It's a Wrap!

How can it be! Is it really true? The end of another year is upon us. So much has happened..some fast and furious stuff, some good and some not what we would have hoped for. All of the indicators were on and blinking...we saw it coming, an economic "adjustment" was imminent, and now, after all that has gone on we see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
In the world of wine this past year there were also many changes. Individual buying habits shifted from high end bottles to more modestly priced "finds", the sagging economy slowed down grape contracts, and for the first time in many years some grape growers could not sell all or some of their grapes. There were fire and ice issues, spring frosts walloped large portions of vines in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, only to be followed by the summer blazes of 129 fires that burned more than 54,000 acres and subjected the vines to a new foe, smoke taint (See my blog of 10/9/08). On the positive side, the Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau which has established more than 190 American Viticultural Areas (AVA's) has awarded Calistoga it's own AVA, the 2009 vintage report for Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot Noir looks like they will be a standout and Cabernet expectations are for a plush and elegant palate! Fortunately, the rains that occurred towards the end of harvest could have been a game changer with disastrous results but instead with patience and finesse to deal with the elements, the grapes only benefited.
In this challenging time we see boutique wineries thinking outside of the box to market their wines online through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. There was a lot of talk this year about the effect of global warming on grape growing and continued discussion on what it means to be a "green" wine, created by either biodynamic, organic or sustainable farming. On another note, the end of the year brings out the critics lists of the top 100 wines which also raises the questions of how wines are rated!?! As my family prepares to spend our Christmas holidays on the vineyard it is a good time to reflect on the events of the past year and a great time to embrace family, friends and a bright future!

Here are some distinctive recommendations from three regions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

La Crema - Sonoma County
2007 Chardonnay - Sonoma Coast - $20
Notes of honeysuckle and clove with vivid citrus and fresh green apple

2007 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley - $30
Aromas of baked apple and pears...butter cream and spice

2007 Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast - $24
Bright, ripe cherry and spicy clove and licorice followed by plum and orange

2007 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - $40
Aromas of dark plum and black cherry with hints of rose petal and oranges

Morgan - Monterey

2007 Highland Chardonnay - $26
Crisp, green apple, chestnut, walnut, minerals and pineapple

2007 Double L Chardonnay - $36
Medium rich on the palate with minerals, tropical fruit, toasty oak and orange blossoms

2007 Twelve Clones Pinot Noir - $32
A cherry-berry nose with hints of minerals and vanilla and some spicy earthy notes

2007 Gary's Vineyard Pinot Noir - $48
Deep ruby red color with a nose of red cherry, raspberry, cloves and rose petals

Rusak - Santa Barbara

2007 Santa Barbara County - Chardonnay - $23
Good balance of acidity with hints of honeydew melon, pear and a smooth finish.

2007 Reserve Chardonnay - $32
Santa Maria valley's long, cool growing season creates aromas of apple, lemon and fresh pineapple...a blend of grapes from the Bien Nacido and Sierra Madre vineyards

2007 Santa Barbara County - Pinot Noir $30
Packed with bright spicy flavors of strawberries, coffee and caramel

2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - Santa Rita Hills - $40
Seductive aromas of raspberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, nutmeg and anise...very well balanced

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!