Top 5: Tastings from the week of 05/11/14

Every week we have the tough fantastic job of tasting dozens of wines to make sure that we only offer the very BEST to our clients. We are constantly on the look out for amazing under-the-radar wines, along with celebrated projects from famous producers to augment our ever changing portfolio.  Give us a call (800.933.8466) or email us so we can get some of these in your cellar and on your table. Without further pomp and circumstance, here are this weeks Top 5.

This weeks Top 5 (5/11/14)

2012 Spell Estate Pinot Noir ‘Marimar Estate’, Sonoma Coast
Wine Spectrum Rated 94+: The Dona Margarita Vineyard overlooking the township of Freestone on the Sonoma Coast is the postcard perfect pinot noir vineyard. With its close proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean on a hillside of Goldridge soils the wines produced from this vineyard are exotic and seamlessly balanced. A dark crimson, almost purple color introduces bright aromas of Black cherry, ripe strawberry, sassafras, forest floor and black chanterelles that fill the glass. Smooth, lush tannins circulate with ripe fruit flavors while Sumac spice and coffee notes carry through to the finish highlighted by a lingering mineral element. Drink now or over the next 4 – 5 years. 150 cases produced.

2012 Rock Wall ‘Monte Rosso’ Reserve Zinfandel Sonoma County
Wine Spectrum Rated 94: 100% Zinfandel. Our block in the beautiful Monte Rosso Vineyard has 108-year- old vines and is located about 1600 feet above Sonoma Valley on Moon Mountain. The mountain is all red soil from the iron and clay deposits. If you are a vine, this is a great place to grow. Monte Rosso is one of the most sought after vineyards in California for a reason! The vineyard is so decadent; the air actually smells of sweet honey. Elegant aromas of ripe raspberry and honeycomb waft from the glass followed by flavors of raspberry, strawberry, honey, caramel, and a chocolate finish.

2012 Spell Estate Pinot Noir ‘Terra de Promissio’, Sonoma Coast
Wine Spectrum Rated 94: The Terra de Promissio Vineyard is owned and managed by Charles and Diana Karren with the help of Diana’s parents it is a true family operation. Planted in 2002 to Pinot Noir clones 777 and 115 it is located east of Petaluma on a rolling hill in what is unofficially referred to as the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Buffeted by cold maritime winds the fruit ripens slowly and produces wines of exceptional elegance and purity. Dark violet in color, aromas of cherry, strawberry, oats, all spice, anise, sassafras add to a brooding quality in the glass. Flavors of cranberry and pomegranate hinting towards darker fruit and forest duff sweep across the palate. Balanced by smooth tannins and perfect acidity flavors of black cherry and bitter chocolate seem to linger for an eternity. Drink now or over the next 5 to 7 years. 150 cases produced.

2009 Palazzo Meritage ‘Right Bank’, Napa Valley
Wine Spectrum Rated 94: Red cherry, plum & blackberry fruit. Notes of vanilla and forest floor, with floral tones and hints of cocoa, spice and wet earth after a rainstorm. On the palate, crushed red cherries, with plum & pomegranate overtones. Very focused with excellent structure & acidity. Good grip & weight with soft, but present tannins. Complex with layers of rich fruit and hints of earth & minerality laced throughout. An elegant finish with great acid and soft, dusty tannins. Hints of cocoa power & dark chocolate. Complex, yet supple mouth-feel, medium to long finish.

2011 Wine Spectrum Pinot Noir ‘Sonoma Coast’
Wine Spectrum Rated WSI 93+: Once again exclusively made by our anonymous celebrity winemaker, from select top vineyards of the true Sonoma Coast. The 2011 vintage was one of the coolest in recent memory with a long growing season punctuated by only a few brief heat spells. The beautiful nose on this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir reveals this well-kept secret of a wine, with pure red raspberry and sour cherries intermingled with notes of sweet, caramelized sugar, cinnamon, forest floor and crisp oak. The long finish is dominated by red fruit tones. This is a lean, yet full-flavored, well-structured Pinot with bright acid that distinctly displays characteristics of the foggy, coastal vineyards from which it is sourced. It is crafted by traditional, old world techniques such as fermenting in small open vats with a combination of hand punch downs and pump-overs. Very enjoyable at the moment but will age nicely for 3-5 years. Only 125 cases produced.