“At Benovia, our team is an extension of an extraordinary family, one that eats, drinks and breathes a lifelong passion for wine. That passion is in every bottle of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel we produce. There’s no cutting corners or making compromises. Our fathers taught us to be the best at what we do and always produce something we can be proud of. Nothing else will suffice, period”. Joe Anderson, Mary Dewane and Mike Sullivan, Proprietors
Benovia has stuck the right balance between innovative viticultural techniques and traditional wine growing. From their sustainable estate vineyards, they create small lots of superbly balanced, artisan wines. With a full production winery in the Russian River Valley, they maintain a high degree of control on their estate vineyards, and grower partners.
Currently, they source fruit from their estate vineyards in Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, and Sonoma Coast with grower partners in Sonoma Mountain and Ft. Ross-Seaview. While the labels may vary with each spring and fall release, their unwavering commitment is to produce the highest quality wine possible at every price point.
At Benovia they practice the time-honored philosophy that it takes great vineyards and great people to make great wine. Each wine is handcrafted to showcase the uniqueness of their estate vineyards or to explore diverse expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from those select vineyards. Their winemaking team is a group of accomplished professionals with some 150 years of combined experience led by Benovia Co-owner & Winemaker/General Manager Mike Sullivan.
The proof, as they say, is in the bottle.
The Wines
2013 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
This 2013 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of citrus blossoms, nectarine and spice baked pears. The multifaceted aromas and dense mouth feel are knit together by centered acidity and a long-complex candied apricot finish. Barrel fermentation and oak aging for 12 months have added hints of candied ginger, and baking spice to a subtle minerality on the finish. 90 points, Steven Tanzer
2013 Chardonnay, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Maybe the most Burgundian Chardonnay in Benovia’s portfolio, this seductive Chardonnay displays explosive aromas of tangerine blossom and William Pear with underlying mineral notes. On the palate, the wine displays tension between bright acidity and cool-climate structure, framed with flavors of white peach and lemon custard. This wine is delightfully elegant. 93 points, Robert Parker.
2013 Chardonnay, La Pommeraie, Russian River Valley
Intense and concentrated, this single vineyard Chardonnay begins with vivid aromas of acacia, pineapple and citrus blossom. Then the vibrancy of the wine’s aroma is matched by its opulent texture and layered flavors of candied grapefruit, dried apricot with a mineral laden finish. Indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak barrels and extended aging of 16 months on lees has produced a wine with exceptional complexity. 92 Points, Robert Parker
2013 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
This almost textbook vintage provided the raw materials to produce a truly outstanding Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Aromas are clearly dominated by bright red fruit tones of Bing cherry and red raspberry, while black fruits dominate on the palete. The bright aromas expand and give way to black plum and toasted baking spices. On the palate the wine’s juicy mouthfeel is supported by centered acidity building with intensity through the mid-palate to the fine grain tannins on the finish. Tannins are beautifully proportioned and provide backbone to the wine’s sweet middle and delicate earthy finish. 90 Points, Steven Tanzer
2013 Pinot Noir, Cohn Vineyard, Russian River Valley
This flagship wine from Benovia’s estate vineyard produced a painfully low yield of about one ton per acre. A medium ruby color is followed by gorgeously intense aromas of spring flowers, Queen Anne cherries, with Santa Rosa plum and mineral notes. Year after year this site has a hallmark of an ethereally-floral aromatic quality, with sensual texture and impressive length. 93 Points, Steven Tanzer
2013 Pinot Noir, Tilton Hills, Sonoma Coast
An almost textbook vintage, 2012 can be described as amazing in both quantity and quality. Deep violet in color, this alluring and hedonistic wine has amazing extract and purity of fruit focus. Vibrant fruit aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry soufflé harmonize with sassafras, forest floor, and East-Indian spice notes. Heady aromas lead into equally vibrant flavors of Bing cherry, black raspberry and white pepper. On the palate the juicy red fruits compliment the velvet-like texture and spicy finish. 91 Points, Steven Tanzer
2013 Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley
This is the second vintage of this single vineyard Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard at the winery that is named in honor of the mothers of Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane. Only heritage clones of Pinot Noir were chosen for this intense but delicate Pinot Noir and they decided to ferment the grapes with a high percentage of whole clusters (~25%).
Deep ruby in color, the vibrant raspberry and cola aromas almost leap from the glass. On the palate, the wine’s juicy mouth feel is supported by ample acidity building with wild berry fruit through the mid-palate to the fine grain tannins on the finish. An intriguing blend of power and restraint, this Pinot Noir is both savory and delicately sweet. This Pinot is one of personal favorites. Not yet rated.
The Offer
(Mix and match 12 bottles for a 10% discount)
2013 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $26
2013 Chardonnay, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast $48
2013 Chardonnay, La Pommeraie, Russian River Valley $48
2013 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $38
2013 Pinot Noir, Cohn Vineyard, Russian River Valley $80
2013 Pinot Noir, Tilton Hills, Sonoma Coast $56
2013 Pinot Noir, Martaella Vineyard, Russian River Valley $56
Ordering
For all questions and orders, contact Wine Director, Jeff McCarthy. Let us know if you would like your wine shipped or placed in your wine locker. Sales tax and appropriate shipping will be added to all orders. Allow 2-3 weeks for account processing and shipping. During extreme weather, wine orders may be held until it is safe to ship.
Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director
[email protected]
707.569.2906 |
