Sonoma...A Thrill a Minute

By Antonio Galloni

Racy Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays and Pinots of all breeds, expressive Syrahs, Zinfandel-based reds, and Bordeaux-inspired blends are all part of the rich tapestry that is Sonoma. 

Approximately three times the size of Napa, Sonoma County and its wines are arguably far more diverse than those of its famous neighbor, especially in terms of grape varieties. Just the driving needed to visit the top properties is daunting, as the terrain is so spread out. If that sounds like an immense, vast array of appellations and wines to cover, well, the truth is, it is. This year I tasted a far larger number of wines than last year. At just around 800 reviews, this year’s article is about 20% larger than its 2012 counterpart. The wines in this report were tasted over a ten day period, seven days in January and three days in March 2013. The article, including vintage commentary, all of the producer introductions and the associated tasting notes, were written in March 2013.