| 2010 Rochioli Valdiguié Estate Russian River, Sonoma, California WB Rating: 88 Alcohol by volume: 13.0% Price at time of purchase: $24.00 (from winery) Type: Valdiguié Principal varietal(s): Valdiguié Now here is an interesting wine! I believe Rochioli used to bottle this as Gamay in the early 2000's, but it is now labeled "properly" as Valdiguié, apparently a clone of Gamay as opposed to the true Gamay Noir used in Beaujolais. In the tasting room, it was described as a California take on a Cru Beaujolais. In any case, I expected a relatively light, fruity, high acid, easy to slurp wine, but what I found was altogether more serious. If it's like a Beaujolais, it's like a turbo-Moulin-a-Vent. Deep purple in color, when first opened the wine has a nose that to me is like a cross between a Dry Creek Zin (briary blackberry fruit) and Grenache (kirsch, currants). With a lot of airing, the wine softens nicely and raspberry fruit and floral nuances become more apparent. In the mouth, it's still quite tannic and muscular, so hold this one for a few years or decant well before drinking. - HK 2012-06-30 [Back] |
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