During the Winemakers of Sonoma Class at the Santa Rosa Junior College, we’ve been visiting with some of the region’s most famous stars. Mike Lee charted the history of winemaking in the area and his list of Big Improvements for Better Wine, including gentler pumps, sorting tables and the ability to de-alc. a wine. His [...]

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Tin Barn, Sonoma Coast, Coryelle Fields, Syrah 2004 The nose sports loads of oak while in the mouth the oak adds to the richness of this ripe, black fruit driven, supple Syrah. Managing Partner and Winemaker Mike Lancaster 14.2% $28 at the winery
Tin Barn Vineayards

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Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2007 The muscat perfume is there though not as vibrant and fresh as in previous incarnations. The mouth is moderately sweet and medium bodied, tasting of sweet ginger ale. This wine brings back memories of when the you could taste it at the beautiful Valley Oaks facility. The grapes [...]

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Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Moscato 2008 The previous vintage was so pretty and this one repeats – the essence of Muscat’s perfume in a light-bodied format, perfect with a light dessert of fresh berries in the summer. Bottled under crown cap for ease of opening at the beach. Produced in Healesville 5.5% $9.79 (375ml) at Bottle [...]

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Domaine Anne Gros, Chambolle-Musigny, La Combe d’Orveau 2006
The nose is sweet and toasty. The mouth features concentrated cherry fruit with a bit of earthiness, a supple texture and lots of acidity to carry this wine a long, long way. This domaine is a personal favorite of mine. Mis a Vosne-Romanee par Anne Gros, Proprietaire-viticulteur 13% [...]

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Domaine de Montille, Bourgogne 2005 Mint combines with vibrant red fruits in the nose. The mouth is quite concentrated, full of acidity and a tannic veneer. Lay this down for a few years. This is from the famous De Montille family. Mis en bouteille a Volnay. 13% $34.99 at the Wine Club
Domaine Robert Arnoux, Nuits-Saint-Georges, [...]

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Belle Glos, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands, Las Alturas Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s smoke, liquer-like fruit and dusty cedar in the nose while the mouth follows through with warmth and earthiness on a supple blanket. Winemaker Joseph Wagner of the Caymus empire. Produced and bottled in Rutherford 15.1% $49.99 at Bottle Barn Belle Glos [...]

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Ventana Vineyards, Monterey, Arroyo Seco, Riesling 2007 I only had a fleeting chance to taste this wine during the segment with Henry on KRON when we blasted through the sweeps winners of this year’s Chronicle Wine Competition. Tonight I get to take it slow and really enjoy this wine. In the nose there is minerality [...]

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I’ll be on the air with host Lynn Chamberlain later today at 4:00 p.m. pst, on VinVillageRadio, a weekly “wine & dine” talk-radio show.  We’ll be discussing the results of the Chronicle Wine Competition and my upcoming class at Sonoma State, Wine Entrepreneurship. Listen in if you can or catch it later in the [...]

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Inniskillin, Niagara Peninsula, Ice Wine, Riesling 2006 The nose is a medley of fruits with lots of honey. The dried apricot essence comes through vividly in the rich and thick palate. RS of 220 grams per litre. Bottled in Niagara-on-the-Lake 9.5% $61.69 for a 375ml at Bottle Barn Inniskillin

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Maison Ambroise, Corton, Le Rognet Grand Cru 1997
Quite youthful at this point, with nuttiness and cedar, earthiness and fruit on the ground. In the mouth this wine is still packed with flavor and the structure is still vivid. There’s great length and I expect some years of enjoyment to come. Vinified and mis en bouteille [...]

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Dehlinger, Russian River Valley, Goldridge Vineyard, Estate Bottled, Pinot Noir 2006 This wine is all about warm and concentrated sweet fruit. P&B in Sebastopol 14.8% $59.99 at Bottle Barn Dehlinger Winery

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Domaine des Croix, Beaune, Les Bressandes 1er Cru 2005 There’s earthiness, cinnamon and cloves in the nose, maybe a note of licorice as well. The mouth is quite structured, framing great concentration of flavor in a very young Burgundy. Mis en bouteille in Beaune 13% $?? a gift from one of the class
Bouchard Pere et [...]

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Paul Hobbs, Russian River Valley, Lindsay Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006
This wine delivers full concentration in the signature polished style of Hobbs. P&B in Sebastopol 14.8% $79.99 at Bottle Barn Paul Hobbs

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Ken Wright Cellars, Yamhill-Carlton District, Shea Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007
The nose is all sweetness – liquer-like fruit with the richness of vanilla. The mouth is supple with earthiness for complexity. The previous vintage was the hands-down star of its flight. This guy makes stellar Pinot. P&B in Carlton 13.5% $45.99 at Bottle Barn
Ken Wright

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Siduri, Sta. Rita Hills, Cargasacchi Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose features lots of fresh, candied fruit. The mouth captures the same essence, fruit driven and ready to drink. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.1% $47.49 at Bottle Barn Siduri Wines
Laetitia, Arroyo Grande Valley, Estate, Pinot Noir 2006 Unfortunately corked. Winemaker Eric Hickey. Estate grown, produced [...]

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Paul Pernot, Puligny-Montrachet, Les Folatieres 1er Cru 2006
The nose features minerals and a bit of fruit. The mouth is rich, buttery and oaky yet the acidity and green sense of green apples balances the picture – very nice. Mis in Puligny by Paul Pernot et ses fils Michel and Paul 14% $62.99 at Bottle Barn [...]

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Michel-Schlumberger, Dry Creek Valley, Pinot Blanc “La Bise” 2007 This wine consistently smells of the ripe tropical fruits of a sun-drenched land – very fresh. In the mouth, this wine shows the fruitiness of Pinot Blanc in a light-bodied, refreshing presentation – very nice. Winemaker Mike Brunson. Estate grown, produced and bottled in Healdsburg 12.8% [...]

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Berthoud, Sonoma Valley, Pagani Ranch, Chasselas Dore 2007 There’s a flinty character in the nose and the mouth is austere. The fruit is sourced from 100 year-old vines grown in the vineyard known for its very old Zinfandel. P&B in Sonoma 12% $19.99 at Traverso’s Berthoud Winery

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Alba, New Jersey, Chambourcin 2006 The nose is smoky and toasty. In the mouth the oak lights up again and rides a nicely acidic frame. The tannins are ripe and there’s a tart black fruit flavor as well. The acidity would make this very nice to pair with roast chicken, especially if you like the [...]

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