Daily Archives: May 7, 2008

Battling Bubblies

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

More bubbles

J Russian River Valley late disgorged brut 1997 Smelling of acacia flowers and a bit of bread with brie, the mouth is elegant with richness and a the taste of warm biscuits. P&B in Healdsburg 12.5% $79.99 at Bottle Barn … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Napa sparkles

Domaine Chandon etoile Brut This is true to type with the house style of forward fruit and a soft profile. The fruit source for this wine is 54% from Napa and 46% from Sonoma. After primary ferment this wine was … Continue reading

Posted in California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

The grapes behind the bubbly

Much of our North American Sparkling features Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This flight features one of each, in the full expression of their color. Iron Horse Sonoma County Green Valley Estate Bottled Blanc de Blancs 2001 This wine sports tart … Continue reading

Posted in California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Green Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Coooool Pinot

Two star producers show their wares from the Santa Rita Hills (I still find it hard to spell this appellation in the new fashion). Foley Sta. Rita Hills Rancho Santa Rosa Pommard Clone Pinot Noir 2006 Another hit that melds … Continue reading

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment

This ain’t the Scotch

Ballentine Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel Port 2004 There’s a sense of a brand new, just crushed wine in the cellar, with vivacious, grapy fruit. There’s definitely some heat as we would see from Portugal, yet this New World … Continue reading

Posted in Napa Valley, Port, Zinfandel | Leave a comment