With grapes from Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley these limited production wines offer big names and big tastes at small prices.
First up is the 2007 Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Syrah which consists of 92% Syrah and 8%Petite Sirah. The Syrah comes from the Dry Creek Valley while the Petite Sirah comes from the Russian River Valley. It has an SRP of $22 and is occasionally available for as low as $10. 450 cases produced.
From the winery:
"2007 is a great year for red wine. The 2007 Syrah grapes are from the Dry Creek Valley, farmed by Ray Teldeschi. They were picked at elevated sugar levels and maximum ripeness. This wine was aged in 100% French oak, 30% new barrels for one year.
The wine is very dark ruby, rich, and has a dark black raspberry fruit flavor juxtaposed to a very rich, toasty vanilla flavor from the oak. This Syrah is balanced by sufficient acidity, is very rich, and drinking well now. It has what it takes to age 5-10 years.
14.8% Alcohol"
The 2007 Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Syrah begins with a pleasant aroma featuring lots of ripe dark berry, a little vanilla and a bit of licorice. The wine tastes quite nice with loads of rich blackberry fruit and toasty oak as well as some good licorice and leather notes. The only thing I didn't like is that it does show a bit of heat. It ends with good length and lingering licorice and dark berry flavors. Quite tasty!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 7.3
Recommended Buy
Next is the 2008 Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Pinot Noir, 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. It has an SRP of $25 and has been available for as low as $12.49. 550 cases produced.
From the winery:
"Our 2008 Pinot Noir vintage is a blend of two vineyards, one from the Russian River appellation and one from the Sonoma Coast. The 2008 vintage produced grapes of exceptional ripeness that resulted in wines that were full bodied with very fruit forward characteristics. Using handcrafted, small vineyards allows us to produce a Pinot with an exceptional level of quality.
This wine is dark ruby in color with aromas of dark cherry and smoked meats. The wine is full bodied and well extracted resulting in a rich middle body, followed by a firm and persistent finish. The flavors duplicate the aromas of fruit and smoke. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
14.8% Alcohol"
The 2008 Mietz Cellars Sonoma County Pinot Noir opens with abundant cherry notes, a little smoked meat aroma and a hint of rhubarb. Tasting reveals a smooth wine featuring black cherry, lots of cola, a little licorice and black tea. There's no discernible heat on this one even though it has the same alcohol percentage as the Syrah. It ends with soft tannins and lingering black cherry and smoky notes. Also quite tasty!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 7.5
Recommended Buy
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