Pinot Report Gives High Marks to 2007 Benovia Pinots

95 Points | 2007 Pinot Noir Cohn Vineyard, Sonoma County

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex, spicy black cherry and herbal aromas; deep, rich black cherry flavors with layers of spice and herbal notes; very silky texture; sweet oak; great balance and structure, long finish. This Pinot has amazing depth and layers and layers of flavor -make sure you give it plenty of air.

95 Points | 2007 Bella Una® Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex, red cherry, cinnamon and baking spice aromas; rich, ripe, deep, red cherry flavors with lots of cinnamon and baking spice notes; silky, lush texture; sweet oak; great balance and structure, long finish. Lush, silky Pinot that tastes plain delicious. Drink it by itself or pair it with roasted turkey, pork or chicken. Can't go wrong with this Pinot.

93 Points | 2007 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyards, Anderson Valley

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex red cherry and earthy aromas; rich, deep, complex dusty cherry flavors with herbal and earthy notes; silky texture; sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. The Savoy Vineyard is such a terrific site and winemaker Mike Sullivan has made a distinctive, silky and delicious Pinot from that site.

91 Points | 2007 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Medium-deep ruby color; ripe, black cherry, earthy and forest floor aromas; rich, complex, deep black cherry and forest floor flavors, silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Rich, earthy style with a lot of depth. Great go-to Pinot for the table.

Benovia Winery was launched in 2005 by Arizonans Joe Anderson and his wife Mary Dewane with their purchase of the Hartman Lane winery and estate vineyard located in the middle of the Russian River Valley. The name Benovia has a couple of different meanings. First, it's a combination of the names of Joe's father, Novian, and Mary's father, Ben. Second, "bene" is the Latin derivative meaning "good" and Joe and Mary intended the name to be a tribute to the strength, diversity and goodness of their fathers. In 2002, prior to launching Benovia, Joe purchased the Cohn Vineyard on Westside Road. The Cohn Vineyard has been a consistent source of great Pinots for Kosta Browne and Williams Selyem. The Cohn Vineyard has 6.5 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with Zinfandel planted as well. The winery's estate vineyard--the Martaella Vineyard--totals 18 acres, 13.5 of which are planted to Pinot Noir. Benovia is also developing two new vineyard properties. The first is a 40-acre parcel on the north side of the of the winery property. The second vineyard being developed is out in western Sonoma County near the town of Freestone. Benovia's winemaker is Mike Sullivan, formerly of Hartford Family Wines. He brings a great string of success with Sonoma County vineyards and wines to the venture and has already set a high standard for the Benovia Pinots. Benovia is really a winery to add to your list of great Pinot producers.

- By Gregory S. Walter, Pinot Report Issue #61, December 2009