By K.L. Riley

There are many types of wine for all types of people. One of the things I have learned from working with wine is that there is no such thing as a bad bottle. Just because I don’t like a particular wine or varietal doesn’t make it bad. I have a lot of friends who don’t understand this concept and even though I argue with them until I am blue in the face they just don’t get it. One friend in particular is the exception to this rule. He absolutely adores pinot noir and even though he will drink anything when he goes out for dinner, at home his cellar is all pinot noir. When I was attending one of his home gatherings he pulled a bottle from his cellar I haven’t seen in a long time, the Rochioli Pinot Noir. Rochioli 2001 Pinot Noir is a heavy hitter for Russian River California and I believe that  more North American Pinot Noir makers should emulate  this style of wine making.  With three generations of dedication to the land, Rochioli Vineyards and Winery has earned the reputation as one of Sonoma County’s finest wineries. “This family legacy began in 1938, when Joe Rochioli Sr. purchased land he had long farmed. He had the foresight to know that the soil of the Russian River Valley would one day produce some of the world’s greatest wines. His son Joe Jr. embraced this vision and today designs , terrior-driven wines built on a foundation of superb fruit. The result has been a decades-long tradition of outstanding vintages: silky-smooth, fruit-forward Pinot Noirs; rich, opulent Chardonnays; and tangy, food-friendly Sauvignon Blancs”. I was genuinely surprised at how well this wine was drinking after 7 years. Its deep ruby color is followed by a beautiful nose of smoked candied cherry fruit interwoven with pomegranate, strawberries, and plums. Subtle oak is present, but the sweet, delicious style kept my attention from start to finish. The grapes for this wine were selected from  many different vineyard sites. It possesses the typical  Rochioli character and the classic Russian River Valley signature. Aged in French oak for 15 months it also displays a full body and a silky textured finish with a firm and balanced structure. Rochiloi wines are not as abundant in restaurants  as one might think and they are accompanied with an expensive price tag. I would recommend visiting the website an ordering a case for yourself at  www.rochioliwinery.com. Or visiting the winery if you are in the area, either ay you will not be disappointed. Wine quote of the week ; WINE, n. Fermented grape-juice known to the Women’s Christian Union as “liquor,” sometimes as “rum.” Wine, madam, is God’s next best gift to man. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), “The Devil’s Dictionary”, 1911