Posts Tagged sonoma

A relatively new winery in Sonoma County, this collaboration of three wine makers has already created quite a buzz in the region and started to garner some fans around the country. While their primary focus is around Pinot Noir, I was able to try one of their Syrahs, which tend to have some characteristics of the former.

Anthill Farms Syrah

This Russian River Syrah is in fact a very atypical style from California, where the wines tend to be over-ripe and fruit driven. This is much more reserved in style and subtle in flavors. I can’t say this is exactly European but it does has a drier, earthier style. The wine is lighter in body and possesses more delicate flavors mixed within the layers.

It didn’t have any overly complex nose, but what was there was more in the area of dried herbs and tea scents. It also has some dark plum in the bouquet. The flavor profile was also similar. Again, the wine has a focus on dark fruits, including plum and blackberry. There were also hints of lavender and black tea spice mixed into palate. Initally, the wine was rather tight, and has a decent grip thanks to tannins that didn’t overwhelm the wine, but always let you know they were there. A higher level of acidity also helps to keep this wine a little lighter on the finish.

Drinking this over two nights, the earthiness continued to evolve. I’d say the first night, the wine was a little tight and considerably lighter bodied. However on the second night, the air has allowed the wine to expand and become much richer with the fruit becoming more present. I noticed more tobacco and mushroom as well.

Overall, this was an interesting wine. It was possibly missing a little body and structure to really make it a stellar wine, but it did do a nice job of playing to the middle of the road for California Syrah.

My Rating: Brick Solid

Its time for zinfandel! That’s right – the air is getting cold, the leaves are falling, and its starting to feel like time for a big American red wine. What’s that you say? Tired of the high-octane Zins? Too much alcohol, and sugar and fruit? Well, there is a growing trend in California for some Zinfandel that doesn’t have to take the paint off the shed, and gives you a nice well balanced wine for under 15% ABV.

Bradford Mountain

This Bradford Mountain wine is just one just option. This wine tends to have a little softer approach, and also maybe a little more rustic. It was medium bodied with firm tannins, blackberries, and tobacco. There were also hints of earth and mushrooms, mixed in with the more typical blueberries and chocolate. There was a nice nose to this wine, that just got better as it was opened.

Additionally, I found this to be a very easy drinking wine. I didn’t feel overblown by the alcohol level and enjoyed the wine through till the end. Now overall, was the wine perfect? No, there were some flaws (maybe a little short on the finish, not as seamless as it could have been). But I think it showed a style of wine that is a move back to the more rustic form of Zinfandel that can be enjoyed with a burger or any number of all-American foods.

So this Thanksgiving, as you reach for the Zin, make sure its not one of the high-octane wine that will just ultimately put you to sleep. Go for something a little different.

My Rating: 91pts

Ok – so here’s a wine for all of the ABC Haters out there. This wine really rocks and of course was featured for a steal of a price about a month ago on Wine Library. Normally priced around $20, this was only $13, and well worth probably the normal $17-$20 found elsewhere. This wine, from the Russian River Valley has a big buttery rich mouthful with good acidity that helps to round out its finish.

C. Donatiello

The wine has a nose of lemon custard, apples and peaches. First thing I notice is a great body, where it has good weight in the taste. There is also a little mineral quality. There are flavors of apple, pear, peach and lemon, along with the custard and butter finish. Also get a little banana and kiwi, along with melon. The bracing, cool acidity mixes in with the rich fruit flavors to create a really well made wine. Overall, I’m very impressed with this Chardonnay, and would have to rate it a borderline outstanding. All in all, a solid effort.