Gems in My Glass . . . January 2018

Miro Cellars 2007 Petite Sirah; Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County; California:  For any who may question the beauty and cellar-worthiness of Petite Sirah, sip this exceptional wine, and you’ll think again; wow!  Deep, dark fruits and fresh cracked peppercorns greet the nose.  Rich and generous on the palate, as layers of boysenberry, blackberry and plum fruit entwine with savory accents.  Showing off brilliant acidity and supple tannins, it is gorgeous now, with years to go.  www.mirocellars.comRamey Wine Cellars 2006 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay; Carneros, Napa Valley, California:  Here is a splendid Chardonnay, remaining impressively vibrant after more than a decade of aging.   Fresh buttered toast and sautéed apples command your attention at first whiff.  The silky texture transports layers of Honey Crisp apples, creamy pears, spice oak notes and lemon curd seamlessly across the palate.  Well structured and polished with a long-lasting finish.  www.rameywine.comReustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2010 Revelation & Sorek Bloc Gruner Veltliner; Umpqua Valley, Oregon:  A hint of smoke and wet stone on the nose starts the juices flowing with this classic, ageworthy Gruner Veltliner.  Stone fruit, citrus notes, minerality, fresh snap peas, and white pepper dance gracefully on the palate.  Sophisticated, complex and pristinely balanced, with lime peel highlights on the long, zesty finish.    www.reustlevineyards.comSmith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery 2015 Chardonnay; Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California: Aromas of fresh-picked tree fruits and spiced oak notes zone in on what’s ahead.  Poached pears, Granny Smith apples, brown spices and a kiss of butterscotch pudding join underlying oak on the palate.  Firmly structured and rich with good offsetting acidity through the last enlivening sip.   www.smithmadrone.comHolly’s Hill Vineyards 2014 Estate Grenache Noir; El Dorado, California:  Fresh wild raspberries and spice notes fill the senses.  Juicy and vivid on the palate, with raspberry preserves, red cherries, subtle smoky notes and beautiful savory elements.  The texture is silky smooth, and the balance is spot on as the lively acidity carries the wine to a vivacious close. www.hollyshill.comCooper Vineyards 2014 Barbera Riserva; Sierra Foothills, Amador County, California:  Just try to resist the intoxicating spicy, fruit driven aroma!   Juicy and plush with succulent layers of black plums, spiced cherry salsa, dark berries and vanilla bean that explode with vibrancy on the palate.    Good grip and nicely structured tannins, with crushed peppercorns and vanilla kicking in on the back palate.  Perfect expression of Barbera, from start to everlasting finish.  www.cooperwines.comAndis Wines 2015 Bill Dillian Vineyard Semillon; Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, California:   This snappy, unoaked wine is a fine example of new world Semillon.  Well balanced with juicy peaches and nectarines at the core, laced with fresh chopped herbs, lanolin, and beeswax. Viscous and medium bodied with a velvety texture, and a finish that shows a spry pop of citrus.   www.andiswines.comSentivo Vineyards & Winery 2015 Syrah Rosé; Fair Play, California:  This delicious Provence style dry Rosé captures the eye with its glittering peachy pink hue.  Cranberry, wild berry, orange zest, watermelon and notes of charcuterie create a bright burst of flavors on entry.  The wine keeps on impressing as it expands through the mid and back palate with well placed acidity, purity of fruit, and depth of lip-smacking flavors.  Finishes long, with good lift.  www.sentivovineyards.com