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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Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Rendezvous Rose 2007 This wine is redolent of strawberries - just bountiful! In the mouth this rose is truly dry yet with plenty of fruit it comes across as quite concentrated.  I bought a 6 pack of this a few months ago and I think it is showing the best of [...]

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Copain, Mendocino County, ‘Tous Ensemble’, Viognier 2007
It’s a pleasure to find a tasty Viognier under 14% and this one delivers with the classic peaches and flowers - fresh and delicious. P&B in Healdsburg 13.7% $17.99 at Traverso’s Copain Wines

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Kimmel, Mendocino, Chardonnay 2007 The tropical notes on this wine are explosive.  It’s as if there’s a banana Popsicle hiding in the glass. Joining with the fruit there are brown spices and a sense of freshly-split oak. In the mouth the wine is quite ripe, with oakiness, warmth and tropical fruit showing on a silky [...]

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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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Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Cox Vineyard, Wild Thing, Zinfandel 2004 Jammy berry and black pepper star in the nose while the mouth features an almost liqueur-like sense of blackberries. V&B in Sebastopol 16% $29.99 at the Wine Merchant Carol Shelton

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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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During the Winemakers of Sonoma Class at the Santa Rosa Junior College, we’ve been visiting with some of the region’s most famous stars. Mike Lee charted the history of winemaking in the area and his list of Big Improvements for Better Wine, including gentler pumps, sorting tables and the ability to de-alc. a wine. His [...]

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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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Eaglepoint, Mendocino County, Albarino 2007 In the nose there are stone fruits, candy and flowers. The mouth is spot-on crisp and fruity. The grapes are sourced from Rolland and Barbara Wentzel’s organic property in the Anderson Valley. Cellared and bottled in Redwood Valley 13.9% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Eaglepoint Ranch

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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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Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial - a sweet-tart essense that is quite long. This wine is very rich, [...]

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The Rhone Rangers hosted a seminar yesterday featuring wines that pay homage to the grapes made famous in France’s Rhone Valley. The seminar was not bound by geography; there were wines from both sides of the Atlantic. The seminar was also not bound by tradition as we tasted blends based on combining Syrah and Cabernet [...]

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Bink, Yorkville Highlands, Weir Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 The nose is a bit closed right now but the mouth is vibrantly fruitly in a very supple framework. Winemaker Debbie Schatzlein 14.5% $40 at the winery, just 300 cases Bink

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Argiolas, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Perdera 2006
There’s a sense of sweet oak and brown spices in the nose. There’s palpable acidity and red fruit flavors with a little bit of ripe tannin finishing the frame. The grapes are 90% Monica, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo grown in the Perdera vineyard at an elevation [...]

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Angeline, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 In the nose there are the competing smells of citrus, candy, flowers and a bit of mown grass. You taste the citrus with a sense of the lemon zest as well. There’s a frame of acidity as well to make this wine refreshing. This 100% Sauvignon comes to [...]

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Fred Peterson has a winemaking resume to rival many. He’s been at some of California’s most famous estates, working in Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sonoma County. Just over 20 years ago he took up the building of his own brand under his name. Such a wealth of experience elevates some winemakers into an [...]

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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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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, Anderson Valley, [...]

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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 in the [...]

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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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