Handley, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 This year the AV Pinot is a little warmer than in the past, with veery ripe berries showing through in the mouth. Winemaker Milla Handley. P&B in Philo 14.5% $23.99 at Bottle Barn Handley

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Navarro, Anderson Valley, Estate Bottled, Dry, Gewurztraminer 2007 Another long-time favorite from Navarro that captures the smell of Gewurz without the sweetness. In the nose it is like roses and baby powder while the mouth is fuller-bodied than you find in the darling Muscat along with a touch of the natural bitterness that often comes [...]

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Navarro Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Estate Bottled, Dry Muscat 2007 This wine has consistently dazzled with the ebulent smell of Muscat in a dry format. The ‘07 is spot-on again with loads of orange blossom in the nose. In the mouth there’s a sense of eating a tangerine with the acidity of a lemon while the [...]

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Navarro, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, Riesling 2007 Unfortunately the first bottle was a little corked and the wet cardboard was rearing its ugly head. Yet behind that was the essence of lime. With more than ample acidity, the .8% RS is buried into the background giving a dry yet not austere approach to this great grape [...]

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Navarro, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, Pinot Gris 2006 The nose sports candied citrus and tropical notes while the mouth is fruity and round with a spark of acidity. The time in bottle has added some nice complexity to a wine that we often drink before that can develop.
While taking a long weekend in Mendocino, we purchased [...]

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MacPhail Family, Anderson Valley, Frattey Shams Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 This wine is smoky and warm in the nose and pure suppleness in the mouth. The cherry fruit integrates perfectly with the oak - very polished. The wine spent 11 months in French oak. P&B in Sebastopol 14.5% $55 at the winery MacPhail Family Wines

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Londer Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Paraboll, Pinot Noir 2006 There’s doughy notes infused with caramel and a spiritous character. In the mouth, the wine is stamped with a sweet oaky essense and a supple texture. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Ferrington and Valley Foothills Vineyards outside of Boonville and the name of [...]

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Copain, Anderson Valley, ‘Tous Ensemble’, Pinot Noir 2007 This wine is quite toasty and smoky with forest floor earthiness as well. In the mouth, the palate is complete and filled-out with flavor with plenty of acidity to frame it and carry the length - very nice. P&B in Healdsburg 13.5% $31.99 at Traverso’s Copain Wines

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Woodenhead, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2003
The wine has developed volatility which shows in both the smell and on the palate yet the fruit is still quite vibrant across the tongue. P&B in Forestville 14.5% estimated price of $40 at the winery Woodenhead

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Toulouse, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Smoky and spiritous in the nose and warm and gripping in the mouth. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 14.5% $39 at the winery Toulouse Vineyards

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Lazy Creek, Anderson Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 This wine has the zippy acidity and vibrance of the rose from County Line with a depth of flavor, a density that fills out the wine on the palate - great in October ‘08. But in January ‘09 the alcohol and some volatility are starting to [...]

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When Vacu-Dry ceased operations in Sebastopol, California, many bemoaned the continuing decline of the apple industry in Sonoma’s West County region. Yet from those ashes many a high-flying phoenix has taken flight.
The large and rather dingy industrial complex that used to house Vacu-Dry has been turned into a rabbit warren of artisan winemakers, each with [...]

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Husch, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Cherries and earth in a light-bodied package - a little rustic and a touch bitter. Aged for 9 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 13.9% $22.99 at Traverso’s Husch
Navarro, Anderson Valley Mendocino, Methode a l’Ancienne, Pinot Noir 2006 There is sweet liquer-like fruit and that sense of cherry [...]

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This flight shows a nice contrast in approach to the making of pink sparkling in California. The Roederer embraces a high acid framework that is very crisp while the Mumm goes for a softer approach with a more visible hint of RS in the background. Different animals and I like them both.
Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, [...]

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Papapietro Perry Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
intensely concentrated berry, liquer-like fruit and a little warmth. P&B in Healdsburg 14.25% $38.49 at Bottle Barn Papapietro Perry
Sonnet Santa Lucia Highlands Tondre’s Grapefield Pinot Noir 2004
Smokey oak and cherry pie on a viscous palate. P&B in Los Gatos 13.5% $38 at the winery Sonnet
Domaine Arlaud Chambolle-Musigny 2003
Lots [...]

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Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2005
The reserve Pinot from Handley was a big hit last semester. This wine features sweet vanilla notes wrapped around supple cherry fruit - an extra silky texture. Winemaker Milla Handley. P&B in Philo 14.5% $23.49 at Bottle Barn Handley
Goldeneye Anderson Valley Migration Pinot Noir 2006
Heavy toasted oak galore in the [...]

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We’ve looked at different styles of brut sparkling before. This flight illustrates some more contrast in what this word can mean.
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Estate Bottled Brut nv
This wine is consistently the personification of green apples - lip smacking delicious for the fan of high acid sparkling that pulls no punches. P&B in Philo 12% [...]

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This flight of 5, charts 3 vintages and 4 appellations. See the ‘Focus on Arlaud’ for the last of this flight.
Lost Canyon Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch Morelli Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006
Raisins, evolving fruit and warmth show on the palate, with some astringency. P&B in Oakland, CA 14.6% $42 at the winery Lost Canyon
Robert [...]

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This flight pits top wines from Schramsberg in Calistoga and Roederer Estate in Philo.
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley L”Ermitage Estate Brut 2000
This has been a personal favorite balancing the racy house style with the complexity given by time on the lees and oak-aged reserves. Still a great value for the amount and quality of flavor for [...]

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This flight features 3 Pinot Noir from Mendo’s Anderson Valley, ranging from a baby ‘06 through a more mature ‘02.
Roessler Anderson Valley Bluejay Pinot Noir 2006
The last bottle of this wine was delicious though the acidity was quite sharp. Again there’s lots of acid but it feels appropriate and surrounded by oak. A Pinot with [...]

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Navarro Anderson Valley Chardonnay Verjus 2007

This is another non-alcoholic product from Navarro, but not for drinking but rather as an alternative in the kitchen. This is literally underripe grape juice, green juice, as it were that you might use in salad dressing, sauces and more. P&B in Philo $11 at the winery Navarro

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Think rapsberry tart with this Riesling and your cares will melt away.
Navarro Anderson Valley Late Harvest Cluster Select White Riesling 2006 Richness personified with acidity to balance. There is plenty of honey on top of the tropical fruit. There is an echo of Sauternes in the nose balanced by the acidity that Riesling so aptly [...]

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Navarro Anderson Valley Estate Bottle Dry Muscat 2006
This wine has consistently dazzled with the ebulent smell of Muscat in a dry format. Tonight it is perfect again. P&B in the little hamlet of Philo 13.5% $19 at the winery Navarro
Sauvignon Republic Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
The Russian River bottling has shown itself [...]

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The 2007 Pink wines are hitting the streets, just in time for a few warm days this spring.
County Line Anderson Valley Rose 2007
Lots of acid and a sense of the vitamin C you might take in the morning. There’s a layer of richness on top of that to extend the length and depth of flavor. [...]

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We’ve seen the creep of California Gewurztraminer in both esteem and price. This flight features two current offerings in the mid-twenties$$.
Londer Vineyards Anderson Valley Dry Gewurztraminer 2006
Full-on roses mark the nose of this wine and fruity flavors in the mouth balanced by refreshing acidity. P&B by Larry and Shirlee Londer in Sebastopol 14.2% $23.75 at [...]

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Gewurztraminer has its detractors out there, yet I remain a fan. This flight features two regions that embrace this variety, Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley and sunny Alsace in the eastern reaches of France.
Handley Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2006
This wine radiates roses and parfume, in a light-bodied format with a hint of RS, classic touch of bitterness [...]

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