Speaking of Sonoma Valley ...

(See previous blog post for more on SoVly)

Chardonnay at Kunde 4/17/10

We made a few stops with friends in Sonoma Valley on the 16th -- Valley of the Moon, Kunde, Ty Caton, Muscardini, and Enkidu.

Ty Caton, along with Audelssa, are my two favorite small producers in Sonoma Valley.   Audelssa was written up last June "A new find in Sonoma Valley."

Ty Caton's wines are maybe a bit expensive running mostly in the $30's and $40's but are very nice wines. They are a fruit-forward style but very well balanced with varietal character showing through. (I often find fruit-forward wines to be lacking varietal character and/or hot).

Most wines are estate grown on his property and are all small production--maybe 300 cases of each wine on average. The basic red blend at about $30 is a favorite.  My top pick this time is the Ballfield Syrah at around $40.  The alcohol level on the Syrah is high but it doesn't show.  It's got a nice spiciness to it that I like on Syrahs.

A short description I would use for Ty Caton's wines would be "rich and supple."