Alysian 2010 Pinot Noir — Floodgate Vineyard, Rock Hill

The Alysian 2010 Pinot Noir from Floodgate Vineyard (Rock Hill) has complex aromas of cranberry, clove, cedar wood and dark chocolate.  Intense, tart berry flavors hit the front of the mouth as the weight of the wine settles toward the back and sides.  There, the subtle sweetness in the wine emerges along with cherry, oak and baking spices.  Raspberry and minerals linger on the long finish.

Overall an intriguing wine with intense fruit flavors and excellent balance and structure.  93 points.

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: March 12, 2013
Vintage: 2010
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 13.3%
Price: $55

Alysian 2010 Chardonnay — Westside Farms, Clone 4

The Alysian 2010 Chardonnay from Westside Farms (Clone 4) shimmers with a brilliant gold hue, greeting the nose with lemon, green apple and grapefruit aromas.  This preview of tart fruit flavor doesn’t disappoint as citrus acidity ripples over the tongue.  Weighty and silky smooth, the wine slowly yields tantalizing apple, nectarine and honeydew flavors and fades into a dry finish with a lingering apricot flavor.

Overall a fresh, tart and vibrant Chardonnay. 92 points.

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: March 11, 2013
Vintage: 2010
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.0%
Price: $40

Alysian 2010 Pinot Noir — Hallberg Vineyard, Crossroads

This elegant Alysian 2010 Pinot Noir packs intense aromas of raw strawberry, cherry and dark chocolate.  At first, its flavors are concentrated together as the tartness of the fruit hits the center of the tongue.  Then its complexity begins to unwind as tart blackberry and cranberry flavors emerge against a backdrop of bitter chocolate, stony minerality, oak and black pepper.  The wine finishes dry while the tannins and acidity gently tug on the cheeks.  Black cherry flavors linger after the wine is gone.

This medium-bodied Pinot Noir is complex, concentrated, and above all — highly enjoyable.  92 points.

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: March 7, 2013
Vintage: 2010
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $55

Alysian 2010 Chardonnay — Russian River Selection

This pale gold-colored Alysian 2010 Chardonnay sways slowly and heavily in the glass, giving off wonderful aromas of lemon, melon, honey and a hint of toasted pine nuts.  At first the rich body and gentle honey sweetness of the wine weighs on the tongue.  Then tart lemon and plum flavors break through, which are in turn punctuated by a spicy bite of alcohol and some dryness toward the end.  Peach and citrus flavors linger on the palate until the next satisfying sip.

Overall this is a masterfully blended Chardonnay from two different vineyards and three different clones.  93 points.

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: March 5, 2013
Vintage: 2010
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.2%
Price: $36;  Get it at Alysian’s online store.

Straight Line 2009 Pinot Noir

As I uncorked this Straight Line 2009 Pinot Noir, I noticed quite a bit of sediment under the cork and inside the bottle neck.  I was also surprised to see a fine haze in the wine as I poured it.  Intrigued, I went to the winery’s website and read the winemaker notes.  There I learned that the wine “received no racking, nor fining, nor filtering.”  Interesting… I like it.  There is nothing wrong with sediment, and it’s refreshing to taste a wine knowing it’s only as polished as it wants to be.

The first thing I notice is the sweetness hitting the middle of my tongue and the overall light body of the wine.  Sweet and fruity raspberry, strawberry and cherry flavors are punctuated by spicy black pepper, with minerals and tart cranberry on the finish.

While relatively light-bodied, this is a fruity and friendly (easy sipping) wine.  I kept imagining how well this would go with a plate of hard, sharp cheeses… It went beautifully with a piece of Pecorino I happened to have in the fridge.  90 points.

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: January 21, 2013
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Straight Line Wine
Region: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County CA
Alcohol: 13.9%
Price: $28

Sheldon 2007 Deviant Velocity Petite Syrah

This bottle of Sheldon Petite Syrah has been hanging out in my cellar and giving me the eye for a while.  I almost opened a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir, but there was the Sheldon again, watching me.  Sheldon says that this is “the oxymoron wine… it whispers instead of screams.”  Seems accurate so far.

In my glass, the wine is dark and heavy, and gives up a sweet chocolatey tobacco aroma fading to maraschino cherry if you get close enough.  On the palate the wine is weighty but smooth.  Ripe blackberry and blueberry flavors dominate with just a bite of coarse black pepper toward the finish.  It’s on the dry side, but wonderfully balanced with just a hint of tannin.  There is a tiny bit of fine sediment at the bottom of my glass which reminds me to fill-er back up.

Overall this is a really nice Petite Syrah that exceeded my expectations.  Subdued yet complex and a pleasure to sip.  Kicking myself for not picking up more.  92 points.

Cheers,
Tom

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: January 14, 2013
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Petite Syrah
Winery: Sheldon Wines
Region: Lodi, California
Alcohol: 13.6%
Price: $28

Alysian 2009 Chardonnay — Floodgate Vineyard, Clone 95

The gorgeous yellow pear color of this 2009 Alysian Chardonnay and the condensation it coaxes to the outside of your glass will tempt you to dive right in.  The nose is fresh and vibrant, with flowery aromas and citrusy undertones.

The first sip is light, tart and refreshing.  Honeydew, pineapple and lime flavors dominate, with raw almond and just a touch of oak breaking through.  Exquisitely balanced, with a refreshing acidity offset by a citrusy sweetness.

Clean, refreshing, and above all — delicious.  92 points.

Cheers,
Tom

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: September 13, 2012
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.1%

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir — Hallberg Vineyard, Crossroads

Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to taste the 2008 vintage of this Alysian Pinot Noir from the very same vineyard blocks.  Given the character and complexity of the 2008, I was quite intrigued to try this younger vintage from the same cool Sebastopol vineyard.

It has a deep, brooding, translucent ruby color similar to the 2008 vintage.  Cranberry, cherry and red currant aromas grace the nose.  On the palate there is a piercing acidity dominated by cherry and strawberry flavors on a backdrop of tart apple and minerality.  It is light-bodied, with plenty of tannin, acidity and finishes very dry.

While a joy to drink right now, the acidity is packing a punch.  I would be immensely curious to see how this wine evolves after a few more years in the bottle.  91 points.

Cheers,
Tom

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: September 3, 2012
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $55

Alysian 2009 Chardonnay — Westside Farms Clone 4

Vibrant, golden and shimmering in the sun, this Alysian 2009 Chardonnay is perfect for a warm afternoon getaway.  Grapefruit, honeydew and earthy mineral aromas tempt the nose.  A cascade of honey-coated melon deliciousness dazzles the tongue.  Green apple, butterscotch, and lemon flavors also poke through, leaving a lingering apricot flavor on the finish.

This wine has a really nice viscosity to it… it sways heavily in the glass and has a weighty mouthfeel.  That and its keen balance of crisp acidity and fruity sweetness make this a real joy to sip.  Overall a superbly clean, elegant, refreshing Chardonnay.  94 points.

Alysian 2009 Chardonnay — Westside Farms Clone 4

Cheers,
Tom

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: September 2, 2012
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.4%
Price: $40

Alysian 2009 Pinot Noir — Rochioli Vineyard, Allen-Rochioli Blocks

What a difference a year makes. I went in thinking this 2009 Alysian Pinot Noir would have similar qualities to the excellent but mysterious 2008 vintage from the very same Rochioli vineyard blocks, but was pleasantly surprised by the differences.

The nose casts powerful sweet strawberry and cherry aromas, followed by hints of fresh sponge cake and baking spices as alcohol and pepper tickle the nose.  Its bark is worse than its bite though… given the strength of the nose, I was surprised how smooth my first sip was.  Delicious mouthwatering acidity that is completely and harmoniously intertwined with concentrated strawberry, black cherry and peach flavors.  Impeccably structured and intensely focused to the finish.

This will mellow out and be awesome years down the road.  Assuming you can keep your hands off it that long.  94 points.

Cheers,
Tom

The Technical Stuff:
Date Tasted: August 29, 2012
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Alysian Wines
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.2%
Price: $65