Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley is one of the premier grape growing regions in California. The area may be most famous for the wonderful Zinfandels they produce, but the wineries have a wide range of varieties to offer. Our tasting panel had the opportunity to sample a handful of bottles from the region and were rather impressed. You can explore these and many other Valley wineries at their Passport Weekend coming up at the end of this month.

Mazzocco 2006 Inheritance Blend

Grape(s): 48% Merlot, 24% Petite Sirah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec & 3% Petit Verdot

Region: Sonoma County

Review:

Aromatics of cherries, currants, and bramble fruit mingle with suggestions of earth, chocolate, and anise on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, cherry, and cassis come together with hints of licorice, cedar, and earth on the palate. A fairly supple wine, fans of rich, nicely structured reds will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

Mazzocco 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Sonoma County

Review:

A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, mocha, and toasty oak rises up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit, cherry and pomegranate with accents of musty earth and coffee. A robust Cab with a mineral backbone, fans of heartier reds should give this bottle a try.

Rating: 86

Mazzocco 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec & 4% Petit Verdot

Region: Sonoma County

Review:

Aromas of cherries and raspberries meld with notes of candied walnut, licorice, and cedar on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherry, plum, and raspberry along with suggestions of spice, dusty earth, and chocolate. A dry, slightly earthy red, fans of supple tannins and mineral highlights ought to try this wine.

Rating: 88

Matrix 2010 Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 35-40

Review:

A bouquet of red berries, leather, white pepper, and herbs greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of strawberry, cherry, and plum with accents of spice, licorice, and vanilla. A fairly bright wine, with a balanced acidity, fans of supple Pinots will enjoy this bottle. 521 cases produced .

Rating: 90

Matrix 2010 R. Buoncristiani Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 35-40

Review:

Aromas of raspberries and plums mingle with notes of game, cedar, and minerals on the nose. Plum, cherry, and raspberry flavors unfold into suggestions of smoked meat, spice, and earth on the palate. A lively red, fans ample fruit and complicating heartier highlights will enjoy this wine. 255 cases produced.

Rating: 89

Matrix 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir

Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 45-50

Review:

Notes of cherry, strawberry, and plum rise with accents of sweet spice rise up from a glass. The palate delivers flavors of plums, cherries, and raspberries framed by suggestions of white pepper, minerals, and vanilla. A a fairly lively, layered wine, fans of bright yet supple Pinots will enjoy this bottle. 152 cases produced.

Rating: 91

Pedroncelli 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 82% Cabernet, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of currants, bramble fruit, spice, and very dark chocolate greet the senses. Flavors of blackberry, currant, and plum meld with notes of oak, spice, and cocoa on the palate. A more robust Cab, with solid tannins, enjoy with your favorite cut of red meat or let it mellow a few years in the cellar.

Rating: 88

Pedroncelli 2010 Mother Clone Zinfandel

Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Blackberries, plums, and cherries are accented by suggestions of spice and smokey herbs on the nose. The palate offers flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and cherry along with highlights of pepper and minerals. An approachable wine, fans of easy-going reds with a bit of spice will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 89

Pedroncelli 2007 Vintage Port

Grape(s): Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, Sousão, and Tinta Madera

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromatics of blackberries and dates mingle with accents of caramel, walnuts, and all-spice rise up from a glass. A sip unfurls flavors of blackberry, dates, and plums along with nuances of butterscotch, walnuts, and sweet spice. A rich, layered port that sure to please your dinner guests.

Rating: 90

Fritz 2010 Chardonnay

Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay

Region: Sonoma County

Price: 20-25

Review:

Aromas of baked apple and ripe pear along with accents of sweet spice and vanilla rise up from a glass. Flavors of apple and pear are framed by notes of cinnamon and vanilla emerge on the palate. A supple wine with a friendly acidity, fans of nicely balanced Chardonnays will enjoy this bottle

Rating: 90