Bricoleur Vineyards 2019 Kick Ranch Vineyard Fountaingrove Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($ 85)
The Hanson household’s tasting and occasion center on Starr Road in Windsor, in the Russian River Valley, requires the production of chardonnay and pinot noir, and they produce these varietals. Yet this Fountaingrove cabernet sauvignon, from the Hansons’ Kick Ranch Vineyard, will knock off your socks and put them back in the drawer. The Fountaingrove AVA does not get the credit it is worthy of for producing great cabernet, despite the fact that specific wineries within the area, such as Pride Mountain, Cornell and Fisher Vineyards, are on many white wine enthusiasts’ radars. Bricoleur’s 2019 taxi– its very first vintage of the varietal– strikes an eager balance of richness and tannic structure, so relish it now or cellar it for 5 years. Cassis, black cherry, pipeline tobacco, smooth texture and a beam of brilliant level of acidity produce a total and engaging white wine.
Ehret Family Winery 2018 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($ 75)
Those flying down Highway 128 through Knights Valley may glance the modest indication forBavarian Lion Vineyards What they do not see is a 1,800-acre estate, with 500 acres of grapevines, coming from German- born motorsports chauffeur Pierre Ehret, his other half, Susan, and their kids. After very first offering their Bordeaux- range grapes to others, the Ehrets introduced their brand name in 2005, with veteran Erin Green (Pahlmeyer, Colgin, Bryant Family) as seeking advice from wine maker. The red white wines are effective and focused, shown by this one. There’s likewise a Hillside Reserve ($ 120), though the “routine” Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (with 13% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot) is more available now, with a little dirty tannins, popular toasted French oak and vanilla and loads of dark cherry and black currant fruit.
Flambeaux Wine 2018 Flambeaux Estate Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($ 70)
The Miller household, based in New Orleans, discovered wine-growing happiness in Dry Creek Valley and purchased an existing vineyard planted to cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel. In a Sonoma County world of thick dark-fruit taxis, this one shines for its red-fruit profile (raspberry, red currant and a tip of cranberry), spice, background vanillin oak and vitality on the taste buds. Also exceptional are the 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($ 75) and 2019 Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($ 50).
Imagery Estate 2019 Sonoma County Cabernet Franc ($ 49)
This Best of Class winner in the 2022 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge bursts with energy, with brilliant raspberry and boysenberry scents and tastes and great balance. Jamie Benziger, following in the steps of her wine maker dad, Joe Benziger, produces a spectacular range of red wines from both traditional and uncommon ranges forSonoma County Her 2019 Upper Ridge Malbec ($ 45) from the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA is another strong option.
Hamel Family Wines 2019 Isthmus Sonoma Valley ($ 90)
Hamel’s red-wine mixes definitely are costly for Sonoma County, although comparable trendy, focused and luscious Napa Valley variations can cost far more than the $120 rate of the Hamel Family Ranch and Hamel Nuns Canyon red white wines. Isthmus, a mix of cabernet sauvignon, red wine, cabernet franc and small verdot, is an intro to the Hamel design, at $30 less, and it provides luxurious texture; well-ripened black currant, raspberry and dark cherry fruit; tobacco and sage notes; and a soft, long surface.
Jordan Winery 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($ 60)
Happy 50th anniversary to John Jordan’s Alexander Valley winery, developed by his moms and dads, Tom and Sally Jordan, in 1972. Founding wine maker Rob Davis retired in 2019, leaving Maggie Kruse in control of the cellar. So the 2018 is vintage is technically Davis’ white wine, though with Kruse’s hands are all over it. It’s timeless Jordan: medium-bodied, downplayed, stylish, dynamic and age-worthy.
Longboard Vineyards 2019 DaKine Vineyard Russian River Valley Merlot ($ 45)
Owner/ wine maker Oded Shakked established his DaKine Vineyard off Westside Road in Russian River Valley in 2000. He planted pinot noir, obviously, however likewise red wine, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, not material to put all his eggs in one viticultural basket. Shakked, a crazy-mad web surfer and previous shimmering wine maker at J Vineyards & & Winery, reveals that not just can merlot have the tannin and acid structure to age magnificently for a years or more, it can be generous and mouth-filling when young. Also extremely suggested are the yeasty, marvelously dry “Z” Brut Late Disgorged champagne ($ 75) and DaKine Vineyard Russian River Valley Syrah ($ 55).
