Dow’s Porto LBV 2004
Dow’s, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2004 Blackberries and prunes mark the nose with an appropriate sense of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, chocolate combines with nuts and figs and brandy's strength. Bottled in 2009 by Symington Family Estates...
Sonoma County Zinfandel 2007
Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Tori Vineyard, Estate, Zinfandel 2007 The nose expresses sweetness, from the oak to the jammy fruit, with a dusting of black pepper. This then continues on the palate, with some structure to frame the black fruit...
Silvio Grasso Barolo Ciabot Manzoni 2004
Silvio Grasso, Barolo, Ciabot Manzoni 2004 This is a very ripe Nebbiolo, giving a sense of New World fruitiness intertwined with new oak and traditional black licorice. In the mouth it is tannic for sure, yet not austere, actually approachable now....
Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2007
Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2007 The nose sports cherries and caramel with some raisins - clean and inviting. In the mouth the acidity is vibrant, the tannins are there yet ripe and there is a creaminess as well - very nice. While the wine...
Paradiso Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008
Il Poderi del Paradiso, Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008 Unfortunately this wine is aging prematurely, featuring a golden color and the smell of ethyl acetate. We'll try another bottle soon to see if this was a failure of the seal on this bottle....
Cantina Valle Isarco Pinot Grigio 2008
Cantina Valle Isarco, Alto Adige, Valle Isarco, Pinot Grigio 2008 The nose features straw, sweet flowers and candied fruit. In the mouth the citrus fruit is vibrant yet it is muted a bit by a hint of the alcohol. Bottled way up the mountain in...
Wines of Italy
Tonight in the SRJC Wines of California and Europe class we'll be exploring some of the key regions in Italy and the wines that made them famous. Check back later for the reviews. Cheers!
JC Cellars Petite Syrah 2005
JC Cellars, Napa Valley, Frediani Vineyard, Petite Syrah 2005 The nose is spiritous yet in the mouth the fruit is liqueur-like. The expected tannic profile of Petite is there along with a sense of the alcohol. The cool thing is the added richness,...
California Zinfandel
Sobon Estate, Amador County, Old Vines, Zinfandel 2008 Here's a light-bodied Zin that is quite fruity and ready to quaff. There's a little sweetness working in the background (about 3 grams per litre) along with a light touch of eucalyptus and a...
Alto Moncayo 2007
Bodegas Alto Moncayo, Campo De Borja 2007 This wine smells like dessert personified, with vanilla, cherries and pastry dough. In the mouth it is soft and fruity, quite rich and laden with oak, as it has been consistently over the vintages - a real...