Chardonnay:
Ritchie
Porter-Bass
Barbed Oak
Sonoma County
Pinot noir:
Hellenthal
van der Kamp
Sonoma County Rosé
2007 Hellenthal Pinot noir
This wine shows classic 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
cherries, sandalwood and spice. East Indian spices are hallmarks of these 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 bright fruit, culminating in
a long, pure finish. This Pinot noir will stand up to the most robust food and wine pairing and
continue to evolve and improve with aging.
Production: 152 cases Released: 3/1/2010 Price: $40
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96 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, March 2010
"There’s a wildland, coastal mountain taste to this wine, which brims with bone-dry,
exotic, woodsy tastes of wild forest cherries, fennel, balsam, cola, volcanic minerals,
raw beef and Asian spices, not to mention the sweet veneer of sandalwood. It’s utterly
distinct from other Pinots in its almost feral complexity, a wine that changes with every
sniff and sip. Should develop through 2014. This is a great price for a Pinot Noir of this
integrity and interest. Only 152 cases were produced, but it’s worth the search."
2007 Barbed Oak Vineyard Chardonnay
Aromas of crème brûlée and roasted almonds are 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, sweet melon and toasted almonds. The powerful texture extends the long and lingering finish with the creamy richness of crèmebrûlée and lemon custard.
Production: 1392 bottles Released: 1/15/2010 Price: $30
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Connoisseur's Guide - 92 POINTS, Two Puffs
"Winemaker Greg Bjornstad earned a tip of the CGCW cap for the stunning Pfendler Chardonnay in our recent November issue, and he now does the same with several top-notch offerings under his own label. This rich, but uncommonly refined, working is a textbook example of Greg’s careful winemaking style, and, while a well-extracted wine, it is always light on its feet and firmed by a long line of crisping acidity. Like its mates, it is built for comfortable keeping but will drink famously with milder seafoods straight away."
90 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, February 2010
"Lots of oaky richness in this dry, crisp Chardonnay. It has high acidity and a dusty minerality, but also a thick coat of sweet, butterscotchy oak and powerful flavors of lemons, limes, pineapples and exotic tropical fruits. Drink over the next four years."
GOLD MEDAL - 2010 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
2007 Porter Bass Chardonnay
Pretty, light oat color and slightly opaque showing its unfiltered nature. At first the nose is delicate with hints of citrus flowers then gives way to aromas of creamy lemon curd. Flavors evolve on the palate from citrusy Meyer lemon and mineral qualities through toasty, creamy vanillas and floral and smoky notes. The texture is lean and steely from front to back with a long, lingering finish.
93 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, February 2010
"Chardonnay doesn't get much richer or riper thank this. Explodes with grilled pineapple, lemondrop, smoky meringue, buttered toast and cinnamon spice flavors, brightened and boosted by crisp, citrusy cool-climate acidity. Racy and clean and complex, it should develop bottle nuance over the next four years."
91 POINTS, eRobertParker.com
"The 2007 Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard exhibits lots of nectarine, lychee nut, crushed rock, honeysuckle, and white peach aromas and flavors as well assteely acidity, an attractive minerality, outstanding purity, and a medium to fullbodied style. This impressive effort rivals the estate’s Ritchie Vineyard cuvee. Itshould drink well for 3-4 years.
This small winery in Sebastopol releases under 150 cases of each of these cuvees except for the Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard, which has a production of slightly over 200 cases. Prices are very fair, and as the locals know, Greg Bjornstad is a well-known consultant who has worked with a lot of top wineries in the area. All of these complex offerings merit considerable consumer interest." - Robert Parker, Jr.
Production: 760 bottles Released: 10/1/2009 Price: $40
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2007 van der Kamp Pinot Noir
Pretty, brilliant garnet color and aromas of dark ripe cherries and berries fill the glass along with smoky, toasty layers of spices, black tea, sandalwood and cedar. On the palate, the entry is round and rich and the fruit flavors flirt back and forth between red pie cherries and black raspberries alongside earthy qualities and forest duff. The texture builds from the beginning to a round, mouth coating middle with a long persistent finish. Over time, the flavors continue to evolve on the palate with black licorice and savory, spiced meats.
96 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, March 2010
"It’s hard to consistently get scores this high year after year, but Greg Bjornstad does,
because he understands Pinot Noir. Specifically, he knows how to combine power,
which is easy, with finesse, which isn’t. This 2007, from an esteemed vineyard, is
spectacular in wild forest cherry, cola, licorice, pine cone, anise, exotic spice and
sandalwood flavors, even as it’s perfectly balanced with crisp acidity, fine tannins and
just-right oak. Lovely and complex. Now–2014."
90 POINTS - eRobertParker.com
"Displaying a similar medium ruby hue, the 2007 Pinot Noir van der Kamp
Vineyard exhibits complex notes of cloves, allspice, cherries, plums, and forest
floor, and less herbaceousness than its sibling. Enjoy this elegant, medium
weight Pinot over the next 3-4 years." - Robert Parker, Jr.
Production: 1534 bottles Released: 10/1/2009 Price: $40
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2007 Sonoma County Chardonnay
Aromas of creamy vanilla, spice and roasted, toasted bread come from the glass. The subtle tropical fruit aromas present themselves as white peach, Asian pear and melon flavors on the palate. The wine is loaded with flavor and round, creamy, toasty richness! A solid backbone provides this blend with a firm, broad structure and bright acidity that lingers long and complex on the finish.
Production: 1,572 bottles Released: 3/1/2009 Price: $25
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2008 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.
Production: 660 bottles Released: 5/20/2009 Price: $18
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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 Price: $50 $40
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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.
$50 $30
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