Phillip Titus/Wine Master/Sonoma Loeb

I recently visited Chappellet Winery,and spent some time with Phillip Titus.This is one very busy man!He has been the wine maker for Chappellet for decades,and has also Titus Vineyards,which is now building their own winery.He also has been making the wines for Sonoma Loeb since the label was established many years ago.We will feature 5 different wines today,and first let's take a look at some of the tasting notes.I'm sure we don't have to tell you...we are in for a treat! 2013 Dutton Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir Nestled in the cool, foggy hills above the Russian River Valley in Western Sonoma County, Dutton Ranch has earned a reputation as one of the appellation’s preeminent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. Our Pinot Noir block is perfectly located on an east-facing slope with shallow soils and full sun exposure. Yielding approximately 2.5 tons/acre of clones 667, 777 and 115 Pinot Noir, this impeccably farmed site is the perfect place for making world-class Pinot Noir. Grapes from the 2012 vintage were fermented using a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs, with wild yeast, as well as select strains from Burgundy. The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels. 2013 Envoy Chardonnay As the pinnacle of our Chardonnay portfolio, Envoy is a limited production wine made using grapes from the very best vineyard blocks of the acclaimed Sangiacomo Vineyard in the Sonoma-Carneros region. This wine focuses on the Wente, Hyde and Robert Young selections of Chardonnay. These low-yielding selections have a track record of producing some of the best Chardonnays in California. They deliver a rich and layered expression of Chardonnay, with intense tropical fruit and spice character. In the true Burgundian style, the wine was barrel fermented and underwent malolactic fermentation as it aged for eight months on the lees. 2012 Private Reserve Chardonnay Our Private Reserve Chardonnay has stayed true to its roots as a Sonoma Carneros-based wine since 1990. Originally sourced from one small block of Sangiacomo Vineyard’s famed “Home Ranch,” the vineyard sources have expanded to several of Sangiacomo’s best blocks. The 2012 growing season produced the most perfectly ripe and delicious Chardonnay fruit that we have seen in many years. Sangiacomo's cool, windswept vineyards allowed the grapes to slowly mature developing intense varietal character, while retaining excellent acidity and structure.The wine was fermented in French oak barrels, aged on the lees for eight months and underwent malolactic fermentation during the aging process. Phillip says of the wine - "The fruit aromas are abundant spanning the spectrum from lemon zest to ripe apricot, pear and pineapple. Notes of golden piecrust, melted butter, vanilla and clove add elegance and complexity to the effusive aromatics. The mouthfeel is rich and layered, with ripe fruit, cream and sweet oak. Flavors of nectarine, Anjou pear and ripe citrus are displayed with a brightness and definition seen only in the best vintages. Crisp acidity adds the final touch to this powerful, yet elegantly balanced wine." 2012 Sonoma County Pinot Noir This fruit-driven Pinot Noir has abundant spicy berry and red fruit notes, as well as refreshing acidity. The 2012 growing season offered fantastic growing conditions. We were able to pick exactly when we wanted to, resulting in pristine, perfectly developed fruit with great balance and acidity. It was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels and gently handled to preserve the delicate nuances of the Pinot Noir. If you want to get geeky, here are Phillip's tasting notes: This wine begins with a nose that is both vibrant and alluring, with lovely red fruit aromas of raspberry and cherry, as well as layers of currant, rose petal, anise, nutmeg and vanilla. Strawberry and cranberry flavors glide across a silky palate, with bright acidity adding poise and dimension, as well as a mouthwatering freshness that makes this wine beautifully drinkable in its youth. We will now open these beautiful wines and enjoy the work of Phillip Ttus and the wines of Sonoma Loeb.Cheers! Click here and join Phillip Titus as we will pour the wines of Sonoma Loeb.