Wines from Sonoma Valley

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Donelan 2008 Richards Family Vineyard Syrah (Sonoma Valley)

Price $90

This is not only one of the best Syrahs of the vintage, it’s easily the greatest Syrah ever produced from Sonoma Valley. Stuns with its soft, complex, black and blue berry, teriaki beef, black pepper and sandalwood flavors. The depth is unbelievable, the length impressive. Clearly a first growth Syrah, and should develop bottle complexity for the next six years… — S.H. (6/1/2011)

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Hanzell 2004 Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Massive, complex, with amazing depth, an opulent, voluptuous wine of tremendous power and authority. It’s so beautiful now, you almost hesitate to cellar it, but these Hanzell Chards are built for the long haul. Positively volcanic in tropical fruit and toasty new oak, with a honeyed, caramel finish. Absolutely stunning. — S.H. (5/1/2007)

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Hanzell 2005 Ambassador's 1953 Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley)

Price $180

This very expensive release is one of the rare examples of Chardonnay that absolutely requires bottle age. Dry and leesy now, with a mineral compactness, it shows a rich core of baked peach, spiced apple, butterscotch and smoky honey. As it warms in the glass, it develops great flavor and textural complexities. Should come into its own by 2009, and improve for many… — S.H. (8/1/2008)

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Hanzell 2005 Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $65

Few wineries in California can craft a Chard as rich, balanced and ageworthy as this. In its youth this ‘05 is flashy in lemondrop, pear and spicy anise, with a honeyed finish and crisp acidity. It’s quite addictively brilliant, a wine whose lush harmony mesmerizes the palate. But Hanzell Chards invariably age well, and this is a wine you can dependably put into… — S.H. (2/1/2008)

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Sbragia 2006 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $50

One for the cellar. It’s vibrantly rich and forward in blackberries, black cherries, plums, dark chocolate and sweet smoky new oak, yet very tannic. Creates an astringency that lasts through the spicy finish. It would be a pity to open it before 2012, and will last for years after. — S.H. (2/1/2010)

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Ravenswood 2008 Old Hill Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley)

Price $60

A tremendous Zinfandel, Ravenswood’s most expensive, and while you might quiver at the price, it’s easily a very great wine. This is Zinfandel on steroids, a monster of wild summer berry, tobacco, currant and spice flavors, wrapped into significantly thick tannins. Yet despite the power, it never quite loses elegance and balance. The winery’s 2007 was their… — S.H. (12/15/2011)

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Hanzell 2001 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $85

At four years of age, this Pinot is just hitting its stride. It has a youthful side in the still fresh cherry and raspberry fruit and vibrant acidity. But it’s turning mellow, as the oak melts into the alcohol, lending a soft, creamy infusion of vanilla bean. It’s so good now, it will be hard to keep your hands off it, but it should hold for another three to five years. — S.H. (12/15/2005)

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Longboard 2007 Late Harvest Sémillon (Sonoma Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $35

A gorgeous dessert wine. Supersweet in honey, apricot jam, orange blossom, crème brûlée and vanilla flavors, it’s balanced with rich acidity, and finishes with a spicy touch of smoke. Compelling and addictive, this is one of the best sweet wines of the year. — S.H. (12/15/2009)

Most Reviewed Varietals

Barbera Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Pinot Noir Red Blend Sangiovese Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz/Syrah Viognier Zinfandel

Most Reviewed Wineries

Gundlach Bundschu Hanzell Kenwood Kunde Louis M. Martini Ravenswood Schug Sebastiani St. Francis Ty Caton VJB Wellington

2010 Bogle Old Vine

What a delicious Zin this is. Sourced from the warm climates of Lodi and…

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