Bella

Bella is a little winery tucked into the hills of Dry Creek Valley. It is a winding car ride through the dusty back roads of the valley. The defining feature of Bella is their wine cave and tasting room.



Bella Hillside Cuvee 2005
Sonoma County, California - $28
Love. Not as sweet as it could be because of it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth, could cellar. Graceful wine with lots of ripe fruit and soft tannins. From the winemaker: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Syrah and 10% Petite Verdot blend from Alexander Valley old vines. Ripe & juicy with excellent structure and finish. Opened bottle in July 2009 and it was just as juicy as I remembered.



Bella Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006
Sonoma County, California - $24
Smooooth. Dessert wine. Higher alcohol content. Great nose, citrus peel, inky black color. Sweet, but not cloyingly obnoxious nor port-like. From the winemaker: 94% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Syrah. Left on the vine two weeks longer than their regular bottling. Only 250 cases produced.



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Va La Vineyard

Va La La Prima Donna 2007
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Initial pear aromas. Flavors shift from floral to light woodsy, mineral to white fruits; always changing. Lavender & honey finish. Medium body. Very complex. Similar in style to Caymus Conundrum. Blend of 5 grapes: Malvasia Bianco, Petit Manseng, Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friuliani & Viognier. Pairs well with seafood, shellfish, chicken and cream sauces. This will be the last vintage that the viognier grape will be part of the blend as the winemaker has yanked out all of the viognier vines. 4/5


Va La Cristallo 2005
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $25
Very berry aroma followed by cherry, strawberry, smoke, hint of cured sweet meat (ham). Jammy fruit like preserves and a honeyed sweetness. Flavors start with spicy tingle on the tip of the tongue. Strawberry, light minerality, and more smokiness comes through on the palate. Light body, but complex and smooth with solid backbone. Light, almost imperceptable tannins and smoky, long finish. Light red in color. Paired well with rustic pizza of goat cheese, basil, carmelized onion, and bacon. Great wine and very different, spicier than Silk with smoke notes. Bought 2005 when reserve was released; better vintage than 2006. No longer in production. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc grapes. 4.5/5

Va La Silk 2007
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $28
Red blend of Barbera, Carmine, Corvina Veronese, Merlot, Nebbiolo, & Petit Verdot. Light body with aromas of cooking spice. A non-traditional red blend meant to be a transitional wine for white wine drinkers. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks gives it a lighter color and body. Pairs well with chicken, red sauces, proscuitto, salmon & pork. Initially, felt it was too light but versatility has converted me. 3.5/5

Va La Siranetta 2006
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $40
Blend of 4 grapes (3 French and 1 American) Carmine 68%, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. (Carmine is a cross of three French grapes created by UC Davis.) Lighter body than expected, light tannins and good backbone. Pork aroma. Smoky fruit. Pairs with steak, grilled meats & aged cheeses. "Little Siren"

Va La Castana 2006
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Medium body red blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo & Corvina Veronese grapes. Flavors of dark chocolate and berry. Pairs well with meats (bbq, hot sausage) spicy food, Mexican food and even dark chocolate. Just released. Aged 14 months in oak.

Va La Barbera
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $35
Spicy tongue tingle, surprisingly light. Dark chocolate flavors with plum and brambly fruit. Some earthiness. This single varietal wine is no longer produced as the winemaker has chosen to use the Barbera grape in other wines. 4/5

Va La Cedar
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $45
Nebbiolo & corvina veronese (grape used in Italian Amarone) grapes. Brownish-red color from few years of bottle aging; can take 2-3 more years in cellar. Complex, rich wine that unfolds slowly. Changes from tight, tip of tongue spice, cooking spices, & tannic; white pepper appearing on back of tongue; lower tannins, dried fruit - specifically raisin, red berry, cinnamon but still tight. Pork aroma with impressive back of throat spice, softer red berry. Fruit emerges as wine breathes. Decant. Pairs well with wild game, lamb, fowl and truffles.

Va La Mahongany 2005
Avondale, Pennsylvania - $55
First release of this blend of Barbera, Petit Verdot & Carmine. Grown and bottled on site. Winemaker has been waiting 10 years for the vines to mature to produce a wine of this quality, range, and style. Light tannins, medium body with bold flavors. Will age well in bottle. Pairs well with everything from chocolate to bold cheeses. 4/5

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