Category Archives: Lodi

California Albarino 2009

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Ray

Abrente, Napa Valley, Albarino 2009 The fruit in the nose is vibrant, running from citrus through tropical notes. In the mouth the flavor is that of fresh oranges, light-bodied and fresh, with long lingering acidity. The grapes are sourced from … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, California, Carneros, Clements Hills, Lodi, Napa Valley | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Harney Lane Tempranillo 2006

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Ray

Harney Lane, Lodi, Tempranillo 2006 The nose features vanilla, raspberry liquer and freshly split oak – very rich. In the mouth you’ll find tart berry fruit, ripe, velvety tannins, a little warmth and a sense of dark chocolate – nice. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lodi, Tempranillo | Tagged | 1 Comment

Harney Lane Petite Sirah 2006

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Ray

Harney Lane, Lodi, Petite Sirah 2006 This is dense as you would expect yet the tannins are ripe, making it accessible in now – nice and a class favorite. Proprietors Kyle and Jorja Lerner, the 5th generation growing grapes in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lodi, Petite Sirah | Leave a comment

Jessie’s Grove Petite 2005

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Ray

We met with Greg Burns and his gracious mom this summer, during a visit to Lodi with our class from the SRJC. We tasted through the wines and learned about their long history of growing grapes in the region. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lodi, Petite Sirah | 2 Comments

Woodbridge Portacino 1997

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ray

Woodbridge Winery, Lodi, Estate Grown, Portacinco 1997 This wine is moving along into its older years with raisins in the nose and an elevated sense of  volatility. In th mouth their is still a younger, middle-aged charm, with lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Fortified dessert, Lodi, Port | Leave a comment

Earthquake Petite 2005

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Ray

Earthquake, Lodi, Petite Sirah 2005 In the nose there’s a very ripe sense of berries in this wine, with chocolate thrown on top. In the mouth the tannins are present but tamed compared to what you might expect with Petite. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lodi, Petite Sirah | Leave a comment

7 Deadly Zins 2007

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Ray

Michael & David, Lodi, 7 Deadly Zins, Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 This wine has been a consistent oak bomb on the soft and plush side. The current vintage is particularly on the mark, soft, light-bodied and very oaky – a … Continue reading →

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Harney Lane

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Ray

Harney Lane, Lodi Albarino 2008 This is spectacularly ripe and fresh Albarino, showing full fruit development. In the nose, the tropical notes are alight while in the mouth there is fresh citrus to complement the tropicals. In the mouth there … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, California, Lodi | Leave a comment

Bogle Petite 2007

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Ray

Bogle Vineyards, California, Petite Sirah 2007 With notes back to 2001 this wine is still a favorite for showing a sense of tannin in an affordable package. The price has been steady as well.The fruit is sourced from Clarksburg and … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Clarksburg, Lodi, Petite Sirah | Leave a comment

Rosenblum Late Harvest Viognier

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Ray

Rosenblum Cellars, Lodi, Ripkin Ranch, Late Harvest Viognier, Lot 34 This is peaches in a glass with a thick mouthfeel, a little heat and the low acidity that often marks Viognier. The fruit was botritised and harvested at 36 brix. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Late Harvest White, Lodi, Viognier, White Dessert | Leave a comment

Phoenix flight

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Hunter Valley, Lodi, Mendocino County, Mendocino Ridge, New South Wales, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Red style

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Amador County, Barbera, California, Lodi | Leave a comment

A Visit to Lodi

Posted on October 12, 2007 by Ray

This flight features 2 wines from an area that has distinguished itself for its long-established vineyards and good values. Gnarly Head Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2005 Jammy liquer-like fruit and sweet vanilla in the nose. The wine is light-bodied, sweet … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Zin and Primitivo

Posted on September 30, 2007 by Ray

Gran Sasso, Puglia, Primitivo IGT 2005 Tasted in May ’08 this wine was blooming with brett and would repulse most consumers. A bottle tasted later in the summer proved to be a different animal. Oaky and earthy with new world … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Lodi, Primitivo, Puglia, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment