Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
- Acorn
- Allegrini
- Atlas Peak
- Balletto
- Benziger
- Blandy's
- Bodega Navarro Correas
- Bollinger
- Bonterra
- Burgans
- Chronicle
- d'Arenberg
- Domaine Carneros
- Domaine de la Mordoree
- Dow's
- Dr. Loosen
- Famega
- Fonseca
- Foppiano
- Foxen
- Glen Ellen
- Innocent Bystander
- Kendall-Jackson
- Korbel
- Madeira Wine Company
- Martin Codax
- Masi
- Merryvale
- Mulderbosch
- Napa Cellars
- Navarro Vineyards
- Noceto
- Paul Hobbs
- Reynoso
- Roederer Estate
- Ruggeri
- Sawyer Cellars
- Sbragia
- Shed Horn
- Sonoma State Wine Business Institute
- St. James
- Trinchero Winery
- Vietti
- Wildhurst
- William Fevre
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Last train to Clarksburg
Bogle, California, Chenin Blanc 2005 This back vintage was lingering in the cellar. There’s a sense of candied tropical fruits, roundness in the palate augmented by a touch of RS and braced by an appropriate amount of acidity. It’s all … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
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Bring on the sawmill
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 … Continue reading
Posted in California, Mendocino County, Sangiovese
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Going the distance
Gunderloch, Rheinhessen, Jean-Baptiste, Riesling, Kabinett QmP 2002 This wine goes on after 6 years since the harvest, despite evidence of leaking and a then newish screwcap seal that appears to not have been perfect. There are notes of lanolin and … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, Rheinhessen, Riesling
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The diversity that is sparkling wine
J, Russian River Valley, cuvee 20 nv Clean, fresh, fruit, tasted at the winery in May. This wine has the zip of fresh green apples. The base wine is from a recent vintage with 25% oak-aged reserves adding to the … Continue reading
Posted in California, Champagne, Chardonnay, France, Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
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Charming Chardonnay
Charles Creek, Napa County Carneros, Chardonnay, Por Favor 2006 There’s minerality and a touch of cheese in the nose and a bracing taste of stone fruits with some creaminess in the mouth. This Chardonnay is fermented in stainless and aged … Continue reading
Posted in Burgundy, California, Carneros, Chablis, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
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California heavyweights
Some heavyweights are elegant on their feet, others draw lots of money in their direction and some are quite big. This post explores famous names and rising stars across the price spectrum. Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, Red Wine 2004 There’s … Continue reading
Acidic thread
Here are two wines from the Napa Valley that have a common thread of acidity and a shared and fabled character, who stunned the world at the Judgement of Paris. Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2006 The … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc
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Zin from the mountains to the oceans
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, … Continue reading
Posted in Amador County, California, Mendocino County, Zinfandel
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The expressions of Sangiovese
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico DOCG, 2004 Screaming acidity and light body. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, aged in French oak for 12 months. Estate bottled in Gaiole 13.5% $22.99 at Traverso’s Valdicava, Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2003 Appropriate earthiness … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
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