Exploring
the Wineries of the Dry Creek Valley
- Sbragia Family Vineyards
Our
next stop in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley is at
Sbragia Family Vineyards. There, Ed Sbragia
carries on a legacy started by his father, Gino, and someday
he knows his children will take the reins to continue the family's
tradition with wine. Such a personal element to the work means
the vines and the wines bare a very special meaning for Ed as
they are a way of honoring his family's heritage.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Sbragia
2012 Chardonnay
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of pineapple, peach, pear and creamy oak greets
the senses. A sip delivers flavors of white peach, ripe
pineapple and Asian pear that unfold into traces of caramel
and roasted nuts. A opulent, mouth-filling Chardonnay,
fans of rich, round whites will enjoy this bottle. About
4,500 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sbragia
2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Notes of tropical fruit, apple, and red grapefruit coalesce
with suggestions of limestone on the nose. Grapefruit,
tart apple, and lemon flavors open up into impressions
of minerals and cardamom on the palate. A crisp white,
with a fresh acidity, fans of lively Sauvignon Blanc ought
to try this bottle. Over 5,000 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sbragia
2012 "Gino's Estate" Zinfanel
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% 86% Zinfandel, 9% Carignane,
& 5% Petite Sirah
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, plums, and strawberries meld
with notes of spice on the nose. The palate reveals flavors
of plum, strawberry, and raspberry accented by hints of
pepper and minerals. A bright Zin with plush tannins,
enjoy a bottle with BBQ chicken. 468 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Sbragia
2012 "La Promessa" Zinfanel
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 95% Zinfandel & 5% Petite
Sirah
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cranberries, and plums interweave
with suggestions of spicy and floral notes. Flavors of
raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry meld with nuances
of vanilla and sweet spice on the palate. Lively, with
a welcoming acidity, pair a bottle with a spicy turkey
burger. 636 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sbragia
2012 "Andolsen Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon &
5% Cabernet Franc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, plums, and cherries
that mingle with notes of clove, licorice, and smoky oak.
A sip reveals flavors of blackberry and cherry that move
into hints of minerals, all-spice, and fennel seed. A
rich, robust red with velvety tannins, fans of Dry Creek
Cab ought to try this bottle.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sbragia
2012 "Home Ranch" Merlot
Winery:
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Grape(s): 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet
Franc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, plums, vanilla, and sweet spice
rises up from a glass. The palate delivers flavors of
black cherry, plum, and blackberry which open up into
nuances of clove, cola, and toasty oak. A dark, supple
red with mellow tannins, a bottle with pair nicely with
meatloaf.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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