27th Annual Quarterly Review of Wines
Best of The Best, Five Stars
SCV - 2007 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Vineyard Freestone View Block
"Rich, lush, mouth-coating, black cherry and dark chocolate flavors."
QRW defines 5-star wines as, "Outstanding. Wines of such remarkable character and quality as to be in a class by themselves."
June, 2011
winereviewonline.com
90 points
SCV - 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Laguna Vista Vineyards
"The Sonoma Coast appellation is so large and meandering, with enormous differences in climate, that growers there are trying to subdivide it, at least unofficially. Sonoma Coast Vineyards refers to their area, west of the Russian River and very close to the Pacific Ocean, as the Extreme Sonoma Coast. This cool-climate area already has a reputation for producing stylish Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, judging from this Sauvignon Blanc, you can add that varietal to the list. Either by technique--they used two different clones of Sauvignon Blanc and a combination of stainless steel and oak aging--or by the above-mentioned climate, they have done a marvelous job of broadening the flavor profile of Sauvignon Blanc without losing its herbal pungency. It’s a gentler, more graceful rendition of Sauvignon Blanc. It delivers plenty of pleasure without grabbing you by the throat and screaming." - Michael Apstein
December 14, 2010
i-Wine Review
92 points
SCV - 2008 Chardonnay, Antonio Mountain Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"Yellow gold in hue, the 2008 SCV Chardonnay Antonio Mountain Vineyard is the best Chardonnay we have tasted from this winery in recent years. The wine is ripe and aromatic with clean melon and tropical fruit aromas on the nose. Having spent ten months sur lie in 60% new French barriques, it reveals a rich and creamy mouth feel with ripe pear and citrus. It also shows good overall structure and balance with good acidity and elegance on the finish. " - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
i-Wine Review
91 points
SCV - 2008 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"We prefer the 2008 Freestone Hills to the 2007 vintage. Medium dark ruby in color, it offers attractive aromatic aromas of pure dark red berry fruit and toasted oak notes. It is elegant and beautifully balanced on the palate with fresh pure red fruit flavors, polished tannins, good acidity and an incredibly long and flavorful finish. The grapes were sourced from three vineyards: Peterson Vineyard, Bella Vineyard, and Balistreri Family Vineyard. Aged for 18 months in barrel. " - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
i-Wine Review
93 points
SCV - 2007 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"SCV produces its finest Pinot Noir from the Balistreri Family Vineyard. Dark ruby in color, this Pinot Noir exhibits earthy aromas with raspberry and red plum fruit and notes of vanilla, toasted oak and underbrush. It is nicely balanced and elegant on the palate with soft texture and long lasting finish. A terrific Pinot Noir for drinking now or holding for a couple of years for maximum pleasure. Spends an initial 10 months in 70% new barrels and is blended and aged for an additional 8 months before bottling." - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
i-Wine Review
91 points
SCV - 2007 Syrah, Occidental Road Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"The 2007 Syrah Occidental offers fragrant blue and black fruit aromas on the nose followed by a soft attack and an elegant mouth feel with good volume. This is a terrific wine that is sweet and beautifully balanced with silky tannins and a long finish. The wine is fermented and aged in separate lots using 60% new oak for a total of 18 months. " - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
Wine Enthusiast
94 points, Cellar Selection
Wine & Spirits
91 points, Best Buy
SCV - 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Laguna Vista Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"This sauvignon has the fatness of gooseberries and litchi nuts. Its firm edge of lemongrass will accent gingery Cantonese dishes, like steamed flounder." - Joshua Greene
October 2010
Wine Enthusiast
94 points, Cellar Selection
SCV - 2008 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"The Freestone area is one of the coolest regions in the sprawling Sonoma Coast. Acidity marks this bone-dry, elegant wine. It tastes like somebody gave a squirt of lime to the cherry, raspberry, cola, persimmon, pomegranate and sandalwood flavors. Seems like a natural for the cellar." - Steve Heimoff
November 2010
The International Wine Review
91 points
SCV - 2008 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"We prefer the 2008 Freestone Hills to the 2007 vintage. Medium dark ruby in color, it offers attractive aromatic aromas of pure dark red berry fruit and toasted oak notes. It is elegant and beautifully balanced on the palate with fresh pure red fruit flavors, polished tannins, good acidity and an incredibly long and flavorful finish." - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
The International Wine Review
89+ points
SCV - 2008 Chardonnay, Gold Ridge Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Light yellow gold, the Chardonnay Gold Ridge Hills exhibits rich aromas and flavors of ripe tropical fruit and brioche. While vinified much the same as the Antonio Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay, stylistically it is a tad lighter in volume and intensity of fruit flavor. It has a pleasant creamy texture, excellent balance and crisp green apple-like acidity on the finish." - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
The International Wine Review
89 points
SCV - 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Laguna Vista Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"The 2009 Laguna Vista Sauvignon Blanc offers fragrant light citrus aromas with toast on the nose. This is followed by a creamy attack on the palate with pear and red apple fruit flavors and more toast. The wine has good balance and bright acidity on the finish. The wine is vinified in stainless-steel tanks with 50% transferred to re-toasted French oak barrels for six months and is then reassembled." - Mike Potashnik & Don Winkler
September 2010
Wine Enthusiast
90 points, Cellar Selection
SCV - 2007 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"This is a hugely flavored, extracted Pinot Noir, distinctly Californian in its ripeness and size. It’s massive in cherries and raspberries, with hints of cocoa, anise, Indian spices and black pepper. With 60% new French oak, it’s also pretty toasty." - Steve Heimoff
August 2010
Wine Spectator
90 points
SCV - 2007 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Rich, with spicy cherry, rhubarb and strawberry jam flavors that are intense, full-bodied and firmly structured. Gains depth and nuance on the finish, where the flavors are detailed and structured." - James Laube
September 30, 2010
Wine & Spirits
90 points
SCV - 2007 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Fragrant with scents of tart red apple and strawberry...this coastal pinot backs up its light fruit with potent tannins. The finish lasts on those tannins, with flavors of roasted coffee beans and caramelized cherries. It finishes warm, for roast quail."
August 2010
Wine Enthusiast
92 points
SCV - 2007 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"Bone dry and minerally, with a stony austerity to the lemons, limes, pears and pineapples. Enormously complex in the interaction of fruit, acidity, lees, oak and fine, subtle tannins. Chablis-like and elegant, and should show evolutionary development over the next six years." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2009
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
88 points
SCV - 2007 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"This bottling comes on strong in the nose and sports lots of very rich oak partnered to ample aromas of well-ripened, red apples, but, once in the mouth, its leanings towards oaky richness grow and its sense of fruit drifts to the back. It firms up in texture as it crosses the palate, and its impressions of extract come at the cost of coarseness and a bare bit of heat." - Charles Olken
November 2009
winereviewonline.com
91 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Petersen Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"One of several very good Pinot Noirs that this winery makes, this small-production bottling is a big, rich, serious Pinot with lots of weight. Despite its cool-climate terroir on the far Sonoma Coast, the wine is full-bodied and substantial, with some fleshiness of texture and ripe fruit expression of black cherry accented by herbal notes such as eucalyptus. The wine gives the impression in the mouth of having a very low center of gravity, as if in its taste it is speaking of the earth." - Mary Ewing-Mulligan
October 20, 2009
Burghound.com
88 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"An elegant, pure and very pinot nose that offers more than just fruit as there is a lovely layered effect to the fruit that complements well the delicious, fresh and relatively precise middle weight flavors that culminate in a finish of cranberry and pomegranate fruit." - Allen Meadows
October 1, 2009
Restaurant Wine
4 stars
SCV - 2007 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"An elegantly styled Chardonnay, this is full bodied, crisp, fruity and subtle in character, and very long on the finish, with modest new oakiness. It tastes of apple, pear, spicy oak, pineapple, and roasted nut." - Ronn Wiegand
Issues #131 & #132
Wine Spectator
88 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Crisp and delicate, with intense gravel, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's well-proportioned, clean and detailed, ending with a clean berry and mineral aftertaste." - James Laube
Sept. 30, 2009
Wine News
92 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Pale garnet hue. Reserved scents of wild cherry and raspberry with a hint of menthol. Juicy flavors of raspberry and red plum. Silky tannins and hints of vanilla in the lush, raspberry-driven close."
June/July/August 2009
Wine News
94 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Petersen Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Medium ruby hue. Elegant, attractive bouquet filled with floral and cherry notes. Velvety texture with lovely black fruit and smoky, meaty highlights. Very classic in style and long on the finish." - Lyn Farmer
June/July/August 2009
Wine News
90 points
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"Medium-deep ruby hue. Deep herbal aromas mingle with black fruit scents. A bit tart and tannic with black fruit and forest floor flavors." - Lyn Farmer
June/July/August 2009
Santé Magazine
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Medium bodied with aromas and flavors of black cherry, licorice, and some herbal notes; long, persistent finish." - Santé tasting panel
June 2009
Quarterly Review of Wines Annual California Best of the Best
4 stars, Best of the Best
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Petersen Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Big, rich, black cherry and spice nose; plum, lush, elegantly knit, black cherry and spice flavors." - QRW Tasting Panel
Summer 2009
California Grapevine
90 point
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"Medium-light brackish ruby color; attractive, floral…, raspberry and cherry fruit aroma…; medium-full body; plush, plumy, ripe cherry fruit flavors with a velvety mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste." - Nick Ponomareff
June-July 2009
i-WineReview
90 points
SCV - 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Laguna Vista Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"Mineral laden tropical fruit and floral aromas describes the nose on this rich, California style Sauvignon Blanc that is 50 percent barrel fermented and spends six months sur lies. Except for the notable acidity is quite unlike the stereotypical, pungent New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It is fleshy on the palate with abundant, rich melon fruit and a long, very flavorful, persistent and almost unctuous finish. Winemaker Anthony Austin has hit a home run with this one!"
April 2009
i-WineReview
92 points
SCV - 2006 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"For a wine fermented in barrel and then left ten months sur lies in 50% new French oak barrels, this Chardonnay exhibits real restraint and elegance that begins with a perfumed nose of honeysuckle and mango. This is followed by a soft yet crisp attack with balanced flavors of vanilla, mango, and a touch of nutmeg and finishes with the brisk acidity of an unoaked wine and the complexity of an oaked one. This is one very, very nice wine that could easily pass for a top flight Meursault."
April 2009
i-WineReview
90 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Petersen Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"The Petersen Vineyard 100% Pinot Noir is a medium ruby, medium weight wine aged in 50% new French oak for 10 months. It shows aromas of light red berry fruit with a touch of wood and has a smoothly textured, elegant palate with good acidity and flavorful smoky cherry fruit accented by a touch of wood spice. At this youthful stage, it exhibits good tannic grip on the finish. It will be still more appealing with a little more time in bottle."
April 2009
Wine News
92 points
SCV - 2006 Pinot Noir, Petersen Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Garnet hue with feathered rim. Heady menthol aromas followed by notes of red plum, cherry and glove leather. Mixed flavors of brown sugar, clove, tea and tart cherry. While the finish is laced with youthful, fine-grain tannins, a lingering sweetness prevails."
March/April/May 2009
i-WineReview
91 points
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"The wine is medium dark magenta with a nose of beautifully integrated fruit and cedar oak. It’s rich and ripe on a nicely balanced palate, with flavors of black and red fruit, cedar and vanilla. The finish is long and very flavorful with an assertive cedar aftertaste. Although delicious, some Pinot purists may find this wine a bit over the top in its oak treatment. Our recommendation is to cellar this wine for a couple more years and then decant before serving."
April 2009
Wine & Spirits
92 points
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"This silken pinot has the scent of the deep woods. It’s light in weight and smooth in the finish. A lovely red for grilled arctic char."
February 2009
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
SCV - 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Laguna Vista Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"A very interesting and complex Sauvignon Blanc that shows a Sancerre-like flinty minerality, along with a broad array of figs, melons, citrus and tropical fruits. There’s a smoky, honeyed edge that makes for true richness." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2008
Wine Enthusiast
93 points
SCV - 2006 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"Rich doesn’t begin to describe this Chard. It’s humongous in pie-filling and grilled peaches, pears, pineapples and papayas, while the 50% new oak adds all sorts of buttercream, crème brûlée and smoked butter layers. Yet the wine shows a minerality that grounds and balances it. Very fancy stuff, and should age for up to six years." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2008
Wine Enthusiast
91 points
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Tastes brittle and aloof in its youth, with a very dry mouthfeel dominated by acidity and tannins, although the texture is silky and smooth. You don’t want to open this too soon. Given the core of cherries and pomegranates, it should develop, but no guarantees. The Freestone area is very cool and its possibilities are unknown but promising." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2008
Wine Enthusiast
92 points
SCV - 2005 Pinot Noir, Freestone Hills, Sonoma Coast
"An intriguing Pinot Noir that shows the possibilities of this cool-climate, southwestern Sonoma region. The wine has been well-oaked, but it’s powerful enough to carry that coating of caramel and char, with a massive palate explosion of pureed ripe cherries, red currants and sweet rhubarb pie. Delicious now with decanting, and should do interesting things over the next six years." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2008
Wine News
91 points
SCV - 2006 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"Gold hue with a tint of green. Shy fruit aromas with sweet toasted oak impressions. Soft peach and apricot flavors laced with new oak. Plush, creamy finish; drinking well right now."
October/November 2008
The New York Times
2 1/2 stars
SCV - 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Hummingbird Hill Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"Dry and racy with crisp grapefruit and mineral flavors."
July 23, 2008
Quarterly Review of Wines
Best of Show
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"Big, deep, rich, powerful, supernally long, black fruit and roasted nut flavors."
Spring 2008
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences
Exceptional
SCV - 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Hummingbird Hill Vineyards, Sonoma Coast
"Dramatic but subtle aroma of minerals, pear and dried herbs. Served just cool (not cold), the wine opens up after an hour to show hints of New World fruit and Loire Valley depth. Should age at least 3-5 years." - Dan Berger
November 1, 2007
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
SCV - 2005 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"A full-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay, with toasty, nutty notes accenting melon and pear flavors. Despite about 70% malolactic fermentation, this avoids buttery excess, instead coming across as toasted hazelnuts and whole grain."
November 1, 2007
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"A wine that blends fruit from seven vineyards and seven clones, this bears a family resemblance to the more expensive Balistreri Vineyard bottling in its tart, crisp profile, although there’s some dark earth and cola notes layered over the pie cherry fruit."
November 1, 2007
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"The vineyard was closely planted in 1999 to a mix of Dijon clones and cropped at one ton per acre. The result in 2004 is a bright, tightly focused wine, filled with red berry fruit and cedary notes from its 20 months in barrel."
November 1, 2007
Wine Enthusiast
90 points
SCV - 2004 Syrah, Sonoma Coast
"Starts off showing mainly raspberry fruit, then moves on to mixed berries, accented by vanilla from 20 months in barrel. It’s slightly syrupy in texture, ending with supple tannins and a bit of cracked pepper."
October 31, 2007
Wine Spectator
90 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"Focused and concentrated, with raspberry, white pepper and smoke aromas and layered wild berry, plum and mineral flavors that finish with ripe but still firm tannins. Ends with a nice mineral and pebble edge. Drink now through 2012."
September 30, 2007
Wine Spectator
90 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Focused and concentrated, with raspberry, white pepper and smoke aromas and layered with wild berry, plum and mineral flavors that finish with ripe but still firm tannins. Ends with a nice mineral and pebble edge. Drink now through 2012."
September 30, 2007
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences
Exceptional
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"Black fruit, white pepper and clove; deep and concentrated, but with ample acid to go the distance." - Dan Berger
September 13, 2007
i-WineReview
93 points
SCV - 2004 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
"This is an impressive and complex Burgundian-style Chardonnay that tastes like a first-class Meursault. It displays a lovely yellow-gold color and offers aromas of sweet tropical fruit and pear with hints of brioche. Barrel-fermented in 50 percent new French oak with 12 months sur lies, this bottling reveals a rich texture of ripe fruit with just the right amount of acidity and oak in harmony. You couldn’t ask for a more delicious cool climate Chardonnay."
July 2007
i-WineReview
91 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"The 2004 Pinot Noir is dark ruby in color and very ripe from a warm growing season. It has a raspberry, pomegranate and blueberry kirsch-like fruitiness with a velvety palate and a round rich mouth feel, good overall balance and ripe tannins on the finish."
July 2007
i-WineReview
91 points
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"The 2004 Pinot Noir Balistreri Family Vineyard is leaner in style than the other Pinots and exhibits lovely pure ripe fruit with high acidity and rich raspberry and red berry flavors. Only recently released, it needs more time in the bottle to show all of its virtues, which may win it a higher future rating."
July 2007
PinotFile
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
"The 2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyard Pinot Noir was released in January, 2007. It is composed of grapes from six vineyards (60% Freestone area) and 7 French clones including Pommard 3, 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828. It is still unevolved at this stage. I find that the Drady’s Pinot Noirs take at least a year after purchase to really strut their stuff."
January 29, 2007
PinotFile
SCV - 2004 Pinot Noir, Balistreri Family Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
"The 2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Balistreri Vineyard Pinot Noir will not be released until the summer of this year. I wanted to get my hands on some of this now. The wine is from the Balistreri Family vineyard, Freestone View Block, consisting of Dijon clones 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828. Still tight like its estate brethren, the aromatics attack the senses with wondrous Pinot extracts. It is fat in the mouth with dark stone fruit, game and soy flavors accented by healthy tannins and an explosive finish. The generous acid backbone portends a long life."
January 29, 2007 |
