Appellation: Sonoma Coast (not Carneros!), California
ALC: 13.9% (with 0.056% residual sugar)
You can buy this wine at: tandemwinery.com
Retail price: $48
Haydn gives it: 93pts

Ahh the Pinot Noir. The most delicate of the grapes, it’s been the obsession of new wine fanboys ever since that movie-that-shall-not-be-named hailed the Pinot as what was in the King’s Chalice. And so every vineyard with a grapes throw of a Pinot-producing region started planting it. What was left was a ton of average Pinots. Yet, this is not the case of the 2006 Pinot Noir by Tandem. Great growing regions, mixed with good clones equals good wine.

Upon first whiff, the hallmark characteristics shine forth, with bright cherries and a little bit of plums. Smooth on the nose, it is very aromatic. In addition, it is clearly evident that this is going to be a new-world Pinot. No horse hair or wet leather here. A complex tannin structure follows up on the mid-palate with the fruit continuing all the way through this wine.

The only real drawback is the alcohol is a bit more pronounced than I wish it was, as it finished a bit hot, even though the ALC is 13.9% (still high for French Pinot standards). That being said, it is a minor irritation on an overall very strong wine. Overall, this a very well-built and great-structured wine.

While most Pinots are destined to go with food, I could easily see myself sipping on this wine on it’s own. But if you’re looking for a bit of food to pair it with, I recommend either a turkey dish or some sort of game hen, as the medium weight to this wine will balance out the two quite nicely.

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com

Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
ALC: 14.2%
You can buy this wine at: fortrossvineyard.com
Retail price: $16
Haydn gives it: 89pts

I discovered this wine from a personal invitation from co-owner, Linda Schwartz. I was told by a friend that I had to try their Pinotage. I had had it in the past, and apparently said that I gave it less than a favorable oral review, so I was out to try it again and see what I thought of it. It was in the e-mail correspondance that I found out that she was pouring her wines down the street from me, and I ought to stop in and give it a swirl. I happily agreed to meet her and try a bottle or two.

I will get to the Pinotage in a later review, I promise, but that night one wine really stood out—the Rosé. I knew it was the shining star that night because when I surveyed what I wanted to try again, rosé was the first thing uttered out of my mouth.

On the nose, you’ll get the default strawberry components, but dig a bit deeper and you’re bound to get a bit of watermelon as well. Smelling this wine, images of fresh watermelons being picked right off of the vine came into vision. Just fresh, fresh watermelon.

The wine, made in a dryer style, is very silky to drink and lingers for a while after. I’d serve this wine knowing it is going to take a bit to finish. Call up a good friend you haven’t seen for a while, break out some cheese from Whole Foods and kick back on the balcony. Remember to put it on ice as this wine is served cold.

Overall, the wine is delightful with a great balance of fruit coming out on the palate as well as crispness in a bit of acidity. I wouldn’t cellar this one for more than the summer as it is ready to drink now, and summer is just round the corner.

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com