Vineyard: Balletto

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Sips of California Pinot Noir (9.18 1/19/2013)
California Pinot Noir Worth Toasting (11.20 3/15/2018)
WesMar: Aromas that Dance in the Glass (8.4 10/29/2009)
WesMar: Palate-Pleasing Pinot (6.53 2/18/2008)
WesMar: Tasting Some Older and Anticipating Some New (8.23 10/6/2010)
Recently Tasted Notable California Pinot Noirs (10.35 8/16/2016)
WesMar Winery Celebrates 15th Vintage (11.1 3/29/2017)
More Sips of 2007 California Pinot Noir (7.21 7/9/2009)
Embarrassment of Riches: California (9.1 1/11/2012)
WesMar: 2008 Garagiste Pinot Noir (8.30 1/27/2011)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Aged California Pinot Noir: Proceed at Your Own Risk (10.48 2/13/2017)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (& Chardonnay) (10.1 12/11/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.34 12/17/2013)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

WesMar Winery
Balletto Vineyards

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $45. Pommard clone. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Very complex and sensual nose offering scents of exotic spices including allspice, savory herbs, new leather, dark rose petal and boysenberry jam. Mouthwatering mid weight plus flavors of blueberry and boysenberry fruits blessed with enhancing spices, showing exceptional length in the mouth and finish. The wine floods the mouth with saturating fruit yet retains a vibrant demeanor due to balancing tannins and acidity. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle offering glorious spice on the nose, a satin texture in the mouth and the biggest and longest finish of any of the wines in the 2015 WesMar lineup. Like Shaun White at the Winter Olympics, a stunning finish. Score: 95. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 WesMar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 250 cases, $40. A blend of grapes from Hellenthal and Balletto vineyards. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas arrive slowly in the glass, but peaking with interest as notes of purple and black berries, mulch, earth and underbrush show up. An array of earth-kissed purple berry and plum flavors are offered in a mid weight plus style. Very savory and earthbound, with only a hint of nutty oak. Highly engaging mouthfeel, with some finishing generosity. Score: 91. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 175 cases, $42. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Enticing perfume of dark berry, allspice, burnt tobacco and subtle oak. Very satisfying on the palate, with a discreetly concentrated core of blackberry and black raspberry fruits complimented with spice and oak in the background. Noticeable structure and intent, with sleek tannins and finishing with both power and length. Score: 92. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $42. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. A cherry bombast featuring aromas and flavors of fresh cherries. Silky in the mouth and rewarding, but not challenging, in a light to mid weight style that hints of alcoholic warmth on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $39. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Deep cherry aromas with hints of sous-bois, oak spice and floral bouquet. Soft and sleek in the mouth with a pleasing mix of cherry and cranberry flavors accented with spice and cola. A top notch Russian River Valley appellation blend that begs to be enjoyed now. Score: 90. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 WesMar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $39. A blend of Hellenthal and Balletto vineyards. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Elevating aromas of fresh dark berries, brewed tea and (? whole cluster) spice lead to a very satisfying mid weight mix of nicely ripened cherry and berry fruits that are snug with youthful tannins. Not terribly complex, but highly enjoyable, with impeccable balance. Score: 90. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.0.% alc., $37. A blend of the three vineyard sources in this vintage. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Gorgeous aromatics featuring bright scents of blueberries, pomegranate juice, cherry, and whole cluster spice. The flavors echo the nose with plenty of Asian 5-spice compliment. The tannins are balanced and the finish has a good grip of refreshing acidity. A bit unusual for Russian River Valley in that the fruit veers to blueberries rather than black cherries, but spice lovers will relish this wine. Score: 91. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $40. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, plum, dark rose petal and whole cluster spice. Discreetly concentrated flavors of darker cherries and berries and black plum which are long in the mouth. Substantial structural bones match up to the fruit nicely. Very satisfying, with a dramatic, drawn-out, Hollywood finish. The most tannin, the most concentration of fruit, and the biggest finish in the 2011 WesMar lineup, yet not as big a wine as the previous two vintages. I always seem partial to this Pommard clone offering. Score: 94. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 WesMar Balleto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $40. Pommard clone. Ninth vintage from this vineyard. Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of black cherry pie glaze, black raspberries, black currant jam, balsam and baking spices. Delicious core of black cherry and plum fruit flavors augmented by lavish, exotic spices that expands in the mouth to reach every nook and cranny. Very juicy and refreshing with a glorious citrus-cherry finish exhibiting considerable vigor. I seem to gravitate to this wine in every vintage (Pommard is my paramour). Simply sublime. Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.9% alc.. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Bouquet of ripe dark stone and berry fruits with some oak as well. Full-bodied and luscious on the palate with flavors of blackberry and spiced plum. A big gulp of fruit with well-matched tannins. Drink now to 2020. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 WesMar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 280 cases, $35. From Salzgeber and Balletto vineyards. Denise says this will age as well as the vineyard-designated wines. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromatics featuring well-spiced Bing cherries, nutmeg and cardamom. Medium-weight cherry core with added notes of dark raspberries and cranberries and the faintest oak in the background. Refreshingly crisp and silky smooth with a floral aromatic tone on the lively finish. My only nit is that the wine is lacking a bit in fruit intensity needed to balance the zesty acidity. Good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 195 cases, $40. Pommard clone. Eighth vintage from this vineyard. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Beguiling aromas of spiced cherries and berries with an exotic floral and musk element. Veers to the darker fruit side and clearly the most intensely flavored wine in the lineup. Long in the mouth, endowed with plush black cherry and fresh plum flavors, and an underpinning of cola and spice. Very impressive persistence on the flamboyant peacock finish. Even better later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and still better two days later. An All-American. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc.. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Oxidized aromas of nail polish remover and apple core. Disjointed in the mouth, with flat black cherry, Dr. Pepper, and unpleasant vegetal flavors, mild fine-grain tannins, and a bitter finish. An unsuccessful bottle that is now defective. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 WesMar Balleto Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $40. Pommard clone. Previously this wine carried a Sonoma Coast AVA designation but the boundaries have changed and this vineyard is now in the Russian Rive Valley. · Demure and delicate aromas of gently spiced black cherries. Discreetly concentrated black stone and berry fruits that are full of vim and vigor, wrapped in soft tannins and framed by bright acidity. This wine is offering the most upfront action now in the lineup. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc.. · Moderate reddish purple color with very slight rim bricking. Bouquet of sweet smoke, burnt tobacco, tea leaf, spice and brioche. Still offers plenty of spiced cherry goodness, with admirable harmony. The tannins have melded, and the wine finishes on a dried cherry note. Still enjoyable the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Drink now to 2022. Reviewed February 13, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Balletto Winery Block Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 300 cases, $22. Sourced from the best grapes surrounding the winery. · Very appealing aromas of black cherries and black raspberries riff with spice and lavender. A solid wine with respectable black cherry fruit intensity, remarkable for its smooth texture and impressive for its very clean finish. An incredible value. Reviewed July 9, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 255 cases, $40. · Copious black cherries and olallieberries are dominant accented by a hint of oak, barnyard and Middle Eastern spice on the enticing nose. Luscious and generous on the palate tasting of a perfectly ripe dark cherry. Gossamer tannins make for a silky mouth feel and easy drinkability. Finishes with an endless echo of scent and fruit. I could still taste this wine the next day. If I had to pick just one in the lineup, this would be my paramour. Reviewed October 29, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 291 cases, $40. · Moderate reddishpurple color in the glass. Nuanced aromatics featuring ripe strawberries, dried cherries, currants and lacquered wood. Tasty core of very ripe black cherries with hints of cherry cola, tea and mocha. A bit disjointed now and falls off on the finish. Has the goods to last and I would give this wine a few more years in the cellar. Good. Reviewed October 6, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 204 cases, $40. This vineyard is located in the hills of western Sebastopol offering warm Russian River Valley conditions with cooler Bodega Bay breezes. All Pommard clone. She said, “A teasing wine with nuances that pingpong throughout.” · I say, the darkest wine in the lineup. Starts off with deep dark cherry fruit, cigar box, oak and toast on the nose. A big gulp of black fruits with notes of cocoa that is lush and flashy leads the attack. Showing a lot of leg, but a curvaceous one without flab. Soft as a down pillow. Delicious. Reviewed February 18, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 204 cases, $40. · Darkest of the 2005 lineup. Aromas of darker berries, roasted coffee, anise and oak. Delicious core of darker fruits that are intensely flavored and accented by undertones of cola, smoke and grill marks. A bold wine that has soft grainy tannins and is remarkable for its seamlessness. Drinking beautifully now and should hold several years. Very good. Reviewed October 6, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $37. · Starting with the first whiff of this one, fresh raspberry jam immediately comes to mind. I kept saying WOW! out loud. The raspberry theme carries over from the attack to the finish. There is some croissant notes for good measure. A flawless wine with admirable acidity and fine tannins, I could drink this one all night long. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 151 cases, $37. 75% Balletto Vineyard fruit. The vineyard is located near Freestone in the Sonoma Coast. · The nose takes a little coaxing but the aromatics eventually arrive on stage with panache, strutting fresh red and black Pinot fruits and spice. Plush in the mouth with luscious cherry and berry fruit and a little bit of Sonoma Coast earthiness. This wine is a little deeper, plumper and earthier than the others from this vintage, but it is still true to the house style with perfect balance and brisk acidity on the finish. Pinch me, I'm dreaming. Reviewed July 17, 2006 WINERY »

2004 WesMar Balletto Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 151 cases, $37. · A brooding nose needs some coaxing in the glass but eventually offers pleasing aromas of dark stone fruits, berry jam, oak and pine pitch. Delicious, intense and persistent on the palate, offering a striking array of Pinot fruits that really grab your attention. Moderately dense, very sappy, and still retaining a healthy tannic backbone. This beauty is ready to go the distance. Reviewed October 6, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »