Over 100 years ago, no less than 120 wineries and commercial cellars called San Francisco home, but the 1906 earthquake and Prohibition quelled much of the wine-making spirit. Bluxome Street Winery is looking to recapture some of that old-time luster and help carry on the city’s wine-making legacy. They offer a variety of wines produced mainly from Russian River Valley fruit, which our tasting panel recently sampled, and they are all worth a try.
Bluxome Street 2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, pomegranate, and all-spice rises up from a glass. Notes of boysenberry, pomegranate, and cherry come together with highlights of orange spice and truffles on the palate. A bright wine, with interesting layers, fans of food-friendly Pinots will enjoy this bottle. 1,000 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Bluxome Street 2011 Balinard Vineyard Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries and plums are accents by suggestions of vanilla and earth on the nose. The palate offers flavors of cherry, plum, and raspberry along with notes of minerals and floral hints. A Pinot that offers ample fruit balanced by a sparkling acidity, enjoy a bottle with pork chops or lamb. Just 168 cases were made.
Rating: 89
Bluxome Street 2011 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Mendocino County
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of raspberries, cranberries, oak, and earth greets the senses. The palate offers flavors of bright red berries along with hints of spice and leather. A fruit-driven Pinot with a balanced acidity, it’s a friendly, approachable wine.
Rating: 88
Bluxome Street 2011 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of fresh citrus fruits and lemon zest along with with notes of honey and fresh-cut grass can be found on the nose. A sip unfurls flavors of melon, lemon, and grapefruit with accents of minerals and honey. A crisp, refreshing white with a medium-body, it’s a solid example of Russian River Sauvignon Blanc. About 700 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Bluxome Street 2011 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of apple and pear mingle with floral notes on the nose. Flavors of apple, tropical fruit, and lemon are accented by suggestions of cream and orange blossoms. Slightly creamy but still fairly bright, fans of easy-going, floral Chardonnays should try this wine. 400 cases produced.
Rating: 88
Bluxome Street 2012 Russian River Valley Rosé of Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, tart pineapple and herbs rise up from a glass. With a sip, flavors of pineapple, watermelon, and ruby-red grapefruit mingle with a floral hint. A lively wine, with a food-friendly acidity, fans of dry, crisp rosés will enjoy this bottle. 130 cases produced.
Rating: 89