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 of the vines look absolutely ancient.
A particular delight that day was this gem which I [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 sweet raisins and a light and appropriate sense of spirits.  The grapes are 75% Touriga, [...]

read more from this topic.....

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. There’s ample richness as well, with some thickness and flavors of chocolate and vanilla. V&B [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 sure crowd pleaser! The vines that produced this wine range in age from 25 – [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 is textbook acidity yet in a less austere expression, enhancing the fruit rather than overwhelming [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 Lodi. V&B in Graton. 13.5% $8.99 at Bottle Barn Bogle

read more from this topic.....

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. The final RS is 10%. P&B in Alameda 14% $14.49 for a 375ml bottle at [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 glass. This wine is a compilation of fruit from the Santa Maria Valley and the Rancho [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 appearing and supple. Aged in Fr, US and Hungarian oak. V&B in Manteca 14.5% $9.99 at Traverso’s [...]

read more from this topic.....

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 fruit, an appropriate amount of acid to brighten the wine and some tannin. Thus it lacked [...]

read more from this topic.....