A relaxing weekend with H in the picturesque environs of Healdsburg (Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys), about an hour North of San Francisco.
Sometimes this blog is a place to jot down quick food/drink notes to look up later / in case I lose the paper notebook, and this is one of those times:
Favorite wines of the 35ish tasted, all brought back for further “investigation” with friends and food:
- MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir (2012) - initially not much aroma, later smelled of cedar and vanilla, very smooth and light, not too sweet or strong, an overall very, very good Pinot.
- MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir (2010) - my favorite wine of the trip – slightly peppery, smooth, some bite up front but not a long overly tannic finish, slight tartness, and just overall one of my favorite examples of a Pinot in a long time. I’d always be happy to just sip a glass of this on its own…
- MacRostie 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley, 2012)- a slightly more robust Pinot, a bit smoky, should also go well with a dinner featuring meat.
- Preston Petite Syrah (2012) - excellent – forceful, earthy, made me think of a quarry, bold – I look forward to trying it with a steak.
- Woodenhead Russian River Pinot Noir (2011)-- a bit of an aroma of brassicas with a bit of butter or lard. Smooth, solid, slightly tart Pinot with some surprising bite evocative of mustard seed. Unusual. I bet it will be good with a ham sandwich and pickles..
- Arista Russian River Valley Chardonnay (2012) -- blend of three wines – I don’t drink much white wine and especially Chardonnay, but this was quite nice– floral, lemon-lime finish, and atypically I liked the bit of butteriness.
- Preston Viognier (2013)-- hints of orange blossom, smooth, slight honey sweetness. Immediately a wine I can imagine drinking before a beachside fish feast a la La Huella.