We continue our survey of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, with Kokomo Winery. (Last week we looked at Pedroncelli.) Since their inception in 2004, the winery has focused on small production, single-vineyard wines from the County, which visitors can try for themselves with a unique tasting experience, as the winery tasting room is incorporated into their cellar.

Kokomo 2014 Pauline’s Vineyard Merlot

Grape(s): 100% Merlot

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Ca

Price: 30-35

Tasting Notes:

A nose reminiscent of black cherries, blackberries, and toasty vanilla greets the senses. Ripe fruit flavors of cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry come together with notes of vanilla, floral earth, and spice on the palate. There are some compelling layers in this wine, a nice fruit core, and polished tannins. Could be marvelous with pot roast. 264 cases produced.

Rating: 90

Kokomo 2014 Grenache

Grape(s): 100% Grenache

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Ca

Price: 35-40

Tasting Notes:

A nose of strawberries, cherries, rose petals, and vanilla draws one into a glass. Silky tannins carry flavors of strawberry, plum, and cherry into floral and dusty earth expressions. A fairly light red that’s calling to be enjoy now, pair it with salmon tacos. 368 cases were made.

Rating: 88

Kokomo 2016 Grenache Rose

Grape(s): 100% Grenache

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Ca

Price: 20-25

Tasting Notes:

Lots of bing cherries, cranberries, and strawberries come forth on the nose, along with floral hints. The bright berry flavors follow through on the palate with some violet or rose petal whispers in the background. A wine offering a fresh, friendly acidity, it would pair nicely with a seafood salad. 900 cases produced.

Rating: 89

Kokomo 2014 Timber Crest Malbec

Grape(s): 100% Malbec

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Ca

Price: 35-40

Tasting Notes:

Waves of blueberries, blackberries, dark plums, and floral earth rise up from a glass. A rich, ripe palate delivers flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry, with subtle allusions of violets, dark chocolate, and clove coming along, too. This has nice fruit but also a solid backbone of tannins that give it good structure. If you’re a Malbec fan, drink now with food. If you lean more towards softer, more supple wine, give this a few years in the cellar. 278 cases were made.

Rating: 90