Landmark Chardonnay Overlook 2008 - One of California's best Chardonnay producers at 40% off!!!
A study which followed subjects for 15 years found that higher levels of silica in water appeared to decrease the risk of dementia. The study found that with an increase of 10 milligram-per-day of the intake of silica in drinking water, the risk of dementia dropped by 11%.
Speaking of Silica, Figi water has the highest amount of any water! And since we’re talking about Figi water now, this is hot off the press they just bought another winery Landmark from Sonoma County. I mean the folks that own Figi, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, just bought Landmark Winery- one of our favorite Chardonnay producers in California. The Chardonnay’s from Landmark have made it into our "Best of the Best" list several times over the years. We have hosted several dinners with the Colhoun's and I was very surprised to hear about them selling but I guess if the price is right everything is for sale. And speaking about the price is right, the price is right on this 2008 vintage of Overlook Chardonnay from Landmark!
2008 Landmark Chardonnay Overlook Chardonnay Sonoma/Santa Barbara
Price: $25 Sale $14.75 Case $168
A blend of Sonoma and Santa Barbara fruit ripe peach and tropical fruit with hints of lightly buttered toast. Lovely richness on the palate with ripe tropical fruit and notes of crème flan and butterscotch candy. Nice creamy texture on the tongue, very ripe but still nice balance on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
A bit about Landmark Winery:
Landmark Vineyards was founded by the Mabry family in the town of Windsor in 1974. Over the course of its first decade, the winery tried its hand at a number of varietals, without ever achieving much notoriety with any of them. The winemaker and manager of the property was Bill Mabry, one of the Mabry sons. Landmark was perhaps the first Sonoma winery to fall victim to urban encroachment, as suburban tracts and shopping malls grew up around it. In 1989, Mabry sold his interest to Damaris Deere Ethridge, who had been a partner in Landmark from the outset. Ethridge then orchestrated a move to the more pastoral and vineyard-friendly environment of the Sonoma Valley. The "Deere" in Ethridge's name is significant, for she is a descendant of John Deere, who, in 1837 invented the steel plow. His company grew to become the largest agricultural tractor company in the world. It is this legacy that inspired Ethridge to remain close to the land. Before becoming interested in Landmark Vineyards, she had already raised five children on a dairy farm in Connecticut. The choice to totally immerse herself in winegrowing may have seemed obvious - Chardonnay sales were starting to boom - but this was also a time when most mid-sized to large wineries were crowding store shelves with as many varietals as they could. Putting all her grapes in one basket was unquestionably a risky move.
When the new winery opened in the fall of 1990, visitors could immediately see Damaris Ethridge's great synthesis of business acumen, artistic sense, agricultural interest, and a love of humanity. Nestled in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain in the heart of Sonoma Valley, Landmark epitomizes the rustic grace and harmony that is Sonoma County. The 20-acre estate blends "Old California" mission-style architecture with verdant, landscaped grounds and vineyards to create a setting of timeless beauty. The winery is equipped with all the accoutrements necessary for proper chardonnay production - it has a far greater capacity than the old Windsor facility. When Ethridge built her Landmark winery, she was determined to include a warm, luxurious hospitality center where visitors could come to relax and taste the wines. The hospitality center is a magnificent facility featuring a granite tasting bar, a fireplace, and a dramatic mural by noted Sonoma County artist Claudia Wagar. The winery also has an elegant country guesthouse which it rents out as a bed and breakfast to visitors passing through wine country.
Today the new Landmark Vineyards focuses exclusively on Chardonnay. Most of the grapes are grown in the Alexander Valley and on the winery's ranch in Kenwood. A new Landmark Estate Vineyard was planted in 1989, and the winery has developed relationships with several top growers in the Russian River Valley (this fruit made its debut in the 1994 "Overlook" Chardonnay). The most significant changes at Landmark at this time was when President Michael Colhoun (Ethridge's son) hired Helen Turley as consulting winemaker. Many regard Turley as the best chardonnay maker in California. She honed her considerable skills at B.R. Cohn, Peter Michael, and tiny Marcassin Winery, which she owns with her husband. Her distinctive style of chardonnay production borrows from the small vignerons in Burgundy, who rely on wild yeasts and restricted yields in the vineyard to shape their well-structured, rich, white wines. Among other Turley touches, she lightly presses whole clusters, which increases finesse and long-term structure; she also advocates careful vineyard practices to obtain optimal fruit. Turley's impact at Landmark became evident with the release of the exceptional 1993 vintage. With winemaker Eric Stern, she made two wines: the "Overlook" Chardonnay from five vineyard sources (including the Landmark Estate Vineyard in Kenwood) and the exquisite single-vineyard "Damaris Reserve" from the winery's 56-acre vineyard in the Alexander Valley. The wines were both well-made - exhibiting richness, complexity and balance. The 1993 "Damaris Reserve" was one of the finest Chardonnays we tasted in 1995. We scored it a (95) - first in a flight of exceptional 1993 and 1994 Chardonnays. The wine came from a single Alexander Valley vineyard block which yielded a scant two tons an acre. Unfortunately, the exceptional 1994 was the last vintage of this wine. The vineyard has succumbed to disease and has been ripped out and replanted.
Damaris Ethridge has changed more than just the wines at Landmark; she has brought a bit of glamour to the rustic Sonoma setting. Typically, it is Napa that draws the social crowds. However, several years ago Sonoma scored a pair of coups with the Hollywood set. First was the elaborate wedding of actress Geena Davis and director Renny Harlin at the nearby Kunde Ranch. Then, a few weeks later, Ethridge sponsored a gala celebration for Conservation International at the Landmark winery that attracted Harrison Ford, Don Johnson, Kenny Loggins and Tippi Hedren. It was the biggest social event to ever hit the Sonoma Valley and a grand introduction of the Landmark Estate as an elegant wine country destination.
We were surprised when in August of last year we heard that landmark Winery had been sold to Stewart and Lynda Resnick, whose $2 billion Roll Global company owns Fiji Water and the Pom Wonderful juice and also farms 188 square miles in California, purchased Landmark for an undisclosed price.
The Colhouns, who never put the property on the market, decided to sell the winery after being approached by Stewart Resnick in April. “We had no real intention of selling unless an offer came along that we considered spectacular,” said Mike Colhoun, who gladly packed up his winery office saying- “And we are absolutely thrilled with this transaction.”
The 2008 vintage of Overlook is comprised of 22 separate vineyards include such distinguished growers as Sanganciomo, Bien Nacido, Martinelli and Lorenzo. All the wine in the Overlook bottling is barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts and undergoes full malo-lactic fermentation. The wine is aged sur lie for nine months in Burgundian barrels and racked to tanks for blending.
It looks like the 2008 vintage is another outstanding vintage for most of California. In fact, this vintage is being touted in every major wine region as being outstanding. Whole cluster pressing, barrel fermentation utilizing indigenous yeasts, complete malo-lactic fermentation and extensive sur lie aging in French Burgundian barrels, all add layers of suppleness and complexity to this wine. This wine is always released a bit early in our opinion, it could use a few more months in the bottle before it really begins to show its true colors. PLEASE don't serve this wine ice cold; it will show much better if served at a cool rather than cold temperature.
What I Drank Yesterday:
This used to be the 2nd label for Saintsbury winery and is now its own brand. I think that the story is that the label was sold and the fruit sources are some of the same fruit sources that they used in this label in the past. I am a bit confused as I did not know they used fruit from Monterey in this label before, but that is neither here nor there, the wines were good.
2010 Garnet Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Price: $15.75
A good amount of ripe peach and pineapple fruit on the nose, very forward and just a whiff of spice but the focus here is on the juicy tropical fruit. This label was owned by Saintsbury and sold off but the fruit is supposedly the same course as before. Fresh and clean with a nice balance and freshness on the finish. Finish 30+ Good +
2009 Garnet Pinot Noir Monterey
Price: $15.75
Pomegranate and red cherry and raspberry like fruit with a touch of brown spice and pretty floral nuance. A nice amount of cherry berry fruit on the tongue with a smooth silky texture with a nice touch of spice and floral nuance on the finish, short but pleasant. Finish 35+ Very good
2009 Garnet Pinot Noir Carneros
Price: $20.25
Black raspberry and black cherry fruit on the nose with a hint of smoke and bacon fat nice amount of brown spice. A good amount of black raspberry like fruit on the tongue along with a nice hand of brown spice and a bit of tannins showing here, but nicely balanced and still fresh on the finish. Finish 40+ Very Good +
2010 Garnet Pinot Noir Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Price: $30
A pretty bouquet of all-spice and nutmeg to the red cherry, cola and a touch of animal/leathery to this wine with good complexity here. A nice spice on the palate with smooth silky tannins and a nice burst of freshness and spice on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
Here is a great family owned winery that continues to over deliver when it comes to price and quality. I had forgotten momentarily about the great Merlot Reserves and Zinfandels that this winery- yes I said Zinfandels, that this winery produced in the past and the many events that we hosted with the Stare over the years. I don’t think that the prices have changed very much over the last 20 years either.
2010 Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc Wilson Ranch
Price: $11.25
Still family owned, all stainless steel Vouvray like in style. A very pretty nose of Asian pear and hibiscus floral nuance very forward and enticing. A slightly sweet style but still has nice freshness and pretty floral nuance on the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good
2010 Dry Creek Vineyard Fume Blanc Sonoma County
Price: $11.25
A good amount of fresh cut grass like nuance with white pepper spice and white grapefruit citrus very aromatic bouquet. A very intense style with lots of herbacousness showing on the finish but lots of mouth puckering fruit as well. Finish 40+ Excellent
2008 Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Price: $17
The Family has reinvented themselves over the last decade this chardonnay is a good example of that, only 7,500 cases produced today whereas their production was as high as 30,000 cases and they style is more balanced today like everyone else getting away from the big oaky wines and going toward more the balanced and fresh style that is better with food. A nice touch of vanilla spice, nutmeg, cinnamon spice with a good amount of tropical fruit, red delicious apples, with notes of creme caramel. A nice viscosity on the palate, texture of whole milk with a nice hand of toasty oak spice but balanced and fresh on the finish. Finish 35+ Very Good +
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Sonoma Coast
Price: $17
Brambly black berry and dark cherry liqueur like fruit hints of anise and black pepper spice nice richness on the nose only 13% alcohol. Black raspberry like fruit on the tongue with a good amount of ripe fruit but has very nice balance and freshness on the finish leaving the tongue salivating for food. Finish 40+ Excellent
2008 Dry Creek Vineyard The Mariner Dry Creek Valley
Price: $50.25
Lytton Springs, Rafanelli and Harry Merlot vineyard up above lake Sonoma, everything had harvested, has all five Bordeaux varietals in the mix and has a forward and enticing bouquet of cigar box spice, cedar and Thick black currant and black cherry liqueur like fruit with a good hand of toasty oak, sweet tobacco spice and vanilla notes. A big and chewy wine on the tongue with smooth and velvety like tannins notes of pencil lead and again good balance and depth of flavors, this wine needs a bit of time. Finish 45+ Excellent +
2006 Dry Creek Vineyards Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley
Price: $67.50
This is now the flagship cabernet Sauvignon, they have been making it since 1997. A bit of toasty oak, dark coco spice and maybe a bit of VA on the nose, sweet balsamic notes with sweet black cherry liqueur like fruit. A good amount of sweet black cherry and currant berry liqueur like fruit on the tongue with big tannins, smooth and round a very ripe style but still comes together at the end finishing with dark coco and black earth like nuance. Finish 45+ Excellent +
Silver Oak winery is one of the most successful labels from Napa with some new varietals coming on line with their Twomey label that started as a Merlot brand. They also brought by the new releases from Silver Oak, but I would have to say that I am more impressed with the Twomey wines- especially when you look at the prices. Silver Oak is the most successful wine labels of all-time from California there ripe and fruit driven style of Cabernet is a big hit with high end wine consumers in restaurants and retail, the perfect name with the perfect package but will they hold up their demand at these prices? Time will tell, there are no deals on these wines at the moment but if I look into my crystal ball I see some deals in the near future.
2010 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc Napa
Price: $26
This wine comes from a 112 acres ranch in Calistoga and is 100% estate grown. Made in a Sancerre inspired style, 1/3 Stainless, 1/3 stainless drum and 1/3 in French oak. A bit of a light musty/earthy nuance to the melon and fig like fruit on the nose. A fresh and fruity style of Sauvignon Blanc maybe a cross between New Zealand and Sancerre with nice zest on the finish leaves the tongue salivating for food. Finish 40+ Very Good +
2009 Twomey Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard
Price: $53.50
Lot 1, 7 and 9 are the ones that go into this and this is the first vintage of Bien Nacido, the first vintage of Pinot Noir under this label was 2006 and it was Russian River appellation. Ben Cain is the winemaker for this winery, the old Rochambeau winery is where these are made. They have 4 different AVA Pinot Noirs the Sauvignon Blanc is also made here. A very pretty bouquet of red raspberry and wild strawberry like fruit with a good hand of all-spice and some fresh earth and light smoke here on the nose. A very fresh and light style but not light in flavor with a good amount of red berry fruit and a savory finish laced with spice and again a touch of earth showing on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent
2007 Twomey Merlot Napa
Price: $53.50
This wine spends 2 years in Barrel and 2 years in bottle which goes back to their original mission statement of releasing wine when it is ready. This is 100% estate fruit from a vineyard the Duncan family owns Soda Canyon Ranch by Silverado Country club. Black cherry and black plum and some fine herbs and some fresh herbs with notes of milk chocolate on the nose. Smooth and easy drinking on the tongue with a nice soft easy drinking style with notes of toasty oak spice and good balance and freshness on the finish with a touch of fresh earth and herbs. Finish 40+ Excellent
2007 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Price: $75
The classic 2 yrs in bottle after spending 2 yrs in barrel, the same recipe now celebrating the 40th year. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon based wine with that signature dill and vanilla nuance from the American oak, a good amount of cherry and currant berry fruit on the nose. A smooth and easy drinking style of Cabernet Sauvignon with nice structure and balance with a good hand of oak but not overdone, milk chocolate like nuance on the finish. 50% of the fruit come from their estate. Finish 40+ Very Good +
2006 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $102.50
Cigar box spice with a good amount of sweet black cherry and currant berry fruit on the nose with dark chocolate notes. A big and ripe style with a good hand of cigar box spice and a short and pleasant finish with that cigar and cedar spice showing on the finish. Finish 45+ Very Good +
