I like their appellation offerings which, as noted, are not cheap but are well made and enjoyable.
Sometimes I get lost in the SVD world of WS; they have many offerings and sometimes I do not find them worth the higher cost (often at the $70-$90 + range).
We’ve decided that for the 6 or 7 times a year we’re craving CA pinot there’s not really much point in drinking anything else so we usually get about a half case per release. I feel like every other Sonoma pinot we open we’re just thinking “this is good, but for $10 more I could be drinking Selyem which is what I really wanted anyway”. I think they just have our number, the heart wants what the heart wants. This time around we got 2 Central Coast, 1 Sonoma County, 1 RRV, 1 WS Road. In the fall we usually just go deep on Bucher.
Bryan - I think the same thing! I keep drinking variety but always want to go back to WS. I’ve been buying two cases per year on the allocation, and perhaps another case or two off WineBid because I know I like these wines with some age. Also, every time I think I no longer like a certain vineyard or blend, that changes quickly. We visit the winery once per year and I always find a vineyard I wasn’t sure I still liked anymore but maybe it’s my good mood in wine country?). I’m in for a case or so as I find more value in the appellation wines as you mentioned.
So last year Wine Enthusiast ranked the 2017 Sonoma County 98pts and their #2 Wine of the year. Was that overly generous or does that wine really have an off the charts QPR? Thoughts on the 2018? I don’t follow WE rankings so have no baseline about their preferences.
I don’t think so. They make a TON of wine. I doubt they stagger the release. A lot of options in their portfolio. Hard to choose. The Sonoma County is $39. A great weeknight early drinker in my opinion.
I don’t buy off the list anymore as I have enough and am on a buying hold on the whole.
That said, when I did I tended to buy at the bottom and the top of the range.
The Sonoma county is a screaming deal and I’ve loved every bottle I’ve had (including a 1986 at 30 years of age!). They’re quite transparent on their site on the vineyard sources and it can be quite impressive, although recently it’s been less of the premier vineyards and more their own sources I think.
Then I’ve focused on Rochioli, Precious Mountain, Morning Dew, Allen etc. (basically the legendary vineyards they have been privileged to have access to some of the best blocks of).
Since I’m on a budget, I have to pass on the Spring offering, but will definitely buy several off of the Fall offering. Seems like the appellation wines are very good in a very good vintage. Would love to grab a bunch off of both Spring and Fall… Oh yeah, lover Bucher! Cheers!
I know the title is for last year but seems there’s recent posts as well. Can anyone help with what’s best to go for? The fall was my first allocation and I’ve only had the Weir vineyard from what I purchased but love it. Was thinking of picking up some west side road and terra but any recommendations would be helpful. Might just get one of everything so I know for next year.
The Sonoma County and Central Coast are really great values (with the Sonoma having more red fruit and the Central Coast exhibiting a little more black fruit). TDP is fantastic and I just love West Side Road Neighbors which is pretty much a “best-of” blend of several famous/well-established vineyards. I would also say that the Unoaked Chardonnay is a pretty version of Cali-Chablis style and well done. WS is incredibly consistent and there is a lot of impressive terroir variation among the SVDs. I tend to stock up on the blends in the Spring (County and WSRN) and stock up on fewer bottles across many SVDs in the fall. You are not going to go wrong by trying different things over time, though eventually you will groove into the distinction between very good wines and your absolute favorite based on your individual tastes.
im pretty happy to see so many people saying the “lower” level ones are the plays here. as a VERY new W-S drinker I kind of looked at the SVD wines with a little bit of hesitancy because of the price jump-- I always go back to knowing how good the pinot from Oregon is that I can get for that same price haha
