WTN: Russian River and Dry Creek

2009 Moshin Cabernet. "Extra" Rutherford grapes...they wouldn't admit the vineyard...sold to the family by a friend in Napa Valley. Slightly clipped on the finish, but otherwise this is right up my alley when it comes to old schoolish cabernet. Lovely anise, oak definitely present but no vanilla nastiness, more of a "sheen" in texture to the fruit. Quite nice. Their 2007 Estate Pinot was also lovely...fresh and light and elegant despite 100% new oak. And, they had a Petit Sirah that was full of berry fruit and character!

2010 Porter Creek Old Vines Pinot Noir. from way up top on the hillside vineyard. Delicious! All of the P.C. Pinots were nice, but this one had a layer of complexity, and the touch of brett I sometimes like in wine, that put it over the top.

2010 Everett Ridge Syrah. All about the meat and the bacon. Very savory syrah, despite from being way up in Dry Creek. Yum.

2012 Da Vera Rosato de Sangiovese. Very, very controversial wine at the party I brought it to! I understand they are biodynamic and emphasize natural winemaking? Salmon colored rose with an "orange" cast to the color. This came through on the palate as well...this is one of the more unique roses I have experienced! It is also one of the roses I like! Extremely savory, bracing, almost minerally. Very little sweet fruit character, instead this wine is almost saline???? Had an orange wine character (despite my limited experience with such). I found it delicious, but some might find it too "minerally".

[David M. Bueker]

That Everett Ridge sounds delicious!

The Porter Creek Old Vines is indeed delicious. I wanted to buy a bottle last time I was there, but decided on the Fiona Hill '10 instead. Very nearly as good and half the price!
I guess I'm just cheap.
I do have a bottle of Porter Creek Hillside Vineyard '04 awaiting my decision to open it.
'10 was a totally weird year weather-wise in Sonoma County, but the wines that did come out have been very good, I think. Lean and very flavorful.

The Porter Creek Old Vines is indeed delicious. I wanted to buy a bottle last time I was there, but decided on the Fiona Hill '10 instead. Very nearly as good and half the price!
I guess I'm just cheap.
I do have a bottle of Porter Creek Hillside Vineyard '04 awaiting my decision to open it.
'10 was a totally weird year weather-wise in Sonoma County, but the wines that did come out have been very good, I think. Lean and very flavorful.

I actually like all of their wines. The Fiona Hill was fine, also! But their Syrah is always outstanding as well, and the Carrignane is intriguing. Even the Zin is delicious, and I am not a huge Zin drinker. Both Porter Creek and Moshin are fun places to visit, as well, with fine people behind the counter.

I like most of Porter Creek's offerings, too. The Chard, not so much.

I like most of Porter Creek's offerings, too. The Chard, not so much.

think I skipped that one! I like very few chards as a rule.