One of the newest wineries in RRV. It has been around for a while but recently opened a tasting room the public. This is a burgundy house, specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I would consider their wines in the premium category for this area.
What is nice about this winery is a great hillside view. But inside, nice concrete floors, nice ambiance, fireplace, comfortable furniture and nice music. You have the option to taste either indoors on the couches or counter, or outside at teak tables overlooking the vineyards and Santa Rosa. The view is expansive, over vineyards, and clear to Taylor Mountain.
Tasting flights are available. They also sell wine by the glass. They also offer a cheese plate, perfectly paired with local cheeses and their wines.
One of the wines I really like here is the Elevage Chardonnay. The wine has a citrus nose, but peach, mango and tangerine on the palate. Mouthfeel is slightly buttery, with a nice long finish. It is $45 a bottle, which may be on the steeper side for some wine drinkers, but well worth it with a nice meal. Perfect for fall, maybe with a butternut squash soup or harvest vegetable dishes. It paired perfectly with the Humbolt Fog cheese that was part of the cheese plate. I'd also like it with a nice local goat cheese.
The Rose was a nice treat. Awesome porch sitting wine. It is a wine you could share with anyone and they would like it. Nice bright strawberry flavors, a little buttery (even though this is done in the saignée method) with a smooth, creamy finish.
Now for the big shots, the Pinots.
They offer two Pinot Noirs - the Estate Pinot and the Laguna West. Both Pinots have a character of cherry cola, some herbaciousness (yes, I said herb-a-cious-ness, bitches. LOL) with soft tannins, and notes of baking spices (a little cinnamon and nutmeg) with a fruity finish, like the aftertaste of pomegranates.
A nod to their vintner, you can really taste the difference between the terroir as he brings out the individual qualities from both locations. The same clone is planted in two locations on their property. The Pinots run between $39-$55. Definately, I am no somm, I am no wine expert, but I've been around. I would hold these up the better Pinot houses in RRV.
If you are ever in the area, take a couple of friends while the weather is still nice, and enjoy the patio. If you end up going on a rainy day, enjoy the fireplace and a glass.
Cheers!
http://www.fogcrestvineyard.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment