Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2000
Chalk Hill Winery, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, Estate Bottled, Chardonnay 2000 This is a toasty Chardonnay, with the oakiness enhanced by the nuttiness of time. In the mouth there is the full-on richness and thickness that is the house style yet the...
Frostwatch Merlot 2006
Frostwatch, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, Merlot 2006 Sweet toasty oak complements the plummy fruit in the nose. In the mouth this wine delivers ripe Merlot, with the tannins fully developed, a warm and plush texture and a toasty oak accent in the...
Spottswoode Cabernet
The identity of some wineries can be expressed in a single word. For Spottswoode, that word is elegance. The theme of elegance resonates through the manicured landscape, the persona of its team and the wine in the bottle. We visited with the family...
Husch Gewurztraminer 2007
Husch, Anderson Valley, Gewurztraminer 2007 This Gewurz has a lot of sweet perfume in the nose. In the mouth, it's fresh, tasting of lychee with just a bit of RS at .8% - nice. GP&B in Philo 13.9% $9.99 at Bottle Barn Husch
Elena Walch Gewurztraminer 2007
Elena Walch, Alto Adige, Gewurztraminer 2007 Let this current vintage air a bit as its a little stinky at first. With time the roses that you expect emerge. Though the wine is dry, the body is big and viscous, low in acidity and very textbook...
McManis Pinot Grigio 2008
McManis Family Vineyards, California, Pinot Grigio 2008 This is a fruit-driven Pinot Grigio with a little pettilance, plenty of tangy citrus flavor and a roundness in the mouth - a delicious value. Most of the fruit was sourced from the winery's...
Weinbach Catherine Pinot Gris 2007
Domaine Weinbach, Alsace, Cuvee Ste. Catherine, Pinot Gris 2007 This is a another gem from Weinbach. In the nose there are candied fruits, as in a fresh fruit tart glazed with a layer of sweetness while at the same time there is a minerality...
2004 Napa Bordeaux Blends
Franciscan, Napa Valley, Magnificat 2004 This wine exudes sweet ripe fruit in the nose. This profile follows through in the mouth with chalky tannins and lingering acidity. Produced and bottled in Rutherford 14.5% $50 at the winery for the latest...
California Zinfandel 2006
Terra d'Oro, Amador County, Deaver Vineyard, Zinfandel 2006 The nose features stewed fruits, raisins, caramel and brown spices. In the mouth the wine is warm, with sweet, pruny fruit. The vines were planted in 1881. P&B Plymouth 15.5% $30 at...
Smith-Madrone Chardonnay
I've long been a fan of the Riesling produced by Smith-Madrone and further an ardent admirer of their willingness to stick with a grape which despite the great wines it can deliver, doesn't bring home the biggest side of bacon in the Napa Valley....