Siduri & Novy Tasting

I've long been a fan of Siduri Pinots, so I was excited to attend a tasting and tour led by Jeff. If you've never been to Siduri's winery before, don't expect pristine vineyards or views of rolling hills. The winery's located in an industrial-style warehouse in the middle of Santa Rosa. When I arrived the air from the warehouse was filled with the rich pungent aroma of Pinot Noir fermentation.

A group of six of us sat around a table as Jeff poured the wines and shared information about growing conditions in various vintages, the stories behind the different single-vineyard Pinots, the vineyard composition of the regional blends. It was a highly informative - and highly delicious - experience. Jeff sure knows his stuff, and he was very generous in showing my friend and I so many wines. He also took us into the barrel room for a bunch of barrel tastings as well (but I didn't take notes on most of those).

Siduri remains one of my favorite Sonoma County producers. I love their Pinots, but I also love their aesthetic and overall approach. They do damn good work. Cheers!

These three whites from the Novy label showed quite well, and I'd be happy drinking any of them again.

• 2012 Novy Family Wines Four Mile Creek 88 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  Mix of lemon and orange peels on the nose, some green melon and sweet white flowers. Crisp but plump, with juicy white peach and green melon, mixed in with white flowers and some waxy notes. For a white blend that retails for around $14, this is impressive stuff. Mostly Viognier with some Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Novy Family Wines Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A burst of grapefruit, cantaloupe and pineapple on the nose. Tangy but creamy, with fleshy peach and green melon. I like the undertones of white pepper and herbs. Clean and fresh.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Novy Family Wines Chardonnay 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Aromas of ripe peach, hazelnuts and some vanilla. I love the way the fresh acid contrasts with the creamy body. Flavors of yellow apple, peach as well as nutty, vanilla and caramel notes. Some toast and richness, but this still comes across as a lean, elegant Chardonnay.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Siduri's specialty is Pinot Noir, and they do a damn good job with fruit from all over the state (and Oregon too). While the single-vineyard designated wines are the cream of the crop, I'm perpetually impressed by the quality of the $20-something regional blends.

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Sonoma County 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Cranberry, wild raspberries and rose petals on the nose. Tangy acid combines with fine tannins on this plushly textured Pinot. Juicy strawberry and cranberry flavors, underlined with some smoke, toasted oak and pepper. Fun, tasty, crowd-pleasing stuff to drink in the near term. A solid deal for $20.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 87 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Smells like tart red fruit (cranberries, wild strawberries). Soft and fresh on the palate, this Pinot takes a lighter approach with its red currant, earth, rhubarb and toast. Silky, easy-drinking stuff, but quite tasty.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Siduri Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains 87 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

  Bright cranberries and strawberries on the nose, some red licorice and pepper. Brisk on the palate, showing that tangy 2011 Willamette Valley approach, with crunchy red fruit. Lots of herbal tones, spice and pepper, perhaps a bit high on the acid. Seek this out if you're a fan of leaner-styled Pinots.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Siduri Pinot Noir Sonatera Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries, pepper, earth and even a hint of cannabis. Plush texture on the palate, with tangy acid and fine tannins. The pure red fruit is matched with earth, rhubarb and a hint of almond or chestnut. Really sexy stuff that seems ready to drink now.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Rich aromas of black cherry, dark plums, sweet roses and a liberal dose of charcoal and smoke. Bright acid, the tannins are firm. Seems like a young wine in need of a good decant or some cellar time. I love the mixed berry fruit, so rich and sexy, with notes of caramel, smoke and pepper. Holds itself together really well, and will no doubt improve with a few years of age. Siduri always does amazing work with Keefer Ranch, and in 2012 they really nailed it.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Such dense red and black fruit on the nose, and loads of secondary flavors: campfire smoke, eucalyptus, dried herbs. Bold but so well-structured, the balance of tannin and acid is superb, making this a velvety wine. Dark plums meet fresh strawberries, and add in some rich earth and mocha undertones. A big wine, but a beauty. This will be fun to watch over the next few years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Siduri Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Cherries and all sorts of red berries on the nose, along with root beer and a kick of pepper. Firm tannins, more weight than the Sonatera, this Pinot shows fleshy red plums and red currant fruit. Root beer, cola and roasted coffee notes are tossed in, and it works together really well. Another tasty Pinot from Siduri, although this one could benefit from aging.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Smells jammy, with darker fruit than the 2012s from Sonoma. I also pick up some cedar and rose aromas. Big and full on the palate, the dark plum fruit mixes together with some blueberry as well. Smoke and coffee on the finish. Despite the rich fruit, the wine maintains some tartness.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Siduri Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  All sorts of fruity aromas: bright red cherries, a little jammy, with plums and red currants. I like the acid on the palate, the medium tannins and the overall lighter approach. Flavors of tangy red cherries play off of mocha, cedar and even a hint of mineral. Another fresh and tasty 2011 from Siduri.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Pure and juicy cherry aromas, with an awesome combination of tobacco, toast and pepper. Juicy and plummy on the palate, with black cherry fruit. The soil, rhubarb, mocha and chestnut flavors add all sorts of complexity. Lovely stuff.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Siduri Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Soft cherries, plums, red flowers and a distinct red apple peel aroma. The acid provides freshness, the fine grain tannins give it some structure. Juicy red fruit, cherries, raspberries, McIntosh apple, underlined with mocha, earth tones and tobacco. Complex and inviting now, but will likely provide even more in a year or two.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Parsons' Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Barrel sample. So incredibly rich on the nose, all sorts of berries, spice, vanilla, but the wine clearly needs more time to show its full aromatic potential. Bold and rich yet balanced and inviting on the palate. A ton of complexity to the fruit and spice in this wine. I'd love to try this again once it's been bottled and had some time to settle down.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Novy Family Wines Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  After a slew of delicious Siduri Pinots, we tasted this white Pinot as a palate cleanser. I was really surprised by the quality and depth of this wine. Aromas of white flowers, orange peel, toasted bread, limestone and minerals. Seriously, it smells like still Champagne, and I love it. Searing acid on the palate, providing verve to the creamy peach and nectarine fruit. The mineral tang lasts long on the finish. So clean and bright, this would go great with salads and shellfish and it worked really well as a palate cleanser.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

We ended the evening with two of Novy's Syrahs, a grape which Siduri uses to make some exceedingly good wines. And, finally, a unique dessert Viognier.

• 2010 Novy Family Wines Syrah Napa Valley 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Dark purple color. Aromas of blackberries, smoke, mocha and spice rub. Grippy, mouthpuckering tannins, but some medium acid. The concentrated black cherry is blended with notes of vanilla, smoke, bacon fat and black pepper. Dense and age-worthy, and an easy decision at $20.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Novy Family Wines Syrah Sierra Mar Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Looks like squid ink. Dark and brooding on the nose, with blueberries, charcoal and pepper. Inky and full on the palate, the black fruit tastes pure and delicious. I dig the smoke and pepper (whole lotta pepper), and the notes of bacon fat and granite. This is really beautiful stuff that I'd love to taste again in a year from now.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Novy Family Wines Viognier Oley Late Harvest 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A great way to finish off the tasting. Smells like apricot, honeysuckle, sweet caramel and candle wax. On the palate, chunky pineapple and mango topped with honey and caramel. Delicious stuff, but I'd prefer a bit more acid.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue