Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently.
This week included some really excellent cool climate Syrahs — well one actually, in two vintages, both of which are worth seeking out from Dutton Goldfield.
A lesser known and newer producer Furthermore had a couple of Pinot Noirs to offer that were worth paying attention to, along with another favorite bottling from Dutton Goldfield.
Lastly in the Pinot Department we’ve got a bottling from the famous Martin Ray winery, which is being rehabilitated these days, and just for a little variation, an aged Chianti Rufina thrown in for good measure.
Enjoy.
2012 Furthermore “Weir Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino, California
Light garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raspberry jam and dried flowers. In the mouth, silky raspberry and cherry flavors have a nice zip to them thanks to excellent acidity. Notes of herbs and earth creep into the finish, though also a little alcoholic heat. 13.8% alcohol. 117 cases made. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2012 Furthermore “Nevina’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma, California
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of cherries and cranberries. In the mouth, bright cherry and cranberry fruit have a sweet, cedary complexion with nice bright acidity. Excellent juiciness and length. 13.7% alcohol. 126 cases made. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $50.
2013 Dutton Goldfield “Angel Camp Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
Light to medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raspberry pastilles and cherries. In the mouth, bright cherry and raspberry fruit zings with excellent acidity and notes of cedar and vanilla. Long finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $58. click to buy.
2012 Dutton Goldfield “Dutton Ranch – Cherry Ridge Vineyard” Syrah, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Medium to dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry and freshly ground black pepper with a hint of blackberry briar. In the mouth, blackberry and black cherry mix with minty herbs and white pepper flavors over the top of an earthy core. Excellent acidity and nice savory notes in the finish backed by faint, fleecy tannins. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $45. click to buy.
2013 Dutton Goldfield “Dutton Ranch – Cherry Ridge Vineyard” Syrah, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of doused campfire and blackberries. In the mouth, wonderfully stony black cherry and blackberry flavors are welded to a wet chalkboard minerality and surrounded by chalk-dust tannins. Beautiful faint saline notes linger in the finish. Fantastic. Great acidity and balance.13.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2011 Fattoria Selvapiana “Vigneto Bucerchiale – Riserva” Red Blend, Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy
Medium to dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry and sandalwood. In the mouth, strawberry, cedar, and camphor mix with dried herbs and dried flowers. Supple tannins wrap the exotic core of this wine, and good acidity keeps it lithe on the palate. Unusual. 15% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $33. click to buy.
2014 Martin Ray “Dark Star Hill” Pinot Noir, Green Valley, Sonoma, California
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of cherry and roasted cacao. In the mouth, silky cherry and raspberry flavors have a nice bright juiciness thanks to decent acidity. Missing a little zip and pep. Spends 12 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new. 14.2% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $55. click to buy.
