Dry Creek Wines – Always a Treat

Dry Creek Vineyard of Sonoma County California has been one of the stalwarts of the wine industry since its inception in 1972. Their commitment to produce the best possible wine has kept them in business during good times and bad. They are one wine producer that has not taken the easy way out by selling out to one of the winery gobbling giants that are that are currently buying up many of the smaller wineries in California. Dry Creek has a very loyal and devoted clientele who know a good thing when they see it. Season after season Dry Creek has produced outstanding wines that are made with the greatest of TLC. These wines are worth every penny of their selling price and can easily compete with wines selling for two or three time the price.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon ($16). This is a true California wine, stressing fruit flavors over the usually austere and stiff character of the grape variety. The color is deep and dark and the aroma showcases raspberries, sage and the Dry Creek signature aroma of dried flowers. These carry over to the flavor where they mingle with cherry element and the very discernable flavors of chocolate and just a hint of oak. This wine has a wonderful softness about it and reflects many of the flavor and aromas that are found only in well-aged wines. Rather than being saved to be served only with the heaviest of meat dishes, this wines expansive flavor spectrum allows it to be used with a much broader selection of meat and strong cheese dishes.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Sonoma County Meritage ($28). A Meritage is a wine that is a blend of several varieties, with cabernet sauvignon usually being the major constituent. The Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Sonoma County Meritage the blend is 44% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 14% cabernet franc, 11% malbec and 3% petit verdot. This wine straddles the fence between classical Bordeaux claret and a modern California Meritage by displaying the classical aromas of black olives, tea and dried flowers of a Bordeaux, while on the California side; the wine is heavy with the aromas of cherries, blackberries and plums. There is also the aroma of oak present in the background as is a soft hint of truffles. All of these aromas carry over to the flavor where they continually mingle with each other and entice the scenes. What is missing are the hard tannins. Here, the tannins are held in check and are totally manageable, allowing for the wine to be enjoyed now or set down to continue to age for a decade or so. We know that we could not allow a wine as interesting and flavorful as this lie around for that long, unopened. Here too we have a wine that many California vintners could use as a model for their wines. Trust us, it is terrific.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon ($50). The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard that is located in a prime growing region of the Dry Creek Valley and bears the enticing name of Endeavour. Whether the name comes from the winemakers endeavor to grow superior grapes or their work to make the finest wine possible their endeavor paid off. The resultant wine has a deep red-purple color, a sparkling clarity and a full body. The aromas are equally as impressive; black cherry and fresh spice leap from the glass. Much of these aromas carry over to the flavor which displays jammy cherry and cassis elements. The tannins are there, as would be expected, but they are not fierce or over accentuated, so the wine is drinkable now or can develop more complexity with a little extra bottle aging. The finish is as impressive as is the wine being extraordinarily long and filled with fruit. Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon is a magnificent wine that will far exceed even the most demanding critic’s expectations.