When a good friend moved back to California, we decided to head up to Sonoma and Napa to celebrate. We built a strong list of wineries to visit and met up with old friends during the trip. We visited Sonoma for two days, and Napa for another two. I split the trip into two blogs. One for Sonoma and one for Napa. It was an awesome trip. We had an amazing time and drank superb wine.
Friday (Central Valley)
Road Music: Sparklehorse - Good Morning Spider
CRU Wine Company ($10 tasting, wines $20-$35)
Carmichael '10 'Blanco Fresco' Albariño, '09 'Vineyard Montage' Chardonnay, '09 Chardonnay - Sierra Madre Vineyard, '08 'Vineyard Montage' Pinot Noir, '08 'Appellation Series' Pinot Noir - Sierra Madre Vineyard, Carmichael '08 "Rojo del Rey' Tempranillo, Carmichael '07 'Satisfaction' Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the Central Valley on Highway 99, we saw a billboard for CRU. Considering we were on our way up to Sonoma for a wine trip, we thought it would be appropriate to give this place a try. Nothing gained, nothing lost. CRU's Madera location is a mid-way point for their two wine growing areas - to the west the Central Coast, which is where their CRU labeled wines come from - and to the east the Sierra Foothills for their lower priced Yosemite Views wines. The people were nice in the tasting room. We were given a long and varied tasting, but the wine was inoffensive at best. The Albariño had the best flavor. I've had ton wines that taste better for a fraction of their prices. We "checked in" on Yelp so that we didn't have to pay the tasting fee - if you can do the same, why not stop here if you have free time and are are curious? Otherwise, keep driving.
Experience: C / Wine: D
Saturday (Dry Creek)
B.R. Cohn Winery ($10 tasting?, wines $24-$100)
'09 Chardonnay - Sonoma County, '09 Reserve Chardonnay, '09 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley, '08 Zinfandel - Sonoma Valley, '08 Zinfandel - Olive Hill Estate, '07 Cabernet Sauvignon - Olive Hill Estate, '07 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon - Olive Hill Estate.
Fun fact: the owner of B.R. Cohn - Bruce Cohn is the manager of the Doobie Brothers. We were given a choice of four tastings from a long list. I wasn't wild about the wine that I tried. Most of the wine came off a bit simple, good flavors but not balanced. The exceptions were the Pinot and the Cab. The grounds and building were attractive with a cool funky vibe.
Experience: B- / Wines: C+
Imagery Estate Winery (Member's tasting, $29-$42)
'09 White Burgundy, '09 Sangiovese, '08 Petit Sirah, '08 Langrien, '08 Cabernet Franc - Dry Creek, '10 Cabernet Franc (barrel tasting), '07 Barbera.
Imagery is a unique place to visit. Great art, nice architecture, extremely friendly staff - especially Pat in the member's room. Imagery's wines fell somewhere between good to pretty good for me. The White Burgundy was my favorite.
Experience: A- / Wines: B-
Benzinger Family Winery (Member's reserve tasting, wines $24-$80)
'10 'Signaterra' Sauvignon Blanc - Shone Farm, '09 'Signaterra' Chardonnay - Carneros, '09 'De Coelo' Pinot Noir - Terra Neuma, '06 'Oonapais' Bordeaux - Sonoma Mountain, '07 'Three Blocks' Bordeaux Blend - Sonoma Valley, '07 'Obsidian Point' Estate Blend - Sonoma Mountain, '07 'Tribute' Bordeaux Blend - Sonoma Mountain, '08 Tribute' Bordeaux Blend, '10 Muscat Canelli - Lake County.
A hilly, meandering complex with lush garden trails and tram tours dashing about. The tasting room was packed, and there was a chaotic atmosphere. Thankfully our friends were members so we had access to a member's counter. Our attendant - Alyssa - was fun and knowledgeable. Five of the wines that we tasted were excellent - Sauv, Pinot, Obsidian Point, and both Tributes. Also much respect to Benzinger for having wines that are organic/biodynamic.
Experience: B / Wines: A-
Ledson Winery & Vineyards (Member's private tasting, wines $26-$86)
'09 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc, '08 Carneros Chardonnay, '09 Russian River Pinot Noir, '07 Mes Trois Amours (Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre), '07 Sonoma Valley 'Ancient Vine' Zinfandel, '07 Sonoma Valley Estate Merlot, '07 Sonoma County Cepage (Cab/Cab Franc/Petit Verdot/Merlot), '07 Sonoma Valley Syrah, '08 Knights Valley Sangiovese, '07 Knights Valley Bellisimo (Cab/Merlot), '06 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, '06 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.
Our Ledson experience was sheer opulence. The grounds of the winery are incredible. The castle is hulking and ornate at the same time. Our friends coordinated a private balcony tasting that overlooked the garden. The staff person that took care of us - Guy - was awesome. Well versed in the wine, down to earth and hilarious. All of the wines had solid and classy characteristics. The Bellisimo and the Cab Reserve were fantastic.
Experience: A- / Wines: A-
Sunday (Russian River Valley)
Road Music: Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Ridge Vineyard - Lytton Springs ($10 tasting, wines $32-$40)
'09 Jimsomare Chardonnay, '07 Lytton Springs 'Z-List', '08 Geyserville 'Z-List', '08 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
You certainly cannot hate tasting wine on a patio overlooking an expansive vineyard on a calm Sunday morning. Ridge has a great setup. Comfy couches and chairs that allows you to relax, enjoy good company and to take in the day. Ridge is one of the original Zin makers in Sonoma - so I had high hopes. All of the wines fell slightly below my expectations. The Lytton Springs Zin was very meek, the Geyserville was a bit more peppy. One our way out we struck up a conversation with a staff person - Alice - who was really nice and helpful.
Experience: B / Wines: B-
Unti Vineyards (no tasting fee, wines $16-$35)
'10 Rosé - Sonoma County, '10 Cuvee Blanc - Estate, '08 Grenache -Estate, '08 Zinfandel - Estate, '07 Syrah - Estate, '07 Syrah Benchland - Estate, '08 Montepulciano - Estate, '09 'Green House' Zinfandel.
We had absolutely no intention of visiting Unti. As we drove by, my friend pulled into the parking lot, thinking that Unti was another winery that she really wanted to check out. Even though she realized she was mistaken we decided to go in anyway. We did not call ahead for an appointment, but they agreed to see us just the same. Thank god for serendipity. All of the wines were superb. Great, complex flavors that were very approachable and extremely well-priced. Kristen was an awesome staff person - very clear and friendly. The space was awesomely low key. Unti was our favorite of the whole trip.
Experience: A / Wines: A
Truett Hurst (complementary tasting, wines $20-$33)
'10 Swallowtail Chardonnay, '09 Rattler Rock Zinfandel, '09 Red Rooster Zinfandel, '08 Burning Man Petite Sirah, '09 Red Field Blend (Syrah/Zin/Primotivo), NV Dessert Wine.
Truett Hurst is a very customer friendly place. The whole vibe is welcoming and mellow. We were given some barbeque, there was live music, a beautiful garden, and without a doubt the best picnic spot at a winery that I've ever seen. Adirondack chairs facing a slow moving creek, canopied by oaks. An awesome spot to enjoy the afternoon. Amy was our pourer - she was extremely friendly and fun. The wines weren't all that great. Booming, big flavor but not enough complexity and lots of heat.
Experience: A- / Wine: C+
Papapietro Perry Winery ($10 tasting, wines $28-$54)
'08 Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast, '08 Pinot Noir - Charles Vineyard/Anderson Valley, '08 Pinot Noir - Peters Vineyard/Russian River Valley, '08 Pinot Noir - Leras Family Vineyards/Russian River Valley, '08 Pinot Noir - Elsbree Vineyard/Russian River Valley, '08 Zinfandel - Elsbree Vineyard/Russian River Valley.
We did not feel a connection with this place. The wine was okay, but were priced too high. None of the wine was very well structured. There were good flavors, but often they all felt clumped together. The staff person that waited on us was not knowledgeable. Another negative to this place was the super-schlocky t-shirts that they were selling.
Experience: C- / Wines: C
Michel-Schlumberger Wines ($10 tasting, wines $24-$50)
'10 La Bise Pinot Blanc, '07 Le Sage Merlot, '07 'Humanitas' Malbec, '91 Cabernet Sauvignon, '08 La Source Syrah, '07 'Humanitas' Pinot Noir, '08 Cabernet Franc.
I had read really good things about Michel-Schlumberger from the website Wine for Normal People. A serene setting removed from the main drag - perfect for an afternoon visit. We sat on a mission-style patio next to a fountain. Debbie was an excellent host. The wine was very good. The Syrah and the Pinot Noir were my favorites.
Experience: A- / Wines: B+
J Vineyards ($20 tasting, wines $20-$60)
'10 Pinot Gris, '09 'Barrel 16' Chardonnay, '08 'Barrel 16' Pinot Noir, '09 Pinot Noir - Robert Thomas Vineyard Block 2, NV Brut Rosé, '02 Vintage Brut.
We've had J before and really enjoyed it - and they have a good reputation. Maybe we came at a bad time or on an off-day, but our experience was really disappointing. None of the wines stood out compared to others that we'd had that day. Even the upper-echelon wines had negative qualities. Finally, the staff there were unfriendly. They did not seem to enjoy their jobs at all. Hopefully that was all an aberration.
Experience: D+ / Wines: C+
Sonoma is such a vibrant yet mellow place. So much great wine and food. It's a wonderful place to explore - especially with friends. I'm not sure that its a trip that we could ever replicate - but I'm going to try.
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