Okay, I love analogies and that takes the cake.
1 Like
You are most welcome. Back in 2017 I put together a trip up to Sonoma County with about a dozen friends that I regularly drink wine with. I had been buying your wines for a few years. I had read in your newsletters and was interested in your comments regarding the age ability of the zins. At the time I hadn’t had one more than a handful of years old. At the tasting, you asked what else we were interested in and I commented I’d love to try an older zin. You opened a 2008 OMV. That experience was all I needed, and I’ve been laying them down with the goal to get as many past 10 years as I can because they are wonderful at that point. Speaking of which I still have a glass left at home of the 2014 that I opened last nightand I’m heading home right now to enjoy that. Cheers.
2 Likes
**2015 Hallberg Pinot Noir
The nose is intoxicating. On the palate, it is herbal, with red fruit, florals, and orange rind. Tannins are soft, and it is lovely now. I don’t see it getting any better.*
5 Likes
2001 Scherrer Fort Ross Pinot Noir - Reserve
The CFO says this is the best wine she has ever tasted. I paired this with some carrots and small potatoes (cooked in the sous vide) and a slice of pork loin.
I could just sit here and smell this all night. The nose is incredible, loads of ripe black cherry explode from the glass with some trace of something minty and menthol like. But wait, it gets better. Flavors of ripe macerated black cherry are mixed with sweet raisins, lively but well balanced acidity and a long finish. This wine excites all corners of your mouth.
There is some bricking on the edges but overall this is still full of fruit and acid but also brings in those fantastic secondary flavors and aromas.
Unfortunately this is sold out. Fred Scherrer was spot on with the description of his wine on his website:
Winemaker’s Notes
This reserve wine is from Pinot Noir selections that have been grown in California for many decades and seem to have a more wild, unrefined side to them (now there’s a job for the “fab five”) that demanded more time in barrel and in bottle. Darker fruits, exotic iodine notes (like what you get from the coastal breezes when the surf is up?), perfumes in the upper register, woodsy, earthy notes and bass tones complete this lusty show for the senses. I think it will age and develop for quite some time. Its wildness will be tamed by decanting during its early years, allowing it to ‘open up’ and submit.
5 Likes
Fred’s stuff is “sit and ponder” wine.
I will open them for food but my preference is a glass and chair. 
2001? Did you pick that up after market or have you been a long time fan?
3 Likes
OMV Zin case on futures arrived yesterday. Could be my last though maybe not as such a great middle of the week wine and incredible value that ages well and goes with everything
And I gave my daughter a 2019 a couple weeks ago to try and she loved it so they’ll always have a home
2 Likes
Fred and Judi hosted a tasting/pairing at Region yesterday evening. Great to catch up with them and see what’s up. His ‘23 Scherrer Vineyard Chardonnay was fantastic. Wouldn’t go through malo and the resulting wine was a great edge with bright acidity.
The pairings were spot on and that umami bomb, I could eat a whole plate of that with a Syrah chaser.
Pulled a older Scherrer cab from the cellar to share and it was a beauty
- 2001 Scherrer Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (5/16/2026)
Shared with the group at a Scherrer wine tasting at Region in Sebastopol. Double decanted to remove sediment from bottle beforehand. Tertiary nose, sweet red currant, black raspberry, tobacco, anise, pencil shavings, aging beautifully. Lovely texture, fully resolved tannins. Fabulous showing.
Posted from CellarTracker
3 Likes
AWWW YISSSS!!! Asked my FIL to save that bottle from Falltacular auction 2 years ago but he’s more of a ‘pull what’s in front of the wine fridge’ guy and did not do so.
1 Like
This, 100%
1 Like
Well done, Brian! Fred’s wine do age gracefully.
2 Likes
What strikes me about Fred’s wines is how well balanced they are … across the entire line.
Nothing ever sticks out. They are just tasty and mellow, in the best sense of the words. Nothing “big” about them, ever.
One of the few domestic producers in my cellar …
3 Likes
Brig, sorry, just now saw your question at the bottom of your post.
This was a gift and yes I’ve been a fan of Fred’s for quite a while now. Our first tasting with him was back in 2010.
2 Likes
I was craving a Scherrer so opened a 2015 OMV. I actually tend to like these zins a little older, but this was the best I could find. Outstanding! As expected, better after a little time to open up. As others say about these wines - everything seemed in its place. Nothing “big” or overwhelming. Just about the Platonic ideal of a California Zinfandel.
3 Likes
That Umami Bomb is insanely good.
1 Like
Brian,
That was so generous of you to share that bottle with the group! I think you converted a lot of non-Cab folks right there.
It was fun work looking at pairings for that gig…
Thanks,
F
1 Like
Fred,
The Fern Bar food was very good. So much so that we went back last week and dined there. Fried Chicken, Fries and Umami Bomb was more food than we could eat but we polished it off. The burger looked sublime. Will have to return.
2016 OMV was delicious Sunday night on our patio. Perfect match for the meal and the setting.