Joseph Swan Vineyards is a small family owned winery located in the heart of Sonoma County, California's famed Russian River Valley. Although they specialize in vineyard designated pinot noir and old vine zinfandel, Joseph Swan also produces small lots of other wines including Rhone style wine, pinot gris and chardonnay.
Joe really believed that, when it came to grape growing and winemaking, small was beautiful. A small vineyard could be tended by one person. Small crops led to more intense, ageworthy wines. A small winery allowed you to oversee every aspect from fermentation to bottling. Joe was a perfectionist and felt that if the wine was to carry his name, then he should be personally responsible for every aspect of its production. In 1967 he purchased a small farm on Laguna Road near the town of Forestville in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and Joe Swan Vineyards was established.
Joseph Swan strives to make interesting wines that reflect their unique origins and to price them fairly. The mere fact that they are still here after 40 years means they must be doing something right.
43d
From vines planted nearly 50 years ago what we believe is the old Wente clone. Nose of meyer lemons, wet stones, and crushed oyster
Wine Enthusiast 92 "With only 12.5% alcohol by volume, this young-vine Chardonnay is one of the lightest, most delicate Chardonnays the winery has ever produced. But
Stephen Tanzer 94 "Deep red. Heady aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry-cola, vanilla and candied licorice, with a spicy topnote. Velvety and seamless
Wine Enthusiast 97 "Editor's Choice - An awesome Pinot Noir it's hard to find words to describe its beauty. It's bone dry and rich in stimulating
Wine Enthusiast 93 "Editor's Choice - You can smell and taste the damp, cool, forest countryside of the Russian River Valley in this wine. Flavors of
Stephen Tanzer 93 "Bright ruby. Heady, high-pitched aromas of black raspberry, potpourri, Asian spices and minerals, complicated by a smoky topnote. Juicy, sharply focused
Tasting notes: One of the most personal of all memories is of childhood tastes and smells. There is not logical reason for likes and dislikes
Wine Spectator 94 "The explosive blackberry, wild berry and raspberry flavors are snappy and vivid, deeply concentrated and sharply focused. Ends with a long, pure, spice-
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Inky ruby. Pungent cherry and dark berries, pipe tobacco, flowers and underbrush on the nose. Creamy cherry and cassis flavors are
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Vivid red. Fresh red fruits, flowers and Asian spices on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy and precise, offering vibrant raspberry and
Vinous Media 91 "Deep ruby. A complex, spice-tinged bouquet evokes ripe cherry and boysenberry, with smoke and licorice nuances in the background. Fleshy and supple in
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