Husch, Anderson Valley, Gewurztraminer 2007 This Gewurz has a lot of sweet perfume in the nose. In the mouth, it’s fresh, tasting of lychee with just a bit of RS at .8% – nice. GP&B in Philo 13.9% $9.99 at Bottle Barn Husch

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Elena Walch, Alto Adige, Gewurztraminer 2007 Let this current vintage air a bit as its a little stinky at first. With time the roses that you expect emerge. Though the wine is dry, the body is big and viscous, low in acidity and very textbook Gewurz. P&B in Termano 14% $21.69 at Bottle Barn Elena [...]

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McManis Family Vineyards, California, Pinot Grigio 2008 This is a fruit-driven Pinot Grigio with a little pettilance, plenty of tangy citrus flavor and a roundness in the mouth – a delicious value. Most of the fruit was sourced from the winery’s River Junction vineyard. The wine was fermented in stainless. The McManis property is located [...]

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Domaine Weinbach, Alsace, Cuvee Ste. Catherine, Pinot Gris 2007 This is a another gem from Weinbach.  In the nose there are candied fruits, as in a fresh fruit tart glazed with a layer of sweetness while at the same time there is a minerality adding complexity. In the mouth, there are peaches and oranges, with [...]

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Franciscan, Napa Valley, Magnificat 2004 This wine exudes sweet ripe fruit in the nose. This profile follows through in the mouth with chalky tannins and lingering acidity. Produced and bottled in Rutherford 14.5% $50 at the winery for the latest vintage ‘05 Franciscan
Chimney Rock, Napa Valley, Elevage 2004 The nose features caramel and the sweet [...]

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Terra d’Oro, Amador County, Deaver Vineyard, Zinfandel 2006 The nose features stewed fruits, raisins, caramel and brown spices. In the mouth the wine is warm, with sweet, pruny fruit. The vines were planted in 1881. P&B Plymouth 15.5% $30 at the winery Terra d’Oro Winery
Peachy Canyon, Paso Robles, Old School House, Zinfandel 2006 This elegant [...]

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I’ve long been a fan of the Riesling produced by Smith-Madrone and further an ardent admirer of their willingness to stick with a grape which despite the great wines it can deliver, doesn’t bring home the biggest side of bacon in the Napa Valley.
Their Spring Mountain property above Saint Helena is ruggedly sited, with steepness [...]

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We visited with Joe Lange at the winery during the summer and he took us through their most state-of-the-art facility. We learned about the tremendous commitment the Lange family has made to sustainability.  And on top of that, they’re making some awesome wines like the one described below. Full disclosure – Joe and I both [...]

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Frostwatch, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, Chardonnay 2007 The nose is complex and toasty with a sense of hazlenuts.  In the mouth the fruits are tropical, like papaya and pineapple. This is a big-bodied Chardonnay with viscosity and buttery richness, as well as balancing acidity. Winemaker Brett Raven. P&B in Healdsburg 14.3% $30 at the winery [...]

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Earthquake, Lodi, Petite Sirah 2005 In the nose there’s a very ripe sense of berries in this wine, with chocolate thrown on top. In the mouth the tannins are present but tamed compared to what you might expect with Petite. There’s ample richness as well, with some thickness and flavors of chocolate and vanilla. V&B [...]

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J. Lohr Estates, Monterey County, Bay Mist, White Riesling 2007 The nose features minerality and a little petrol. Over the years this wine has been spot-on with light RS and balancing acidity. 100% Riesling with some botrytis, all stainless, and 21.9 g/l RS, P&B San Jose 11.5% $8.49 at Bottle Barn Lohr

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Merryvale, Napa Valley, Starmont, Chardonnay 2007 There’s plenty of oaky richness in the nose while the mouth adds the richness of butter and viscosity while at the same time maintaining a refreshing apple character – nice. P&B in Napa 13.5% $11.79 at Bottle Barn Merryvale

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Sauvignon Republic, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 This has been a consistent winner and the current vintage features freshly mown grass and citrus. In the mouth there’s a zippy thread of acidity and the taste of fresh oranges – yum. The wine is all stainless and the top is metal as well. Cellared & [...]

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Saucelito Canyon, Arroyo Grande Valley, Late Harvest, Zinfandel 2006 This wine is evolving prematurely, showing the uptake of oxygen in the nose. In the mouth, the sweet berries are still delicious. RS is 11%. GP&B in Arroyo Grande 15.6% $25 at th winery for a 375ml bottle
Saucelito Canyon

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Terra Valentine, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, Yverdon Vineyard, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 This dense wine sports cedar in the nose, as well as black fruits and cigar box.  In the mouth it is quite dense and structured, built to age, full of fruit and well-balanced – yum. GP&B in St. Helena 14.9% $59.99 at [...]

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Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2001 The nose smells of stewed cherries, evolving nicely, developing complexity. In the mouth, the characteristic acidity is on display, on a plate of suppleness, with leather, olive and cherries – very nice. The fruit is a high proportion of old vine 85% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and Graciano. The wine [...]

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Macchia, Amador County, Cooper Ranch, Infamous, Barbera 2006 There are aspects to the nose that remind me of berry pie, with ripe berry fruit, sweetness and pastry dough. In the mouth, the acidity is alight, coupled with the richness of oak, filling out the wine. P&B in Lockeford 15.3% $22 at the winery Macchia

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Domaine de la Mordoree, Tavel, “La Dame Rousse” 2008 The freshness of strawberries are evident in the nose and in th mouth that theme is over a rather big and slightly warm structure. The grapes behind this pink wine are 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Clairette. The domaine has 40 hectares of [...]

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Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2007 This wine is always ripping with acidity, tangy and bright and the same is certainly true today – yes! Sourced from biodynamically grown fruit grown in American Canyon and the Carneros, the wine is fermented and aged in mostly older French oak, with six months of [...]

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DeLoach, Sonoma Coast, Golden Coast, Chardonnay 2007 The nose features plenty of fresh oak. In the mouth there is more of the same with green apples and warmth. The wine was barrel fermented and the lees were stirred. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.5% $45 at the winery.
DeLoach, Russian River Valley, OFS, Chardonnay 2007 This wine [...]

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MacMurray Ranch, Central Coast, Pinot Noir 2007 Give this wine a good 20 minutes of air and the perfume will come through in the nose, with candied fruit and floral notes. In the mouth this light-bodied wine has refreshing acidity with a nice glaze of sweet caramel. A large portion of the fruit is sourced [...]

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St. James Winery, Ozark Mountain, Late Harvest, Vignoles 2005 The smell reminds me of pumpkin pie with its brown spices showing and maybe graced with a few slices of orange. The mouth is full of the flavor of caramel. The residual sugar is 14.8% but doesn’t show as such in this seemingly light-bodied dessert wine. [...]

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Chateau Grillon, Sauternes 2002 In the nose there are dried apricots, hay and a bit of nuttiness. In the mouth the wine is moderately sweet, with moderate viscosity and a nice thread of balancing acidity. This was probably on the crest about 2 years ago and it would be best to drink up any remaining [...]

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Domaine Long-Depaquit, Chablis Premier Cru, Les Vaucopins 2005 It’s butter through and through with this wine, from the first whiff to the lingering aftertaste. Mis par Albert Bichot a Chablis. 13%$26.49 at Bottle Barn Bichot

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Cline, Carneros, 85% Marsanne 15% Roussanne 2007 The stone fruits come through in the nose with a dusting of minerality. In the mouth the acidity shines against the backdrop of stones, making this a leaner, almost Old World approach; there’s ample concentration and great length – very nice.
The Marsanne is sourced from the family’s estate [...]

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Domaine de Triennes, Vin de Pays du Var, Sainte Fleur, Viognier 2007 This wine sings the Viognier song as if from the New World. The nose features fresh flowers and fruits and quite a perfume. In the mouth this freshness carries through with a component we cherish so much in the wines of the Old [...]

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Mayo Family Winery, Sonoma Coast, Balletto Vineyards, Unwooded, Courtney’s Cuvee, Pinot Gris 2007 Unfortunately this wine is corked masking the potential of the wine in the bottle.  The wine was fermented and aged in stainless. Winemaker Michel Berthoud. P&B in Glen Ellen 12.9% $19.99 at Bottle Barn Mayo

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