Sonoma - March 2012
Tasted Sunday, April 1, 2012 by esb with 329 views
Introduction
The following are my favorites after tasting many wines over several days. Some observations. Tasting 2010 against 2009 I almost always preferred 2009. Concerning Pinot, with so many different styles and growing areas represented tasting was the only way to find my favorites. Interestingly my favorites were not from any one particular location and I didn’t always prefer the top tier, single vineyard wines. Some bottom tier wines from the Sonoma Coast appellation were complete and filled with pure pinot fruit, something I can’t say about all of the single vineyard wines I tried which as a recurring theme were bigger, had better texture but often lacked Pinot purity.
2008 Quivira Syrah Wine Creek Ranch 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Spectacular in a big, ripe, warm climate style. Abundant black fruit with licorice, smoke and meat. In the mouth rich and full, perfectly balanced with a touch of tannin. One of my top 5 from a several day Sonoma trip.
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2000 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
This has explosive toasty yeast/pinot complexity, still some lighter fruit in the background but overall it's integrated. It has good acid, medium weight, freshness and a creamy feel. Excellent.
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2010 Dutton-Goldfield Zinfandel Dutton Ranch Morelli Lane Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Amazing deep old vine raspberry/kirsch fruit. Rich, thick and expanding in the mouth. Lovely. Surprisingly good now.
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2009 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Spectacular and a step up from Ridge's other great Zins. Complex, floral, spicy fruit. Rich and classy in the mouth. Good now but probably better in a year or two.
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