Highway 12 Vineyards and Winery

• September 2009

  You didn't mention how long you were going to spend in wine country, which ever ... which ever one you land in. Highway 12 in Sonoma County is turning into our 29 with lots of little tasting rooms along the way Little Vineyards right next door to BR Cohen is fun. Richard Little... Read moreYou didn't mention how long you were going to spend in wine country, which ever ... which ever one you land in. Highway 12 in Sonoma County is turning into our 29 with lots of little tasting rooms along the way Little Vineyards right next door to BR Cohen is fun. Richard Little the proprietor, is usually there playing his guitar. I love going to Lorenzo Petroni's place. It is by appointment only and a little hard to find but his wines are fabulous and views and the terraced hillside vineyard are astonishingly beautiful. Carol Zahtilla over in Calistoga has a neat little place and Jessup Cellars right next door to the French Laundry has a very fun tasting room. That is four just off the top of my head. You might check with the Chamber of Commerce sites that refer to different wineries and events. With the crush currently winding down and fall here we have lots of fun things to do in wine country    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Looking for Intimate Wine... by Frisco Jack

  
  
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  September 2009

  Highway Carneros Carneros Highway Chardonnay 2007

  Snoothrank: Starting at $22^.00

  No written review

  Wine review by bigracedog

  
  
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  September 2009

  Highway Sonoma Valley Highway Blend 2005

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by bigracedog

  
  

• March 2009

  This past weekend was a very special weekend in Sonoma Valley.  It was Heart ... All the wineries up and down Highway 12, the main and only road that runs the distance of the valley, join in the fun. We at Loxton Cellars take a lot of pride in making sure this event is very well... Read moreThis past weekend was a very special weekend in Sonoma Valley.  It was Heart ... All the wineries up and down Highway 12, the main and only road that runs the distance of the valley, join in the fun. We at Loxton Cellars take a lot of pride in making sure this event is very well managed and that people that visit us have a very good experience.  Our tasting room is also our barrel storage room.  Normally, 10 people in our tasting room would be a lot of people, during barrel tasting we average more than 50 people in the same space.   This often means a line forms out the front door for entry into our winery space.  However, we are often told that it is worth the wait.  People compliment us on our organization for the event and, the thing we like the most, is that comment on how much we seem to be enjoying what we are doing.  I can honestly say we do.  What makes it so enjoyable is that we have a lot of ‘friends of the winery’ that volunteer to help.  We only have 5 ‘real’ employees at Loxton Cellars but on barrel tasting weekend we suddenly have triple that number.  In a way, it is like a family reunion. This year was a very special event for us.  The Loxton Cellars tasting room opened five years ago on barrel tasting weekend.  The owner and winemaker, Chris Loxton, made two special wines available for barrel tasting.   A special syrah cuvee named Cuvee Ellen after his grandmother and Cabernet-Shiraz blend, called Grandfather’s Cuvee, to celebrate the traditional Australian blend and the grapes grown on his family’s vineyard in Australia.  That vineyard has been in his family for more than 100 years.  Both wines were from the 2007 vintage which many people in Sonoma are considering to be one of the best vintages in 20 years. The 2007 Cuvee Ellen Syrah blend (multiple vineyards in Sonoma Valley) shows some uncommon power for a Sonoma Valley Syrah.  The wine has nice rich black fruit aromas with a bit of smoke and the taste has strong blackberry and plum flavors.  The acid was still high and tannins were bold but this is expected from a barrel sample but will mellow out by the release.  This wine will be bottled soon and will be released in the next six months and, based on what I tasted, this wine will age gracefully for the next five to eight years easily.  The cabernet-shiraz blend was simply outstanding.  This is a wine that has incredible balance and power.  We will keep this one in barrel for another 6 months (total will be 18), we’ll bottle it and then keep it in bottle for at least another 10 months in bottle before release it.  Again, based on what I tasted, this wine will age nicely for the next 10 years. Barrel Tasting weekend can be hectic, it can be very, very busy but there is a lot of value to it for both the producers in and consumers.  The producers get to show case their wines, generate excitement around new releases, generate revenue through the sales of futures and create a lot of new customers.  For the customers, they get access to wineries and wines that might not be normally be available.  There is opportunity to taste the wines with food as many winemakers intend but the real draw is the wine from the barrel.  Many people will purchase futures based on the barrel samples.  If you can handle the crowds, it is well worth doing.  Join in Sonoma Valley for Barrel Tasting next year … mark your calendars now, it will be March 20th and 21st 2010. John Andrews is a software product manager during the week and is a professional Tasting Room staffer at Loxton Cellars in Glen Ellen, CA on the weekends    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Sonoma Valley Barrel Tasting... by HondaJohn

  
  

• March 2009

  Sonoma Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend This past weekend was a very special ... All the wineries up and down Highway 12, the main and only road that runs the distance of the valley, join in the fun. We at Loxton Cellars take a lot of pride in making sure this event is very well... Read moreSonoma Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend This past weekend was a very special ... All the wineries up and down Highway 12, the main and only road that runs the distance of the valley, join in the fun. We at Loxton Cellars take a lot of pride in making sure this event is very well managed and that people that visit us have a very good experience.  Our tasting room is also our barrel storage room.  Normally, 10 people in our tasting room would be a lot of people, during barrel tasting we average more than 50 people in the same space.   This often means a line forms out the front door for entry into our winery space.  However, we are often told that it is worth the wait.  People compliment us on our organization for the event and, the thing we like the most, is that comment on how much we seem to be enjoying what we are doing.  I can honestly say we do.  What makes it so enjoyable is that we have a lot of ‘friends of the winery' that volunteer to help.  We only have 5 ‘real' employees at Loxton Cellars but on barrel tasting weekend we suddenly have triple that number.  In a way, it is like a family reunion. This year was a very special event for us.  The Loxton Cellars tasting room opened five years ago on barrel tasting weekend.  The owner and winemaker, Chris Loxton, made two special wines available for barrel tasting.   A special syrah cuvee named Cuvee Ellen after his grandmother and Cabernet-Shiraz blend, called Grandfather's Cuvee, to celebrate the traditional Australian blend and the grapes grown on his family's vineyard in Australia.  That vineyard has been in his family for more than 100 years.  Both wines were from the 2007 vintage which many people in Sonoma are considering to be one of the best vintages in 20 years. The 2007 Cuvee Ellen Syrah blend (multiple vineyards in Sonoma Valley) shows some uncommon power for a Sonoma Valley Syrah.  The wine has nice rich black fruit aromas with a bit of smoke and the taste has strong blackberry and plum flavors.  The acid was still high and tannins were bold but this is expected from a barrel sample but will mellow out by the release.  This wine will be bottled soon and will be released in the next six months and, based on what I tasted, this wine will age gracefully for the next five to eight years easily.  The cabernet-shiraz blend was simply outstanding.  This is a wine that has incredible balance and power.  We will keep this one in barrel for another 6 months (total will be 18), we'll bottle it and then keep it in bottle for at least another 10 months in bottle before release it.  Again, based on what I tasted, this wine will age nicely for the next 10 years. Barrel Tasting weekend can be hectic, it can be very, very busy but there is a lot of value to it for both the producers in and consumers.  The producers get to show case their wines, generate excitement around new releases, generate revenue through the sales of futures and create a lot of new customers.  For the customers, they get access to wineries and wines that might not be normally be available.  There is opportunity to taste the wines with food as many winemakers intend but the real draw is the wine from the barrel.  Many people will purchase futures based on the barrel samples.  If you can handle the crowds, it is well worth doing.  Join in Sonoma Valley for Barrel Tasting next year … mark your calendars now, it will be March 20th and 21st 2010. John Andrews is a software product manager during the week and is a professional Tasting Room staffer at Loxton Cellars in Glen Ellen, CA on the weekends    (hide)

  From the article Sonoma Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend

  
  
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  March 2009

  Highway Chardonnay 2005

  Snoothrank:

  This is a Gold Medal Wine Club Gold Series selection. The lush Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay was exclusively produced from the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley, which is one of the coolest areas in Sonoma County and is known as a prime location for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of... Read moreThis is a Gold Medal Wine Club Gold Series selection. The lush Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay was exclusively produced from the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley, which is one of the coolest areas in Sonoma County and is known as a prime location for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of all the noble grapes, Chardonnay is among the best at reflecting its terroir of origin, making vineyard selection critical in order to display the grace and style Chardonnay can offer. A wine with an extremely limited production, the 2005 Chardonnay is a Gold Medal Wine Club Special Selection! This wine is marked by smoothness and elegance with typical citrus qualities, good acidity, and minerality. Fermenting in stainless steal promotes vibrancy with ripe, bright citrus fruit flavors that are noticeable on the palate. Winemaker Michael Sebastiani produced the Chardonnay with partial malolactic fermentation, allowing the wine to be enriched with fuller fruit flavors and a smoother texture. Try pairing the Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay with rich poulty, seafood, and pork with cream and butter sauces. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until 2010.    (hide)

  Wine review by Gold Medal Wine Club

  
  
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  March 2009

  Bordeaux Red Blend 2005

  Snoothrank:

  This is a Gold Medal Wine Club Gold Series selection. Highway 12’s 2005 Sonoma Valley Bordeaux Red Blend embodies the naturally fresh berry-fruit characters of Sonoma grapes. Hand-selected from the Serres Ranch property, this wine is balanced, structured and soft, with equal parts... Read moreThis is a Gold Medal Wine Club Gold Series selection. Highway 12’s 2005 Sonoma Valley Bordeaux Red Blend embodies the naturally fresh berry-fruit characters of Sonoma grapes. Hand-selected from the Serres Ranch property, this wine is balanced, structured and soft, with equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This is a classic blend to Sonoma Valley, which exhibits favorable microclimates to successfully producing the three core Bordeaux varietals. A true crowd pleaser with a great fruit profile and smooth texture, the 2005 Bordeaux Blend is a multi-award winning wine garnering a Gold Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, a Silver Medal from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, and 87 Points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Three core varietal components contribute to this deeply rich, full-boded blend: a good structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon, a silky, soft texture from the Cabernet Franc, and velvety fruit flavors from the Merlot. Try pairing the Highway 12 2005 Bordeaux Blend with rich foods and heavy sauces, beef, lamb, and grilled salmon. 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot. Enjoy now until 2015.    (hide)

  Wine review by Gold Medal Wine Club

  
  
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  November 2008

  Highway Chardonnay 2005

  Snoothrank:

  This is a Gold Medal Wine Club-Gold Series selection for December '08. The lush Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay was exclusively produced from the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley, which is one of the coolest areas in Sonoma County and is known as a prime location for growing Chardonnay... Read moreThis is a Gold Medal Wine Club-Gold Series selection for December '08. The lush Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay was exclusively produced from the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley, which is one of the coolest areas in Sonoma County and is known as a prime location for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Of all the noble grapes, Chardonnay is among the best at reflecting its terroir of origin, making vineyard selection critical in order to display the grace and style Chardonnay can offer. A wine with an extremely limited production, the 2005 Chardonnay is a Gold Medal Wine Club Special Selection! This wine is marked by smoothness and elegance with typical citrus qualities, good acidity, and minerality. Fermenting in stainless steal promotes vibrancy with ripe, bright citrus fruit flavors that are noticeable on the palate. Winemaker Michael Sebastiani produced the Chardonnay with partial malolactic fermentation, allowing the wine to be enriched with fuller fruit flavors and a smoother texture. Try pairing the Highway 12 2005 Chardonnay with rich poulty, seafood, and pork with cream and butter sauces. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until 2010. Go here to get more information about the winery, http://www.goldmedalwine.com/newsletters/gold_series/newsletter_151.php    (hide)

  Wine review by Gold Medal Wine Club

  
  
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  November 2008

  Highway Merlot Sonoma Valley 2005

  Snoothrank:

  This is a selection from Gold Medal Wine Club-Gold Series December '08. Highway 12 has achieved a bold, ripe style with their 2005 Merlot. Produced from the Serres Ranch property, an excellent source for Sonoma Valley Merlot, this wine has a full structure, solid tannins, and a... Read moreThis is a selection from Gold Medal Wine Club-Gold Series December '08. Highway 12 has achieved a bold, ripe style with their 2005 Merlot. Produced from the Serres Ranch property, an excellent source for Sonoma Valley Merlot, this wine has a full structure, solid tannins, and a velvety smooth quality that is characteristic to the varietal. Full of lush fruit flavors and prized Sonoma qualities, the 2005 Merlot was awarded a Silver Medal by the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, a Silver Medal by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 88 Points by Wine Spectator magazine, and 87 Points by Wine Enthusiast magazine. The Highway 12 Merlot was aged 26 months in French oak, complementing the wine’s fermented fruitiness and providing some softening for this extraordinary full bodied wine. Subtle notes of oak and vanilla round out the fruit flavors on the palate, making this Merlot delicately intense and able to age well with time in the cellar. A food friendly wine, try pairing the Highway 12 2005 Merlot with casseroles, meatballs, roasted turkey with gravy, and lamb chops. 100% Merlot. Enjoy now until 2015. Go here for more info on the winery and for pairing recipes. http://www.goldmedalwine.com/newsletters/gold_series/newsletter_151.php    (hide)

  Wine review by Gold Medal Wine Club

  
  
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  November 2008

  Highway Bordeaux Red Blend 2005

  Snoothrank:

  This is a Gold Medal Wine Club selection from December '08. Highway 12’s 2005 Sonoma Valley Bordeaux Red Blend embodies the naturally fresh berry-fruit characters of Sonoma grapes. Hand-selected from the Serres Ranch property, this wine is balanced, structured and soft, with equal... Read moreThis is a Gold Medal Wine Club selection from December '08. Highway 12’s 2005 Sonoma Valley Bordeaux Red Blend embodies the naturally fresh berry-fruit characters of Sonoma grapes. Hand-selected from the Serres Ranch property, this wine is balanced, structured and soft, with equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This is a classic blend to Sonoma Valley, which exhibits favorable microclimates to successfully producing the three core Bordeaux varietals. A true crowd pleaser with a great fruit profile and smooth texture, the 2005 Bordeaux Blend is a multi-award winning wine garnering a Gold Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, a Silver Medal from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, and 87 Points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Three core varietal components contribute to this deeply rich, full-boded blend: a good structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon, a silky, soft texture from the Cabernet Franc, and velvety fruit flavors from the Merlot. Try pairing the Highway 12 2005 Bordeaux Blend with rich foods and heavy sauces, beef, lamb, and grilled salmon. 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot. Enjoy now until 2015. Go here for more info on the winery and recipes for pairing. http://www.goldmedalwine.com/newsletters/gold_series/newsletter_151.php    (hide)

  Wine review by Gold Medal Wine Club

  
  

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