Category Archives: Amador County

Noceto Nutz! 2008

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Ray

Tutti I Giorni, Amador County, Nutz! 2008 The nose features cherries and tar with a bit of brambles. In the mouth it is light-bodied and refreshingly acidic with a bit of grip. As in Chianti, this wine is a blend … Continue reading →

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Noceto Sangiovese 2007

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Ray

Noceto, Amador County,  Sangiovese 2007 Cherries are on display in the nose. In the mouth they follow through with plenty of acidity and a light-bodied, smooth mouthfeel – nice. P&B in Plymouth by Suzy and Jim Gullett 14% purchased for … Continue reading →

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California Zinfandel

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Ray

Sobon Estate, Amador County, Old Vines, Zinfandel 2008 Here’s a light-bodied Zin that is quite fruity and ready to quaff. There’s a little sweetness working in the background (about 3 grams per litre) along with a light touch of eucalyptus … Continue reading →

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Ruquist Barbera 2008

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Ray

R (Jeff Runquist), Amador County, Cooper Vineyard, Barbera 2008 True to form this wine smells sweetly of vanilla jammy berry fruits. In the mouth the oak comes on with force, adding complexity and richness while Barbera’s acidity is there to … Continue reading →

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St. Amant Vintage Port 2006

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ray

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. … Continue reading →

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California Zinfandel 2006

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Machia Barbera 2006

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Sobon Primitivo 2007

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Noceto Nutz!

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Sobon Viognier 2008

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Montevina Barbera 2006

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Ray

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 Zin 2007

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Ray

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 →

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Runquist Barbera 2007

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Quady’s Starboard 1996

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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From SF head east

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Zin from the mountains to the oceans

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Ray

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, … Continue reading →

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Driving for Zin

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Barbera in the hills

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Mountain Port

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Ray

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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Pizza time

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Ray

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% … Continue reading →

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3 Red Wines, 3 Different Styles

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Viva La Pink!

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Gold Country Zinfandel

Posted on October 5, 2007 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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Barbera no Hanna

Posted on September 24, 2007 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

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