St. Amant Winery, Amador County, Vintage Port 2006 This is well-done California vintage style of port with plenty of black fruit, thickness of texture and a spiritous undertone. The wine is dedicated to founder Tim Spencer who died in 2006. P&B in Woodbridge 18.5% $35 at the winery for a 750ml bottle
St. Amant Winery

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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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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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Sobon Estate, Amador County, Rezerve, Primitivo 2007 The black pepper is not shy in the nose of this wine. In the mouth the blackberries come to the fore along with ripe tannins. All the grapes were grown organically. Grown, produced and bottled in Plymouth 15% $17.99 at Bottle Barn Sobon Estate

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Tutti I Giorni, Amador County, Nutz! In the nose there is vibrant red fruit and a meaty character. In the mouth there is tons of acidity, red fruit and a little grip in a light-bodied package. P&B in Plymouth by Suzy and Jim Gullett at Vino Noceto 14.2% $8.99 at Bottle Barn Noceto

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Sobon Estate, Amador County, Viognier 2008 The tropical notes are such that this wine reminds me of the banana popsicles that I enjoyed as a boy. There’s also a layer of richness as well, making this wine slippery smooth. Besides the Viognier there’s a bit of Grenache Blanc, just 4%. The wine was aged sur [...]

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Montevina, Amador County, Barbera 2006 Light-bodied and fruity with Barbera’s characteristic acidity – very clean and easy drinking. P&B in Plymouth 14.5% $7.79 at Bottle Barn Montevina

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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
Shenandoah Vineyards

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R (Jeff Runquist), Amador County, Cooper Vineyard, Barbera 2007
There is a sweet, liquer-like sense to the nose, with plenty of vanilla. The fruit drives the flavors in the mouth with a heavy wack of oak for richness and the characteristic acidity of Barbera to keep it lively. Winemaker Jeff Runquist and grower Dick Cooper. P&B [...]

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Quady Winery, Amador County, Starboard 1996 The raisins are in full force, chocolate and lots of sweet smells melded with a hint of the fortifying spirit. The mouth sports chocolate and caramel with a strong but appropriate sense of the brandy that was added.  The grapes are 97% Tinta Cao and Touriga Francesca, grown near [...]

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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, [...]

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Navarro, Mendocino, Zinfandel 2006 Jim Klein is well-know for his work with white varieties but don’t forget his Zins. There’s pure berry fruit in a light-bodied framework. P&B in Philo 14.6% $21 at the winery Navarro
Joel Gott, Amador County, Dillian Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Baked raisiny fruit, toasty oak and candy flavors. P&B in Oakville 14.7% [...]

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Neyers, Contra Costa County, Pato Vineyard, Zinfandel 2005 Stewed and raisiny fruit. P&B in St. Helena 15.6% $24.49 at Bottle Barn Neyers
Z, Amador County, Massoni Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Sweet oak multiplied by sweet fruit – plush. Z is Jeff Runquist’s Zin brand. This wine is conceived from vines over 100 years old. P&B in Ripon [...]

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Yorba Amador County Barbera 2005
A touch rustic but the fruit comes out showing nicely after 15 minutes. One of the students suggested stewed rhubarb as a descriptor, which was right on, when you think of the tartness of rhubarb and the classic acidity of Barbera, showing through in a very ripe wine. V&B by Kraemer [...]

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Macchia Amador County Linsteadt Vineyard Dangerous Port 2004
In the house style of ripeness and richness with integrated alcohol. The grapes are a combo of Barbera and Zinfandel. P&B in Lockeford 20.1% $25 at the winery Macchia

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Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2004
The previous vintage showed some herbaceousness and tannic grip, as well as cherry, fresh and evolving with complexing earthiness. Here again with the 2004 there is a rusticity and astringency. 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 4-5% Syrah and other grapes. Estate bot in Barberino Val d’Elsa 13% $17.99 at [...]

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Montevina Amador County 2005
This has been a consistent good value in California Barbera, showing a light-bodied, fruit forward style. P&B in Plymouth 13.5% $7.49 at Bottle Barn Montevina
Michael & David 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zin 2006
This wine has been a consistent oak bomb on the soft and plush side. V&B in Graton. 14.5% $12.99 [...]

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Robert Hall Paso Robles Rose de Robles 2006
Hand harvest Syrah 55%, Grenache 26%, Mourvedre 10% and Cinsault 9% make up this Rhone-inspired rose. Winemaker Don Brady. P&B Paso Robles 13.1% $8.99 at Bottle Barn Robert Hall
Montevina Amador County White Zinfandel 2006
P&B in St. Helena 10.5% $4.59 at Bottle Barn Montevina

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This flight features a range of vintages of Gold country wine, from 2000 to 2003.
Karly Amador County Buck’s Ten Point Zinfandel 2000
Evolving, sweet raisined fruit – a very supple wine that is warm and complex. At its peak to enjoy now. P&B in Plymouth 15.2% $18 at the winery Karly
Karly Amador [...]

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Barbera can deliver berry flavor with the acidity to keep up with acidic dishes. This flight featured two examples from either side of the Atlantic. The first time the California offering was from Seghesio. Tonight we line-up a wine from Jeff Ruquist.
Andrea Oberto Barbera d’Alba DOC 2006
Recent bottles of this estate’s Dolcetto and [...]

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