Poetic Cellars

Winemaker Katy Lovell founded the Rios-Lovell winery in Livermore in 1994. In 2004 she sold her stake and founded Poetic Cellars in the hills above Soquel. Katy retained control of around 38 acres of vineyards in Livermore, which are planted with several different varieties. In addition the new estate has roughly 10 acres of growing land. Initial plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are not yet mature. The winery is open to the public at weekends from 12-5PM.

Notes from the SCMWA trade tasting in Los Gatos, May 4th

2007 Chardonnay, Chestnut Hill Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Very perfumed nose, more reminiscent of a Roussanne than a Chardonnay. Flavours of apple and stone fruit; slight touch of residual sugar. Good finish $24

2006 Mourvèdre, San Francisco Bay AVA
Another fragrant nose; gamey with notes of black fruit. Rich, earthy and fruity with notes of Red Vines and a long finish. Recommended $28

2005 Syrah, San Francisco Bay AVA
Yet another wine with powerful spicy, black fruit aromatics (I'm sensing a theme here). On the palate it's rustic and peppery with tart cranberry flavours and a medium finish. $28

2005 Petite Sirah
Initially this had a strange nose that made me think of soft cheese, a tart berry character with soft tannins and a quick finish. However after a little swirling in the glass it developed a musty, hedgerow character and the berry notes became richer. Alison really liked this. $26

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