli. It is here that 23 generations of the Bindi Sergardi Family have prospered and grown.

The land from which the vines prosper consist of limestone. It is this soil and microclimate of this region which gives the Sangiovese identity from vineyard to vineyard. It's worked pretty well for over 700 years. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 15 days and following malolactic fermentation the wine is then aged in oak barrels.

The nose shows nicely with ripe fruit of cherry, plum and blackberry. The mouth is juicy with cherry strawberry, and a hint of dark berries. The finish is long and juicy but so soft. Glad I have several more bottles of this Italian gem.

If you tasted this wine drop us a note on the blog and tell us what you thought.

Cheers

Dan

2015 Arcos Toscana

 

Today's wine sings Italian from the vineyards of Tuscany. Produced by the Castellani family since 1903, the winery is located in Pontedera outside of Pisa. The vineyards from which these grapes are harvested consist of sand, clay and calcareous soils. The family has an extensive history of sustainable farming practices within these vineyards.

The 2015 is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah. Fermented in stainless steel tanks in a temperature-controlled environment, the aging then takes place in oak casks and small barrels for 12 months. 

The nose shows nice clusters of red fruit including cherry and raspberry with just a hint of dusty earth. The mouth is quite juicy with cherry, strawberry and plum long into the finish. Such a soft easy drinker and one I really enjoyed. Simple yet flavorful.

Let us know if you have tasted this wine and leave us a comment on the blog what you thought of it.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma County

 

Born in a bar in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco, Banshee Wines was launched with borrowed funds and 8 barrels of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Fast forward to today they reside in Healdsburg with a comfortable tasting room and strong relationships build with some of the best vineyards in Sonoma County.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from select vineyards including the Banshee single vineyard program. The blend for this wine includes 10 clones was fermented in small stainless-steel fermenters for 21 days then aged for 9 months in 25% new French oak.

The nose shows nicely with tart red cherry, cranberry with hints of strawberry all wrapped around woodsy earth notes. Excellent aroma. The mouth is full of beautiful fruit with cherry, strawberry and a hint of cranberry followed by dried herbs and a kiss of oak on the silky-smooth finish. I enjoyed this wine paired with pasta and a light red sauce, but this drinks very well on its own. Afterall when cooking you must taste the wine to ensure it is of the best quality!

If you are in the Healdsburg area on your next visit to wine country, you should make a stop in the Banshee Wines Tasting Room and sip a few of these gems they offer.

If you have tasted this wine or like this winery, drop us a note on the blog and tell us about it.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Giapoza Pinot Noir Michael Pozzan Winery

 

Another local wine store purchase and one of the favorite labels of the customers of the wine shop. The owner brings in wineries for a meet and greet and Pozzan I believe was one I missed. I'll be happy when we are passed covid and once again wineries will be showcased here in town for all of us wine lovers.

The 2018 Giapoza Pinot Noir is so aromatic with red berries, fresh cut rose pedals with hints of orange peel, barrel spice and toasted oak. The mouth shows beautiful layers of fruit and spice. Strawberries with a hint of cranberry, orange zest with herbs and a warm cinnamon spice. A really nice Pinot under $20.00 and drinks like $40.

If you have tasted this wine or any of the Pozzan wines drop us a comment on the blog.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Pasqua Sangiovese Puglia

 

A local wine store purchase, the Italian wine drinking fun continues. Hopefully in the near future a trip to Italy will get a check mark on my bucket list.

The 2018 Sangiovese on the nose cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit race from the glass with hints of floral notes and vanilla. The mouth is quite juicy with beautiful red fruit clusters of cherry, strawberry and raspberry followed by a nice kiss of blueberries and vanilla. Big on flavor but soft and delicate. A really nice wine for the price. Paired with deep dish pizza but tastes just as good all by itself.

Cheers

Dan

2019 Ceja Vineyards Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros

 

A purchase from one of my favorite wineries Ceja Vinyards a Mexican American family-owned winery in beautiful Carneros. Ironically, they were the first winery I visited on my trip to Napa which seems light years ago. I've been buying and drinking their juice ever since.

The 2019 Pinot Noir has a beautiful nose of crushed red cherries and cinnamon followed by herbal notes and spice. Exceptional aromatics and so pleasing. The mouth is lush and juicy with tart cherry, cranberry and a perfect kiss of herbs and spice on the long finish. A perfect expression of Carneros.

Highly recommend stopping at the Ceja Tasting Room on your next visit to the Napa Valley and taste sip and savor some very delicious, handcrafted wines. Join the wine club while you are there and have these wines delivered right to your door.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Pedroncelli Sangiovese Alto Vineyards Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley

 

A purchase direct from the Pedroncelli Family Winery, I'm on an Italian wine phase and this beauty you could drink pretty much anytime of the day. It's ok in the mother country why not here. Huge fan of this family winery and the juice they produce.

Grapes hailing from the hillside terraced estate Alto Vineyard in Geyserville, was the source for this Italian beauty. As soon as I pulled the cork and poured, ripe cherry, dark plum with hints of barrel spice race from the glass. The mouth is lush and elegant with tart sour cherry, strawberry, raspberry and plum complimented by a warm spice on the finish. Give this wine an A++++.  I intended to pair this wine with some pasta and red sauce or pizza Julie, but the bottle never lasted. Guess I'll need to order more!

Recommend this winery on your next visit to the Sonoma side of the valley. Head north of Healdsburg and jump off on Canyon Road. Your palate will thank you and so will the Pedroncelli's.

If you have tasted the wine or visited the winery, give us a comment on the blog and let us know about your experience.

Cheers

Dan

2018 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

 

A purchase from my local wine shop, I snapped up a bottle of Torii Mor Pinot which might have come highly recommended by the shop owner. I'm game for Pinot as you already know!

Screw cap closure the 2018 Pinot Noir was sourced from 9 vineyards which included the Olson Vineyard, with harvest occurring from late September to early October. A really good vintage for Oregon this year due to the warm dry weather and the absence of heat spikes.

The nose opens with crushed blueberries, dark cherry and raspberry with a hint of rose pedals and earthy herbs. Really pleasant on the nose. The mouth is lush and juicy with cherry, raspberry and pomegranate followed by a kiss of herbs and earth finishing with a little toasted vanilla. The finish is long and soft but this wine is not short on flavor. Enjoyable paired with your favorite dish or sipping by itself I'd give this wine an A+.

My next visit to Oregon I'll need to make a visit and sip a few more of their wines.

Cheers

Dan