Wine Road Podcast: Edd Lopez, Senior VP of Sales at Trattore Farms & Winery

Episode 216: Edd Lopez, Senior VP of Sales at Trattore Farms & Winery

Wine Road Podcast: Rob Barney, Owner & Founder of Stressed Vines Cellars

 

Episode 215: Rob Barney, Owner & Founder of Stressed Vines Cellars

Varietal of the Month: Pinot Noir

 

Pinot Noir is light bodied with moderate to high acidity and alcohol levels between 12-15% that makes it eminently pair worthy with a wide range of foods. A cool climate grape, Pinot Noir can be finicky and difficult to grow, but it is also expressive and reflective of the place where it’s grown. Here in Sonoma County, in the Russian River Valley and along the Sonoma Coast, we have some of world’s best vineyards and growing conditions for producing classic Pinot Noir of elegance and complexity.

 

Here are capsule reviews of Pinot Noir you may find along the Wine Road.

 

 

ACTA 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The ACTA 2021 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley is a blend from two Russian River Valley vineyards. Acta Non Verba means Deeds not Words, the producer’s commitment to doing everything with intention. And this first vintage of Pinot Noir was a revelation! It’s a dance of spice and red fruits with balanced tannins and great acidity On the nose, dark cherry, raspberry and pomegranate with a core of baking spice, vanilla, and a whiff of dried tobacco leaf. On the palate it’s bright and light, yet savory with notes of allspice, cranberry, and fleshy dark cherry. Full of texture and well balanced, it has long smooth finish with a hint of black plum and trace of clove.

 

ABV 14.5%

$75

 

 

Mill Creek 2020 Pinot Noir Swensrud Vineyard, Sonoma County

 

The Mill Creek 2020 Pinot Noir, Swensrud Vineyard, is truly satisfying. On the nose, a medley of dried strawberry, raspberry, clove, vanilla and earthy notes of mushroom and tobacco leaf. On the palate, a nice balance of fruit, acid and tannin with flavors of tart cherry, hibiscus, rose hips, anise, and a deep grounding note of ripe red plum. It’s balanced and elegant with a long earthy and spicy finish.

 

ABV 13.6%

$66

 

 

Orsi Family 2021 Pinot Noir Eastside Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley

 

The Orsi Family 2021 Pinot Noir, Eastside Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley is pale ruby in the glass with a slight blue tinge. On the nose hibiscus, spicy carnation, blueberry and cranberry. On the palate a carnival of delight both savory and bright with notes dried strawberry, spun sugar, blood orange and tart cherry. It’s like a tone poem, a veritable ode to Pinot Noir.

 

ABV 14.1%

$44

 

Papapietro Perry 2021 Pinot Noir, Nunes Vineyard, Russian River Valley

 

The Papapietro Perry 2021 Pinot Noir, Nunes Vineyard has all the earmarks of a classic Russian River Valley Pinot. The aromatic nose is composed of dusty rose petal, candied violet, vanilla, raspberry, black cherry and a dash of white pepper. It has great texture with initial notes of plum sauce, wild blueberry, blood orange, raspberry. The mid palate delivers earthy flavors of mushroom, sweet tobacco and baking spice. A long smooth finish is balanced with deep notes of blackberry, cranberry and spicy clove. Age worthy and will develop further complexity over time, but simply delicious right now as well.

 

ABV 13.1%

$66

 

 

Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Les Plus Haut, Russian River Valley

 

The Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Les Plus Haut has a hypnotic deep purple-blue hue in the glass. The soft aromatic nose has an array of notes including rose water, blueberry, black cherry, strawberry, leather, clove, vanilla, cigar and plum. It’s a heady rush to the olfactory senses. On the palate, a balanced and well-integrated interplay of acid and tannins deliver tart layered flavors of cherry, red raspberry, wild blueberry, smoky fig, rhubarb and a dusting of cocoa. Each sip brings a new facet to savor.

 

ABV 14.3%

$70

 

Viszlay Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

 

The Viszlay Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir is like a sleeping beauty that awakens upon the first sip. It’s alluring and pretty with scents of raspberry, clove, cherry cola, violet, mocha and bright strawberry. On the palate, it’s well balanced with medium acidity, smooth tannins and a delicate purple heart of dark fruits with plum, blackberry, wild blueberry, and fleshy black cherry. The long spicy finish has a wonderful savory note of thyme at the end.

 

ABV 12.9%

$65

 

 

Wine Road Podcast: Jack Florence, Rockpile

Episode 214: Jack Florence, Rockpile

Wine Road Podcast: Anthony Beckman, Winemaker at Balletto Winery

 Episode 213: Anthony Beckman, Winemaker at Balletto Winery

Wine Road Podcast: Cloverdale and Gyserville Itinerary UPDATE 2024

 

Episode 212: Cloverdale and Gyserville Itinerary UPDATE 2024

Varietal of the Month: Cabernet Franc

 

If Missy Elliot liked Cabernet Franc, maybe the lyrics to “Get Ur Freak On!” would have been “Get Ur Franc On!” But even without a staring role in a song, Cabernet Franc is having a moment, an ongoing moment that is. And it’s no surprise. Cabernet Franc is a great food friendly wine with medium body, moderate tannin and modest acidity. With great finesse and texture, it’s the softer side of Cabernet Sauvignon, to which Cab Franc is the parent grape.

 

Here are some capsule reviews of Cabernet Franc you may find along the Wine Road.

 

Amphora 2019 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Amphora 2019 Cabernet Franc from Dry Creek Valley is deep purple in the glass. On the nose, scents of dark plum and dried strawberry; dusty and earthy with notes of sage and black pepper. On the palate it’s juicy and smooth with flavors of mocha, raspberry and blackberry with a light minty finish. Tannins are soft and easy, like a favorite flannel shirt. Pair with a classic comfort food dish like lasagna.

 

ABV 14.0%

$58

 

 

The Meeker Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Meeker Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley is a deep, dark burgundy color in the glass. On the nose, it’s bright and showy with aromas of raspberry, dried strawberry, vanilla and plum. As it opens, lively scents of mint and sage come into play. It’s lighter in weight and mouthfeel than one might be expect given the ABV, but it’s a juicy delight with sunny acidity and taut tannins that support flavors of tart cherry, chili pepper and crushed rose petals.

 

ABV14.8%

$50

 

Mounts 2021 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Mounts 2021 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley is full of verve and energy with aromas of cherry, dried strawberry, vanilla, chaparral (sage and cedar) and mocha. Soft and lovely on the palate, it has both lift and depth with rich flavors of sweet tobacco, Aztec Chocolate, red plum, strawberry. Wonderful structure that will develop with age, but it’s simply delightful now.

 

ABV 14.8%

$55

 

Pedroncelli 2021 East Side Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Pedroncelli 2021 Cabernet Franc is a small lot wine, hand harvested from the sustainably farmed East Side vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. On the nose, licorice dried strawberry, raspberry jam and garrigue, a Mediterranean herb blend that includes rosemary, thyme, basil, sage, fennel, and mint. On the palate it’s plump with flavors of dark plum, dried strawberry, pink and black peppercorn, and licorice. Deep and savory with a bright spicy finish. A cozy wine for a cozy fireside evening.

 

ABV 14.9%

$36

 

 

Rockpile Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc Feather Ridge, Rockpile (DCV)

 

The Rockpile Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc, Feather Ridge in Dry Creek Valley, is supple and alive with flavor. On the nose, a beguiling scent of dried strawberry, sweet tobacco, dusty gravel and a trace of bell pepper. On the palate, strawberry, chaparral, jalapeño, and red pepper flake. The fine smooth tannins carry notes of red currant and tart cherry through to a bright finish.

 

ABV 14.5%

$80

 

Robert Young 2021 Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley

 

The Robert Young 2021 Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley, is a gorgeous deep garnet color in the glass. On the nose, it’s aromatic with scents of raspberry, strawberry, sweet briar, cocoa, and a faint note of fennel. On the palate, it opens with juicy blackberry, followed by notes of paprika, thyme, vanilla and mocha on the long finish. Lovely overall structure with medium acidity and soft knitted tannins make this an excellent choice for savory meat or pasta dishes.

 

ABV 14.4%

$69