Tried these two last Fri w/ Susan at dinner:
1. CedarvilleVnyd {Viognier} ElDorado (EB; 14.3%; 115 cs; www.CedarvilleVineyard.com) Fairplay 2017: Med.gold color; very fragrant Viog/floral/peach/pear slight earthy nose; lightly tart/tangy rich/lush/bright/wirey very strong Viog/floral/peach/pear/lemony light earthy/stony flavor; very long/lingering bright/floral/carnations/pear/peach/ripe/Viog bit tart/tangy rich finish; lots of bright/brisk Viog fruit but light on its feet as it pirouettes across the palate; quite a lovely Viog far/far away from DollyParton territory at a very attractive price. $23.00
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2. Carlisle PetiteSirah SonomaCnty (14.9%; 295 cs) 2016: Very dark/near black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/ripe/PS/bit peppery slight earthy bit toasty/oak big fruit nose; soft bit hard/tannic strong blackberry/boysenberry/PS/slight peppery light toasty/oak slight earthy/dusty/OV flavor w/ modest hard/tangy tannins; very long soft strong ripe/blackberry/boysenberry/PS slight peppery/earthy finish w/ modest hard tannins; loads of ripe PS fruit but shows a bit of the oafish side of PS; needs 2-5 yrs yet. $29.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Cedarville: A wnry I have, of course, followed from the very start when Jonathan & Susan first showed down at HdR many a yr ago. Their wines are, across the board solid/well-made/reasonably priced mostly Rhones. Their Viog used to be on the soft/fat side, riper, and pushing DollyParton territory. But their recent efforts have tightened up that style quite a bit, w/o becoming lean & eviscerated. Good wines/good people.
Tom