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Wine tasting in Healdsburg

Tasted August 14, 2015 - August 15, 2015 by TashNYC with 513 views

Flight 1 - Seghesio Family Winery (6 notes)

$10 wine tasting fee. The homemade salami platter ($15) is not to be missed.

White
2014 Seghesio Family Vineyards Vermentino USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
89 points
Tasty, grass, light notes. $22 retail ($18 club). At winery
Red
2012 Seghesio Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Burnside Road USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Tasty wine. Notes of cherry, truffle, spice. $58 winery only ($46 club). Made in 2010 as well
Red
2012 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
87 points
Cherry, blueberry, touch of orange peel. Somewhat subdued. Maybe needs time. $40 winery only.
Red
2012 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Monte Rosso USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
91 points
Cherry, currant, spice, white pepper and earth. Drinking better than the other sins. $48 retail ($38 wine club). At winery only
Red
2012 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Rockpile USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
90 points
Cherry, currant and raspberry, with some spice and a touch of mineral. $38 retail at winery
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2007 Seghesio Family Vineyards Aglianico USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
88 points
Strong fruit, tannins. Maybe needs time and / or food. $38 retail ($30 wine club)

Flight 2 - Ridge winery (4 notes)

We got this tasting for free, with cards we picked up at Seghesio. So we did a 2nd tasting (and paid for it), too.

Red
2013 Ridge Carignane Buchignani Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County
88 points
Red fruit, pommegranete but a little simple. $28 retail
Red
2011 Ridge Mazzoni Home Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County
Tasty wine. Bright cherry, currant, floral, spice and good acidity. $32 retail winery only
Red
2013 Ridge Zinfandel East Bench USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
90 points
Tasty red fruit, pepper, needs time. $28 at winery
Red
2013 Ridge Zinfandel Hooker Creek USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
90 points
Tasty wine with lots of fruits (raspberry, boisenberry, currant) and some sweetness on the finish. Needs time. $32 retail

Flight 3 - Ridge 2 (4 notes)

$10 tasting fee / person.

There was an option for the Monte Bello 2012 for an extra $10, but we know the wine is tight and primary, so we passed on it.

White
2013 Ridge Chardonnay Estate USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
91 points
Tasty wine. Lovely Tropical fruits, not oaky. Served too warm at winery, but still good. $50 retail
Ridge makes 4 chardonnays. The Monte Bello is a barrel select of this.
Red
2013 Ridge Geyserville USA, California, Sonoma County
90 points
Tasty, bright fruits (raspberry, currant, baking spices) and some sweetness on the finish. Needs time.$38 retail
Red
2012 Ridge Lytton Springs USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
91 points
Red and black fruit, plum, spice, earth. Tastynow but needs time. $38 retail
Red
2012 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
90 points
Fruit, spice, needs time. $50 retail at winery
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)

Flight 4 - J Winery (6 notes)

$20 tasting fee / person. Kind of a rip-off for what it was. Kindly, they charged us for only 1 person, although we were two people tasting.

Rosé
2014 J Vineyards & Winery Vin Gris USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Juicy raspberry, strawberry, nectarine, apple and some mineral. Good acidity and refreshing. $20 retail at winery.
White
2012 J Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay Strata USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Tasty. Good, clean fruit, with orange, pear, lime, vanilla and a lot of creaminess. $38 retail at winery. 100% maloactic. Would be good with food.
Red
2013 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
89 points
Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, cloves and baking spices. $40 retail at winery. Needs time
Red
2013 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
92 points
Tasty wine. Dark fruit, cherry, plum, forest floor and mushrooms. Only 1,000 cases of wine bottled. $50 retail winery. Better with 1-2 years of bottle age
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. J Vineyards & Winery Brut Rosé USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
87 points
Strawberries, raspberries, apples, lemon curd, oranges. A little sweet on the finish - like all J wines. Jen likes the Gruet as well. $38 at winery. Drink now. Is 2/3 rds pinot noir
White - Sparkling
N.V. J Vineyards & Winery Cuvée XB USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Tasty. Super dry, apple, pear, limre, good acidity. The driest of the sparkling wines made there. $45 at winery. Extra pour on tasting

Flight 5 - Donatiello tasting Room (7 notes)

$10 tasting fee. Very pleasant tasting and learned a lot about the wine.

We especially loved the Peters Vineyard Chardonnay -- available only at the winery. (We didn't buy because we were still planning on doing only carry-on bags for the flight, and not checking bags).

(After the tasting, we bought some Donatiello pinots on-line).

White
2013 C. Donatiello Winery Chardonnay Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Tasty fruit with good finesse on the finish. $28 winery, $20 elsewhere.
White
2012 C. Donatiello Winery Chardonnay Peters Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Very tasty chardonnay. Good apple, pear, honeysuckle, mineral and open. $34 at winery. Jen really liked
Red
2012 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
87 points
Lots of earth and forest floor with some fruit (cherry, plum) and herbs, but not as fruity as, say, the J Winery Sonoma. Perhaps better with food. $40 at winery. 650 cases
Red
2012 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Cherry, cranberry and pommegranette with some spice and cloves on the finish. Good now, probably better with a little bottle age. $45 retail at winery. 1,300 cases
Red
2012 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir Riddle Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
88 points
Raspberry, cherry, herbs, a little earth. Needs time. $68 retail at winery. Young vines, planted 2007
Red
2013 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir Bucher USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Smoke, lead pencil and some cherry fruit, but subdued. Low acid. Drinks ok now but could use some time. About $55 retail at winery
Red
2012 C. Donatiello Winery Pinot Noir Hervey Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
92 points
Tasty wine. Good raspberry, cherry and pomegranate notes. Grown on the special Goldridge soil (from a sea 5 million years ago). $68 retail. Drink now or hold

Flight 6 - Roadhouse winery (7 notes)

$10 tasting fee. We got some 2-for-1 tasting cards at Seghesio, so it was $5 / person.
We met the Winemaker at the tasting room, too.

Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Platinum Label USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands
87 points
Pale color, strawberry, raspberry, pencil shavings. $79 retail winery. Sf chronicle double gold winner
Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Green Label USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
90 points
Darker color. Cherry, plum, tea, vanilla. $59 retail. Sangiacomo vineyard
Red
2013 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Black Label USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
89 points
Tasty. Cherry, berry, tannins. Nunenez vineyard. Brand new, needs time
Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Martini Clone USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Strawberry, cherry, tannins. $49 retail (2 for $40). Now sold out
Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Pinot Noir Yellow Label USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Intoxicating nose of chocolate and red fruit. Notes of currant, cherry, plum, cinnamon. $46 / bottle, $99 magnum. Drink now or hold
Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
89 points
Tasty red fruit. Hard to judge in pinot noir glasses. $34 / bottle or 3 for $75.
Red
2012 Roadhouse Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Red Label USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
91 points
Dark berry, graphite, stones, herbs and tannins. $69 at winery (discounted from $99)

Flight 7 - Macrostie (8 notes)

The winery was brand new (finished Feb 2015) and had breath-taking views of the surrounding area.

Very civilized tasting, with a seating area, multiple glasses, water and breadsticks to clear our palette. (We wanted to have a picnic there, but they didn't have the right license for it).

$15 tasting fee. We got a free upgrade to the Single Vineyard tasting, via a card we picked up at Seghesio.

White
2013 MacRostie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
90 points
Crisp, delicious, pears and apple fruit. Welcome to winery visit
White
2012 MacRostie Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
92 points
Tasty. Notes of lemon, peaches and orange. $44 retail. Jen loved
White
2012 MacRostie Chardonnay Dutton Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Butter, orange, lemon and citrus. $44 retail. Jen wasn't as much of a fan of this vineyard
White
2013 MacRostie Chardonnay Wildcat Mountain Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
91 points
Tasty wine. Apple, pear, lemon, saline, tart and with good acidity. Maybe a little less fruit than the other single vineyard wines. Jen liked. $38 retail
Red
2012 MacRostie Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
89 points
Cherry, currant, pommegrante. Tart and needs time. $42 retail
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2011 MacRostie Pinot Noir Twin Hill Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Red fruits, currant, pomegrantet, warmer and smoother. Much better than rrv. $58
Red
2010 MacRostie Pinot Noir Wildcat Mountain Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
90 points
Smokey taste, not as much fruit, forest floor. Can taste the fires that year. Was cold for most of the growing season, so they dropped the canopy and then 100 degree weather.
Red
2012 MacRostie Pinot Noir Goldrock Ridge USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
90 points
Cherry, raspberry, vanilla. A little tart: needs time. $54 retail

Flight 8 - Rochiolo Tasting (4 notes)

$10 tasting fee, completely refundable against a purchase of 1 bottle of wine.

We bought 2 bottles of the Sauvignon Blanc (for net $18 / bottle), which was completely delicious and an amazing buy, too. (The SB is $40 retail on the East Coast these days].
We were so in love with the Sauvignon Blanc that we decided to check bags on our flight home to NJ, so we could buy some and bring it home! (And that is a compliment).

We also had a lovely picnic on the outdoor patio, amid the flowers and hummingbirds, before tasting. Recommended.

White
2013 J. Rochioli Chardonnay Estate Reserve USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
90 points
Apple, pear, apricot and vanilla. Subtle oak. Crisp with very good acidity. $42 retail. 100% maloactic
White
2014 J. Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
92 points
Very tasty wine. Lemon, tropical fruits, white peach, herbs, thyme. $28 retail. We both loved this wine
Rosé
2014 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Rosé USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
87 points
Tasty wine. Strawberries and red berry. Not outstanding. $28 retail
Red
2013 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
91 points
Cherry, vanilla, flowers, perfume and some tannins. Drink now or hold for a few years. $56 retail at winery

Flight 9 - Dry Creek Vineyards (6 notes)

We visited this winery because we had tasted the dry Chenin Blanc at Cafe Lucia on Thursday night (by the glass) and it was delicious, because it was a family wine and since we were attending a wedding in the same appellation.
Unfortunately, while the Chenin Blanc was tasty, the rest of these wines were either mediocre or dreadful.

$10 tasting fee, refundable against a bottle of wine purchase. We bought 2 of the Dry Chenin Blanc 2014 (net $2 / bottle after tasting fee)

I've had some good wines from Dry Creek Vineyard -- but this tasting wasn't one of those experiences.
That was ok in the end, as it was our last tasting before the wedding, as we were rushed, anyway.

White
2014 Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc Dry Dry Creek Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
89 points
Quick complimentary splash at winery: pear, acidity, tasty. $12 retail at winery. One of their better low-end wines.
White
2014 Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County
85 points
Cut grass. Tart. $14 retail
Red
2013 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
88 points
Tasty dark fruit. $32 retail at winery
Red
2012 Dry Creek Vineyard Merlot Dry Creek Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
87 points
Dark fruit but tannic. $25 retail
Red
2012 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
86 points
Dark fruit but really tannic. $25 retail at winery
Red
2011 Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
87 points
Smoother but not complex, with red fruit. $30 retail at winery.

Closing

It was a great 2 days tasting wine in California!

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