November 2008

Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc

The Award-Winning Wine:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc

Reason for Reviewing:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc won the Sweepstakes Award for Best White Wine and the Best of Class Award at the 2008 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition, held recently right here in Santa Rosa.

Noteworthy:
Dry Creek Vineyard's inspiration for the winery’s flagship varietal can be directly attributed to the Loire Valley. Traveling through the vineyards of France, winery founder David Stare was beguiled by the classic wines of the region--refreshingly grassy and herbaceous Sancerre, subtle and evocative Pouilly Fume, the charming wines of Vouvray. He vowed that his future winery's white wines would be fashioned according to this traditional standard. He coined the term Fume Blanc to describe this flagship wine -- a dry Sauvignon Blanc crafted in the classic Loire Valley style.

Winery Notes:
At first swirl, the 2007 vintage of our Sonoma County Fume Blanc presents intense aromas of lemon-lime, ruby grapefruit and fresh cut grass. After a couple of minutes in the glass, more subtle hints of kiwi and guava begin to reveal a complex wine. On the palate, this wine is truly delicious with excellent viscosity and length showing more fresh fruit flavors and very balanced acidity.

AlaWine Notes:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc pours as a very pale straw-yellow color in the glass. Grapefruit, mown grass, and green apple aromas predominate in a floral context. On the palate, grapefruit carries over, along with other citrus highlights, in a full fruit, smooth mouth, leading to a crisp, yet lingering finish.

Bottom Line:
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc is a very flavorful, quaffable Sauvignon Blanc with interesting layers of fruit and complexity. It is very well integrated and can be enjoyed entirely on its own, or pair with fish or other seafood, aged cheeses, or spicy grilled chicken. At a suggested retail price of $14.50, Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc represents a very good value. Overall composite score: 96 points.

Adobe Road Winery 2005 Zinfandel

The Award-Winning Wine:
Adobe Road Winery 2005 Zinfandel

Reason for Reviewing:
Adobe Road Winery 2005 Zinfandel won the Sweepstakes Award for Best Red Wine at the 2008 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition, held recently right here in Santa Rosa.

Noteworthy:
In addition to the winery, founder and proprietor Kevin Buckler also owns professional sportscar and NASCAR racing teams, with multiple championships and victories at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Winery Notes:
A hedonistically rich wine with all of the sumptuous, berry-forward aromas, and spicy, black and white pepper flavors you could hope for in a Zinfandel. This wine is packed with flavor and richness, yet it is extremely balanced—a delicious expression of the Zinfandel grape. The fruit is a briary bowl of cherry and raspberry with a hint of chocolate and a light zing of spices in the finish.

AlaWine Notes:
Adobe Road Winery 2005 Zinfandel shows as a dark, clear ruby color on pouring. Brambleberry aromas radiate from the glass in an herbal context. Ripe wild berries, raspberry and cherry flavor predominate on first taste and sustain through a long, smooth, light pepper finish.

Bottom Line:
Adobe Road Winery 2005 Zinfandel is a very quaffable Zin with plenty of rich berry and cherry flavors. Round, luscious and well integrated, it can be served on its own, or pair with red meats, barbeque, or Asian chicken dishes. Suggested retail price is $34. Overall composite score: 97 points.

Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir

The Award-Winning Wine:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir

Reason for Reviewing:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir earned Best of Class honors for Red Wines at the 2008 West Coast Wine Competition held here in Santa Rosa, California.

Winery Notes:
Handley’s 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir offers aromas of violets and raspberries. Subtle oak adds depth and complexity to bright cherry flavors.

AlaWine Notes:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir pours as a bright cherry red color in the glass. Ripe berry aromas waft to the nose in a light floral context. Red berry and cherry flavors fill the palate and hold through a long oak finish and moderate tannins.

Bottom Line:
Handley Cellars 2006 Mendocino Pinot Noir is a highly quaffable, medium-bodied, Pinot with interesting layers of complementary flavors. This wine would pair well with Asian and Indian dishes. Suggested retail price is $25. Overall composite score: 94 points.