2021  Sonoma Coast

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, B. Thieriot Vineyard, 90 cases produced - FIFTEENTH RELEASE of Maybach Eterium, from a hillside vineyard a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Warm days, brisk nights and deep loamy soil provide this coastal site with ideal conditions for growing cool climate varietals naturally high in acidity. The result is a wine of terrific structure.

2021  

Winemaker notes: In planting this vineyard in 2007, we chose two different California Heritage clones, Swan and Calera, to produce a distinct wine that reflects the soil and climate. This Pinot Noir has leagues of depth and aromatic notes of forest floor, cassis, and cinnamon. On the palate, notes of plum, cranberry compote, rosemary, oolong tea and a zesty acidity draw out into a clean perfumed finish. ---- "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Irmgard Pinot Noir soars form the glass with vibrant notes of fresh cranberries, Bing cherries, and red roses, followed by hints of wild strawberries and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely filled with vivacious red berries and floral layers, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and perfumed." - 96pts TWI

1999  

2006  (scratched label)

(scratched label)

1999  

2012  Cabernet

"Along with 2008, this is the best of the recent vintages. Dramatic, explosive flavors impart strength, personality and depth." - 96pts WS

2013  Robert's Road Vineyard

The early Pinot Noir bottlings from Joseph Swan amazed winemakers and critics alike with their similarity to fine Burgundy. Joe thought his greatest contribution to Pinot Noir in America was that his vines were directly descended from vineyards in Burgundy. There still exist in northern California a handful of vineyards planted to the Pinot Noir budwood that was so vital to his success. We found two of those vineyards, and winemaker Tadeo Borchardt is carving out his own legacy with fruit from them. The first is the Sangiacomo Family Roberts Road Vineyard, in the cool, fog-shrouded environs of the Petaluma Gap. The soil here is gravel with basalt. The second is Chuy Ordaz’s Placida Vineyard, on the Gold Ridge Clay of the Russian River Valley, west of Santa Rosa. We harvest fruit from both blocks by hand, then sort the berries. We remove about 50% of the stems, ferment in open top fermenters using native wild yeast. We punch down the cap manually several times daily. The wine is subsequently aged for one year in 60-gallon French oak barrels. Each wine has its own unique Burgundian profile, and each is a valuable example of what Joe was trying to accomplish.

2020  Old Hill Ranch, Sonoma Valley

Old Hill Ranch, Sonoma Valley ---- "The 2020 Zinfandel Old Hill Vineyard is a heady, boisterous wine. The Once & Future section of this historic site has a bit more Grenache than other parcels, and that comes through in the wine's red-toned fruit profile and floral overtones. Rich, deep and layered, with tons of personality, the Old Hill is terrific. Super-ripe red cherry, spice and blood orange linger." - 93pts Vinous ---- Once & Future is a new project from Joel Peterson, the former owner/winemaker of Ravenswood, who essentially put Old Vine Zinfandels on the map back in the late 70’s and 80’s. He’s been quasi-retired since selling Ravenswood, but he kept his hand in the biz helping his son Morgan build Bedrock Wine Co. A handful of years back he decided he’d like to have his own label again. He deals solely with prestigious old vine sites, like Will Bucklin’s Old Hill Ranch. The wine is 75% Zinfandel, and the remainder is split up between 13 other varietals co-planted in the vineyard (most old sites have numerous varietals all planted together).

2015  

97pts WA & 97pts Vinous

1998  

1990  

2019  Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain ---- "Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a little coaxing to begin, soon unfurling to reveal notions of crushed black cherries, wild blueberries and fresh blackcurrant, plus suggestions of tar, wet slate, fertile loam and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with wonderful energy, delivering loads of black fruit layers and a firm, grainy frame plus and lively backbone, finishing long and mineral laced. (Tasted as a barrel sample.)" - 94-96+ WA