Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Poured into a decanter about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a lovely mix of dark and red fruits, cassis, black and red brambles, tobacco, eucalyptus, leather, cedar box, green herbs, some cocoa, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The texture is silky, in fact, down right sexy. Brilliantly balanced. This is a profoundly sensual wine and one of the best young Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had in many years. These will age for a very long time and I can only imagine how epic the 2021 Terrace Select is going to be. Drink now with an extended decant and through 2051+. — 21 days ago

Tom, Douglas and 12 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Douglas Braun worth seeking out. I think their Cabernet’s are as good as any in California.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Go back with the Rafanelli Cabs to the 1988 vintage. Always workmanlike, solid and with plenty of rusticity/authenticity. Have consistently placed them at the top of Sonoma Cabs. Only producer from Sonoma I found that topped them consistently was the old Laurel Glen Sonoma Mountain Cabs with Patrick Campbell at the helm...and his Cabs were a definite ringer in CA Cab tastings. Sadly, that property doesn't seem to fire in the same way in my semi-frequent tasting visits. Rafanelli Cabs are a welcome change from the flightiness of the Napa brethren. Have zero experience with the reserve/select offerings as they are rarely seen in these parts.
Jay Kline

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@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego those Rafanelli’s from the 80’s are still holding strong too. In fact, the 1988 was awesome this past spring when I presented it as part of a vertical spanning three decades of their Cabernet.

Sandlands

Sonoma County Trousseau 2016

Last 2016. Still lovely, but I’d call this a ‘sooner rather than later’ bottle if I had more. — 8 days ago

romo, Pinotman and 3 others liked this

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Nice Zin. Paired with our lamb. — 8 days ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Medium deep ruby , quite narrow rim . Touch of earthy menthol , tobacco , spicy blackcurrant, grafite . On the palate quite dusty , with earthy sous bois , blackcurrant, ripe blackberry , grafite and tobacco , cocoa hints. Quite rich but balanced , good acidity, quite dusty tannins . This is probably at peak now though will last well another decade perhaps . — 23 days ago

"Odedi", Severn and 5 others liked this

Flowers Vineyard & Winery

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022

Medium ruby color.
Aromas of red fruit, spice.
Off-dry. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, orange zest. Medium-soft, supple tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
— a month ago

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2016

Crowd favorite due to the abundance of fruit and balancing acid — 8 days ago

Tyler, Scott@Mister and 2 others liked this

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Perfect deep garnet color. Fruit way too subdued for a 2019. Nose was flat. Jordan is a tried and true California cab. But this bottle was not a good showing for the $56 bucks at Costco. Just a nice red wine. Sorry — 4 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

East Bench Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2013

As always, a wonderful wine, great for Thanksgiving dinner at Gary’s. — 25 days ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Hanzell Vineyards

Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir 2016

Light, acidic, fruity, and slightly earthy. Floral on the nose. Really nice. — a month ago

Seghesio Family Vineyards

Sonoma County Zinfandel

Sold zin - dry not overly spicy — a month ago