Published in July 2007
Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the July 2007 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Showing 1 thru -9 of 842
Rochioli 2005 Three Corner Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- $68
Three Corner contains some of the oldest vines on the estate, dating to 1974. Typically, the wines start out almost heavy and dense, but age well. Dry, crisp and jammy now, it has a flood of cherry kirsch, raspberry purée, cola and new oak flavors that finish with great charm and complexity. The ’05, from a cool vintage, should hold and improve through 2015.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Rochioli 2005 East Block Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $90
From the first Pinot block on the estate (1968), and from an unknown clone sourced from a long-forgotten Napa vineyard. The block is now being replanted. This is the Pinot that established Rochioli’s reputation, and the bottling remains a superstar. The ’05 is very dry, crisp and full-bodied, with a flood of cherry-pie filling, pomegranate, rhubarb, Beefsteak…
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
MacRostie 2004 Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
- Editors' Choice
- $42
I love this wine. The vineyard is in one of the coolest parts of Carneros, where the maritime influence has given crisp acidity boosting long hangtime fruit. The cherry, raspberry and cola flavors are gorgeous, while the earthier pomegranates and rhubarb are elevated to pie-filling sweetness. Yet the wine is entirely dry. What a beauty.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Chateau St. Jean 2003 Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
- $75
Smooth and complex, with 78% Cab Sauvignon contributing the firm tannic backbone that gives this such excellent structure. The other four Bordeaux varieties are here as well. The flavors are so interesting: black cherries, blackberry jam, plum sauce, coffee, root beer and new oak. There’s an acidic vibrancy as well. Just beautiful California claret. Drink now—2010.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Grgich Hills 2003 Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay (Carneros)
- $73
This celebrates the 30th anniversary of the famous tasting where Mike Grgich’s Chardonnay, from Chateau Montelena, took first place. The wine benefited from a small, warm vintage, and is intensely concentrated in tropical fruit, nectarine, tapioca and crème brûlée flavors that easily handle 100% new French oak. Extraordinarily creamy and rich, with lively balancing…
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Rochioli 2005 Rachaele's Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
- $60
From hillier plantings on the steep slopes of the winery’s estate vineyard, this is a compact young Chardonnay. It’s intense in lemon mousse, green apple, key-lime pie and vanilla caramel, with a minerally, tangy bite of flint or metal. Finishes very dry and crisp. Cellar for up to six years.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Ramey 2004 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)
- $60
There’s a bracing, salty tang of the sea in this fog-cooled Chard. It has an almost Islay Scotch quality, although the pineapple, lemon sorbet and new vanilla oak flavors are distinctly varietal. Hard to exaggerate the creamy richness, the way the wine glides across the palate with racy richness.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Rochioli 2005 Little Hill Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- $65
So young and immature now, but showing tremendous power, this is great Pinot Noir. It’s simply not ready yet, a little heavy, with fresh, zingy acidity, firm tannins and primary fruit flavors. There’s a tough, lockdown quality, but what a core of fruit. The essence of raspberries, cherries, mint, cola, and such a silky texture. Cries out cellaring until at least 2009.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Showing 1 thru -9 of 842
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