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Chardonnay “Sonoma County” 09
After four successive vintages with this wine, we are finally achieving what we set out to do. Omitting fruit sources that haven’t performed and refining those that have, has left us with what may be the most “complete” So-Co to date. The 2009 is a blend of Stuhlmuller Vineyard (Alexander Valley), Mazzera Vineyard (Dry Creek), Ricci Vineyard (Carneros), and Valentine Vineyard (Mendocino). The wine features a core of citrus (mostly lemons) and chalky minerality. Adding complexity are notes of orchard fruit and miso paste. This is drier and taughter wine that was the 2008.
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Price: $20.00
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Chardonnay "Carneros" 09
The 08 Chardonnay Carneros sold-out in just six months. In 09, we doubled our tonnage with grower Dale Ricci and determined ourselves to make an even better wine. Mother Nature complied, giving us a long, cool growing season and the first abundant crop since 2005. We picked the fruit earlier than last year (and well before most in the region) to accentuate that brisk Carneros acidity. What results is a wine that outshines its appellation. Gone is the tropical fruit character of 2008. The 09 shows an urgent minerality. It has intense lemon-lime notes, and a mouthwatering savory note likened only to dried herbs.
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Price: $30.00
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Chardonnay “Charles Heintz” 08
With four vintages behind us at Heintz, we are beginning to understand (and better interpret) the potential of this magic site. The 08 was picked even earlier than the 07 and benefits from lower alcohol and higher acidity. It somehow achieves this svelte profile without compromising the sappy Heintz fruit. The hallmark traits of the vineyard are broadcast loud and clear--the orange blossoms, the profound clay minerality, the burnt sugar--and all of it kissed by a cooling saline quality that begs for scallops, crab, and seabass. *91 points TANZER*
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Price: $45.00
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Chardonnay “Charles Heintz” 07
The 07 Heintz is a distant relative of the 06. It was born of a classic Sonoma Coast vintage: dry, cool, and consistent. Where the 06 was heavy on amplitude, this 07 is diamond cut. It hints at the exotica, but is held taught by ripe, cleansing acidity. Like a kernel of sun, enveloped by a cold mountain stream. Prepare for a bouquet of orange blossoms, kettle corn, and wet sand. The flavors include lemon oil, jasmine, and a chalky minerality. Needs time to reveal its true potential. *LOW* *94 points Wine & Spirits*
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Price: $45.00
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Chardonnay “Charles Heintz” Late Harvest (.375 ml) 06
This is a wine for hedonists. It boasts exotica usually reserved for forbidden Asian kingdoms—jasmine flowers, candied ginger, and mandarin peel. One swirl of the glass reveals other layers too---apple skin, freshly crushed cinnamon sticks, and a beguiling mineral character. The wine’s flavors are delivered with a surprising amount restraint. The warm lemon honey, baked apples, and toasted nuts coat your palate with limpid style. *LOW*
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Price: $30.00
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Chardonnay “Demuth” 08
Perhaps our finest discovery in 2007 was this wind-swept, mountaintop vineyard above the town of Boonville. Stressed and growing in impossibly rocky soil, these 30-year old Wente Chardonnay vines seemed just the sort to produce compelling chardonnay. The 07 was a real hit with our sommelier friends, and it quickly sold out. The 2008, from another drought year, has less density but more clarity than the 07. The wine shows hard candy notes (lemon drops), limeleaf, and a penetrating minerality. With some air (or bottle age) look for green melon and honeysuckle notes to emerge. *91 points TANZER*
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Price: $35.00
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Chardonnay “Demuth” 07
A wine our sommelier friends seem to buy without fail. It is also for those who are not shocked by the thought of chewing on stones. Incredibly compelling plant material here: stressed out, old-vine Wente clone chardonnay on original rootstock growing out of very rocky mountainous soil. The wine smells of pressed white flowers, citrus oil and rock dust. The attack finds poached pears, orange sherbet, and minerals galore. A low-alcohol, age-worthy wine. *LOW*
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Price: $35.00
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Chardonnay “Durell” 07
From what is considered THE sweet-spot of the Sonoma Valley for growing Chardonnay. Vineyard Manager Steve Hill is a living legend. He has a special relationship with his vines, the result of 30-years of stewardship. This combination of intuitive farming, impossibly cobble-y soil, and marginal marine climate often makes for profound Chardonnay. *LIMITED* *91 points TANZER: “Utterly singular, exotic chardonnay…with endless food possibilities.”*
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Price: $45.00
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Chardonnay "Michaud" 07
Kevin O’Connor says this wine reminds him of “licking a rock.” Tanzer says “it’s wild ride from citrus to pit fruit and orange marmalade on the palate, with dusty minerals adding grip.” Our sommelier friends compare it to Chablis. What do we like about the wine? That it has a distinct identity tied to the place it grows. When chardonnay grows in these Chalone limestone soils, exciting things happen. Crab season is upon us. Crack and swirl! *LOW* *93 points TANZER*
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Price: $45.00
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Rose of Pinot Noir 09
We were surprised by how quickly this wine sold out last year. Guess you all liked the idea of getting a slimmed-down Pinot Noir—one that you can leave in the ice bucket all afternoon—for fourteen bucks. This wine is a saignee, or bleed from our soon-to-be released 09 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. It was fermented in stainless steel using a native yeast. Aromas of sour red cherries, watermelon rind, and quince spin out of the glass. Tastes like rhubarb, wild strawberries, and blood oranges. Enjoy with a bowl of summer Gazpacho and ample sunshine. Just 115 cases.
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Price: $14.00
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Indica Rose 09
We call this one our "freaky-deaky rose." It's not Vin Gris, or Provincial, or Oeil de Derdrix. It's pretty much just freaky-deaky. Darker than rose, but not quite red. Unfiltered, unsulfured, and about as natural as wine gets. It reminds us of tasting from barrel when the just-fermented wine is exuberantly fresh and rosy. Someone said it smells like a raspberry wine. We've never had one of those, but my wife's from North Carolina, so we'll ask her about it. Come to think of it, my wife is quite fond of this wine. And if you're into David Lynch or Lady Gaga, you'll probably like this wine too.
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Price: $14.00
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Indica 08
Our 2008 indica is a blend of old-vine Carignan and Petite Sirah from Alvin Tollini's vintage, plus a nice dollop of gnarly old Mourvedre from a neighboring appellation (Suisun Valley). The resultant wine is black-fruited, spicy, and way more Bauhaus (in a Peter Murphy kind-of-way) than the shrill 07 indica. Reminds us quite a bit of the 06. This wines again takes us to France, but to a slightly warmer part like the Roussillon. Grill up some lamb burgers, twist a cap, and enjoy life.
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Price: $20.00
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Indica 07
The 07 Indica has less tannin and more satin. The additions of some cold-climate Grenache and Mourvedre produced unexpected high tones in the wine. Now the entire orchestra is playing. Bouquet of morello cherries, red plums, and rhubarb, accented with hints of baking spice. Tastes of sour cherries, dried blueberries, and something wonderfully herbaceous. The wine will transport you to southern France. And the 07 is rocking a screw cap! Twist and bliss. *LOW* *90 points TANZER*
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Price: $20.00
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Pinot Noir "Sonoma Coast" 08
When harvesting Pinot Noir from cooler climes—places where fog and wind and shade are common during the summer months—you can riff off the variety’s inherent delicacy. You trade cooked, sweet black fruit for fresh, sour red fruit. You get a wine with transparency—a versatile drink that begs for lighter fare like grilled salmon or roasted chicken. The 08 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast leads with a mouthwatering blend of red cherry and rhubarb notes, but it’s intrigue comes from the dried orange peel, tea, and spice notes. *90 points TANZER*
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Price: $35.00
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Pinot Noir "Klindt" 07
Bob and Claudia’s vineyard sits in a “marginal area” bordering Roederer’s sparkling wine vineyards. This fact gives some insight into just how cool their microclimate is. All of this coolness translates to longer hang times for the fruit. And that means more complexity. This wine is concentrated without being heavy. There are the signature flavors/aromas of the Anderson Valley which we love: red raspberries & rose petals. Needs time or a serious decanting. *LOW* *92 points TANZER* *8 cases remaining*
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Price: $45.00
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Pinot Noir "Michaud" 07
A reasonable parent would never admit to a favorite child. But who can be reasonable when presented with such utter brilliance? Tasting the wine from barrel, super-star sommelier Jason Alexander called it Ambroise Corton Grand Cru. Many esteemed colleagues, upon tasting the wine last summer at Oregon’s International Pinot Noir Celebration, used the word “revelation.” Tanzer’s words: “potent, exotic, mineral-driven.” Extremely cellar-worthy. *LOW* *93 points TANZER* *10 cases remaining*
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Price: $48.00
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Pinot Noir "Hennis" 07
A little gem of a vineyard tucked away the Green Valley portion of the Russian River Valley--the known repository for the cold, ocean-born fog that creeps up river. 2007 was the "Virgin Vintage" at Henni's, or the first year fruit was harvested from these vines. It is believed that a vineyard's truest expression of place is revealed in the inaugural year. Prepare for pomegranate, sour red cherries, and something haunting best described as “sea-shore decay.” Only a scant 41 cases produced. *LOW* (FOR PURCHASE VIA WEBSITE ONLY) *92 points TANZER*
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Price: $45.00
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