Special Report

http://www.scherrerwinery.com

2004 Chardonnay, Scherrer Vineyard

You don’t see much California chardonnay with a five year old vintage date that tastes this good. From Fred’s library, this wine exhibits apples and honey on the nose and the palate, with crisp acidity and integrated oak tones. Very food friendly. 14.5% alcohol. 190 cases produced.

2006 Chardonnay, Helfer Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Pleasantly light smoke on the nose, with apple and tropical fruit notes becoming a full flavored and balanced palate. Crisp and clean with a long rich finish, and nice soft oak tones.

14.5% alcohol. 140 cases produced. SRP 38.00

2004 Zinfandel, Scherrer Vineyard, Old & Mature Vines

A very complex Zin with bright raspberry, cherry, cinnamon and herb aromas that translate beautifully into flavors. Quite lively in the mouth with good balance and a long captivating finish. This is the kind of wine that is leading the charge away from the overoaked, overripe, high alcohol fruit bomb style. Great with food.

14.5% alcohol. 900 cases produced.

2006 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

Again, a very balanced wine. The nose shows cherries, dried flowers and a light earthy note. The cherry fruit is bright in the mouth, with some spice and mushroom rounding things out. Medium long finish.

14.5% alcohol. 360 cases produced. SRP 35.00.

2006 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

This wine shows what Russian River Pinot Noir can be. Balance is the word again, with a nose of black cherry, fresh turned field, sarsaparilla and a bit of white pepper. In the mouth, solid acidity gives a good grip, holding up flavors of cherry, strawberry, truffle and white pepper. Very rich finish goes on and on.

14.5% alcohol. Not yet released.

2006 Pinot Noir “Big Brother,” Sonoma Coast

This wine is mainly clone 777 from the Annapolis area with some Pommard clone in the mix. The nose is deep with Cinnamon, roses, black cherry and a bit of blackberry. The palate brings bright spiced black cherry with black tea and cardamom notes. Rich and viscous with a very long finish.

14.5% alcohol. 420 cases produced. SRP 50.00.

2006 Pinot Noir, Hallberg Vineyard, Green Valley

This is a ridiculously good wine! Bright cola/sarsaparilla, cherry, rhubarb, and sweet oak on the nose. Great acid balance with cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cola and touch of clove flavors that just hang in the mouth. Long, complex finish with serious integration of all the elements. One of the best Pinots WiseGuy has tasted.

14.5% alcohol. Not yet released.

2005 Syrah, Bliss Vineyard

The nose feature a bright minty note, with blackberry, blueberry and a touch of tar. The palate brings deep spiced plum, with dried herbs and cinnamon, Good grip from firm, balanced tannins and a long finish.

14.5% alcohol. 90 cases produced. SRP 40.00.

2006 Syrah, Russian River Valley

A nice mix of black and red berries with good spiciness on the nose become flavors in the mouth, with firm tannins providing structure and holding up the fruit and spice through a long finish.

14.5% alcohol. 380 cases produced. SRP 30.00

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Scherrer Vineyard

A library wine. Solidly structured, the wine gives aromas of blackberry, cassis, with touches of bell pepper and spice. Notice this “balance’ word keeps popping up in the descriptions? This wine again shows great balance, allowing all the different flavors to speak, delivering on the promise of the nose, and bringing a long complex finish.

14.5% alcohol. 380 cases produced.

2005 Vin Gris, Sonoma County

This rose, a blend of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, has an attractive strawberry/bay leaf nose with a light balsalmic note. The palate is crisp and dry, with strawberry, rhubarb fruit midpalate and a long strawberry and white pepper finish. Again, a very balanced, food friendly wine.

13.5% alcohol. 350 cases produced.

If you’re looking for wines that show a lot of finesse and elegance, check out Scherrer Winery.