Wines
of the Week:
Ferrari Carano & Lazy Creek Vineyards
Don
and Rhonda Carano have established their name
as one of the most respected in California wine, first with
Ferrari-Carano Winery in Sonoma County and,
more recently (since 2008), with Lazy Creek Vineyards
in Mendocino County. Over the years, the pair has accumulated
and cultivated some of the finest vineyard properties in all
of California, and those efforts are apparent in the quality
of their wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Ferrari
Carano 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Ferrari Carano
Grape(s): Cabernet
Sauvignon & Syrah
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, cassis, and dark plums mingle
with notes of spice, toasty vanilla, and licorice on the
nose. With a sip, flavors of currant, cherry, and plum
are accented by traces of anise, toffee, and smoky,spicy
oak. Welcoming fruit and cocoa tannins make this wine
a fine match for lamb stew.
Rating: 90 |
|
Ferrari
Carano 2014 "Sky High Ranch" Pinot Noir
Winery:
Ferrari Carano
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
A bouquet of raspberries, cherries, vanilla, and floral
spice greets the senses. The palate showcases flavors
of cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry that flow into whispers
of vanilla, minerals, and anise. Offering dark fruit and
a velvet mouthfeel, open a bottle with pork tenderloin.
300 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Lazy
Creek Vineyards 2014 Rose of Pinot Noir
Winery:
Lazy Creek Vineyards
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
The nose offers aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and
nectarine as well as a hint of citrus peal. Flavors of
strawberry, stone and citrus fruits open up into allusions
of lemon custard on the palate. Fairly round, with a friendly
acidity, bring a bottle along for your next picnic. 831
cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Lazy
Creek Vineyards 2014 Gewurztraminer
Winery:
Lazy Creek Vineyards
Grape(s): 100%
Gewurztraminer
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of lychee fruit, pear, sweet spice, and orange
blossom rise up from a glass. Tropical and stone fruits
interweave with suggestions of all-spice, citrus zest,
and honeysuckle on the palate. A wine that's rather crisp
and floral, it will pair nicely with a balsamic-glazed
duck breast. Just 65 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Lazy
Creek Vineyards 2014 "Middleridge Ranch" Pinot
Noir
Winery:
Lazy Creek Vineyards
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Cherry, strawberry, and raspberry notes mingle with allusions
of cola and sweet spice on the nose. A sip deliverers
flavors of cherries, raspberries, and plums that unfold
into traces of cola, nutmeg, and minerals on the palate.
With alluring red fruit and plush tannins, a roast chicken
will make a nice pairing. 418 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Lazy
Creek Vineyards 2014 Estate Pinot Noir
Winery:
Lazy Creek Vineyards
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot
Noir
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Notes of strawberries, cherries, and plums come forth
on the nose, alongside accents of vanilla, licorice, and
clove. The palate reveals flavors of black cherry, plum,
and boysenberry that unfold into traces of sweet spice,
anise, and toasty vanilla. Offering ample dark fruit,
a welcoming acidity, and silky tannins, a wild mushroom
risotto would make a fine paring. 424 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years
|