R, Clarksburg, Salman Vineyard, Cabernet Franc 2006 The nose combines vanilla with red fruits and a little cedar. There is suppleness to the palate and a moderate amount of Cab Franc’s natural acidity with plenty of California fruit. The vineyard is located on Sutter Island. If you haven’t been to Clarksburg you must make the [...]

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Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner 2007 There’s a bit of flintiness in the nose. Sylvaner isn’t typically an aromatic daredevil so that’s OK. In the mouth there’s a very grapy flavor, almost like a native labrusca, very hard to describe. With 1.7% RS there’s a richness to the palate. Kudos to Rancho Sisquoc for [...]

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Bogle, California, Chenin Blanc 2005 This back vintage was lingering in the cellar. There’s a sense of candied tropical fruits, roundness in the palate augmented by a touch of RS and braced by an appropriate amount of acidity. It’s all stainless steel for the production of this clean and fruity wine. V&B in Clarksburg 12.5% [...]

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Vinum Cellars Clarksburg CNW Wilson Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2006
From the ABC crowd at Vinum, these guys are willing to bet on the ‘other grapes’. Barrel fermented and aged 6 months in oak for complexity yet the bracing side of Chenin shines through. P&B in Oakville 13% $8.49 at Bottle Barn Vinum
Husch Mendocino Chenin Blanc [...]

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