Current Wines
Order Wine here
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is from a single vineyard on the Coast, between Sebastopol & Occidental, owned & farmed by Dutton Ranch, with 40 year old vines. The vineyard has sedimentary soil, by far my favorite for chardonnay, with a neutral pH soil (preserves acidity and delicate flavors). Unfortunately records on what the vine material is have been lost. A virtue of the vineyard location is its ability to develop interesting flavors early, which helps the acidity, and precision & clarity of flavors. Placements include multiple Michelin starred restaurants.
Lemon peel, citrus, yellow (& green) apples, white peach, with saline & savory elements. Pure & focused. Intensity without weight.
2017: A classic style that combines the elements of the 2013, my first Chardonnay, and 2016. 10% new oak. Just released.
2016: This, and the 2014, have the most saline & savory elements. Picked at 22 brix & 9.1 g/l TA, and a 3.17 pH in the bottle...all indicators that, while it's drinking well now, it'll age extremely well. 10% new oak.
Library Wine:
2015: The 2015 is a bit richer than the 2016, yet has similar great acidity (3.25 pH), a unique aspect of this vintage...and excellent acidity, richness and old vine character is what makes a great chardonnay. Esp perfect/pretty yellow apple aromas, once it's opened up. 20% new oak.
These Chardonnays are best at a cold cellar temperature (50 degrees or so, a bit warmer than fridge temps) and benefit from some air (I pour a glass and return it to the bottle a bit ahead of time).
Nash Mill Vineyard,
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
From a hillside vineyard in the 'deep end' of Anderson Valley (the deep end is northern and coastal) with one of my favorite types of soil for Pinot Noir. The vines for this are pommard & 115. It was fermented with 25% whole cluster and aged in 10% new oak. Placements include multiple Michelin starred restaurants.
Aromatic wild strawberry & cranberry, with earthy & savory element and subtle whole cluster. Moderate+ acidity & appealing tannins, gives it an affinity for food.
2013: A delicate & complex wine with backbone!
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
This is entirely from Nash Mill vineyard (described above) from clones 667, 115 and Pommard
Dark cherry and cranberry fruit, earth/forest floor & spices with excellent acidity
2013: A classic high end Anderson Valley Pinot, that isn't overwhelmed by oak, stems or richness
Moore Ranch,
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Moore Ranch is just east of Sebastopol and adjacent to Sonoma Coast. This gives it a bit of Sonoma Coast character, in addition to the classic/old school Russian River profile. Planted in the mid-90s to pommard, swan, 115, 777 & 667 Pinot Noir clones. The Moore Ranch bottling includes pommard, 115 & swan.
Tart cherry and restrained plum, flint and earth, with dark spices and a bit of chalky character.
2013: Leans a bit to the red fruit & Sonoma Coast side. An excellent & typical year for Moore Ranch...due to the timing of flowering, veraison (grapes turning color), pick date and the lack of any nasty heat spells. 15% whole cluster and 15% new oak.
Library Wine:
2011: Leans a bit to the darker & classic/OldSchool RRV side. A cold vintage of epic proportions! I took advantage of this and let the fruit hang a bit longer than normal, esp to get more sophisticated tannins...always an asset to a nuanced Pinot. No whole cluster and 20% new oak.
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Entirely from Moore Ranch fruit. Based around a fruit pick and set of clones specific to this bottling so it can be its own thing, rather than a mishmash of unloved barrels. Some barrels from the 'Moore Ranch Pinot' pick/ferment go into this wine, but even there I combine barrels that resonate together, making a more interesting & individual bottlings. 20% whole cluster and 10-20% new oak.
Cherries, Raspberries, flowers, rhubarb and a bit of earth. Complex and delicate compared to most Russian River Pinots.
2014: In the process of choosing barrels, I kept coming back to the fact that all the barrels (for the Moore Ranch & the RRV) were much better together than any other separate option. I relented and did what the wine wanted...putting them all in this bottling (forgoing having a 2014 Moore Ranch Pinot). The addition of the Moore Ranch bbls adds a bit more of a darker and savory profile. Overall, complex, delicate and youthful are the keys here. 15% whole cluster & 10% new oak
Library Wine:
2013: A prototypical vintage. In the middle of its early phase of evolution and drinking well. 20% whole cluster & 15% new oak
Avio Vineyard,
Sierra Foothills Zinfandel
Avio is a ~2000ft elevation vineyard in Amador County with 20 year old vines & brilliant soils.
The origin of this wine comes from my sister, who wanted a balanced 'Claret' styled Zin, like some that were made in the 90's by a few producers...sort of the Zin version of the 70's & 80's Napa Cabs. Those wines were a bit tight and reserved, but still interesting, on release and opened up in interesting ways over the following 10+ years.
A strong claret character, tasting like a cross between a Zin and a Bolgheri (Italian) Claret. Perfect with a steak or burger.
2015: Maiden voyage. Picked early for great flavor clarity & precision, and a high 13% alcohol.
Musick,
Sierra Foothills Primitivo
From a 3000ft elevation vineyard above Placerville. This was picked in mid Sept with great/early flavors and a low 'potential alcohol' (13.5%).
Light on its feet, with great bright red fruit. The wine shows like a red fruited Pinot Noir, has excellent aromatics and acidity, with the depth and savoriness of a Primitivo. Note, this is 100% Primitivo, but it has much in common with a Pinot due to the soil, high elevation and early picking.
2015: Maiden voyage