Page 20 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

Harvest 2018
I had the opportunity of picking Pinot Noir at Moshin Vineyards just three weeks ago. I love to do this to really get a good sense of the harvest and, up until that point, it did look as though 2018 would go down as one of the finer vintages I had seen with above average tonnage per acre, perfect veraison (ripening of the skin, acids, ph, sugars - knowns as brix) as well as exceptional consistency throughout the vineyard and the cluster formations.
With the sudden rains, I find myself feeling concerned for all of those grapegrowers with fruit still hanging on the vine as the vines begin to shut down. It’s far more conducive for a cool night and slow and gradual warming throughout the day giving the vines the opportunity to develop character, with more rain forecast, I can only hope that it is brief at this time to help eliminate opportunities for mold and bunch rot to establish themselves before the remaining picking.
All that said, with the amount of fruit that has been brought into the crush- pads, I still feel that sense of joy in anticipation of the release of the Rose’s and White wines in the early Spring and the opportunities that I will have to barrel taste the wines late this Winter.
Cazadero Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2015 (new release). The nose has an elegant citrus, green apple and floral quality and the palate is that of a meyer lemon custard with hints of lime zest, pear and green apple. The
acidity is elegant and smooth throughout the palate, with a beautiful deep straw color. Enjoy now through 2023. This wine is going to be a sensational pairing with seared scallops, salmon and most poultry dishes as well as light salads. This is also a wine that pairs well with our beautiful Sonoma County views... a great sipper. For more information visit cazaderowinery.com.
Russell Syrah Russian River Valley 2014 (new release) Boysenberry, gooseberry, blueberries, plum and a nice dusty quality to the
tannins with red cherry and flavors of herbs - wild sage and fennel as well as mint that subtly linger on the palate, and, of course, being a Syrah, there is definitely a distinct flavor of iron towards the smooth finish of the palate. This Syrah really lends itself to a hearty feast such as a hunter’s stew of slow roasted pork and compote of mushroom. Lamb, venison and other gamey meats will all be fine pairings. Enjoy now through 2024, no decanting necessary, For more information, visit russellwine.com.
Tom Mackey “Sirius” Red Wine Sonoma Valley 2015 (new release) Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Malbec and Petite Verdot. Love big
red wines? Well, here’s a full-flavored freight-train, and I absolutely love it. Fall and Winter are those times when I most enjoy cooking hearty stews and this wine goes with all of my favorite Winter dishes from rack of lamb with herbs de Provence and breadcrumbs delicately placed over the rack to my own version of osso buco. Flavors of tart cherry, crabapple and pencil-shavings and toasty oak barrel flavors well comingle with acidity, firm tannins and delicious red licorice flavor as well as eucalyptus. Enjoy now through 2024, no decanting necessary, For more information visit mackeycellars.com.
Upcoming Events
It’s the 44th Annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair. I was honored to attend the Sonoma County Harvest Awards which take place ahead of the Fair and
it was a great privilege to witness those persons in our industry who have toiled the soils and educated others about sustainability and vineyards and to acknowledge those who had come before us and are no longer with us. Oct 5-7. For more information visit harvestfair.org.
John Haggard is owner of Sophie’s Cellars, Sonoma Wine Tasting in Duncans Mills, California. Sophie’s Cellars is open Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun: 11am – 5pm, Fri: 11am-7pm (Local’s Night, Friday, 4-7pm, and you don’t have to be a local to join us). www.sophiescellars.com
20 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 10/18
It’s also Wine Road’s 20th Anniversary Wine & Food Affair. A weekend of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. Nov 3&4. For more information, visit wineroad.com.