Made from 100% Pinot with the Saignée method, fermented in old oak barrels. 80 cases produced. Light pink color. Lovely nose of strawberry short cake. The palate has vibrant acidity with a clean refreshing finish.

The Zio Tony vineyard from which this comes used to be an apple orchard. Fermented in 60% new oak. Perhaps it is coincidence but this does have a lovely aroma of apple pie. Also some baked pear and a touch of cinnamon. The palate is full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Finishes with citrus, some alcohol and a hint of oak.

Most of the grapes for this come from the Peterson Vineyard but a few come from the vineyard at the winery. This is a cool climate site and the grapes were picked at 23.5 brix. This wine has lovely aromas and flavors of black cherry and baking spices. Medium weight with a lush mouth feel and a touch of heat on the finish that I think would go away if served a few degrees cooler.

The nose offers up subtle aromas of dried leaves and hearth with a hint of red fruit. Bob mentioned this was very stinky early in its life but has since emerged to reveal an elegantly structured Pinot.

The Cohn vineyard was planted 34 years ago and is producing some excellent wine. It is also interesting to note that after having the land surveyed, Benovia found out the Cohn vineyard is actually not in the Russian River Valley so they label it as Sonoma County. Pretty aromas of light cherry and other fruits. Moderate structure with spice and medium weight. The most "burgundian" of the flight.

The fruit for this wine is sourced from the Manzana Vineyard and the Seven Mules Vineyard which is where the wine gets its name "Bella Una" which supposedly means "Beautiful Together" in Latin. Darker fruit profile with a lush rich mouth feel. Masculine and complex.

From a barrel sample. This wine was dark and a little funky with perhaps slight reduction. That said, it is absolutely gorgeous with ripe sweet fruit, bright acidity and a nice long finish. Impressive that it tastes so good at such an early stage. Will be bottled in 2009. This is one to keep an eye out for. 91+

From a barrel sample. A touch of vanilla on the nose. Firm tannic structure with some cherry fruit.

Zinfandel fruit from the Cohn vineyard. 5/10 of 1% residual sugar gives this wine a Port-like feel. Sweet blueberry fruit with vanilla. Smooth, rich, sweet, and oh so tasty.

Unlike the 2005 Benovia Zinfandel, this one is completely dry. Right now, it's tight and tannic, not giving up much. This will be a good one to drink with summer time BBQ.