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: April 2009
Brunel Les Cailloux 2006
Andre Brunel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux 2006 In the nose the fruit goes from fresh to raisin, with black pepper and spices from the cupboard. In the mouth, this wine is approachable already, chewy and dripping with acidity with plenty of … Continue reading
Posted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
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#2 Beaucastel 2005
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, 2005 The black fruits are alight in the nose with a liquer-like character. In the mouth the fruit is very expressive with the structure you’d expect – a great combo. The grapes are sourced from … Continue reading
Posted in Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rhône, Syrah
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Guigal Cote-Rotie 2005
E. Guigal, Cote-Rotie, Brune et Blonde de Guigal 2005 Here is a Syrah that demonstrates the black pepper quality that lurks in this variety. There’s also earthiness, a benign Band-Aid character adding to the complexity of the nose. The mouth … Continue reading
Posted in Cote-Rotie, France, Syrah
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JC Cellars Syrah 2006
JC Cellars, California Cuvee, Syrah 2006 This is an inky Syrah to look at. The nose features sweet black fruits and berry pie. The mouth is a rich expression of Syrah, with sweet-appearing fruit and ripe tannins. Winemaker Jeff Cohn. … Continue reading
Posted in California, Syrah
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South Coast Rose 2007
South Coast, California, Grenache, Rose 2007 In the nose there is candy, flowers and the smell something citrus. The mouth is plump and amplified by a about 1% RS. This took the sweepstake award for pink wine at the Chronicle … Continue reading
Posted in California, Grenache, Paso Robles, Rosé, Temecula
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Carol Shelton Rose 2007
Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Rendezvous Rose 2007 This wine is redolent of strawberries – just bountiful! In the mouth this rose is truly dry yet with plenty of fruit it comes across as quite concentrated. I bought a 6 pack … Continue reading
Posted in California, Carignane, Mendocino County, Rosé
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Copain Viogner 2007
Copain, Mendocino County, ‘Tous Ensemble’, Viognier 2007 It’s a pleasure to find a tasty Viognier under 14% and this one delivers with the classic peaches and flowers – fresh and delicious. P&B in Healdsburg 13.7% $17.99 at Traverso’s Copain Wines
Posted in California, Mendocino County, Viognier
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Leitz Riesling 2007
Leitz, Rheingau, Rudesheimer, Magdalenenkreuz, Riesling, Spatlese 2007 This wine speaks of flowers, both the sweet and the spicy type. The mouth shows us candied fruit, apricots both dried and sweet, driven by a healthy dose of acidity. There is great … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, Rheingau, Riesling
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Schloss Lieser Kabinett 2007
Schloss Lieser, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Riesling, Kabinett 2007 Give this wine a little air when you crack the screwcap to blow off a bit of reductiveness. Then you can see Riesling’s petrol character already shining through with citrus in the nose. The … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Riesling
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Dr. L 2007
Dr. Loosen, Mosel, Dr.L, Riesling 2007 This wine is reminiscent of SweetTarts – the candy I loved as a child, with a bit of phenolic grip on the palate – austere but reasonably priced for a sense of the region. … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Riesling
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Hibou de Nuit Gewurz 2006
Hibou de Nuit, Sonoma County, Gewurztraminer 2006 The nose features a vibrant combo of floral and tropical notes, including pineapple and candied banana. In the mouth this Gewurz is quite dense with a streak of acidity to keep it fresh. … Continue reading
Posted in California, Gewurztraminer, Sonoma County
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St. Joseph Riesling 2003
St. Joseph, Grand River Valley, Riesling 2003 In the nose there are floral notes, apricots and candied lime. The mouth features peaches and apricots in a semi-dry appearance, fresh and delicious. The staying power of this wine is amazing – … Continue reading
Posted in Grand River Valley, Ohio, Riesling
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Canzona Cabernet 2005
Canzona Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There are sweet smells of caramel and vanilla, bright cherry fruit, cassis and a hint of cigar box. The mouthfeel is supple. Certainly the structure of Cabernet is there to experience, but the … Continue reading
Small Vines revisited
I had an opportunity to visit with Paul and Kathryn Sloan of Small Vines Wines on Sunday, during their open house at the winery in Santa Rosa. We retasted the ’06 Russian River and ’06 Sonoma Coast which I reviewed … Continue reading
Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
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Kimmel Chardonnay 2007
Kimmel, Mendocino, Chardonnay 2007 The tropical notes on this wine are explosive. It’s as if there’s a banana Popsicle hiding in the glass. Joining with the fruit there are brown spices and a sense of freshly-split oak. In the mouth … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County
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Jordan de Asso Crianza 2005
Jordan de Asso, Carinena DO, Crianza 2005 This wine features a great balance of oak and fruity flavors, driven by a long sense of acidity. The grapes behind this blend are 40% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. The … Continue reading
Posted in Aragon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carinena, Spain, Syrah, Tempranillo
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Trentadue Port
Trentadue, Alexander Valley, Estate, Zinfandel, Port 2003 Raisins mix with the fortifying spirit in the nose, a sense of candy with a bit of brandy thrown in. The mouth features ripe cherries, prunes, brown sugar and the alcohol boost. Grown, … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Port, Sonoma County
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Geyser Peak Reserve Alexandre 1999
Geyser Peak, Alexander Valley, Reserve Alexandre, Meritage 1999 The nose is drying out yet there is quite a bit of chocolate to enjoy. The mouth has reached a rather astringent phase, drying out. The acidity is carrying some nice elements … Continue reading
Rusina Petite Sirah 2007
Rusina, Alexander Valley, Petite Sirah 2007 The nose features a dusty character with a bit of spirit while the mouth is redolent with berries and the tannins are tamed making this quite accessible today. There is probably a little Zin … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Petite Sirah, Sonoma County
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Alexander Valley Zinfandel
Stryker Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Estate, Old Vines, Zinfandel 2006 The fruits are, fresh, stewed and jammy, all at the same time and dusted with black pepper. The mouth is vibrantly fruity with a little warmth and a touch of tannin. … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
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Wattle Creek Shiraz
Wattle Creek, Alexander Valley, Shiraz 2005 The nose smells of oak, nuts and caramel over chocolate with a bit of spiritous character peeping through. The mouth is a supple expression of ripe black fruit and oakiness. P&B in Cloverdale 14.4% … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Sonoma County, Syrah
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Coyote Crest Syrah 2005
Coyote Crest, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Estate Bottled, Syrah 2005 Unfortunately this wine is corked. Grown, Produced & Bottled in Healdsburg 15.9% $28 at the winery Coyote Crest Vineyards & Winery
Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Sonoma County, Syrah
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Dutcher Crossing Chard 2007
Dutcher Crossing, Alexander Valley, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Chardonnay 2007 There’s toasitness, nuttiness, fresh oak and bread dough in the nose. The mouth features fresh apples and vibrant acidity with oaky richness as an enhancement rather than a cover over the fruit … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
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Rosenblum Maggie’s 2005
Rosenblum Cellars, Sonoma Valley, Maggie’s Reserve Zinfandel 2005 This wine is very sweet smelling, with a sense of pastry dough dabbed with vanilla. The mouth is quite rich, full of sweet-appearing fruit – just luscious. Some of the vines that … Continue reading
Posted in California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel
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Elyse Zin 2006
Elyse, Napa Valley, Morisoli Vineyard, Zinfandel 2006 Brown spices jump out in the nose while the mouth is supple and densely fruity. The grapes are sourced from Morisoli in Rutherford, west of Highway 29 at the base of Mount St. … Continue reading
Posted in California, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Zinfandel
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Shenandoah Zin 2007
Shenandoah Vineyards, Amador County, Special Reserve, Zinfandel 2007 This is an easy quaffer that delivers the fruit of Zin in a light-bodied format. The grapes were organicaly grown in California’s gold country. P&B in Plymouth 14.4% $7.99 at Bottle Barn … Continue reading
Posted in Amador County, California, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel
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Corte Rugolin Amarone 2001
Corte Rugolin, Amarone della Valpolicella DOC, Classico, Vigna “Monte Danieli” 2001 The nose is fetching in its liquer-like essence with a bit of volatility amping up the fruitiness. The mouth is quite luscious, rich and in dried fruits and extract. … Continue reading
Posted in Amarone della Valpolicella, Corvina, Italy, Veneto
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Barrua 2004
Agricola Punica, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Barrua 2004 Earthy notes dominate the nose initially along with dried and pruny fruit. The mouth features ripe New World-like fruit with substantial structure. Give this baby some time in the cellar. Bottled in … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Italy, Merlot, Sardegna
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Rocca di Montegrossi 2005
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico DOCG, 2005 There’s earthiness in the nose and plenty of tart cherry flavor in the mouth. This wine is medium-bodied, shows a bit of tannin and is long on acidity. I’m craving salame as I … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Antinori Vermentino 2006
Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri DOC, Vermentino 2006 There is fresh perfume in the nose but also a sense of the wine aging and along its peak. The mouth is rounded and full of citrus but again there’s a complexity … Continue reading
Posted in Bolgheri, Italy, Tuscany, Vermentino
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