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 stainless steel for the production of this clean and fruity wine. V&B in Clarksburg 12.5% [...]

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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 for the fan of most Chianti; yet if your preference is softened edges and the [...]

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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 citrus fruit to smell. The mouth tastes of tart green fruit, still possessing a zippy [...]

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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 2003 with 25% oak-aged reserves adding to the final blend. Aged for 3 years on the lees from the 2nd ferment and disgorged in 2007. [...]

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Husch, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Cherries and earth in a light-bodied package – a little rustic and a touch bitter. Aged for 9 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 13.9% $22.99 at Traverso’s Husch
Navarro, Anderson Valley Mendocino, Methode a l’Ancienne, Pinot Noir 2006 There is sweet liquer-like fruit and that sense of cherry [...]

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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 in neutral oak. V&B in Graton 14.7% $24.99 at the winery Charles Creek
Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis [...]

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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 ample black fruit and subtle, integrated oak to smell. In the mouth the tannin is ripe [...]

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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 profile is acidic with a subtle grassiness, a sense of the herhaceous without feeling like you’re [...]

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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, Dillian Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Baked raisiny fruit, toasty oak and candy flavors. P&B in Oakville 14.7% [...]

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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 and some richness in the mouth that balances Sangiovese’s acidity – very nice. The Winemaker Vincenzo [...]

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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 in Castiglione Tinella 5.5% $20.99 at Traverso’s
Charles Heidsieck, Champagne, Brut Reserve This is certainly a [...]

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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 of RS in the background. Different animals and I like them both.
Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, [...]

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Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello
Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample acidity to give this wine some tang and the tannins are ripe and refined. Sourced from [...]

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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 Jaume Serra in Vilanova i la Geltru, just south of Barcelona 11.5% $6.29 at Bottle [...]

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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. P&B in Paso Robles 20.5% $34 at the winery Robert Hall

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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 Runquist’s Zin brand. This wine is conceived from vines over 100 years old. P&B in Ripon [...]

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Flying Goat, Santa Maria Valley, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 Concentrated cherries, sweet oak in July 08. In February ‘09, there’s some nice complexity as well, with the fruits stewing a bit – nice. Winemaker Norm Yost. P&B in Lompoc 14.3% $39.95 at Traverso’s Flying Goat
Byron, Santa Maria Valley, Nielson Vineyard, Pinot Noir [...]

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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 Blanc. GP&B in Paso Robles 14.5% $19.99 at Traverso’s Tablas Creek
Kenneth Volk, Santa Maria [...]

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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 pie on a viscous palate. P&B in Los Gatos 13.5% $38 at the winery Sonnet
Domaine Arlaud Chambolle-Musigny 2003
Lots [...]

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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

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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 Spatlese 2005
I had opportunity to visit the estate and the quality is always there. Erzeugerabfullung in Bernkastel [...]

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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 Cadourne 13% $54.99 at Beverages & more!
Sequoia Grove Rutherford Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
The last [...]

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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 bouteille par Jean-Pierre Moueix a Libourne 13% $11.99 at Beverages & more!
Selene Napa Valley Frediani Vineyard [...]

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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 Barn
Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre 2007 This domaine has consistently delivered the goods in concentrated, high acid [...]

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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 final blend is about 80% Semillon and is aged in new oak. Mis en bouteille au [...]

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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 14.5% $60 suggested retail in the United States Clarendon Hills
Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Reserve Alexandre Meritage [...]

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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. Erzeugerabfullung in Stein 12% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Salomon
McKenzie-Mueller Napa Valley Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Unfortunately [...]

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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 de Pays de L’Herault 2006
Lots of reduced sulfur smells of onion and garlic; there’s quite an astringent grip [...]

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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 dense palate with ripe tannins; it was a class favorite. The Dusty Trails tonight is true [...]

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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 from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this wine is a blend of 90% old vine Grenache, 8% Syrah and 2% [...]

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