Dry Creek Vineyards … Great Wines

We are often asked, “what is your favorite wine” or “what variety do you like best”? Unfortunately, because we write about so many wines, it is impossible for us to have one favorite. There are however certain producers that we are, shall we say, partial to, one of which are the wines of Dry Creek Vineyards of Sonoma County.

Since its founding in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyards has been producing outstanding, high quality wines and by specializing mostly in Zinfandel, they have raised that once lowly and misused variety to great heights of quality and finesse, but that is not all they have done. Another often overlooked variety is the Chenin Blanc, which was usually reserved for cheap white wines but has been brought to its full potential by the Dry Creek winemakers. It is always a pleasure to sample each vintage from Dry Creek and also to write about them. Allow us to introduce some of the latest wines from Dry Creek Vineyards.

Dry Creek 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel ($14.99). Now this is impossible, an old vine Zinfandel selling for this low a price: unheard of. It is a well-known fact that Zinfandel grapes from old vines take on a charm, style, and character of their own. But how old do the vines have to be to be called “old vines.” The grapes for the Dry Creek 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel come from vines that range between 30 and 90 years old, and for grape vines, that’s old. The resultant wine from these grapes is striking. Big, bold aromas of raspberry, strawberry, mint, and oak delight the senses. These aromas are carried over to the flavor where they merge with black pepper and exotic spice. This is a very enjoyable wine and its low price makes it even easier to enjoy. If you have never tried an “old vine” zin, this is your chance, and you can do it with pocket change.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2010 Sonoma County Mariner ($45). This wine is classified as a Meritage, a wine that is a blend of several varieties, with Cabernet Savignon usually being the major constituent. In the Dry Creek Vineyard 2010 Sonoma County Mariner the blend is 40% Cabernet Savignon, 40% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot. Mariner is not a standard formula wine, produced the same way each and every year, but a wine that is tailored to utilize the grapes of a specific year in such a way as to produce a wine that is directed toward the American palate. The aroma is a compendium of interesting sensations, running from black cherries to coffee to oak. The flavor accents dark berries and cassis with a whole series of under flavors running from blackberry to green tea. There is also a mineral quality in this wine that carries over to the long finish which is extraordinary. The best word to describe this wine is elegant, and that is exactly what it is, an elegant, well crafted and thoroughly enjoyable wine worth every penny of its price.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2010 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon ($16). This is a Wine that is true to its Sonoma county birthplace, stressing fruit flavors over the usually austere and stiff character often associated with the variety while beautifully straddling the fence between classical Bordeaux Claret and a modern Californian. The color is deep and dark ruby and presents an aroma showcasing raspberries, sage, and the Dry Creek signature aroma of dried flowers. These carry over to the flavor where they mingle with a cherry element and the very discernible flavors of cocoa, plum, with just a hint of oak. This wine has a wonderful softness about it and reflects many of the attributes 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, cheese dishes, and chocolate desserts.