Platt Vineyard: A Remarkable Expression
Sometime last year, I received an offer for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Platt Vineyard. It was not connected to any winery that I was familiar with - just Platt Vineyard. I was surprised and very curious, since I was aware of the popularity of the grapes from that vineyard, well sought after by winemakers. I was not aware of it being its “own” winery. My first response was to open up Anthony Galloni’s app “Vinous” to see what reviews might be available. To my surprise, the ratings and comments about Platt Vineyard wines were remarkable. I was amazed that the ’23 Platt Vineyard Estate Reserve Chardonnay had been awarded 100 points! A perfect score for Chardonnay? This was curious for me; and since I was able to purchase, I did. The newly released Pinot Noir was awarded 98 points. These are remarkable scores for what would be considered a new winery.
Wayfarer Vineyard’s Estate Pinot Noir: Wine Spectator’s #8 Wine of the Year!
I have espoused the beauty and joy of drinking Wayfarer Vineyard’s Estate Pinot Noir in the past. (See here.) This is a grand opportunity to bring this brilliant wine to your attention again. The 2023 Estate has just been named Wine Spectator’s #8 wine of the year! Yes, I am cheering! Wine Spectator tastes over 10,000 wines each year, and from that they designate the top 100.
Peter Michael Winery: A Remarkable Expression of the Vine
Peter Michael Winery is located in the northeast corner of Sonoma County (California) in Knights Valley AVA. This is the main winery, and several of the vineyards are at this location. A tasting at this property includes a stunning view of the vineyards from 1000 feet up, on the hillside of Mount Saint Helena. Upon arrival, you are welcomed into a tasting room that has the comfort of a friend’s living room and truly feels like a home. This is a warm and open space. The real journey though is by truck. You are driven slowly to the top of the hillside to enjoy the view. Here, they have built a guest space that allows for the magnificent view of vineyards and the valley below. It is a gorgeous expanse of hillsides and vines. The winery is a remarkable commitment to nature.
Kistler Vineyards: A Chardonnay Lover’s Dream
First and foremost, Kistler Vineyards is a beautiful setting. It sits high on a hill with a lovely house and gorgeous views of the surroundings. Vines, hills, and slopes abound and capture the beauty of the winery. This is a short drive into the Sebastopol, CA area and well worth it for the beauty of the setting alone.
Yet the only reason truly to make the trip is to explore the beauty of the wines. Kistler produces twelve single-vineyard Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs. What is unique here is that the expression of the wine – the Chardonnays in particular – comes from the vineyards.
Oregon Tastings to Enjoy!
The star of our visit to the Willamette Valley was resoundingly Pinot Noir. The valley provides a rich environment for this variety to bloom – in many ways. What is it that contributes to the quality and richness of expression of this wine in the glass?
First, what is important is the soil. The volcanic rock, marine sediment, and loess (loosely compacted windblown sediment), which formed the vineyards of the valley, became marginally fertile, well-drained soils. This translates to vines which need to struggle just enough during the growing season to produce a mature grape with character and complexity.
The other important aspect is the weather. The average temperatures, along with long daylight hours during the growing season and enough annual rainfall, provide an optimal environment for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley: A Glorious Journey
Oregon’s wine industry consistently ranks as the fourth largest producer of wine in the United States. It is believed that the Willamette Valley’s location approximates the latitude of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or AOC, the motherland of Pinot Noir. It is unfortunately not true, yet it is a fun belief. What does contribute to the success of Pinot Noir in the valley (which it does share with Burgundy) is the cool, rainy climate with warm summers and mild winters. Both regions have ancient mineral soils, and they both have very fertile valley floors. As you might expect, the star grape from the Willamette Valley is Pinot Noir, as it represents 62% of the harvest volume. Whites from Willamette Valley include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
Cattleya by Bibiana Gonzalez Rave, Vintner and Winemaker
The story here is intriguing and interesting to say the least. Yet, what is more important to you, the reader is the wine itself. Right now, I am nursing a beautiful bottle of Pinot Noir made by this terrific winemaker. The nose is bright and fruity with boysenberry; the attack is rich and svelte with bright red raspberry and a finish that goes on and on. Quite frankly, I have been waiting all day to enjoy the wine again. That is important. It is a wine that calls me back to enjoy more! Those are some of the best bottles of wine; those that speak to you.
The Pinot Noir is a 2021 Cattleya made by Bibiana Gonzalez Rave.
La Pelle Wines: Quality Being Made and Expressed
What I believe is most important to the wine aficionado is the quality in the bottle. Does what is in my glass represent the varietal, and is it well-crafted to enjoy slowly with thoughtfulness and great pleasure? The label is La Pelle; and the winemaker is Maayan Koschitsky; and the answer is “yes” on all counts.
DuMOL: The Evolution of Outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
DuMOL is a Sonoma County winery that has evolved since its inception in 1996. And that is truly a progression that rewards you and me as enjoyers of wine. The original owners named the winery using an amalgamation of the names of their children (Duncan and Molly). The wines at that time were made from grapes bought from Dutton Ranch in Sebastopol, CA. In 1999, Andy Smith joined DuMOL as their winemaker/viticulturist. In 2005, Andy became part owner of the winery; and, in 2015, he and an associate bought full ownership of the winery. The results today are remarkable.
Kale Wines: The Next Chapter
I first met winemaker Kale Anderson at a wonderful wine experience hosted by Pahlmeyer Winery, where each participant was charged with crafting their own red blends out of Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It was challenging; yet Kale, who was the Director of Winemaking for Pahlmeyer, was there as a resource and guide. His knowledge was very apparent, and his willingness to share with us was a gift. Pahlmeyer was the next step in his journey and expression of the vine.