2008 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
An explosion of aromas of baked pear tartlet with sweet creamy custard rise from the open bottle. Rich fruit aromas from ripe nectarine and tropical fruits follow, along with a mineral quality of wet stones. In the glass, the color is pale straw with a light green edge and light haze, confirming the wine is neither fined nor filtered. The wine is rich and viscous, balanced with an elegant acidity. The oak signature is present at such a level to support the complex of aroma and flavor components. The fruit, rich cream and mineral flavors follow onto the palate beautifully, providing even greater depth to the aromas through a long, rich finish.

Production: 129 cases   Released: 10/15/2011  
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92 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, September 1, 2011
"Zesty acidity and the flavors of green apples, pears and mangoes combine to make this Chardonnay attractive and food friendly. It has a creamy smokiness that adds to the richness. Drink it now with elaborate shellfish dishes. - S.H."

Connoisseur's Guide - 92 POINTS, Two Puffs
"Richness, crispness, ripe fruit and firmly balanced despite flirtations with some early roundness to its first palatal impressions, this bottling is both young and inviting at the same time, and there will be those who will drink it up now since it does not demand bottle aging. We would, however, counsel a fair bit of patience as this one has only revealed a quick peek at its future charms, and a year or two of bottle age is going to see the wine become increasingly seamless. Reviewed: August 2011"

2008 Barbed Oak Vineyard Chardonnay
Subtle and restrained are the nuanced citrus peel, lightly toasted almond and mineral aromas. The structure and extract of the wine spreads across the palate, coating it with rich textures of fine tannin and balanced acidity. Flavors resonate between Meyer lemon, crisp pear, green apple and toasted almonds. The powerful texture extends the long and lingering finish with the creamy richness of creme brulee’ and almond encrusted lemon custard.

Production: 115 cases   Released: 10/15/2011  
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92 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2011
"The initial impression of this Chardonnay is of intense pineapple, pear and tropical fruit flavors, but then the minerality and acidity kick in, and the wine feels grounded and vital. It's a lovely effort, rich and intense yet light and ephemeral. - S.H."

Connoisseur's Guide - 94 POINTS, Two Puffs
"Youthful, citrusy and appley scents with a hint of apple blossom make a fine start here, and the wine respons with solid, well focused, still nascent flavors of apples, grapefruit and lightly spicy notes. Bright at the finish with integrated oaky richness adding to the charm of the wine at this writing, this one, like its mates, wants a few years of cellaring in which to grow into itself and reach its full potential. It is a handsome example of fruit and acidity working together. Reviewed: August 2011"

2009 Keefer Ranch Pinot noir
First, let me say how happy I was when Marcy called me on October 3, 2009, to ask if I'd like to have an extra bin of Pinot noir that she and Craig found that day! This is a really delicious wine and I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

High tone aromas of bright black cherries lead the nose into sweet spices and the hallmark cola/sassafras qualities that I find in most Keefer Ranch Pinot noir. On the palate, the entry is round and rich with flavors following aromas. There is an intriguing interplay between vanilla cream and coco powder with a core of Bing cherries bringing them together. The tannin and acid profiles are supportive and supple as they frame the long, round, rich finish.

Production: 25 cases   Released: 9/15/2011  
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2009 van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot meunier
In the glass, a deep garnet color and intriguing layered aromas of forest floor, cedar spice, licorice and earth mingle with wild, black raspberries. On the palate, flavors follow aromas with black raspberries, sweet, black licorice and duff. The texture is an elegant balance between firm and round with satisfying palate weight. These flavors and texture finally give way to a long, rich finish. 2009 is a great vintage!

Production: 49 cases   Released: 9/15/2011  
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2008 Hellenthal Vineyard 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: 175 cases   Released: 11/15/2010  
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Connoisseur's Guide - 94 POINTS, Two Puffs
"If perhaps a bit bigger and bolder than last year's Bjornstad Pinots, both this wine and the van der Kamp bottling are marked by a sense of winemaking refinement and fine structure. This one begins with a deftly oaked, ripe-cherry nose and follows with deep and slightly succulent, well-fruited flavors that take on an intriguing minerally note. If already fairly silky in feel, it finds a nice brightening bite of finishing acidity, and, while clearly a class act, it is not yet close to showing its best. Set it aside for three to five years. Reviewed: October 2011"

92 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2011
"Lots of zesty acidity in this wonderfully complex, exotic Pinot Noir, which comes from the true Sonoma Coast, in the Fort Ross area. It's explosive in wild summer raspberries and cherries, briary nettles, vanilla bean and spices, with a perfect coating of sweetly caramelized oak. Very pure and refined, and best enjoyed young. - S.H."

2008 van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot noir
Pretty, brilliant garnet color and aromas of red cherries and wild, red raspberries fill the glass along with smoky, toasty layers of spices, black tea, mineral and earthy, forest floor. On the palate, the entry is lean and focused with flavors mirroring the aromas. The fruit flavors flirt back and forth between red pie cherries and raspberries alongside earthy, forest duff. The texture builds from the beginning through to a long persistent finish. With time, the flavors continue to evolve on the palate bringing black licorice and savory, spiced meats.

Production: 175 cases   Released: 10/1/2010  
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Connoisseur's Guide - 91 POINTS, Two Puffs
"Nicely ripened, fit with a trim bit of oak and keenly focused on pure Pinot Noir fruit, this wine exhibits a certain calm and refinement even while showing what might be best called a sneaky sense of richness. It is medium-full-bodied and very well-balanced with the first hints of varietal velvet in feel, and, while never one for flamboyance, it is concentrated, intense and sustained with the structure and depth of a wine destined to age very well. Reviewed: October 2011"

90 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2011
"Lots of vibrantly ripe fruit in this wine, with mouthfilling flavors of raspberries, cherries and cola. It's delicious in an upfront way, with a supporting structure of acids and tannins and a sweet coat of oak. Drink over the next year or two before it fades. - S.H."

2008 Sonoma County Pinot noir
Rich, dark fruit aromas explode from the glass, mingling with sweet spices and hints of creamy, toasted oak. On the palate, the fruit flavors are big, rich and dark. The texture of the wine is round and rich yet structured with with fine tannins and balanced acidity, that evolves into a long and expansive finish.

Production: 40 cases   Released: 5/15/2010  
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2008 Sonoma County Chardonnay
Aromas of creamy vanilla, spice and roasty, toasty creme brulee’ interweave with the fruit qualities of citrus, grilled pineapple and other tropical fruits and finally, a mineral aspect of crushed stone. The texture of the wine is bold upon entry with flavors of lemon custard and vanilla being counter balanced by focussed acidity and a solid structure. The
wine is refreshing and light on the palate and gives way to a long and persistent finish.

Production: 221 cases   Released: 5/15/2010  
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92 POINTS, The Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2011
"Pretty much as good as Bjornstad's single-vineyard bottlings. It's opulent and creamy, with exotic tropical fruit, green apple, pear and honey flavors, elaborately oaked and spicy. Wonderful acidity gives a clean scour to all the richness. - S.H."

Connoisseur's Guide - 89 POINTS, One Puff
"Less complete than its mates above but still firm, fruity and quite likeable at every stop, this wine comes with complexing notes of roasted grains, Meyer lemons and lightly toasty oak. It is full in boody without a hint of heaviness and offers a priceworthy way to experience the Bjornstad stylish handling of Chardonnay. Crisp and fruity to finish, this one suggests that it is ready, even while promising to grow a bit. Reviewed: August 2011"

PinotFile - May 24, 2010
Appealing aromas of cooked pear, brown butter, caramel and oak fading some in the glass replaced by green apple notes. Tasty citrus and pear flavors with a hint of honey. Not as rich or striking as the vineyard-designated Chardonnays, but a solid wine with a slightly creamy mouth feel and a bright, clingy finish. A go-to wine for everyday enjoyment. Good.

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