Monthly Archives: October 2010

A taste of California red wine

Balletto, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Burnside Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2008 The nose features sweet cherries and a touch of vanilla. The mouth features a supple and elegant interplay of both – very nice. P&B by Laguna Oaks Vineyards & … Continue reading

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White wines of California

Kenwood, Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2008 This wine is always crisp and citrussy and a consistent value in Sauvignon. Vinted and bottled in Kenwood 13.5% $10  at the winery, a gift to the class from the SFCWC  Kenwood Vineyards Husch, … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Cole Ranch, Mendocino County, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Red Wines of Lake County

Six Sigma, Lake County, Cuvee Pique-Nique 2007 As the name implies, this wine is fruity and immediately accessible, light-bodied and quaffable, with underlying acidity to make it refreshing and some earthiness to give it complexity. Proprietors Else and Kaj Ahlmann. … Continue reading

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White Wines of Lake County

Gregory Graham, Red Hills Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc, Rolling Knolls Vineyard 2008 This wine is opulently fruity, from the nose through to the lingering finish. Produced and bottled in Lower Lake 12.5% $26 for a full bottle at the Blue … Continue reading

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Calera Mt. Harlan Viognier 2009

At the Wine & Spirits Magazine tasting today we found a number of delicious wines, among them this gem from an icon estate in the Gavilan Range. Calera, Mt. Harlan, Viognier 2009 This Viognier showcases floral notes and minerality in … Continue reading

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Lucia Lucy 2009

Lucia Vineyards & Winery, Santa Lucia Highlands, Lucy, Rose of Pinot Noir 2008 This deeply colored Pinot rose has the scent of strawberries and raspberries – very fresh indeed. In the mouth the fruit continues to shine with a creamy, … Continue reading

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Starkey’s Court Chardonnay 2008

Starkey’s Court, Carneros, Green Acres Vineyard, Chardonnay 2008 This is a luscious style of Chardonnay, sporting the scent of toffee and muffins spiked with brown spices and orange.  On the palate, the richness is in full force, with a sense … Continue reading

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Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe

Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Tio Pepe, Fine Muy Seco, Palomino, Fino, nv The nose features a nice sense of the traditional bruised apples, coupled with fresh apples and minerality. In addition there is nuttiness and spicy floral notes – very complex. … Continue reading

Posted in Andalucia, Fino, Palomino, Sherry, Spain | Tagged , | 3 Comments

St. Francis Intatto Chardonnay 2009

On Monday the team at Sonoma State took a trip to St. Francis in the Sonoma Valley. We met with President and CEO Christopher Silva to see the operation from start to finish. What is striking at St. Francis is … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Sonoma County | Tagged | 3 Comments