Tasting Notes

2005 Lorenzo
Vineyard Chardonnay
Rose’s Lime Juice, subtle ginger flower and a hint of fresh-cut
white pineapple yield to more expressive spice and Meyer Lemon.
From the famed vineyard of John Bazzano comes this age-worthy, mineral-driven,
Euro-centric Chardonnay.
2005
Richie Vineyard Chardonnay
As befitting of the vineyard, this wine is an intensely rich, satisfying,
fun, pleasure-filled experience (what better way can a hedonistic
winemaker expresses him/herself?). All that you have come to expect
in the rich, deep, texture-laden expression of the Ritchie Vineyard
Chardonnay is here, with the added dimension of the zippy acid of
the 2005 vintage. Pleasure in a bottle...
2005
Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
The exciting, visceral, animale et sauvage aspects
of this wine continue in this 2005 edition of Mara La Follettes
favorite wine. A core of rich, musky-scented perfume first greets
the nose, but if one takes the time to let the wine develop, a regular
riot of fruit-supported complexity evolves over a period of several
hours. This veritable kaleidoscope-in-the-glass continues on the
palate, with the late palate echo of downright sexy flavors continuing
to be supported by an intense, richly structured mouthfeel that
needs to be tasted to be believed.
2005
Auction Block Pinot noir
Great presence and backbone
from a cool vintage are present in this veritable “terroir
tour” blend of 4 vineyards on and around Sonoma Mountain.
From the best that Sonoma has to offer, our Auction Block delivers
all the intensity & balance you have come to expect of Tandem!
2005
Chris Lee Vineyard Pinot noir
Deep color, intensity, and bright red fruits describe this
wine from an ancient volcanic ash field on the lee of Sonoma Mountain.
Tiny berries and struggling vines give this wine its powerful character.
2005
Silver Pines Vineyard Pinot noir
The cool 2005 vintage yielded a refined, nuanced wine to
overlay the power and extract that this Sonoma Mountain vineyard
has to offer. Great complexity and vintage presence provide the
perfect expression of terroir in this bottling.
2005
Peloton
Peloton (pell-uh-tawn): a composite of many into
one; the vinous plaything of a whimsical winemaker; that which is
crafted to be "winner of the first empty glass" contest;
a seriously and deliciously irreverent Pinot-based blend. Directions
for use: do not dissect drink and enjoy!
2004
Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay
Delicate floral notes and wisps of sauvage on the nose,
with a mineral, flinty presentation on the mouth. Fine acid and
tannin balance indicate this wine will age incredibly well. Delicacy,
strength, balance the hallmark of Tandem Porter-Bass Chardonnay.
2004
Ritchie Chardonnay
Characteristic deep, rich scents of the Ritchie Vineyard
greet one with the first aromas. Flavors continue to develop to
tropical fruit and ripe guava, along with hints of citrus blossoms.
On the palate the theme of richness continues with layered textures
and generous, spreading mouthfeel that leads into a late palate
of tropical fruit and spice. Late tannins are just present enough
to suggest that this wine will have the backbone to age well for
several years.
2004
Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
The sauvage et animale excitement of this wine continues
with the 2004 edition. A downright sexy wine on both the nose and
palate, this wine is literally a textbook of how “mouthfeel”
is defined in its most rich and positive sense.
2004 Auction Block
Pinot noir
Comprised of the best barrels of our best vineyards, this
wine is always meant to show how enduring and generous Pinot noir
can be. This wine is built for the long haul.
2004
Hellenthal Pinot noir
Contiguous with the Hirsch Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, the spiciness
and fine, balanced acidity and tannin structure mark this wine with
the grace and elegance that speaks of its coastal upbringing. Still
quite young and tight in its initial presentation, this wine deserves
air time once the cork is pulled and will reward an evening of discovery
if one can resist the temptation to finish the bottle too quickly!
2004 Keefer Ranch Pinot noir
Pure expression of dark berries/cherries and classical
Russian River “cola” notes on the nose. These deep fruity
and spicy tones are framed in wisps of sandalwood and birch beer,
giving an exotic element to the presentation in the glass. The palate
echoes the nose, with spicy, deep and rich dark fruit tones and
woodruff framing, with a long, late aftertaste echoing the black
cherry as well as a touch of mocha.
2004
Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot noir
A warm vintage adds up-front dark fruits to the Sangiacomo Pinot
noir's trademark sauvage et animale aromas and visceral,
smoky flavors. Richly layered textures on the mouth also speak to
the year's perfect ripening conditions.
2004 Silver Pines
Pinot noir
Unmistakable Sonoma Mountain mark of smoked venison, blackstrap
molasses and forest floor duff/truffle, this wine speaks clearly
of its origin. The woodsy aromas nicely frame dark berry and cocoa
notes. On the palate, one is presented with rich, almost creamy
tannins that are finely balanced by firm acidity. Flavors echo aromas
with a tip more to berry and even guava, with a long, fruit-driven
finish.
2004
Van der Kamp Pinot noir
Classic Sonoma Mountain Van der Kamp
smoke and roasted venison, with touches of California Bay forest
floor after a morning rain. Dark fruits frame this forest with black
cherry, Santa Rosa plum and a touch of molasses around the edges
of the aromatic envelope. The flavors begin with ripe and exotic
tropical fruits, leading into a mid-palate of smoky, intense and
rich dark fruits including again black cherry. The late palate transitions
with baked apple sweetness into a richness that comes from finely
balanced acid/tannin levels and leads to a long lingering dark fruit
and mouth-watering tamarind fade.
2004 Gabrielli Sangiovese
Red cherrycherry and dusty cocoa with touches of
cassis and sandalwood lace this Tuscan native gone Californian.
The trademark Sangiovese tannin and acid profile is well-couched
in smooth, firm layers of complexity and balance.
2004
"Talmage Bench" Aldine Vineyard Zinfandel
Fruit riot! Wild berry,
brambly mountain fruit and spice. Texture is mouth-watering, with
delicate white pepper and a great mix of red and dark fruits framing
the high-tone core of the wine. Enough tannin and acid weight to
carry the berry fruit volume well into the long, late palate. An
important component of our Peloton wine, we selected eight barrels
to bring the varietal expression of Don Aldine’s old-vine
Zin to your glass!
2004 Peloton Red Wine
Blend
Classic Peloton profile, with this edition presenting a
deep and rich aroma and flavor profile. Decidedly ripe and black
fruit character, this wine will continue the “winner of the
first empty glass” contest!
2003
Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay
Our most Euro-centric Chardonnay, with a delicate floral
presentation balanced by wisps of visceral, smoky aromas. These
two juxtaposing aroma and flavor profiles continue to duke it out
in the bottle, with the knife-edge balance and finish of mineral
and wet stone making the consumer the winner.
2003 Ritchie Chardonnay
This Sonoma County viticultural treasure is from some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Russian River Valley. Taste the reason why Tandem’s Ritchie Chardonnay is always among the top dozen Chards of the year and has been one of the most respected vineyard-winery combinations in the wine industry.
2003 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
Rich, brilliant pale gold color. Aromas of peach, orange peel, animale/sauvage visceral notes with hints of green curry and Asian spice. On the palate, ripe peach again shows through with a background of animale/sauvage with laces of miso. Texture is firm with good acid structure and balance that keeps lingering through a long, late palate of viscous ripe peach & late echoes again of the feral nature of this wine.
93 POINTS - Wine & Spirits Magazine
2003
Auction Block Pinot noir
Dark color. Rich, warm spice and cola notes first greet the nose,
followed by dark fruits. The complexity continues to evolve in the
glass with forest floor, truffle and other earth tones fading into
hints of fresh-roasted coffee beans. The palate is well-structured
with the acidity and tannins that come from our cool-climate coastal
vineyards. As with the nose, dark fruits again present themselves
in the taste, with the complex flavors in the mouth following the
nose. This wine is a young pup that was built to last – saving
a few bottles for the next few years will be rewarded with increased
complexity and roundness that only aging can bring to such a wine.
2003
Keefer Ranch Pinot noir
Blended from clones Wadenswil 2A, Pommard, Mariafeld,
& Dijons, Keefer presents aromas of dark fruits black cherry,
blackberry and black plum while still holding spice/cola notes for
which this coolest valley of the Russian River is known. The palate
is concentrated, rich, demonstrating the generosity and sweetness
which is uniquely Pinot noir whilst providing the tannin & acid
structure to make this wine a true vin du garde.
ONE OF THE BEST PINOT NOIRS -
Sunset Magazine
2003
Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot noir
Pure cherry aromas are ringed
with feral, smoky tones in this decidedly Burgundian style of Sonoma
Coast fruit. The Coastal influence continues on the palate, with
tight, linear, focused flavors of bright red fruits & excellent
acid structure matching finely spread tannins on the late palate.
Very late palate speaks of pomegranate, cherries & cranberry
red fruits. Not your typical Calif. Pinot, this wine will gain in
weight & complexity with patient cellaring.
90 POINTS - The Wine Advocate
2003
Van der Kamp Pinot noir
High-mountain intensity characterizes this full-throttled yet gravity-defying
gentility of a wine. With grapes from the last of the oldest commercial
Pinot in Sonoma County, this James Beard-awarded wine is the fullest
expression of what Sonoma Mountain Pinot noir can be.
91 POINTS - The Wine Enthusiast
2003
Gabrielli Sangiovese
Pure Sangiovese fruit exudes from the glass with this vintage effort.
Red currants, Ribena/blackcurrant and lingenberry pour forth with
both aroma and flavor. Tannins are varietally firm to match the
Tuscan acidity, leading to a long, late, red berry mouth-watering
finish. A wine for the ages.
2003
“Peloton” Red Wine Blend
Moderately dark red/purple to the eye, this wine expresses a good
balance between fruit and complexity on the nose. Elements of “sauvage”
& feral notes complement the dark fruits and hints of roasted
butternut squash, later yielding to spice and hints of white pepper
on the edges of the aroma envelope. On the palate, the wine is rich
in texture with broad and spreading tannins, supporting the fruit/acid
in equal measure. Can you guess the varietals?
2002
Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay
Greg L has made this wine the #1 Chardonnay in the world
two times (Wine & Spirits “Top 100 wines of the year”).
Biodynamically farmed by Sue Porter and Dirck Bass and their son
Luke. One of the few age-worthy Chardonnays made in California
2002
Auction Block Pinot noir
Great front-to-back pull-through on the palate characterizes this
wine, blended from the best barrels of our best vineyards. With
this wine we seek the purest expression of the “iron maiden
in the velvet evening gown” (a misquote of Greg L’s
from the Wine Spectator), revealing why Pinot can caress
and love your tongue like no other varietal.
2002 Sangiacomo
Vineyard Pinot noir
Pure cherry aromas are ringed with feral, smoky tones in
this decidedly Burgundian style of Sonoma Coast fruit. The Coastal
influence continues on the palate, with tight, linear, focused flavors
of bright red fruits & excellent acid structure matching finely
spread tannins on the late palate. Very late palate speaks of pomegranate,
cherries & cranberry red fruits. Not your typical Calif. Pinot,
this wine will gain in weight & complexity with patient cellaring.
2002 Gabrielli Vineyard Sangiovese
Dark, dense presentation does not give this wine away as a Calif.
Sangiovese. Nose: cassis/redcurrants, gooseberry & other small,
red-berried fruits along with a smoky, dusty aroma that might place
one in the Tuscan hills. The flavors are rich & layered, with
big, spreading Sangiovese tannins & the distinct acid profile
that can only be this Prince of Tuscany. The finish is long &
complex, with echos of mocha, tar & cedar cigar box along with
red & later dark fruit flavors.
Non-Vintage Syrah
Decidedly of the Northern Rhone style, this Syrah from
Gabrielli Vineyard and the Granite Hills presents a classic Syrah
frame of smoke and plum with touches of tarry Lapsang Souchong tea
and currant. The mouth is firmly structured, with a tight backbone
of balanced acid and tannins that will complement roast meats and
cheeses.
Editor's Pick - Sunset Magazine
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