Fort Ross Winery’s Sea Slope brand of Pinot and Chardonnay offer up some serious quality for their respective price points. It’s not often I find such fresh, complex Pinots and Chards from California for $30-$35, but these ones deliver. Gary Farrell shows an exciting Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay, while Castello di Amorosa displays three diverse wines.
And Gamble and Cardinale give plenty of delicious, inviting Napa Cabernet goodness.
These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.
Whites and Rosés
2019 Raeburn Rosé - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $20
Pale salmon color. Aromas of peaches, papaya, lime, with some verbena, mint, honeysuckle. Creamy texture on the palate, medium bodied, bright acidity. Chunky strawberry fruit, with white cherry, papaya, this is fruit-forward and fun, but also shows some spicy, herbal, floral tones. Well-done for the price. A blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache and Zinfandel. (86 points)
2018 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Grigio - California, North Coast
SRP: $24
Pale lemon color. Nose shows white peaches, guave, lime juice, with cut flower stems, white tea and verbena. Crisp acidity frames this full-bodied wine well, while punchy green melon and guava fruit abound. Notes of shaved lime, honeyed tea, some spice and herbal notes add some complexity. A pleasantly creamy, waxy texture, this is generous but balanced well. (87 points)
2017 Gary Farrell Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $45
Medium yellow color. Wow, what a pretty, inviting nose of yellow apples, kiwi and lemon curd, topped in vibrant, salty, floral, mineral complexity. Just a sniff made me salivate. The palate is plump but precise and focused with crisp fruit (yellow apple, lemon curd, white peach) and a host of racy, nuanced qualities like sea salt, river rocks, mineral water and crushed shells. Notes of almond skin and honey are woven in expertly. Not overdone at all, this is a wonderful Chardonnay for fans of more nuanced styles. I’d love to see this in five or six years. Aged nine months in 35% new French oak. (92 points)
2017 Fort Ross Winery Chardonnay Sea Slopes - California, Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross - Seaview
SRP: $30
Medium yellow color. Aromas of buttercream, graham crackers and cinnamon on top of yellow pears, yellow apples, topped in sea salt. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with a lovely, creamy texture. Lemon crème, kiwi, yellow apples, with nuanced honey, nougat and white tea flavors. A nice saline, floral finish. Lots of complexity, depth and vibrancy for a California Chardonnay at this price point. All stainless steel and old oak fermentation and aging, here. Value alert! (90 points)
Reds
2017 Fort Ross Winery Pinot Noir Sea Slopes - California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP: $35
Medium ruby color. Expressive nose of cherries, strawberries, cranberries, with nuanced rose potpourri, clove and rhubarb. Medium-bodied on the palate, crisp acidity frames the wine so well, with dusty-light tannins and suave yet fresh fruit, cherries, raspberries, cranberry relish. Subtle earth, herbs, rose petal and black tea woven in well. No cola bomb here (just a hint of cola), this is fresh, bright, with lots of personality for a very reasonable price. Aged 10 months in 15% new French oak. (90 points)
2017 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $38
Vibrant purple color. Inviting aromas of juicy plums, raspberries, candied black cherries, with lavender, cocoa, vanilla. Full-bodied, suave and velvety tannins, moderate acidity. Rich black cherries, raspberries and blueberries, tossed with violets, cocoa, mint, sweet pipe tobacco. Floral, coffee and vanilla elements linger on the finish. Complex and harmonious, this should open up nicely over the next few years. (90 points)
2017 Castello di Amorosa Zingaro - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $42
Vibrant purple color. Smells of sweet plums, blueberries and roasted figs, ripe and exotic, with clove, violets and coconut. Smooth and velvety on the palate, medium/low acidity, with suave blackberry, blueberry and roasted fig fruit. A good amount of smoky, vanilla, cedar and espresso tones, but they work. Ripe and forward, highly delicious. Aged 18 months in French oak. (88 points)
2015 Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $35
Deep ruby color. Aromas of candied cherries, juicy red plums, some smoky earth, green herbs and coffee notes. Full and smooth on the palate with surprising, pleasant acidity. Flavors of dark cherries and roasted fig show a jammy and ripe approach, but there are nuances of earth, violets, green herbs and light roast coffee blended in well. Fresh, fun, accessible, this is crowd-pleasing stuff that show some good balance and depth. Includes 6% Merlot, aged 18 months in French oak. (88 points)
2016 Gamble Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Vibrant purple color. Smooth, dark black cherry and currants, plums, vibrant but deep fruit, with notes of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, clove and roasted chestnut. Bold texture on the palate, well-built tannins but velvety edges, and moderating acidity team up for a large but balanced wine. Roasted fig, dark plum and black currant fruit blend well with pencil lead, scorched earth, clove, along with cedar and dark chocolate shavings. Warm, inviting, suave, showing well out of the gates but this should improve well over the next five years. Includes some Malbec, Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged 20 months in 40% new oak. (91 points)
2016 Cardinale - California, Napa Valley
SRP: $325
Lively purple color. Gorgeous depth of aromas here, with deep, inviting plums, black cherries and cassis, along with warm mulling spices, violets, coffee and loamy soil. On the palate, this has lots of depth, but the tannins have rounded edges, and the wine is brightened with fresh acidity, and the mouthfeel is fantastic. Pure cassis, blueberry and black cherry fruit, which is mixed well with complex notes of violets, coffee grounds, mocha, anise, tobacco and toffee. I love the fresh, crunchy aspect of this wine despite its hedonism and depth. Year-in, year-out, this wine rocks, and 2016 is another example. A blend from some 11 vineyards, this is Cabernet with 11% Merlot, aged 20 months in 93% new French oak. (96 points)
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