Some Other Enjoyable Sonoma Coast Pinots
2005 Hartford Court Land’s Edge Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $35, This Pinot Noir is sourced from the estate Land’s
Edge Vineyard near Annapolis in the true Sonoma Coast. The grapes
here are picked in miniscule levels often as late as November. The
wine is aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. The clones are 115,
667 and 777.
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Nothing really stands out with this Pinot Noir but it is perfectly
fine. There is plenty of toast, cherry and wild flowers in the nose.
As it opens with air time, it gets better and better with more structure, Attractive
tangy red cherry flavors with dark caramel develop that persist
on the back end. The mouth feel is rich and the tannins perfectly assimilated.
Hartford Family Wines is located in the Russian River Valley at 8075 Martinelli Road in Forestville.
Eight Pinot Noirs are produced, with the single vineyard designates labeled as Hartford Court. The
tasting room is open from 10-4:30 daily. The wines may be purchased from the website at
www.hartfordwines.com.
2004 Brogan Cellars Summa Vineyard Young Vine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1%
alc., $60.
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This baby is a deep dark purple color. The aromas of toasty oak and plump
dark cherries waft in the glass. The body of the wine is rich and offers dark black cherries,
earth and sage. The smooth finish is outrageous. This is a big wine that is beautifully
composed and complete in every way. Delightful!
Brogan Cellars wines are crafted by Margi Wierenga, Burt Williams’ (Williams Selyem)
daughter. The Pinot Noirs are made from premium vineyards in the Sonoma Coast,
Russian River Valley, and Anderson Valley appellations. Production is limited to 1,500
cases and most of the wine is sold through a mailing list (sign-up on the website at
www.brogancellars.com). A tasting room is open by appointment at 3232B Dry Creek
Road, Healdsburg 95448 (707-473-0211).
2005 Del Dotto Vineyards Cinghiale Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
$75. Del Dotto has
quickly become one of the hottest visitor sites in Napa Valley. The winery’s caves, first dug in 1885,
have been lovingly restored and the winery offers a candle lit cave experience and barrel tasting by
reservation for a small charge. Del Dotto owned 400 acres of vineyards to which 96 are planted to
vines. In 2005, an additional 359 acres were purchased in the true Sonoma Coast overlooking the
Pacific Ocean. The vineyard, named Cinghiale (Italian for wild boar), was previously owned by W.H.
Smith. About 35 acres are planted to Pinot Noir. The 2005 is the inaugural release. I had this wine at
Cole’s Chop House in the town of Napa. This is a first-rate steak house that has won Zagat’s top rating
for a steak house in the Bay Area three years running. I knew Del Dotto was known for Cabernet Sauvignon
and other hearty red varietals, so I was surprised to see their Pinot Noir on the list.
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The wine was
very good. It was a very elegant styled Pinot with nicely balanced Pinot fruits, suede-like tannins, and
crisp finishing acidity. It was just fine with steak.
Del Dotto Vineyards is located at 1055 Atlas Peak Rd, Napa, 94558. The phone is 707-256-3332 and the
website is www.deldottovineyards.com. The Pinot Noir is only for sale to VIP wine club members.
