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.