I’ve often been guilty of asserting that Zinfandel doesn’t last. I’ve opened too many aging Zins to find them falling apart, so much so that I had given up aging them. And honestly, it’s not so bad drinking them when they are young and full of fresh jammy fruit flavors.
The folks at Limerick Lane have [...]

continue reading.....

When Vacu-Dry ceased operations in Sebastopol, California, many bemoaned the continuing decline of the apple industry in Sonoma’s West County region. Yet from those ashes many a high-flying phoenix has taken flight.
The large and rather dingy industrial complex that used to house Vacu-Dry has been turned into a rabbit warren of artisan winemakers, each with [...]

continue reading.....

Belhurst, Finger Lakes, Cayuga 2006 There’s lots of citrus and stone fruits to smell and the palate dazzles with the sweet and tart character of Middle Mosel Rieslings - delicious. The RS is 2.7%. P&B in Geneva 12.5% $14.95 at the winery Belhurst

continue reading.....

Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2005 The black fruit is blended with herbs of the region, fresh from the landscape and an element of meat on the grill. In the mouth there is lots of fruit wrapped up in tannic youthfulness. The balance is there in the concentration of the wine to the amount of tannin. [...]

continue reading.....

Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rose 2007 The fresh fruit is evident in this low acid rose. This estate was farming organically before many jumped on board and all of the wines are today certified organic. The 2007 rose is about 60% Grenache with a medley of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Cabernet [...]

continue reading.....

Trimbach, Alsace, Pinot Blanc 2005 Light floral notes mark the nose and the mouth has a rather creamy texture, very little residual sugar, a moderate amount of acid and the taste of stone fruits; it’s nice and simple for the price. Mis en bouteille a Ribeauville 12.5% $11.79 at Bottle Barn Trimbach
Martin Schaetzel, Alsace, Cuvee [...]

continue reading.....

La Spinetta, Barbaresco DOCG, Vigneto Starderi 2004 The previous vintage was a concentrated, oaky heavyweight, still in its infancy when tasted in late ‘07. This ‘04 smells of sweet oak and New World fruit. Again we see a tannic monster that is caressed by oak in the mouth. There’s a balance of extract to keep [...]

continue reading.....

Cascina Castle’t, Barbera d’Asti DOC 2005 Blueberries and plums in a light-bodied, high acid format. Estate bottled by Maria Borio in Costigliole d’Asti 13.5% $11.99 at Traverso’s Cascina Castlet
Bruno Giacosa, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2007 There’s an overtly, Beaujolais-like character in the nose, moderate acidity and lots of tannin in the mouth. This isn’t so refined [...]

continue reading.....

Ceretto, Langhe, Arneis DOC, Blange’ 2007 This is quite fresh with lots of flowers, citrus fruit, moderate acidity and a light body. Blange is the name of Ceretto’s estate property, devoted to Arneis, spread over two villages. The wine’s production is all in stainless and there is some retained CO2. Proprietors Bruno and Marcello Ceretto. [...]

continue reading.....

Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2004 This wine has been well-made since the good old days when the you could taste it at the beautiful Valley Oaks facility. There are the compelling floral notes associated with Muscat plus some pastry-like complexity with the age of this wine. Unfortunately, one of two bottles was off. [...]

continue reading.....

Artesa, Carneros, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 Artesa has been making some great wines and has shown greater success with their still wine program. This is a light-bodied, red fruit expression of Pinot with the warmth of alcohol. Winemaker David Dobson. P&B in Napa, 14.3% $50 at the winery Artesa
David Bruce, Santa Rita Hills, Pinot [...]

continue reading.....

Thomas Fogarty, Monterey, Gewurztraminer 2003
Kudos to Fogarty for continuing to produce this wine. Earlier this summer we tasted the ‘06 which was showing these youthful characteriestics: spicy floral notes, a hint of RS and the taste of fresh lychee - a very fresh style of Gewurz. .4% RS. With this wine we travel back [...]

continue reading.....

Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2006 This wine has been a good standard for a budget Sauvignon. There’s plenty of citrus and ample acidity making this clean and dry. Production is all stainless. 13.5% $14.50 at the winery Dry Creek Vineyard

continue reading.....

Rombauer, California, Zinfandel 2006 This has always been on the very rich end of Zin styles with perceptible residual sugar - nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. This vintage follows the same path. The fruit is 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% lake and 6% El Dorado Counties. V&B in St. Helena 15.5% $27.99 at Traverso’s Rombauer
Van Ruiten, Lodi, [...]

continue reading.....

E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre and some other stuff. Eleve et mis en bouteille Ampuis [...]

continue reading.....

Domaine de la Mordoree, Cotes-du-Rhone, La Dame Rousse, Rose 2007 Smells of strawberry showing quite full-on tonight. There’s a broad mouthfeel with the follow-on fruit to taste and added weight from the alcohol - very nice.

Tasted again in late October, the fruit doesn’t express itself that clearly in the nose, yet it is showing [...]

continue reading.....

Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There’s loads of acidity and the taste of cherries. The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Estate bottled in Barberino val d’Elsa 13% $17.99 at Traverso’s Paneretta
Andrea Oberto, Langhe, Nebbiolo DOC 2005
Recent bottles of this estate’s Dolcetto and Barbera have been well-made and affordable. [...]

continue reading.....