Favorite Sonoma and Napa Valley wines?

Question

What are YOUR favorites from these two regions?

My currant Favorite Napa is a 2003 Blend 25 from B Cellars, a beautiful blend of Syrah, Cab and Merlot. Its big, balanced, dusky and delicious! I'll post a full review here on Monday.

On the Sonoma side, Adobe Road's 2003 Zinfandel blew my hat off with enormous jammy blackberry and blueberry, smoked raspberry, cedar and mild spice. Look for my review here on Tuesday.

Both of these wines are Library, and no longer available through the winery.

If you have a stellar favorite from Napa or Sonoma, I would love to know. In addition to reviewing wines for my retail store, I also write for Imbibe Magazine and for Color and Aroma Magazine. For an upcoming article, I am thinking of pitting Napa Against Sonoma, so your recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Agent Red

Mark Lipton · Accepted Answer

Well, I am a fan of the more restrained wines coming out of CA, so for me my favorites would be:

Sonoma - Joseph Swan, Merry Edwards, Williams-Selyem, Nalle, Dashe, Porter Creek, Unti, Bella and Laurel Glen

Napa - Corison, Lagier-Meredith, Dunn, Stony Hill, Mayacamas, Chateau Montelena and Storybook Mountain

Mark Lipton

Bi!! · Answer

I'm partial to many of Mark's picks. From Napa I like Shafer, Stags's Leap, Cliff Lede some of the Nickel and Nickel, Lewis Cellars and Orin Swift. Sonoma favorites include Kamen and Ramey. DISCLAIMER I am affiliated with a distributor that distributes Lede, Orin Swift, Kamen and Ramey.

Mark Slater · Answer

From Napa try:Parry Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (143 cases produced)Mi Sueno Red table (60% Cabernet 40% Syrah) 2005From Sonoma:Sea Smoke "Ten" Pinot Noir 2006Littorai "Hirsch" Pinot Noir 2005From Santa Barbara:Flying Goat "Dierberg" Pinot Noir 2005Mark

Agent Red · Answer

Thanks to all for the recommendations!  Some of the wineries above arealready in the queue.  The others will get a personal call from me,soon.Best,Agent Red

Lawrence Leichtman · Answer

In article , Agent Red  wrote:Really appreciated Merry Edwards and McRostie this last trip. But we had many non-memorable tastings as well such as Alderbrook and Hop Kiln in Sonoma that were just awful. Still enjoy the Domaine Carneros tasting room and as always our favorite in Napa Elyse.

Lawrence Leichtman · Answer

In article , "Bi!!"  wrote:Love Ramey but it is an expensive habit.

Favorite Sonoma and Napa Valley wines?

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