Visit to Family Wineries in Sonoma County in October

[wondersofwine]

Several small wineries have tasting rooms here. From Mietz Cellars I sampled a 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley and a 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. I liked the Pinot Noir which showed cherries and spice and was nicely balanced. Light reddish-brown color. Slightly alcoholic on the palate (14.5% abv) Also tasted 2007 Mietz Cellars Zinfandel, Home Ranch, Dry Creek Valley. More brambly than the Dashe Cellars Zinfandel and I didn't like it as well as the Dashe.

2008 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley. Clean tasting with dark berries; smoother, not rustic like some Zins. I bought a bottle to ship home.

2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel, Louvau Old Vines, Dry Creek Valley. Nice, but I prefered the 2008.

I also tried a 2006 Collier Falls Zinfandel, Dry Creek Private Reserve that was labeled at 15.7% alcohol.

I also tasted without notes the 2007 Philip Staley Syrah.

2005 Philip Staley Vineyards & Winery Vinho Dulce Syrah Port, Russian river Valley. Dark purple-red, semi-transparent. Nice, less pruney than traditional Port. 18.2% alcohol.

At the Amphora tasting room my favorite was the 2007 A.Forchini-Watson Vineyard Zinfandel which won a double gold at the 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition. I also like Amphora's Syrah.

At Papapietro I liked two of the Pinot Noirs I tasted--one was the 2007 Elsbree Vineyards, Russian River Valley but I didn't get down the name of the other one.

[Innkeeper]

Had Phil Staley made any mention of getting back into Mouvedre again?

[wondersofwine]

Don't know about that but Joseph Swan makes a nice Mourvedre that probably has to be purchased from the winery.