Category Archives: Sonoma Valley

Rosenblum Maggie’s 2005

Posted on April 22, 2009 by RJ

Rosenblum Cellars, Sonoma Valley, Maggie’s Reserve Zinfandel 2005 This wine is very sweet smelling, with a sense of pastry dough dabbed with vanilla. The mouth is quite rich, full of sweet-appearing fruit – just luscious. Some of the vines that … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Berthoud Pagani Chasselas 2007

Posted on February 3, 2009 by RJ

Berthoud, Sonoma Valley, Pagani Ranch, Chasselas Dore 2007 There’s a flinty character in the nose and the mouth is austere. The fruit is sourced from 100 year-old vines grown in the vineyard known for its very old Zinfandel. P&B in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chasselas Dore, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Sweeping sparkling

Posted on October 18, 2008 by RJ

Mayo Family Winery, Sonoma Valley, Laurel Hill Vineyard, Methode Champenoise, Brut 2003 There’s plenty of green apple and tart cherry as well as a little toastiness. P&B in Lower Lake 12.5% $27.99 at Bottle Barn Mayo

Posted in California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Phoenix flight

Posted on August 30, 2008 by RJ

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 →

Posted in Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Hunter Valley, Lodi, Mendocino County, Mendocino Ridge, New South Wales, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

2 sides of dry part 3

Posted on June 25, 2008 by RJ

There’s a broad spectrum to what is considered dry white wine, as we see in these two examples from California. Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is an exciting wine of floral and citrus notes, high … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

2 sides of dry

Posted on June 23, 2008 by RJ

So many of us enjoy dry white wine. Yet what is dry is not one thing, as we see in the case of these two dry white wines. Benziger Sonoma Valley MacLeod Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 This is crisp … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Bordeaux Varieties

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

Nelson Estate Sonoma Valley Bennett Valley Vineyard Malbec 2004 The nose is oak city and the palate is very supple with moderate acidity and a long finish. I think that many will find this wine agreeable and readily approachable. Aged … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Bennett Valley, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, France, Malbec, Margaux, Merlot, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Italian Varieties and More

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

D’Argenzio Sonoma Valley D’Alfonso Sangiovese 2005 I had an opportunity to taste this wine twice in the past 2 weeks, once at the sweeps round and again during the D’Arenzio Harvest Party at the winery on Cleveland Avenue. This wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, California, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Pink Wine

Posted on October 11, 2007 by RJ

Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Grenache Rose 2006 A clean wine with parfum and strawberries framed by great acidity. We awarded this wine a Gold Medal and it won best of Class of the 10 pink wines tasted. The wine also … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grenache, Rosé, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Zin and Primitivo

Posted on September 30, 2007 by RJ

Gran Sasso, Puglia, Primitivo IGT 2005 Tasted in May ’08 this wine was blooming with brett and would repulse most consumers. A bottle tasted later in the summer proved to be a different animal. Oaky and earthy with new world … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Lodi, Primitivo, Puglia, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | Leave a comment