Winery
of the Week: Pellegrini - Sonoma County
By FBWorld Team
The
folks at Pellegrini trace their heritage in winemaking
back to the early 1900s when brothers Nello and Gino Pellegrini
arrived in New York City from their native Tuscany. After making
their way to the West Coast, they became Sonoma County grape
merchants in 1925, shipping grapes throughout the U.S. for home
winemaking. In 1933 after repeal of Prohibition, the brothers
established the original Pellegrini Wine Company,
producing quality wines for many of San Francisco's finest shops
and restaurants. Today, the people of Pellegrini focus on producing
high-quality varietals. Here's what our tasting panel thought
about five of them.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Pellegrini
2012 Unoaked Chardonnay
Winery:
Pellegrini Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of green apple, Asian pear, and lemon rises
up from a glass. Bright flavors of apple and pear are
accented by notes of citrus and chalky earth on the palate.
A crisp, clean Chardonnay that's very well suited for
food, fans of livelier whites will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Pellegrini
2011 Zinfandel
Winery:
Pellegrini Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of strawberries and raspberries mingle with hints
of spice on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of lively
red berries and plum accented by suggestions of white
pepper and cedar. It's a light, approachable Zin that's
sure to please a crowd.
Rating: 88 |
|
Pellegrini
2010 Merlot
Winery:
Pellegrini Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of cherries and blackberries meld with notes
of cedar and Italian seasoning on the nose. The palate
delivers flavors of blackberry, currants, and black cherry
that open up into nuances of mocha, minerals, and toasty
oak. A full-bodied Merlot, with a firm structure, it will
hold up to a dish like roast beef or a few years in the
cellar.
Rating: 88 |
|
Pellegrini
2011 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Pellegrini Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Cherries, strawberries, and plums interweave with notes
of sweet spice and spring flowers on the nose. With a
sip, flavors cherry, plum, and raspberry unfold into suggestions
of all-spice and earth. A smooth, Pinot with plush tannins
and welcoming acidity, it's a very drinkable wine.
Rating: 89 |
|
Pellegrini
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Pellegrini Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, cherries, and currants are
accented by notes of creamy oak and earth on the nose.
Flavors of black cherry, cassis, and blackberry mingle
with hints of toasty oak and minerals on the palate. Nicely
structured and fruit-driven, this is quite an approachable
Cabernet.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|