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When you think about Sweden, wine probably doesn’t come to mind. Yet, Katarina Bonde and Bengt Akerlind found their way from the Scandinavian shores to Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. At first, the pair focused solely on growing quality grapes, but over the years, they slowly moved into winemaking. Now, their winery, West Wines, offers an appealing range of varietals and blends. Here’s what our tasting panel had to say about them:
West 2010 Viognier
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of tropical fruit, peach, and honeysuckle greets the senses. A sip delivers flavors of peach, mango, and pineapple that unfold into suggestions of white blossoms. Lively flavors and a fresh acidity make this a very approachable wine.
Rating: 89
West 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
Fragrances of green apple, Asian pear, and citrus fruits can be discovered on the nose. The palate delivers flavors of honeydew, apple, and lime with accents of minerals. A brisk white, with a friendly acidity, enjoy a bottle with white fish or herb chicken.
Rating: 88
West 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of black cherries, plums, and blackberries blend with suggestions of anise and dusty earth on the nose. Flavors of cherries, plums, and cassis come together with notes of licorice, earth, and cocoa on the palate. A lighter red, with plush tannins, fans of easy-going Cabs should give this bottle a try.
Rating: 88
West 2010 Tuscan Cuvee
Grape(s): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon & 20% Sangiovese
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of bing cherries, sweet cranberries, and ripe raspberries mingle with suggestions of sweet spice on the nose. Bright red berry flavors interweave with nuances of cola and clove on the palate. Elegant and smooth, with soft tannins, enjoy a bottle on its own or with a light pasta dish.
Rating: 90
West 2009 Crest Cuvee
Grape(s): 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 5% Cabernet Franc
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Black cherry, plum, and blackberry aromas coalesce with suggestions of dark chocolate and earth on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit and cherry that open into impressions of cocoa and spicy oak. Rich, lush, and classically structured, it’s a fine example of a Bordeaux-style blend.
Rating: 90
West 2012 Late Harvest Viognier
Grape(s): 100% Viognier
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Notes of tropical fruit, apricot, and honeysuckle rise up from a glass. On the palate, flavors of guava, apricot, and peach meld with hints of almond paste. A lighter dessert wine with a welcoming acidity, pair a bottle with warm peach cobbler.
Rating: 88
