California - Francis Ford Coppola Winery (3)

Today is the third, and final, review of the wines I tasted at Francis Ford Coppola in Sonoma, CA.  The wines tasted were offerings  for the "Neighbors Tasting" and "Archimedes Tasting".

Director's Cut 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay and oak aged.  A delightful aroma of peach and creme brulee is followed by honey, and banana (not in the Winemaker's Notes, but definitely on my palate) flavors with a bit of creaminess.

Winemaker's Notes:  Using only Russian River Valley fruit, we crush the grapes whole-cluster and ferment entirely in French oak barrels to produce a wine with a seductive, round texture and notes of sweet vanilla. This technique also serves to highlight the green apple, honeysuckle and citrus flavors, which are the hallmark of Russian River vineyards.  Flavors of passion fruit, honey, creme brulee, peach, apple, citrus and spice.


Director's Cut 2008 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir and oak aged.  A bold cherry aroma with a hint of roses.  The flavor was cherry and spice.  Balanced.  Wish I could have spent more time on this wine to reveal the many layers a Pinot Noir has. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Cloves, tea leaves, roses, red cherries, cranberries and plums.


 
Francis Coppola Reserve 2008 Dry Creek Valley Syrah is a blend of 90% Syrah, 6% Viognier, 4% Petite Sirah and oak aged.  This had a fruit aroma with a hint of smoke.  Flavors were cherry and plum with slight tannins.

Winemaker's Notes:  Loaded with rich flavors of black cherries, raspberries, and plums, the sweet fruit is accented with a smoky edge and alluring notes of cloves and anise.


Francis Coppola Reserve 2007 Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet and aged 20 months in French oak.  This was a nicely balance wine with a rich aroma of raspberry, cassis and clove.  The flavor was all spice on my palate.

Winemaker's Notes:  Our 2007 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers the decadent scent of crushed raspberries draped over chocolate soufflé and dark, rich flavors of cassis, cherries, cloves, and vanilla toasted oak.


2006 Archimedes is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) and 24% Cabernet Franc (Knights Valley).  An aroma of cherry, the flavor was spice and tobacco.  I found it to be slightly drying on my palate.  While dining in Rustic (the restaurant at Francis Ford Coppola) this wine was ordered at many of the tables and at $50 per bottle, I'd say it was a very popular and enjoyable wine.

Winemaker's Notes:  Incredibly smooth, with velvety tannins and intense aromas of dark sour cherries, cranberries and sandalwood, this rich, robust wine exudes an amaz­ing array of berries and cassis, plus a tapestry of wood, spices, and tobacco.