Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Robert Hall Winery, Evolving Their Wines Toward a Regenerative Future
      • Great Wine Is Headed Your Way, the Spring Portfolio Tasting of Golden State Wine Co Reveals Many Treasures
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Ardanza Reserva 2016, An Elegant Vintage for an Iconic Wine
    • ETTORE Wines from Mendocino, With An Organic Focus
    • Two Excellent Value Broquel Label Wines From Argentina’s Trapiche Winery
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Ketcham Estate Vineyards, Courtesy of Ketcham Estate Wine
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Sonoma’s Russian River Valley is a sweet spot for Pinot Noir and Ketcham Estate has captured this distinctive area in the bottle.  Located in the heart of this famous appellation, Ketcham Estate produces exceptional Pinot Noirs and a Rosé from their estate vineyard, Chardonnay and Viognier from other vineyards in the Russian River Valley, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley.  The Russian River Valley really channels terroir, that “sense of place” that so defines wine.  Pinot Noir loves the warm sunny days, cool nights with Pacific Ocean breezes, and fog that lovingly caresses the vines at certain times of the year.  Ketcham Estate has an added ingredient, a small creek that flows through the property about eight months a year, in addition to rich red loam soil.  They are a small production, 2,500 cases, but their wines’ quality more than makes up for the quantity.  Ketcham Estate wines have heart, something that is part of Proprietress Allie Ketcham’s DNA.
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The Ketcham Family, Allie, Mark, Nick and Savannah, Courtesy of Ketcham Estate
Allie Ketcham’s life plan did not include going into the wine business.  Born and raised in Michigan, she studied art and literature at Denison & Oxford Universities.  Always embracing a challenge, she hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1998, and then followed her heart, moving to a boat in Sausalito with a newfound love.  And while that relationship didn’t work out, destiny had true love in the cards for Allie.  While working as a nanny in Marin County, one of the mothers set her up on a blind date with Mark Ketcham.  Mark was a successful entrepreneur, having made his fortune in tech communications in the 1980’s, and who then moved on to the business of racing and collecting vintage race cars.  The spark of romance was lit, and they were married, moving to the vineyard property at Ketcham Estate in 2007.  Mark and Allie worked together, had two children, Savannah and Nick, and built a life revolving around wine, and their love of Pinot Noir.
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Mark Ketcham at Ketcham Estate Vineyard, Courtesy of Ketcham Estate
Mark’s dream was to make outstanding Pinot Noir, and so he renovated the Ketcham Estate vineyard.  He kept the old blocks of heritage Pinot Noir, the Pommard 4 clones as the core, removed the Chardonnay vines, and then went about planting an additional four clones of Pinot Noir, 777, 115, 667 and 828, to add to the complexity of Ketcham Vineyard Pinot.  On their 17.5 acre property, thirteen acres are dedicated to these five clones of Pinot Noir, the Dijon clones all sustainably farmed.  Mark hired Michael Browne of Kosta Browne fame initially to create the wines he dreamt about, a blend of bright fruit that displayed a balance of acid and structure.  Since then, a few winemakers have come and gone, but since 2012, Tami Collins has taken over the winemaking reins.
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(L-R) Winemaker Tami Collins, Manager Renée Graves and Owner Allie Ketcham, Courtesy of Ketcham Estate
It’s often said that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and that seems to be Allie’s story.  In 2020, the double whammy of Mark passing away and the Covid pandemic left Allie, a single mother of two, as the keeper of the flame that is the family business, Ketcham Estate wines.  It’s important to recognize that today, three women are running with the vision that Mark Ketcham divined.  Allie is joined by Renée Graves, whom she calls her “Director of Happiness”, and winemaker Tami Collins.  Graves, with over 20 years of experience in the wine business, manages Ketcham Estate operations, from the grapes to the glass to sales.  Collins realizes the potential from every vintage, staying true to the dream of crafting extraordinary wines not just from the estate, but adding diversity to the brand portfolio.
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Together these three women have a stated mission: to make rich, seductive wines, structured and balanced, that compliment food and are a joy to share by the glass.  Allie loves to cook, and shares recipes on Facebook and Instagram on “Tastey Tuesday”, and on Ketcham’s website, illustrating the marriage of wine and food as the ultimate alchemy.
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Allie Ketcham of Ketcham Estate
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Allie Ketcham shares her wines and story with the LA Wine Writers
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Allie Ketcham (R) with daughter Savannah
Earlier this year, I was introduced to Allie Ketcham at her home on Ketcham Estate by a fellow wine writer, and discovered a vibrant, passionate woman who was committed to the wines she helped inspire and create.  Then two months later, Allie came to Los Angeles, and shared her wines and story with the LA Wine Writers.  The wines are truly magical, and the sense of pride imbues Allie’s presentation, as she communicated the journey of Ketcham Estate wines.  We tasted our way through nine wines, as she recalled how Mark initially wooed her, “On our first date, he poured me a bottle of wine, and that was in the day when Ketcham only had two wines, our California modern and our Old World Burgundian wines, and when Mark poured me a bottle of Ketcham Estate, I went, “Oh my goodness, that is the best wine I’ve ever had.”  For Allie, this is a legacy she’s proud of, she wants to continue evolving the Ketcham Estate brand, and keep it going, with all her might.  From my perspective, it’s a no-brainer, the wines in Ketcham’s portfolio are incredibly delicious, and stand out even among the Russian River Valley competition, they are really spectacular wines for a reasonable price point.
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Normally I start from the beginning of the tasting, but the star wine among Ketcham’s portfolio is the Allie’s Reserve, the wine that is dear to Allie’s heart, and recognized with a Double Gold from the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition.  It’s a complex process to find the “Goldilocks” moment, just the right combination of factors that bring the wow factor.  Allie explains, “Allie’s Reserve is the first wine that we blend, when we harvest our vineyard, we have about thirteen acres of Pinot, and five different clones that go into 60-100 barrels, just depending on the vintage.  And those barrels, there’s the new oak, the neutral oak, and the barrels that have been used once or twice.  So we have this whole blending realm of different flavors, different textures, different profiles, and we get to know each of those barrels really well.  From 80 barrels we’ll go down to 8, and the 8 that we choose for this are the top barrels. So these are the barrels that give us the best representation of Russian River Valley fruit, which I see as black cherry, it’s chocolate, it’s sassafras, it’s these wonderful flavors that just meld together.  When it is time to blend our wines, we’ll have a bunch of different barrel samples, and we’ll sit at the desk and play mad scientist. We’ll blend a little bit of this, a little bit of that, when it’s finally at the alchemy that just speaks to me and my palate, and what I want to drink all the time, that’s when we get Allie’s Reserve, it’s really the best of the bunch of our vintage.”
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Listen to Allie and what she looks for in blending Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir. She says she is absolutely spoiled by this wine, it’s all she wants to drink.
Now, on to exploring the rest of the Ketcham Estate wines I had the pleasure of tasting.
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The 2020 Ketcham Estate Savannah’s Rosé de Pinot Noir, named after Allie daughter Savannah, is vivid, textured, and surprisingly full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of sweet red fruit, cotton candy, watermelon Jolly Rancher, peach blossom, apple, spice and vanilla notes.  Interestingly, this is not a sweet wine, but the aromas trick your brain, it’s well-balanced and the essence of raspberry evens out the impression of candied fruit, along with a whiff of citrus, which gives it a refreshing character.
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The 2020 Ketcham Estate Viognier is vivacious, with intoxicating aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, citrus and white peach.  Flavors of Asian pear, guava, lemongrass, and honey infuse the bright, textured and round palate, and continues on with a long finish, really fabulous!
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The 2019 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a beautiful melange of white peach blossoms and stone fruit on the nose, and a complex palate of citrus, pear, apple, and crème brûlée flavors, accented by notes of French oak, crafted in a classic Montrachet style.
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The 2018 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley 5 Clone Pinot Noir, considered their California modern style Pinot, is a blend of the five clones on the property (115, 667, 777, 828 and Pommard 4).  Balanced and structured, it floats floral aromas on a layer of dark cherry, strawberry, cola, and vanilla flavors.  I love the complexity that all five clones bring to this wine.
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The 2019 Ketcham Estate Ketcham Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is an Old World Burgundian Style Pinot made from old vine Pommard 4 clone fruit, 46 years in the making.  Aromas of dark cherry, cocoa bean, nutmeg and clove swirl around a structured core, with flavors of ripe berry, dark chocolate, dark cherry and mint, with toasty oak notes and a lingering finish.
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The 2018 Ketcham Estate Nick’s Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, which is named for Allie’s son Nick, is a sweeter wine but with more acidity, as Allie describes it, a “carnival blend” that expresses cola, chocolate, cotton candy, ripe cherries and green Jolly Rancher notes.
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The 2019 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is more complex, a layered wine with aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cola, spice and vanilla oak notes, a viscous and silky wine, with a long finish.  And what a treat, Allie brought an older version, the 2012 library wine, that showed the aging potential of the wine.
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The 2014 Ketcham Estate Grand Vin Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a big and bold Pinot, structured and integrated, with ripe blackberry, cherry, and dark spice notes.  This is considered their reserve wine, made from 115, 667, and Pommard 4 clones.
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The 2018 Ketcham Estate “CabRenée” Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-balanced, dark fruited wine, with a velvety texture and elegant, balanced finish.  This is a blend of 85% Alexander Valley Cabernet, 5% Napa Valley Cabernet, 5% Petite Sirah, and 5% Merlot, which was Mark’s idea to round out the wine.  This is their first vintage of “Cab Renée”.
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You might say that Ketcham Estate produces “personal wines”, not to win critical praise and awards, but wines that please family and friends.  Being a small, boutique winery, Ketcham Estate has a lot of leeway to do things their way.  This triple force of Woman-owned, Woman-managed, and Woman-winemaker are seeking to perfect the vision of founder Mark Ketcham, and create their own identity by producing wines of exceptional quality.

​*** Ketcham Estate wines can be purchased at ketchamestate.com