Pinot Noir: Varietal of the Month

 

Pinot Noir is synonymous with Sonoma County as one of the flagship wines of the Russian River Valley region. Light bodied with moderate to high acidity gives Pinot Noir a structure 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 most 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.

Baldassari 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

On the nose the 2019 Baldassari Pinot Noir presents a bouquet of strawberry, clove and pomegranate and a hint of flint. A nice balance of fruit, acid and tannin with a plush mouth feel delivers tart cherry, hibiscus, rose hips and deep grounding notes of tobacco. It’s juicy and zingy and full of flavor with a long taut finish. Enjoyable now, but for those that can wait, a few years of bottle age will make it sing. Pair with pulled pork sliders.

ABV 14.1%
$52

Dutton Estate 2018 La Familia Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Deep garnet in color the 2018 Dutton Estate La Familia Pinot Noir opens with a beautiful nose of cranberry, plum, warm spun sugar, black cherry and a touch of white pepper. Well balanced with silky unobtrusive tannins that glide across the palate with lush notes of cocoa, red plums, pomegranate and wild blueberry. Great acidity and a long spicy finish with a pleasant hit of mint at the end. Pair with something classic such as a Liberty Duck confit with a cherry glaze.

ABV 14.4%
$72

Ektimo 2017 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

The Ektimo 2017 Pinot Noir is perfumed with crushed rose petals and violets and a heavenly scent of wild strawberry. Bright and fruity with good acidity featuring primary notes of ripe cherry, plum sauce, and spicy carnation along with savory notes of fig and cocoa that linger on the finish. Great balance and structure make this a sure bet for cellaring, but who wants to wait? Enjoy now with a baked Brie or warm goat cheese salad alongside a rotisserie chicken.

ABV 13.5%
$38

Furthermore 2017 Gaps Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap

The deep garnet color of the 2017 Furthermore Pinot Noir, from Gaps Crown in the Petaluma Gap AVA, portends what’s to come. On the nose you’ll find earthy scents of mushroom and tobacco, with notes of cocoa and ripe Bing cherry. Bright fruit flavors sashay across the palate with juicy red raspberry, black plum and tart pomegranate. The spicy finish offers notes of clove, baking spice and candied ginger that is savory and long lasting. Pair with mac and cheese for a high/low combination that is both elegant and satisfying.

ABV 14.7%
$60

Russian River Vineyards 2017 Horseridge Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

There used to be an airline slogan “Something special in the air…” and that’s what came to mind as I inhaled the complex scents of this Russian River Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir. It was an aromatic rush to the senses of strawberry, leather, clove, vanilla, cigar and plum. 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. Pair with a fine cigar or something decadent like black truffle risotto.

ABV 14.5%
$90 (Library Wine)

Trione 2017 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

On the nose, the 2017 Trione Pinot Noir has scents of sweet briar, cherry, cranberry, clove, mushroom and plum sauce. Soft silky tannins provide a seamless backdrop to the juicy flavors of strawberry, pomegranate and a wonderful note of bacon fat. The long spicy finish has a touch of rose hips and raspberry. There’s a lot going on here but it all comes together in perfect harmony. Great to drink now and I suspect it will be rewarding well into the future too. Pair with bacon wrapped Scallops or cedar plank salmon.

ABV 14.6%
$44

Wine Road Podcast-- Elizabeth Miller, Hospitality Manager for Dutton Estate Winery

 

We sip on some Dutton Estate Chardonnay and chat with Elizabeth Miller about what’s new and happening at Dutton Estate in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Plus the book of the day --Wine: A Tasting Course from Grape to Glass by Marnie Old, and a Fast Five recipe, Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn from West Wines.

Wine Road Podcast-- Robert V. Camuto, Author, Wine Journalist, Contributing Editor for Wine Spectator

 

We go all Italian on this episode with Robert V. Camuto, author of South of Somewhere: Wine, Food, and The Soul of Italy, plus our with the Wine of the Day--Orsi Family Biancolella d’Ischia, and the Fast Five Recipe--Negroncelli cocktail from Pedroncelli Winery.

 

Wine Road Podcast-- Craig Colagrossi, Owner & Winemaker Colagrossi Wines

We chat with Craig about his wine program focusing on Italian varietals and what’s new and upcoming at Colagrossi Wines on Artisan Alley in Windsor. Plus our Fast Five recipe from Jesse Malvesti of David Coffaro Wines.

Zinfandel: Varietal of the Month

 

Zinfandel is know as the All American grape and has been grown in California since the 1800’s. Yet the grapes true roots are in Croatia where it’s known as Tribidrag. In Italy Zinfandel is called Primitivo. Although the majority of California producers label their wine as Zinfandel, you may see a few Tribidrag’s and Primitiov’s too. Zinfandel is a medium-bodied dry red wine with a range of dark fruit flavors that include raspberry, blueberry, red and black cherry, and plum. Notes of tobacco, brambles, hickory and spice are common as well. Medium tannins make it a versatile food pairing wine, with flavors ranging from juicy and jammy, to lean and elegant depending on climate.

Here are capsule reviews of Zinfandel’s you may find along the Wine Road. 

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Acorn 2018 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 

The Acorn 2018 Heritage Vines Zinfandel is a field blend of 78% Zinfandel, 11% Alicante Bouschet and 9% Petite Sirah fermented with eight other varieties including Carignane, Trousseau, Sangiovese, Petit Bouschet, Negrette, Syrah, Black Muscat, Cinsaut, and Grenache which comprise the final 2% of the blend. On the nose a rush of mocha and peppercorn rise up from the glass with a prominent note of rooibos. Generous body with bright initial notes of blueberry and menthol is balanced with deep lush flavors of blackberry and mocha. Lovely balance of tannin and fruit with long gentle finish that rings with spice. But do those eight other varieties that make up the 2% of the blend matter? I say yes! It brings a certain something, a je ne sais quoi, not easy to define, but ultimately delicious. 
ABV14.7%
$50

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Carol Shelton Wines 2019 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County

The OG* Zinfandel—Carol Shelton’s 2019 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel is a love note to the grape and an astounding value to boot. On the nose you’ll find notes of plum sauce, and sweet briar with touch of cedar. As the wine opens there is a wonderful layer of bacon fat and mocha too. Wild Thing is zippy and alive with juicy flavors of raspberry, clove, fennel, and blackberry crumble.  The long round finish walks a savory tightrope of texture between creamy and bright. Pair with Moo Shu Pork for a savory call-and-response interplay of flavors. NOTE: *OG =Original Gangster, slang for someone/something incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.” 
ABV 14.5%
$20 

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Ehret 2020 Zinfandel, Knights Valley

In the glass the 2020 Ehret Zinfandel is deep dark purple with a pinkish rim. Juicy with an intense with black fruits and a savory quality of smoked meat and bacon fat too! Spiky tannins hit all the pleasure points with a peppy sour cherry finish. A lot of oomph going on in this 2020 youngster and I find it reminiscent of Primitivo, the doppelgänger of Zinfandel in Italy. Expect this to age and blossom with elegance, yet it’s eminently quaffable right now. Pair with spicy food and your most finicky guests, as this will surely gain their attention and respect. 
ABV 15.5%
$ N

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Pedroncelli 2019 Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

The Pedroncelli family has been producing wine for close to a century and the 2019 Zinfandel from Bushnell Vineyard is a great example of their decades of experience. On the nose toasty nutmeg and clove intermingle with lush aromas of black and blueberry crumble and an intriguing note of butterscotch. Full bodied and rich with primary flavors of cola and spicy strawberry preserves. The bright and bouncy acidity delivers a ribbon of red fruits and raspberry fizz that merges seamlessly into a creamy long elegant finish with taut tannins. Pair with a classic sausage pizza.
ABV 16%
$30

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Peterson 2017 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley  

The 2017 Peterson Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley is a blend of 82% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane, and 5% Grenache. On the nose a heady bouquet of garrigue – aka a veritable potpourri of juniper, thyme, rosemary and sage, with a fresh minty-herbal top note. Lush and delectable, it has deep flavors of tobacco, dark plum and earthy brambles, with secondary notes of cherry and rhubarb that are both bright and savory. It’s a shape-shifting marvel of fruit, acid, and tannin. Pair with something tangy and saucy like barbecue ribs or try a savory slow roasted pork shoulder. 
ABV 15.5%
$26

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Seghesio 2019 Zinfandel Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley

The 2019 Seghesio Zinfandel hails from the storied Todd Brothers Ranch in Alexander Valley. On the nose sweet briar and graphite mix with blackberry jam and a touch of vanilla. Very soft and plush mouth feel with concentrated flavors of mocha, black cherry, and all spice with a dash of smoked hickory wood. Great texture and body. Taut long tannins balance the rich black fruit flavors with notes of leather and sweet tobacco. Pair with rich mushroom risotto or hearty lasagna. 
ABV 15.6%
$50

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Taddei Wines 2018 Zinfandel Ionnatti Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley 

Deep dark and alluring in the glass the Taddei 2018 Zinfandel from Ionnatti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is both engaging and enigmatic. The nose is a riddle of sassafras, cinnamon, black plum, tobacco and sweet briar. Lots going on here with a yin and yang of plush sweet notes and tart bright flavors that slowly build to a power punch of strawberry jam over crushed gravel, dotted with white pepper and clove. Tannins so long they extend into the next week! Pair with a suitcase packed for adventure because this wine will take you somewhere unexpected. 
ABV 15.2%
$55 

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Trione 2016 Zinfandel Flatridge Ranch

On the nose, the 2016 Trione Zinfandel has deep earthy aromas of sage, blackberry preserves and nutmeg. On the palate it has plush juicy flavors of plum and olallieberry, followed by bright notes of raspberry and rhubarb. Soft and balanced tannins deliver a long spicy finish of tart red cherry, pink peppercorn and a touch of thyme. Pair with spicy beef empanadas or slow roasted barbecue short ribs. 
ABV 15.5%
$37

Wine Road Podcast--Chef Kristina Daya, Owner of Mazza Catering

 

Kristina Daya, owner of Mazza catering tells us how she got started, the services Mazza catering provides and her philosophy of food—making a celebration out of gathering and being present in the moment.

Wine Road Podcast-- Denise Gill – Tasting Room Manager from Alexander Valley Vineyards

 Denise Gill, Wine Judge and Tasting Room Manager at Alexander Valley Vineyards chats with Beth and Marcy about what’s going on at the winery, how she got into the wine business and how she became a wine judge. Our Fast Five recipe is from Zina Bower of Woodenhead Wines. And our wine of the day is Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.