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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

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

 

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