Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
Acorn Andrea Oberto Atlas Peak Benziger Beringer Blandy's Bodega Navarro Correas Burgans Cantina Terlano Chimney Rock Chronicle Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Emilio Lustau Fonseca Foxen Gaston Riviere Glen Ellen Hess Collection Innocent Bystander Kendall-Jackson Korbel La Caudrina Luna Vineyards Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Pahlmeyer Roederer Estate Ruggeri Sawyer Cellars Sbragia Six Sigma Winery St. James Steltzner Vineyards Trinchero Winery Trione V. Sattui Winery William Fevre Wilson Winery
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Last train to Clarksburg
Bogle, California, Chenin Blanc 2005 This back vintage was lingering in the cellar. There’s a sense of candied tropical fruits, roundness in the palate augmented by a touch of RS and braced by an appropriate amount of acidity. It’s all … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
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Bring on the sawmill
J. Keverson, Mendocino County, Janes Vineyard, Sangiovese 2005 If you like your New World Sangiovese heavy on the oak, this is your wine. There’s loads of sweet-oaky essence all over this supple wine. The moderate acidity will feel a disappointment … Continue reading
Posted in California, Mendocino County, Sangiovese
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Going the distance
Gunderloch, Rheinhessen, Jean-Baptiste, Riesling, Kabinett QmP 2002 This wine goes on after 6 years since the harvest, despite evidence of leaking and a then newish screwcap seal that appears to not have been perfect. There are notes of lanolin and … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, Rheinhessen, Riesling
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The diversity that is sparkling wine
J, Russian River Valley, cuvee 20 nv Clean, fresh, fruit, tasted at the winery in May. This wine has the zip of fresh green apples. The base wine is from a recent vintage with 25% oak-aged reserves adding to the … Continue reading
Posted in California, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
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Charming Chardonnay
Charles Creek, Napa County Carneros, Chardonnay, Por Favor 2006 There’s minerality and a touch of cheese in the nose and a bracing taste of stone fruits with some creaminess in the mouth. This Chardonnay is fermented in stainless and aged … Continue reading
Posted in Burgundy, California, Carneros, Chablis, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
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California heavyweights
Some heavyweights are elegant on their feet, others draw lots of money in their direction and some are quite big. This post explores famous names and rising stars across the price spectrum. Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, Red Wine 2004 There’s … Continue reading
Acidic thread
Here are two wines from the Napa Valley that have a common thread of acidity and a shared and fabled character, who stunned the world at the Judgement of Paris. Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2006 The … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
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Zin from the mountains to the oceans
Navarro, Mendocino, Zinfandel 2006 Jim Klein is well-know for his work with white varieties but don’t forget his Zins. There’s pure berry fruit in a light-bodied framework. P&B in Philo 14.6% $21 at the winery Navarro Joel Gott, Amador County, … Continue reading
Posted in Amador County, California, Mendocino County, Zinfandel
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The expressions of Sangiovese
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico DOCG, 2004 Screaming acidity and light body. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, aged in French oak for 12 months. Estate bottled in Gaiole 13.5% $22.99 at Traverso’s Valdicava, Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2003 Appropriate earthiness … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
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Sparkling the world over
La Morandina, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2007 The ’07 is just as vibrantly fresh and full of orange blossoms as the previous vintage. There’s lots of residual sugar and the light body and freshness that you expect in Moscato d’Asti. P&B … Continue reading
Sparkling pink wine from Napa and Anderson Valleys
This flight shows a nice contrast in approach to the making of pink sparkling in California. The Roederer embraces a high acid framework that is very crisp while the Mumm goes for a softer approach with a more visible hint … Continue reading
Posted in Anderson Valley, Blanc de Noirs, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sparkling Dry
Tagged Mumm Napa, Roederer Estate
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2 shades of extra dry
Cristalino, Cava, Extra Dry nv This wine isn’t amazing but it has a hint of RS, it truly is methode champenoise and it’s cheap. The grapes are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo, traditionally grown in the Penedes for Cava. Produced by … Continue reading
Posted in Cava, Italy, Prosecco, Spain, Sparkling Lightly Sweet, Veneto
Tagged Cristalino, Sorelle Bronca
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Paso Port
Robert Hall, Paso Robles, Vintage Port 2005 A sumptuous berry dessert with integrated alcohol. The grapes are traditional, as in Portugal, 36% Touriga, 30% Alvarelhao, 20% Souzao and 14% Tinta Cao. Aged in barrel for 24 months. Winemaker Don Brady. … Continue reading
Driving for Zin
Neyers, Contra Costa County, Pato Vineyard, Zinfandel 2005 Stewed and raisiny fruit. P&B in St. Helena 15.6% $24.49 at Bottle Barn Neyers Z, Amador County, Massoni Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Sweet oak multiplied by sweet fruit – plush. Z is Jeff … Continue reading
Central coast bright whites
Tablas Creek, Paso Robles, Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2005 There are stones and flowers to smell and a big body for this dry, warm wine. This white Rhone-style blend is composed of 70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc and 5% Picpoul … Continue reading
Posted in California
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Pinot please
Papapietro Perry Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006 intensely concentrated berry, liquer-like fruit and a little warmth. P&B in Healdsburg 14.25% $38.49 at Bottle Barn Papapietro Perry Sonnet Santa Lucia Highlands Tondre’s Grapefield Pinot Noir 2004 Smokey oak and cherry … Continue reading
In a flurry?
Joseph Drouhin Fleurie 2005 A little rustic with a tart framework. Mis by Drouhin, negociant eleveur a Beaune 13% $15.99 at Bottle Barn Drouhin
Posted in Beaujolais, France, Gamay
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Raving Riesling
Greenwood Ridge Mendocino Ridge Estate Bottled White Riesling 2006 This has always been a crowd pleaser; this vintage pushes the RS up to 2.8%. GP&B in Philo 13.5% $13.69 at Bottle Barn Greenwood Ridge Dr. Loosen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling … Continue reading
Bordeaux and her blends
Chateau Sociando-Mallet Haut-Medoc 2005 Toasty oak, ripe tannins and black fruits – delicious. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from vines at an average 30 years old. Mis au chateau par Jean Gautreau in St. Seurin de … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Haut-Medoc, Merlot, Napa Valley, Rutherford
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Merlot
Christian Moueix Bordeaux Merlot 2003 From the Petrus folks, a value-oriented red from the land of very expensive wine. This is on the earthy side with fruit that is evolving in a raisin direction; it’s light-bodied and acidic. Mis en … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, California, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Merlot, Napa Valley
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Crisp thirst quenchers
Berger, Niederosterreich, Gruner Veltliner 2007 This wine has been a value and notice that you still get a super size. A lean and acidic refresher. Estate bottled by E. & M. Berger in Gedersdorf in Krems 12.5% $10.99 at Bottle … Continue reading
Posted in Austria, France, Gruner Veltliner, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
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The sweet stuff
Chateau Doisy Daene Sauternes 2003 There’s lots of creme caramel and toastiness in this wine and a little lower on the RS scale than other Sauternes. The vineyard is planted to 87% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bordeaux, France, Sauternes, Semillon
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5 Bordeaux grapes and 3 continents
Clarendon Hills Clarendon Brookman Merlot 2005 Roman Bratasiuk pulls no punches with his opulent wines. This Merlot features ripe fruit and the cigar box characters we often associate with Bordeaux. The texture is oh so plush. P&B in Blewitt Springs … Continue reading
Summer zip
Salomon Undhof Hochterrassen Gruner Veltliner Trocken Qualitatswein 2007 The fruit for this wine comes from hillside terraces along the Danube by the towns of Krems and Stein in the region of Kremstal. This wine features laser-like acidity and concentrated citrus. … Continue reading
Posted in Austria, Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
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Vin de Pays
Excitement and innovation from the south of France Les Calades Vin de Pays d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Very overt berries, very light-bodied and a little bit of an astringent edge. 13.5% $7.99 at Bottle Barn Mas de Daumas Gassac Vin … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Languedoc
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Scintillating Syrah
Bridlewood Central Coast Winner’s Circle Selection “Dusty Trails” Syrah 2004 A few months ago we tasted another of the Winner’s Circle Selection Syrah and it was true to the the house style showing lots of oak essence wound into a … Continue reading
Posted in California
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On the Rhone
Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Vielles Vignes Cuvee Unique 2006 The previous vintage was a solid wine, balanced in medium weight with ripe fruits and structure. The 2006 follows suit with smells of black pepper as well. Sourced … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache
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