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Sonoma County

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

2011 Bedrock Wine Company Weill a Way Vineyard Syrah Exposition One

2000 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages

Base neck fill

WS  90   
JR  16   

1994 Chateau St. Jean Merlot

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

WS  90   

2018 Ultramarine Heintz Vineyard Rose

Disgorged 11/14/22

2015 Hidden Ridge Immortal Impassable Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

JD  97   
WA  94+    

2013 Hidden Ridge Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly elevated cork; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  92   

2013 Hidden Ridge Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  100   
WS  92   

1976 Dehlinger Zinfandel

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; mid shoulder fill; heavy label condition issue

1978 Dehlinger Zinfandel

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; mid shoulder fill; label condition issue

2015 Hirsch Vineyards Old Vineyard Pinot Noir

2017 Hirsch Vineyards Old Vineyard Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

JS  95   
WA  93+    
VN  93   

2018 Hirsch Vineyards Old Vineyard Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

Signs of past seepage

VN  96   
WA  93   

2018 Hirsch Vineyards Old Vineyard Pinot Noir

1.5ltr

VN  96   
WA  93   

2007 Arrowood Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  92+    
VN  92   
WE  92   

1991 Fisher Vineyards Wedding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

RP  93   

1995 Fisher Vineyards Wedding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
ST  91   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

3-bottle Lot

Base neck fill

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

3-bottle Lot

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

3-bottle Lot

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

3-bottle Lot

Base neck fill

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

6-bottle Lot

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

6-bottle Lot

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

6-bottle Lot

RP  97   

2013 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red

12-bottle Lot

RP  97   

1980 Sebastiani Proprietor's Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; base neck fill