I dined at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg August 5th after the West of West Festival. I would recommend this restaurant for the food, wine, service and ambience although it doesn't come cheap. I started with a Cucumber Smash Cocktail which was okay but not the best cucumber cocktail I've ever had (cucumber-infused gin.) Had a very good basil sweet corn soup with truffle infusion, shrimp, and creme fraiche. My entree was Petaluma roast chicken with Nicoise olives, golden Chanterelle mushrooms, and artichoke hearts. As I told the server, I love olives, artichokes and Chanterelles so the chicken dish got the nod. The Cazar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was ordered to go with the chicken dish.
Deep crimson color. Tingly on the tongue. Dark raspberries come across on the nose and palate along with a little Asian spice. Viscous. Paired really nicely with the roast fowl and mushrooms. The server said she often recommends the Cazar as a food-friendly wine. I looked up the wine and Cazar is a side project of Bill Hunter of Chasseur label to present entry-level wines for short-term consumption. The 2010 vintage saw 25% new French oak--not sure if the 2009 had similar handling. I thought the wine improved with food and showed a desirable silkiness. It can be found for around $19 to $25.