2003 A. Rafanelli Merlot

This wine began as a project for Shelly Rafanelli, daughter of David and Patty Rafanelli the winemaker their family winery that specializes in zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon.  A small production wine available only at the winery (their zin and cab are available to mailing list customers, at restaurants or at the winery only) is worth trying and buying.  On the nose one gets sweet cherries, earth tones and mushrooms.  Dark, but not completely opaque, the color is what you'd expect of a big wine.  While there was a lot of fruit on the palate, I got iron on the finish, which was a bit off-putting.  Still, I like the merlot and I respect the family and what they're doing with their wines.  You must call for an appointment to taste at A. Rafanelli, and don't be put off by their phone manner, which can be less than welcoming.  Once you're at the winery, I've never had less than a welcoming, gracious, and pleasant experience.

2001 Unti Petite Sirah

This dense wine comes from a small producer in the Dry Creek Valley.  A friend and I were wine tasting in the area in the summer of '03 and stopped in to see what this winery, unknown to us, was about.  A very friendly frenchman was working the tasting room and we had a good visit.  This bottle was about $20.  A dark purplish-black with bits of sediment, this petite sirah has a nose of blackberry with a bit of brettanomyaces.  In the mouth I'm getting the blackberry and other dark red fruits, acid and, as the wine opens up, the brett becomes more pronounced (not a positive).  The tannins have softened to the point of being barely noticeable, as the fruit and acid dominate throughout the finish.  While this is not the greatest petite sirah, it's nice to have something a bit off the mainstream from time to time.

2005 Woodenhead Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

This wine comes from a small winery in the Russian River Valley (River Road) that's very easy to drive by, but if you stop, you'll most likely have the undivided attention of the tasting room staff.  They have a wide selection of wines, mostly forgettable, but this one caught my attention.  Although it is extremely light in color and body, it has a vibrancy that's enjoyable.  As close to transparent as a red wine can get, the brownish color on this pinot reminds me of a tawny port.  Lots of strawberry and raspberry on the nose, along with alcohol (14.3%), and it has a consistent flavor profile, but with a backbone of acid.  This is not a wine to contemplate, but to enjoy in the moment.  The light bodied wine paired nicely with breaded pork chops and broccoli.  The price was in the low $20's and I might just have to stop back and pay them another visit.