I’m hardly surprised to discover that Scherrer’s pinots are terrific, yet this wine still exceeded my expectations. Who said you have to pay $40 or $50 to get delicious, complex and ageworthy pinot noir from Sonoma?
2008 Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma County- USA, California, Sonoma County(3/12/2014)
This was my first Scherrer pinot. What a fun discovery. I’ve read that Fred was the winemaker for Dehlinger before starting his eponymous winery, and the influence is quite evident. This is a medium-style pinot, with ripe red cherry and rhubarb, tart oranges framing it, some cinnamon and clove spice, a hint of anise, cool creekbed mineral, and a juicy, citrusy finish. Like Dehlinger, this wine walks comfortably down the middle, neither trying to be lean and savoury nor ripe and lush, and not missing a note anywhere in doing so. The wine also improved over 3.5 hours of being open, and probably will age quite well, though it is perfectly great to drink right now.
Tremendous value at $30-35 a bottle. Along with Amelle and Sandler (Falltacular discoveries that are reasonably similar to this one in style and quality), 2014 is already an amazing one for discovering great California pinot in the $30-35 price range. (92 pts.)
Update: the last sip of this wine was the best. The wine doesn’t need air to be delicious, but if you can be patient with it, it continues to improve over several hours.
I’m not Chris, but I’ve tried them. The OMV Zinfandel is wickedly distinctive - one of my favorites. Fred’s Chardonnay is excellent and under the radar. His Syrah and Cabs are great too. And don’t forget his rose. Did I leave something out? Oh - they are great values and the service is world-class. OK - I think that covers it.
The “other Raj” wouldn’t drink this pinot, though, as it was 14.5% alcohol. Unless you switched the label and tricked him.
Taylor, I’ve only had the 2011 Old Mature Vines zin. It’s a beautiful wine, almost feminine in style. Sort of zin made by a pinot guy. I’ve heard how well the wines age, but I haven’t had any older ones yet. The OMV is a crazy bargain if you buy it by the case on futures, I think it’s low $20s a bottle? Starting with this spring’s 2012 release, I found a partner to split the case with annually, it seems like it will be a good way forward.
If you’ve had Dehlinger, and noted the continuity that there is between the pinot and the syrah (not that they’re identical or lack any typicity, but there is a house style there), I think this pinot and the OMV zin also share that style. There is plenty of fruit, but it’s nowhere near a fruit bomb, and there is just a seamless grace and prettiness to the whole package.
Chris, I have to be honest, I really don’t care for Zinfandel - or at least one hasn’t strong resonated with me yet. Now I do find “Zinfandels” that come from old vineyards with mixed blacks to be far more interesting. I find myself wanting firmness in tannin and structure more than just sheer generosity - but this is more of a preference than a criticism.
I’ve yet to have Dehlinger either as I’ve depended on the selection at local shops (and some special orders), but eventually I’ll build a mixed case of wines from KLWines or a similar online retailer.
I would lean most towards the Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Syrah. But I’m still determined to give Zinfandel a shot every now and again. Sounds like they’d be a good producer to give another go with. Are these old, vineyard designate blends?
I don’t think “firmness in tannin and structure” would describe the Scherrer zin, at least not the few bottles of the 2011 that I’ve had. I think your zin blends like Ridge Geyserville and maybe the Bedrock Heritage blends are your more claret-like zins. Scherrer, while not at all a fruit bomb, is more about seamlessness and prettiness, I think (those of you with more experience please chime in).
They have an “Old and Mature Vines” and then one SVD called “Shale Terrace.” I don’t know the history of the vineyards and all to be able to share it with you.
They also do a non-vintage Zin called “Zinfandoodle” that I think is typically a blend of two vintages and is a great value (sub-$20). A producer I really like, unfortunately after one mixed case purchase of PN, Chard and Zin I haven’t found room in the budget to buy more. Chris’ review of the '08 SC PN is spot on, delicious medium-weight pinot with room to grow (still have 3 of those left).
The “Old and Mature Vines” is indeed a single vineyard wine from a vineyard owned by Freds’ Dad (I’m pretty sure!). I believe the “Shale Terrace” is a younger section of the Scherrer Vineyard and the “Zinfandoodle” is a NV blend of barrels that don’t make it into the other two wines. Greenwood Ridge Winery in Anderson Valley also makes a “Scherrer Vineyard” Zinfandel that is also very good. FWIW Fred was the winemaker at Greenwood Ridge and at Dehlinger (maybe just asst.?) along with doing a stint at Fort Ross.
Yeah, there’s a lot of fruit-forward sloppy zins. Try a Carlisle single vineyard zinfandel with a couple years bottle age. I think that’s as good as you’re going to get, especially if you prefer a fuller bodied zin.
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