Chardonnay:
Ritchie
Porter-Bass
Pinot noir:
Hellenthal
van der Kamp
2006 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
The Ritchie Vineyard consistently produces distinctive Chardonnays, known for their richness and tropical fruit flavors. Bjornstad’s representation expresses a somewhat leaner version, consistent with the characteristics of the 2006 vintage. The complex aromas reveal sweet citrus notes of Mandarin orange and Meyer lemon meringue. Creamy vanillas and butterscotch layer nicely with the fruit and toasty oak notes. Flavors follow aromas onto the palate with a beautiful balance of acid and richness that gives way to a long, persistent finish.
"Well-structured, with hints of complexity woven in and touches of ripe pear, butterscotch and melon. Ends with a cleansing aftertaste. Drink now through 2010. 273 cases made."
91 Points "From an undeniably grand cru site, the elegant 2006 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes across like a Chablis, revealing notes of lemons, oranges, melons, citrus oil, wet stones, and white currants. With crisp acidity, a steely backbone, a striking minerality, and an elegant personality, it is a pure, deep Chardonnay to enjoy over the next 2-3 years."
Production: 3,282 bottles Released: 11/1/2007
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2006 Barbed Oak Vineyard Chardonnay
The glass is filled with aromas of crème brûlée and roasted almonds interwoven with citrus peel and ripe melon. The structure and extract of the wine spreads across the palate, coating it with rich textures of fine tannin and balanced acidity. Flavors resonate back and forth between Meyer lemon, crisp pear and apple, melon and toasted almonds. The powerful texture extends the long and lingering finish with the creamy richness of crème brûlée and lemon custard.
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2006 Hellenthal Pinot noir
This deeply colored wine has tremendous acid and tannin structure typical of Pinot noir hailing from the extreme Sonoma Coast. From the first pour, the glass is filled with aromas of cassis, cherries and baked raspberry pie. East Indian spices are hallmarks of coastal Pinot noir and they further lift and add dimension to the complexity of the wine. The fruit and spice flavors follow the aromas onto the palate with layers of licorice and caramel, culminating in a very long powerful finish. This Pinot noir will stand up to the most robust food and wine pairing and continue to evolve and improve with aging.
"Rich, intense, focused and concentrated, with loamy blackberry, wild berry, cherry and anise notes that are plush and mouthcoating. This is complex now, but sure to be pleasing short term. Drink now through 2012. 253 cases made."
$50 $40
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2007 Sonoma County Pinot noir
The glass is filled with brilliant garnet color and aromas of smoky, brambly red raspberries and pie cherries, complete with the flaky, toasty crust. On the palate, the texture is initially soft, round and rich as the flavors of these bright red fruits become apparent and gradually fade into creamy vanilla and then hints of roasted, savory charcuterie. The brightness of these red fruits seems to build into a mouth filling expansive finish that goes on and on.
Production: 108 bottles Released: 4/20/2009 Price: $25
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2006 Porter Bass Chardonnay
Initially smoky and meaty in the glass, the wine evolves and unfolds an amazing, delicate complexity of aromas and flavors. Subtle scents of lime and white flowers invoke sweet and spice from honeysuckle, jasmine, and freesia blossoms that resolve into flavors of lime, pear, green apple and pineapple. The texture is lean, crisp and full with a long finish of a lingering green apple, citrus and smoke.
91 Points "An elegant effort is the 2006 Chardonnay Porter Bass Vineyard. Revealing more hazelnut, broiche, and tropical fruit characteristics, it is a restrained, well-balanced whiet to drink over the next 2-3 years."
Production: 1,938 bottles Released: 3/1/2008 Price: $50
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2006 van der Kamp Pinot noir
From the first pour, the lifted aromatics of this wine are varied and intriguing, inviting another visit. There are the pretty red fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and the mixed fragrances of a wild berry patch. Next are the subtle, smoky, meaty aromas that are inherent to the van der Kamp Vineyard. Flavor follows fragrance seamlessly onto the round and rich palate, supporting these defined flavors with restrained oak and spice, ending with a firm finish.
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2006 Chardonnay, Sonoma County
A bouquet of lemon curd, vanilla and grilled bread give way to luscious fruit on the mid-palate: Asian pear, white peach, honeydew. Dense with flavor and creamy, toasty richness. The Old Wente clone gives this cuvee both its firm, broad structure and the zest of acidity that lingers long and complex on the finish.
2007 Pinot noir Rosé
What a fun wine! From the first glimpse in the glass, the wine is attractive with a delicate, salmon color. The aroma coming from the glass is of freshly sliced strawberries that develop into strawberry rhubarb crisp. These aromas carry through into flavors on the palate bringing with them creamy vanilla and spice. There is a lovely balance between crisp acidity, sweet fruit and round richness. The flavors continue to evolve and become rich like guava and hints of smoke begin to appear as the finish lingers on.
2005 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
The Ritchie Vineyard consistently produces Chardonnays that are full, rich and renown for their exotic tropical fruit flavors. Bjornstad’s representation expresses these hallmarks that characterize the vineyard’s sense of place, or terroir. Complex aromas reveal creamy vanillas and crème brulee, ripe mango and citrus peel. These aromas follow through onto the palate with a seductive richness that gives way to a long, persistent finish.
92 Points "The 2005 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard (an undeniably great source for this varietal) exhibits an extraordinary bouguet of orange blossoms, brioche, hazelnuts, tropical fruits, and citrus oil. Full-bodied, leesy, rich, and complex, it will drink beautifully for 2-3 years."
90 Points "Aromas of ripe apple, fig, melon and hazelnut are intense and concentrated on the palate, if a bit raw now, with excellent balance and length. Drink now through 2010."
Production: 1,920 Released: 10/1/2007 Price: $50
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2005 Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay
Initially smoky, meaty and powerful in the glass, the wine evolves and unfolds an amazing, delicate complexity of aromas and flavors. Subtle scents of white flowers invoke sweet and spice from honeysuckle, jasmine, freesia and lime blossoms and resolve into flavors of pineapple, lime, pear and honeydew. The texture is lean and crisp and the finish is that of a lingering green apple.
91 Points "The 2005 Chardonnay Porter Bass Vineyard is lean, Chablis-like effort displaying additional notes of flowers, lemon curd, honeysuckle, and a touch of exotic fruit. It is a crisp, lean, earthy-styled white to consume over the next 3-4 years."
— Robert Parker, ©The Wine Advocate #168
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2005 Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot noir
From the grapes’ arrival at the winery on September 26, 2005 to today’s tasting, the impression is the same; “chocolate covered cherries”. This deeply colored wine has a smooth, rich texture owing to the fully developed tannin structure. Flavors follow aromas with its fruit forward core and layers of licorice, mineral and East Indian spices culminating in a very long velvety finish.
91 Points "Intense and concentrated, with a complex mix of earthy raspberry, black cherry, mineral and spice, gaining depth and richness on a long, persistent finish. The tannins are firm and ripe. Drink now through 2011."
92 Points "The aromatics of his dense ruby-colored 2005 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard bring to mind an Indonesian market. Spicy, sweet cherry, and chocolaty aromas are followed by a powerful, full-bodied, harmonious, sexy Pinot to enjoy over the next 5-6 years "
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2005 van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot noir
From the first pour, the lifted aromatics of this wine are varied and intriguing, inviting another visit. There are subtle, smoky, meaty aromas that are inherent to the van der Kamp Vineyard. Juxtaposed are the pretty red fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and the mixed fragrances of a wild berry patch. Flavor follows fragrance seamlessly onto the palate, supporting these defined flavors with restrained oak and spice, ending with a crisp, focused finish.
Note: this wine has been crafted without fining or filtration and shows a natural sediment.
90 Points "Readers looking for more forest floor, fresh mushroom, and earth-like characteristics should check out the dark ruby-hued 2005 Pinot Noir van der Kamp Vineyard. Notions of cherries and raspberries also emerge from this character-filled effort. Dirnk it over the next 4-5 years."
Production: 1,080 bottles Released: 3/1/2007 Price: $50
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