For those who do not know, JoMal has 360+ bottles of wine in his wine closet, soon to be supplemented by several more cases once the futures he purchased this weekend are released.
I spent the weekend in the Russian River, Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill and Dry Creek wine regions of Sonoma County, staying in the small town of Cloverdale and driving around the nearby wineries to taste the unreleased vintages straight out of the barrel. Many of the wineries sell these barrel wines prior to their release as "futures", where you buy the wine today at a significant discount, but the bottled wine won't be released from anywhere to two or three months from now to this time next year.
JoMal's main criteria for choosing these wineries over dozens of others: They are friendly, relatively uncrowded (as is Sonoma County still, compared to Napa), he knows many of the people at each by name, and they either offer a unique wine or produce a veriatal or blend that he considers the best in that category.
What JoMal found to be the choice wines this weekend:
Mazzocco Winery - The Viognier (VEE-ON-YAY), a white veriatal from the Condrieu region of the Rhone Valley in France, is one of the best in Sonoma. Still hard to find, the Viognier grape is making a comeback after almost becoming extinct in 1965, after enjoying 2,000 years of popularity. So rare, the winery did not even allow tastings of it this weekend, but JoMal bought futures of it last year and picked up his case this weekend. Joy to the World.
Their Matrix vertical tastings included four vintages from 1998-2001. Sonoma county wineries call their Bordeaux blends either Matrix, or Meritage. Mazzocco's Matrix selections are well represented in JoMal's wine closet.
JoMal and his crew also liked their Sauvignon Blanc, of which he purchased a case, using his club discount, which allowed him to buy six bottles of additionally discounted 1998 Matrix.
Lambert Bridge Winery - Between nibbles on bread dipped in the various hot mustards and flavored olive oils offered, JoMal loves the LB Cuvee' (their Italian blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah), their Zinfandel and Merlot's (both were entrants in this year's barrel tasting). The Viognier at Lambert Bridge is also good, but Mazzocco's is considered better by JoMal. No purchases were made here, as we already bought the wine we wanted during a previous trip.
Preston Winery - Where we always picnic because of its great facilities and location, their barrel entry was an excellent blending of Petite Sirah and Syrah, and a Merlot. Plus, Preston makes one of the few Barbera's to be found in the area. As many other Russion River wineries do, they also make a superior Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, but they are reknown for their Syrah, and also for the magnificent bread baked on site by the owner of the winery. The crust tastes almost like candy. No purchases made because we, again, are well stocked already with Preston Syrah and Zinfandels, our main reason for visiting this winery.
Lake Sonoma Winery - One of the few "commercial" wineries visited by JoMal, we always enjoy visiting this Winery/Brewery on our visits because of the stunning view offered of the entire Russian River Valley from its location right under the Lake Sonoma Dam. That, and the Russian River Zinfandel they make, which is always in their barrel tasting. We have already bought it, so no need to buy more at this time. The crew who came with us, however, did not hesitate to buy this wine. In addition, Lake Sonoma offers just about every other veriatal grown in the region, so we enjoyed the view and about twenty different tastes of wine.
Foppiano Winery - a relatively small winery, family owned since the 1896, it produces a very fine Petite Sirah (their annual barrel tasting entry) as well as very good table wines. We always recommend Foppiano Red Table wine (under their Riverside label) for large events calling for several cases of wine, like weddings. It is affordable and good, for the price.
Davis Bynum - They make just about every veriatal grown in the area, and I always tell novice wine drinkers to visit here because you can taste the distinct characteristics for each clearly in their wines. Sometimes, wineries make Pinot Noir the same as their Cabs, or the Zinfandels. Not here. You can easily tell you are drinking a certain veriatal without looking at the label, simply by the look of the wine in the glass and the taste. An odd observation, to be sure, but it sometimes is NOT always so clear as it should be. I greatly enjoy their Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon produced here, though I already own plenty and did not buy this trip, and instead enjoyed their Merlot out of the barrel and the tri-tip sandwiches. This was a pre-barreltasting event on Friday that took place after closing - around five thirty.
Armida Winery - A new one for JoMal to try, it came recommended by the people at Mazzocco. We will be coming back. Great wines, great facility and great view.
Fritz Winery - Bought the Pinot Noir future here. Fritz actually makes some of the best white wines in the area (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay), but JoMal already has plenty. However, a good Pinot is somewhat hard to find because Burgundys can be the most delicate veriatal to grow and turn into a good wine, and Fritz makes one of the best. This winery is actually constructed inside a hill and uses gravity to move the wine from level to level within the hill. Fascinating tour.
Fieldstone Winery - Our personal favorite winery, they make two of the best wines not only in this region, but probably the world - their Petite Syrah, and their port made from Petite Syrah grapes. JoMal bought a split case of their 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Syrah, as Fieldstone does not sell futures. The 2000 version of both were the barrel entries. Located right in the famous Alexander Valley, the wines from Fieldstone just rock, but the Petite Syrah they make, though expensive, is probably the best you can buy.
Rodney Strong - No purchases this trip, but we love their Chardonnay. Their Chalk Hill estate bottled Chardonnay has the classic finish of this premium veriatal. JoMal has about a case of it in his wine closet.
