Exploring
the Wineries of the Dry Creek Valley
- Passalacqua, Everett Ridge, & Mill Creek
Sonoma
County's Dry Creek Valley
is one of the premier grape growing regions in California. The
area may be most famous for its wonderful Zinfandels, but the
wineries have a wide range to offer, making the valley well
worth exploring. So check out any of the wineries we'd featured
individually along with the three spotlighted here:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Passalacqua
2012 "Old Vine" Zinfanel
Winery:
Passalacqua
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of bing cherries and cranberries combine with suggestions
of sweet spice and white pepper on the nose. Flavors of
raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate open up into hints
of pepper and minerals. A rich Zin, with a few lively
notes, enjoy a bottle with spicy turkey burgers. 409 cases
produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Passalacqua
Radici Della Famiglia Sei
Winery:
Passalacqua
Grape(s): 60% Sangiovese (2012) &
40% Cabernet (2011)
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Blackberries and blueberries come together with nuances
of clove, pepper, and smoky oak on the nose. The palate
delivers flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry
accented by notes of minerals, spice, and creamy oak.
Dark fruit combines with bright highlights and plush tannins
making this a nice, approachable wine. 112 cases were
made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Everett
Ridge 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Everett Ridge
Grape(s): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon &
5% Cabernet Franc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, plums, and currants mingle with
notes of vanilla and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate
delivers flavors of black cherry, plum, and cassis that
flow into traces of toasty oak, cola, and minerals. A
lush, mouth-filling red, it will pair nicely with your
favorite cut of beef. 292 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Everett
Ridge 2010 Zinfandel
Winery:
Everett Ridge
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, plums, and pepper
rises up from a glass. Flavors of bramble fruit and blueberry
combine with notes of black pepper, licorice, and cocoa
on the palate. With dark fruit and spicy highlights, Zinfandel
lovers will enjoy it thoroughly.
Rating: 90 |
|
Mill
Creek 2011 Zinfandel
Winery:
Mill Creek
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, currants, and cherries meld
with notes of spice and cedar on the nose. Flavors of
cherry, blackberry, and plum come together with hints
of minerals, pepper, and oak on the palate. A dark Zin
with mellow tannins, enjoy a bottle with some BBQ chicken.
231 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Mill
Creek 2012 Gewurztraminer
Winery:
Mill Creek
Grape(s): 100% Gewurztraminer
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of pear, peach, lychee fruit and floral notes
greets the senses. The palate reveals flavors of white
peach, lychee fruit and apricot with accents of sweet
spice, white blossoms, and honey. Semi-sweet with a welcoming
acidity, fans of Gewurztraminer will enjoy this bottle.
410 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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