I had a taste of 2011 Rivers Marie Gioia Vineyard Pinot Noir at Underbelly this weekend (BYO). That is well done pinot. Very aromatic and very elegant.

At any stores yet? I really want to expand my palate.

mailing list only...and I think there's a wait right now.

I have never tried Rivers Marie wines, but in general I enjoy Pinot from the true Sonoma Coast.

The Rivers Marie Sonoma Coast pinot is just $25. I used to load up on those. All of the other vineyard specific wines are from the coast as well and run in the $40-75 range. All are excellent values at the price point.

On a related RM note, their 2011 cabs will be released today. I can't really drink alcohol anymore but I'll still buy some for a special occasion and/or party.

Got to drink a 2007 Darius II and a 2005 Shafer One Point Five. Both were drinking beautifully right now.

BSD et al.,

Having a Sonoma themed wine lunch and was curious what are your favorite Sonoma wines?

A2

[This message has been edited by AlexSAWineguy (edited 7/23/2013 2:12p).]

I love Sonoma wines

For reasonable prices, I really like Copain. They use Anderson Valley fruit and they do a great job on Pinot/Chard and Rose. they also do some killer Syrah's. more understated than typical Cali wines. maybe my favorite producer

There are tons of great producers out of Sonoma, what varietals are you looking for?

I like all varietals but lean towards the reds. If you could only have two Sonoma wines what would they be? Price is irrelevant. I have a couple of 2010 Kosta Browne Pinot's that are begging to be consumed (1 Gary's and 1 Rosella's).

if price is no object, are you familiar with Verite? their '07 reds are beautiful, but costly.

Stonestreet is another good, high end producer. Their current vintages are quite good in several cabs and chardonays.

Williams Selym vineyard specific Pinots would be a very good option, too, if you can find them. IMO, they are superior to Kosta Browne.

Kistler makes very good Sonoma Coast Chard.

you could go old school with pinot/chard from Dehlinger and Chasseur (Bill Hunter).

Finally, if you like a bit richer wines, Hanzell makes some great stuff and I am a fan of the Martinelli Syrah's.

happy hunting (I know that is way more than 2 producers)

I’d look for zins from the dry creek valley and rockpile areas...A. Rafenelli, Bella, Zichichi, Mauritson, and Ridge. Papapietro Perry is known for great pinots and zins as well. Dehlinger for pinots and cabs. Holdredge, Arista, Siduri, Sojourn, and Copain for pinots as well. A great cab (and tour if you’re ever out there) is Lancaster Estate.

Love the Kistler chard and they hold up well. Totally forgot about rockpile, my first introduction to it was about 10 years ago. I must have bought 5 cases of the 03 Rosenblum Rockpile Road Vineyard, great QPR. Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at the Verite La Muse, but at current prices, I think there are much better wines at a fraction of the price (it would be different if it delivered for the price). On another note, the 2010 Bodegas El Nido Clio is smoking!

[This message has been edited by AlexSAWineguy (edited 7/24/2013 9:29a).]

Alex is "SA" San Antonio?

Are you in the wine business?

If you've not been to Boerne Wine Company yet I'd love the opportunity to meet you there some time!

speaking of Lancaster, they just got a 94 from Antonio Galloni.

quote:

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94 pts


Lancaster 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Alexander Valley, Sonoma, United States

Unfortunately I was only able to taste one wine from Lancaster, but it is a stunner. David Ramey is on board as consultant. Hopefully the 2008 is a sign of great things to come. The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate bursts from the glass with blackberries, cassis, grilled herbs, smoke and licorice, all of which are beautifully woven together. This ripe juicy Cabernet presents an exotic, super-ripe profile balanced by a firm sense of structure. Not a bad combination, to say the least. Freshly cut flowers, mint and licorice are layered into the energetic, vibrant finish.
Drinking window: 2014 - 2024

— Antonio Galloni, February 2012

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Cecil,

I have not visited Boerne Wine Co. yet, but have heard good things from a few friends that live in Boerne. I'm always up for a trek to try new wines. BSD, I'm on a mission to find that Lancaster as we speak.

A2

I found the 08 Lancaster Cab for $67.49 at Twins. Thoughts?

Do it. It's $75 at Specs. Hell, I paid $65 with my "member discount"...and that was probably before shipping.

taste is subjective, some would say the Verite $500 price is worth it. I sure as heck wouldn't pay it!

For zins, I think the Seghesio Rockpile and the Haywire Zin from Hartford Family are the finest done in Sonoma.

I prefer Stonestreet Alex. valley cabs to what I've tasted from Lancaster (only one visit).

I picked up the Lancaster and looked for the Stonestreet, but they did not have any cabs from them in stock.

Malbec man here.

Bularry,

I did see a Stonestreet Chard, have you had it?
Picked up a 09 Phelps Freestone Pinot, and after about an hour in a decanter it was beautiful. Thanks for all the suggestions fellas.

A2

I've had the stonestreet. It's slightly buttery, but has more mineral and acid to balance things out.

Stonestreet makes several single vineyard chards. I have had 09 Gravel Bench and Broken Road and really liked both. certainly not Burgundy, but well balanced and retain good mineral character.

I do think their '11 offerings have been getting favorable press, but I have not had one.

How long can one hang on to a decent Chard? I have a 2008 Far Niente Chard that I bought in case guests want one. Do I need to go ahead and drink it?

Yes. You still have some time, but they aren't going to get any better.

Drinking a 2011 Briccotondo Barbera tonight. You won't find a better Barbera made anywhere for $15.

Just bought 20 bottles from BSD.

I am like a kid on Christmas morning.

Only 480 to go.

Sorry I missed meeting you today.

Yeah, the fish were calling my name. We had a good run this morning and we are about to head out again. We'll have to meet up the next time your in town, though.

My ticket offer still stands bud.

And if you can't make Rice we'll make it another game.

Sounds good. I appreciate it! Hopefully this next week or two will go smoothly and I'll be cleared to sweat it out at the Rice game.

Dammit, I wish I had the cash to take some if those bottles off your hands.

I reopened a 2011 Viña Peréz Cruz Cabernet this evening. I opened it Sunday, and the bell pepper aromas were quite profound. Tonight, the bell pepper has subsided substantially, and its quite a nice glass of red from Chile. One of the many Paul Hobbs projects in South America.