Tasting Notes

2007 Hawk's Roost Ranch Pinot noir
A "larger than life" Pinot is how we describe this single vineyard designate from Hawk's Roost Ranch. Smoky, pepper, Santa Rosa Plum with dark and bittersweet chocolate making your mouth "buzz" with flavors!

2006 Auction Block Pinot noir
Comprised of the best barrels of our best vineyards, this wine is always meant to show how enduring yet generous and rich Pinot noir can be. Jammy cherry, raspberry, licorice, with a first-rate tannic-acid structure - this wine is built for the long haul.

2006 Sangiacomo Pinot noir
Just a touch of Botrytis yielded hints of ripe berry, plum and even a touch of peach on the nose, which is also the spiciest Sangiacomo to date. This fruit-forward character continues on the mouth, with a roundness and viscosity that also echoes the challenges in the vineyard. The finish is long and rich, again with a touch of yellow fruit - loquat - and wisps of mocha fading soft and late.

2006 Silver Pines Vineyard Pinot noir
The wine is amazingly powerful in black cherry, raspberry, rosehip tea, licorice, cola and vanilla oak flavors. Yet crisp acidity and silky smooth tannins make it balanced and elegant. This is a wine to taste through several years to watch its evolution.

2006 van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Meunier
Only 65 cases made of this rare varietal! If you want the essence of nuance and balance as only a small-lot, hand-crafted wine can bring, this inaugural Tandem Pinot Meunier bottling is for you!

2006 Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay
The flavors of white peaches, pineapples and tangerines are edged with zesty spices and a finish of vanilla-honey coating of toasty oak - yum in a glass!

2006 Manchester Ridge Chardonnay
Be prepared for a new paradigm of Chardonnay from California. The new Dijon 809 clone, speaks to a feminine, floral side of Chardonnay. The Old Wente clone brings strength and weight to the palate, giving a balance and harmony, a richness with strength that very few white wines possess.

2006 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
Produced from one of Sonoma's coldest areas, our Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay begins with smoky characters delivered by the native fermentation to exciting exotic tropical fruits: very ripe guava, paw-paw and star fruit which frame more delicate notes of passionfruit and pineapple. The smooth finish goes on and on.

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 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 Porter Bass Chardonnay
The aroma offers subtle elements of crème Brule and brioche along with hints of lime and lemon zest. The palate continues this theme with bright Meyer lemon flavors countering a richness of touches of crème fresh and a long, late palate that speaks of the tartness of citrus with just a touch of grapefruit albido (the white of the grapefruit) on the late palate. Definitely Euro-centric, decidedly cool-climate.

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 Follette’s 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 Aldine Zinfadel
We are seeing a theme with Don and Jo Aldine's Zin as one can sum this wine up in one word once again: Fruit riot! Well, OK, one word just won't do it, but we also have wild berry, brambly mountain fruit & spice with this year adding an echo of black cherry and just a wisp of smoky Lapsang Souchong tea. Texture continues with last year's theme of slippery elm, delicate white pepper & a great mix of red and dark fruits. Enough tannin and acid weight to carry the high-tone fruit volume well into the long, late palate. The finish is decidedly mocha/cocoa, almost confectionary in its richness.

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 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 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 Gabrielli Sangiovese
Red cherry–cherry 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 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 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 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 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 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 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