Category Archives: Anderson Valley

Toulouse Pinot Noir 2007

Toulouse Vineyards, Anderson Valley, Estate, Pinot Noir 2007 In the nose there is a sense of the forest floor and toasty, smoky oak. In the mouth it shows as an elegant style of Pinot Noir, very supple and approachable. We … Continue reading

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Goldeneye Vin Gris 2009

Goldeneye, Anderson Valley, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2009 The nose features fresh strawberries. On the palate there is a creamy mouthfeel, a silky texture, with a thickness not often found in rose – very nice. The wine is made … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Rosé | Tagged | 1 Comment

North Coast Pinot Noir

Willowbrook, Russian River Valley, J.C.O. Limited, Estate Grown, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose is a very sweet expression of oak and ripe fruit. In the mouth, this Pinot is silky and warm, showing caramel over freshly baked cherry pie. Winemaker … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | 1 Comment

Wines of the 2010 Pinot Noir Shootout

The final round of judging in the 2010 Pinot Noir Shootout was held today at Bistro Boudin on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. I was asked to join about 30 other judges to pick the best of the best from … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Chronicle Pinot Noirs 2006

Chronicle, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose sports sweet cherry and raspberries, with vanilla and cinnamon. The mouth shows these fruits again in a sleek format, a texture that is silky and ripe – delicious. Think about this Pinot … Continue reading

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Family wineries in California

The Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers hosted a seminar and tasting yesterday to showcase the passing of the torch in California’s winegrowing families. Featured speakers included Warren Bogle, whose family has been farming in Clarksburg for … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Clarksburg, Gewurztraminer, Mendocino County | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Esterlina Estate Pinot 2007

Esterlina, Anderson Valley, Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2007 The fruit is quite expressive in the nose – an explosion of red and black fruits with a smoky note for complexity. In the mouth the fruit shines again with plenty of … Continue reading

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Copain Tous Ensemble Rose 2008

Copain, Anderson Valley, ‘Tous Ensemble’, Rose 2008 This rose has developed a rather rustic character. With 12 hours the funkier smells have blown off. The fruit, however, is receding and the alcohol is showing more of itself, with a sense … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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Roederer L’Ermitage 2002

Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, L’Ermitage, Brut 2002 The nose opens with fresh biscuits, citrus and stone fruits, also calling to mind a freshly baked fruit tart. In the mouth this wine is very concentrated and full of the flavor of … Continue reading

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