Our Wines ...
Esterlina Vineyards Wine Tasting Notes
RED WINESPINOT NOIR |
WHITE WINESSAUVIGNON BLANC |
Red Wines
2006 Anderson Valley Reserve Pinot Noir: Seven,
Esterlina Estate Vineyard
“Seven” is the first reserve Pinot Noir we have released from our Estate Vineyard in Anderson Valley. 2006 was an extraordinary vintage of our Estate Pinot Noir. This Reserve Pinot Noir is a selection of the best barrels from our favorite vineyard block in a fantastic year. It has ripe berry, cherry and subtle earth aromas. The initial flavors are ripe black cherry, plum, with cinnamon toast and a bit of mushroom. Striking to us is the ripeness and the acidity—the wine is so well balanced—and the lengthy finish. If you like Pinot Noir, you will love this wine. The Anderson Valley Reserve Pinot is excellent now, but it is built to age very well—medium tannins, good acidity, and great structure. NOTE: Like any wine that gets shipped to you, let it settle for at least a week or two after you receive it. The wait will be worthwhile.
297 cases bottled.
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2006 Anderson Valley Reserve Pinot Noir: Seven, Esterlina Estate Vineyard $77.00 per bottle |
2006 Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley, Esterlina Estate)
The 2006 Estate Pinot Noir is among the best vintages of wine we’ve made from this excellent vineyard—it’s gorgeous stuff. It starts with lots of cherry, raspberry and sweet vanilla-oak aromas. The mouth has those typical red fruit flavors, like ripe raspberries, cranberries and cherries, with spice on the long finish. Big and, as always, balanced. If you like Pinot Noir, you should enjoy this one. $45/bottle ($36 Wine Club) 870 cases produced
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Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley, Mendocino, Esterlina Estate Vineyard) 2006 $45.00 per bottle |
2005 Mario’s Gran Roja (Sonoma County)
Our father is always asking us to make a “big, chewy, full-bodied red.” This wine is made and named for him. We took our Alexander Valley Cab, our Cole Ranch Merlot, some Syrah from our new Everett Ridge property, and added a tincture of Bacigalupi Petite Sirah. We arrived at a very good bottle of wine. And we priced the wine to make it a terrific value. The Gran Roja (Spanish for “Big Red”) begins with ripe blackberry, plum and oak scents. The mouth has wonderful flavors of juicy dark cherry, plum and spice, with medium tannins. The finish is long and spicy. While it will pair well with the fare that accompanies a traditional Bordeaux wine, Gran Roja is terrific by itself. 498 cases.
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Mario's Gran Roja (Sonoma County Wine) 2005 $25.00 per bottle |
2005 Esterlina Syrah Sonoma Mountain(Janian Vineyard)
The third vintage of wine we have released from this vineyard, it is a classic, cool weather Syrah--think northern Rhone, rather than California. It starts with plum, blueberry and smoky, cigar box aromas. The mouth has wonderful flavors of ripe dark berries and pepper, with silky tannins and good acidity. The finish is great, too. Enjoy.
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2005 Esterlina Syrah Sonoma Mountain(Janian Vineyard) $30.00 per bottle |
2004 Russian River Valley (Bacigalupi Vineyard) Zinfandel
This is the third Zinfandel we've made from the Bacigalupi Vineyard, and, as usual we are very happy with it. This wine starts with rich aromas of plum, coffee, and chocolate, with an underlying hint of baking spice. The mouth is elegant and balanced, with plenty of ripe plum, blackberry, cocoa and vanilla-oak flavors. Enjoy. 780 cases
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2004 Russian River Valley (Bacigalupi Vineyard) Zinfandel $28.00 per bottle |
2005 Cole Ranch Merlot
2005 Merlot (Cole Ranch) Occasionally, we get questions as to why we continue to
make Merlot. Cole Ranch Merlot is quite unique from typical California Merlots
because of the climate. The cool weather there makes the wine very Bordeaux-like.
To us, that means a complex, medium-bodied wine, with light cherry and
earthy-smoky flavors. Should age very well, certainly in the 7-10 year range. 985 cases produced.
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2005 Cole Ranch Merlot - NEW SOON! |
Esterlina Vineyards White Wines
2007 Dry Riesling Cole Ranch
The 2007 Dry Riesling is a lovely wine. It starts with scents of pineapple, white peach and a hint of petroleum. The mouth is full of tangy green apple, citrus, and mineral flavors. The finish is long and satisfying. Served at a White House dinner several months ago, we suggest serving it at your house with tuna carpaccio and a lime-mango salsa, grilled chicken kabob, or by itself. If you enjoy dry white wines, you will want to stock up on this one. 356 cases bottled. $19 (Wine Club Price $15.20)
| 2007 Cole Ranch Dry Riesling
$19.00 per bottle ($15.20 Wine Club Price) |
07 Cole Ranch Off-Dry Riesling
Our 2007 Riesling has got it all--excellent acidity, and ripe, complex fruit flavors. It begins with lots of apple and citrus aromas, including pineapple and lemon. The mouth starts with that typical Cole Ranch acidity, but there is plenty of ripe fruit. Really a sweet-tart thing going on. The experience ends with a terrific finish. Try this wine with spicy foods, desserts and on the patio.
| 2007 Cole Ranch Off-Dry Riesling
$19.00 per bottle ($15.20 Wine Club Price) |
2006 Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Our 2006 Chardonnay is similar to previous vintages of our chardonnays--a combination of bright tropical fruit, a bit of oak and great acidity. It starts with plenty of green apple and citrus aromas. The mouth also has apple, pineapple and a light coconut flavor, with a hint of richness from the oak barrels used for some (about one-third) of this wine’s aging. The chard ends with a terrific finish. 785 cases produced.$24 ($19.20 Wine Club)
| 2006 Chardonnay Russian River $24 ($19.20 Wine Club) |