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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Here we take another look at variations on the taste and feel of dry red wine.
ZD Carneros Pinot Noir 2006
Lots of sweet cherries and palpable acidity make this a refreshing Pinot. This wine originates with Pinot grown in certified organic vineyards. The wine is then aged for 10 months in French oak. Winemaker Chris Pisani. [...]

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Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style.
Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004
Easy drinking cherries in a glass. This wine is a compilation of fruit from the Santa Maria Valley and the Rancho [...]

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Styker Sonoma sits on a little hill with a broad view of the Alexander Valley. We recently visited with Jen Berman on the winemaking team and the Bordeaux varietals were top-notch.  I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolaty Merlot and the supple and vanilla spiced Petit.  As I’ve written before, Petit can have tannins that are tough [...]

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Collier Falls Dry Creek Valley Primitivo 2005
This is lovingly slathered in oak. P&B in Geyserville 15.2% $32 at the winery Collier Falls
Bella Alexander Valley Big River Ranch Zinfandel 2005
A very balanced Zin with tannic structure and dense fruit. Sourced from vines over 100 years old. P&B in Healdsburg 14.9% $36 at the winery but [...]

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Frank Family Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
This Alexander Valley Cab was made by the Napa winery known for its deft hand with the local fruit. Tonight we taste a wine from grapes sourced a little farther north. This wine is working its way up the curve, with more innings yet to come. It is [...]

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Seghesio Alexander Valley Barbera 2006
Previous vintages with the broader Sonoma appellation showed the zip of Barbera with a richness to take Barbera beyond it’s workhorse role as a mere foil to fatty food. This latest offering repeats the style with a lusch mouthfeel overlying the acidic structure. GP&B in Healdsburg 15.3% $22.99 at Bottle Barn [...]

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This flight features 4 wines to showcase the breadth of flavors found in California wine.
Guenoc Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Clean, light-bodied and straightforward value in Sauvignon from the home front. P&B in Middletown, up above Calistoga in the new star zone for Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% $10 at the Wine Emporium langtryestate.com
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Russian River Valley [...]

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Pirramimma McLaren Vale Old Bush Vine Grenache 2003
The last two tastings of this wine earlier in 2007 showed the fruit of Grenache with ever-integrating oak. Again tonight it is supple and the raisiny fruit is surounded by acidity and still kissed by oak. This is sourced from the oldest vineyard on the estate, dry farmed [...]

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Nelson Estate Sonoma Valley Bennett Valley Vineyard Malbec 2004
The nose is oak city and the palate is very supple with moderate acidity and a long finish. I think that many will find this wine agreeable and readily approachable. Aged in Fr oak for 18 mos. C&B in Healdsburg 13.6% $21.99 at Bottle Barn Nelson [...]

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This flight features 2 Best of Class Winners in the Fair. The first is the BOC Chardonnay under $20, which came up through our panel of judges. The third wine is the BOC Chardonnay above $20 that went on to take the sweeps. In between is a star from Burgundy for contrast and benchmarking.
Benziger [...]

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