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: August 2008
Going the distance
I’ve often been guilty of asserting that Zinfandel doesn’t last. I’ve opened too many aging Zins to find them falling apart, so much so that I had given up aging them. And honestly, it’s not so bad drinking them when … Continue reading
Posted in California, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
Leave a comment
Phoenix flight
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 … Continue reading
Geneva starburst
Belhurst, Finger Lakes, Cayuga 2006 There’s lots of citrus and stone fruits to smell and the palate dazzles with the sweet and tart character of Middle Mosel Rieslings – delicious. The RS is 2.7%. P&B in Geneva 12.5% $14.95 at … Continue reading
Posted in Cayuga White, Finger Lakes, New York
Leave a comment
Bandol legend
Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2005 The black fruit is blended with herbs of the region, fresh from the landscape and an element of meat on the grill. In the mouth there is lots of fruit wrapped up in tannic youthfulness. The … Continue reading
Posted in Bandol, France, Mourvedre, Provence
Leave a comment
Baux rose et rouge
Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Rose 2007 The fresh fruit is evident in this low acid rose. This estate was farming organically before many jumped on board and all of the wines are today certified organic. The 2007 … Continue reading
Posted in France, Les Baux de Provence, Provence, Rosé
Leave a comment
Budget Alsatians
Trimbach, Alsace, Pinot Blanc 2005 Light floral notes mark the nose and the mouth has a rather creamy texture, very little residual sugar, a moderate amount of acid and the taste of stone fruits; it’s nice and simple for the … Continue reading
Posted in Alsace, France, Pinot Blanc, Riesling
Leave a comment
Charge!
La Spinetta, Barbaresco DOCG, Vigneto Starderi 2004 The previous vintage was a concentrated, oaky heavyweight, still in its infancy when tasted in late ’07. This ’04 smells of sweet oak and New World fruit. Again we see a tannic monster … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Nebbiolo, Piemonte
Leave a comment
Besides the big guns there are…
Cascina Castle’t, Barbera d’Asti DOC 2005 Blueberries and plums in a light-bodied, high acid format. Estate bottled by Maria Borio in Costigliole d’Asti 13.5% $11.99 at Traverso’s Cascina Castlet Bruno Giacosa, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2007 There’s an overtly, Beaujolais-like character … Continue reading
Posted in California
Leave a comment
Italian whites heading nw
Ceretto, Langhe, Arneis DOC, Blange’ 2007 This is quite fresh with lots of flowers, citrus fruit, moderate acidity and a light body. Blange is the name of Ceretto’s estate property, devoted to Arneis, spread over two villages. The wine’s production … Continue reading
Posted in Arneis, Cortese, Gavi di Gavi, Italy, Langhe, Petite Sirah
Leave a comment
Different desserts
Bonterra, Lake County, Bartolucci Vineyard, Muscat 2004 This wine has been well-made since the good old days when the you could taste it at the beautiful Valley Oaks facility. There are the compelling floral notes associated with Muscat plus some … Continue reading
Posted in California, Cucamonga Valley, Lake County, Muscat, Sherry, White Dessert
Leave a comment