Monthly Archives: October 2007

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Italian Varieties and More

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

D’Argenzio Sonoma Valley D’Alfonso Sangiovese 2005 I had an opportunity to taste this wine twice in the past 2 weeks, once at the sweeps round and again during the D’Arenzio Harvest Party at the winery on Cleveland Avenue. This wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, California, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Pink Wine

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Grenache Rose 2006 A clean wine with parfum and strawberries framed by great acidity. We awarded this wine a Gold Medal and it won best of Class of the 10 pink wines tasted. The wine also … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grenache, Rosé, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair White Wine Sweepstakes Winner and More

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

This flight features 2 Best of Class Winners in the Fair. The first is the BOC Chardonnay under $20, which came up through our panel of judges. The third wine is the BOC Chardonnay above $20 that went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Burgundy, Carneros, Chardonnay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Sparkling

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma County Methode Champenoise Blanc de Noirs nv This is a perennial favorite in my classes. The silky, lowish acid profile combined with the dosage earns this wine many fans. 92% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay, color from … Continue reading →

Posted in Blanc de Noirs, California, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Light and Bubbly Dessert

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

La Morandina Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2006 This wine smells of orange blossoms and ginger and tastes sweet while light bodied and ready and willing to accompany your next bowl of raspberries. Bot in Castiglione Tinella in Cuneo 5.5% $17.99 at … Continue reading →

Posted in Brachetto, Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sweet Sparkling | Leave a comment

Lombardy Without the Bubbles Versus New World Competition

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

After a flight of sparkling wines from Franciacorta, this round goes still. Ca’ del Bosco Terre di Franciacorta DOCG Maurizio Zanella 2005 This is a concentrated white wine with layers of flavor and lots of acidity to frame it. 80% … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Italy, Lombardia, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Italian Bubbles

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

This flight demonstrates the contrasting taste profiles in the methode champenoise wines of Franciacorta and the tank feremented Prosecco of the Veneto. Bellavista, Franciacorta, Cuvee Brut nv Fresh and dry, this wine is 80% Chardonnay, with the balance Pinot Bianco … Continue reading →

Posted in Franciacorta, Italy, Lombardia, Prosecco, Sparkling Dry, Sparkling Lightly Sweet, Veneto | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Que Syrah – This Syrah

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

This flight features 3 Syrah from both sides of the Atlantic. Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2005 Black pepper and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Lewis Cellars … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Red Rhone Recipe

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

The red wines from the Southern Rhone follow a recipe that emphasizes Grenache. The wines of this flight highlight this underdog grape. Unti Dry Creek Valley Grenache 2005 Pretty funky at first opening but after an hour, the smell improved … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, Dry Creek Valley, France, Grenache, Rhône, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Big Wine Show Part 2

Posted on October 10, 2007 by RJ

Fratelli Revello Barolo DOCG 2003 This is the Revello’s regional bottling and it’s no slouch. Tasted earlier in the year, I wrote: spot on for the price, with new world styling of chocolaty oak and ripe fruit along with massive … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbaresco, Barolo, Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte | Leave a comment