J. Keverson, Mendocino County, Janes Vineyard, Sangiovese 2005 If you like your New World Sangiovese heavy on the oak, this is your wine. There’s loads of sweet-oaky essence all over this supple wine. The moderate acidity will feel a disappointment for the fan of most Chianti; yet if your preference is softened edges and the [...]

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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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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, Dillian Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Baked raisiny fruit, toasty oak and candy flavors. P&B in Oakville 14.7% [...]

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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, [...]

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Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello
Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample acidity to give this wine some tang and the tannins are ripe and refined. Sourced from [...]

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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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Greenwood Ridge Mendocino Ridge Estate Bottled White Riesling 2006
This has always been a crowd pleaser; this vintage pushes the RS up to 2.8%. GP&B in Philo 13.5% $13.69 at Bottle Barn Greenwood Ridge
Dr. Loosen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2005
I had opportunity to visit the estate and the quality is always there. Erzeugerabfullung in Bernkastel [...]

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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. P&B in [...]

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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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Bonterra 73% Mendocino 27% Lake Counties Viognier 2006
This has been a consistently fresh, aromatic wine across the vintages. The flowers and peaches are in full bloom followed by a lowish-acid fresh mouthfeel. All certified organically grown grapes from a brand that has long championed organic, despite being owned by the Neanderthal Brown Forman. Winemaker Robert [...]

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Zin and Petite often work together, one behind the scenes of the other who gets the billing on the label.
Claudia Springs Redwood Valley John Ricetti Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
There’s jammy fruit and a little warmth from the alcohol. Winemaker Bob Klindt. P&B in Philo 15.9% $19.49 at Bottle Barn Claudia Springs
Everett Ridge Dry Creek Valley Estate [...]

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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 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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Perhaps the next best thing to wine; anyone who has made wine knows how delicious this is. Yes, I’m talking about freshly crushed grape juice. Navarro has longed shared this specialty with the rest of the world and tonight we sample both. Not a drop of alcohol is in either bottle. They are produced and [...]

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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 brings [...]

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Brut and Natural are words that we use to describe the final dosage or sweetness level of sparkling wine. In France, Natural, Brut Nature or any of the various proprietary names communicating the same, ranges from 0 to 6 g/l. Brut, the next level of increasing sweetness, ranges from 0 to 15 g/l.
Thus there is [...]

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