Ridge Vineyards-Lytton Springs-Zinfandel-Petite Sirah-Craignane-Mataro-(Mourvedre)-North Coast-California-2010-14.4% Alcohol-$31.35-A nose of bold cherries and spice, dark black garnet in color. A full bodied Zin blend, with black cherry, blackberry, plum, some herbs, layered long spiced finish. A very good and interesting blend. RP-93+ WS-87 WE-84 CR-91 Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.
De Loach Vineyards-Pinot Noir-Russian River Valley-California-2010-14.5% Alcohol-$14.99-A nose of cherries and spice, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Pinot, with blackberry, raspberry, cherry, with a smoked spice finish. A very good QPR. NR CR-89 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.
WINEMAKER NOTES “The Spanish Springs Pinot Noir is exuberant with pronounced aromas of cranberries, orange rind, ginger and wild mint. The mouth-feel is supple, but refreshing and the flavors are densely focused on summer fruits and wild berries. This wine represents a great expression of coastal California style Pinot Noir – the marriage of complexity and richness; alcohol and acidity; accessibility and aging potential.” VINIFICATION The Edna Valley is known best for its Chardonnay, but it clearly can produce world class Pinot Noirs. The Spanish Springs vineyards are located only two miles from the Pacific Ocean sheltered behind the coastal range. The soils are diverse, but are mostly clay and shale that are fertile, yet well drained. Due to the climate the wines are very high in natural acidity and pigment. Shorter fermentations were employed and longer pressing with more of the press wine taken to barrel with the free run wine. New oak barrels were kept to a minimum, less than 25%. We neither inoculated for primary or secondary fermentation. The wine was racked once, before going to the bottling tank after a passage of 12-14 months in French oak barrels, and again before bottling. The wines were not fined or filtered.