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December 2008
2006 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 90 points
“A lovely, supple Pinot Noir that makes you think of restaurants, white tablecloths and food. Dry and elegant, it has some rich tannins and crisp acidity that frame flavors of mashed ripe red cherries, cola, pomegranates, anise and pepper, with rich oak influences. This bottling has made dramatic improvements over the years.”
2007 Esterlina Dry Riesling 89 points
If more Rieslings tasted like this, more consumers would buy them. As the label says, the wine is dry, but it’s so rich in citrus, peach, green apple, wildflower and vanilla flavors, it tastes sweetly honeyed. Crisp, bright acidity provides a zesty clean feeling. 89pts — S.H. (11/15/2008) Editor’s Choice Wine Enthusiast
2007 Riesling 89 points
This is Esterlina’s off-dry Riesling, and it’s as good in its semi-sweet way as a dry bottling. Shows the same brilliant acidity and delicious citrus, peach, wildflower and vanilla flavors, with a complex, honeyed richness. — 89pts S.H. (11/15/2008) Wine Enthusiast
2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award Winners
2005 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
2006 Cole Ranch Riesling
2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award Winners
2005 Chardonnay Russian River Valley
SF Chronicle Wine Competition
WineJudging.com
TOP 100 WINES
The Best of the West By
Jon Bonné with Lynne Char Bennett
December 2007
2006 Esterlina Cole Ranch Riesling - Sole owners of the smallest appellation in the nation (Cole Ranch), the Sterling family farms an impressive patch of Riesling. Their own bottling shone this year, with lots of talc and peach on the nose, slight citrus overtones and an evident finesse. Balanced acidity from this extremely cool site defines the wine and lifts the finish.
The Sterling Family - The Industry Model of Growing A Family Business
Off a beaten path in a city called Philo is a well known family treasure. Esterlina, Spanish for Sterling and an apt name for a winery, is the heart of the Sterling family's vineyards and winemaking business. Originally based in Anderson Valley on California's Mendocino Coast, Esterlina has vineyards in sought-after appellations including the Anderson, Russian River, and Alexander Valleys. The family exclusively owns America's smallest AVA (American Viticultural Area), Cole Ranch in Ukiah, California, from which it harvests fruit for Esterlina's world class Rieslings, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
2005 An Elegant Year for California Pinot Noir
“When it comes to specific regions in 2005, I
give the highest marks to Anderson Valley...Anderson Valley and Monterey are the smallest appellations, in both acreage and number of bottlings, yet
both are making exquisite wines. ... As recently as five years ago, few would
have dreamed that Golden-State-grown Pinot Noir could produce so many stunning
wines this many years in a row. Who could ask for more?” James Laube, September 30, 2007 | Rating California Pinot Noir VintagesAnderson Valley 2005: 94-96 points “Sleek, balanced and elegant; ripe at lower alcohol levels. Drink or hold.” 2004: 96 points “Extends the hot streak; a warm, early year,
with ripe, concentrated, deeply flavored wines.
Drink or hold.” |