Alexander Valley Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Redemption Zin, Zinfandel 2006 A moderate amount of jammy fruit and black pepper drive the nose while the palate is gripping, light-bodied and a little warm. P&B in Healdsburg 14.5% $18.99 at Bottle...
Adobe Road, Knights Valley, Cabernet Franc 2005 This is perfectly ripe Cab Franc - no veg to smell at all, just lots of berries. The structure of Cab Franc is in the mouth combining with the fruit and filled out by the oak. This is very long and...
Buena Vista, Carneros, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose is sweet vanilla while the mouth features red fruits, a light-body and vanilla sweetness. The fruit is sourced from the winery's Ramal Vineyard. Produced in Sonoma and Bottled in Napa 13.5% $17.99 at...
Ramazzotti, Sonoma County, Raffinto, Red Wine 2005 This smells like a walk in the oak forest where some of the trees have been freshly felled - an intertwining of oak and earth. The mouth is vivaciously fruity with the oak to match and a smooth...
Taft Street, Sonoma Coast, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Mild but muted strawberries and an astringent profile. Unfortunately this wine has a sub-threshold level of TCA that's blocking the fruit. The grapes come from the Pasta King, Art Ibletto. P&B...
Clarbec, Sonoma County, Pinot Gris 2007 There's fresh tropical fruit and subtle oak in the nose. The fruit comes through in the mouth with a caress of acidity and a little bit of richness - very nice. The grapes were sourced from the Lila Lane and...
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
Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg, Limited Release, Petite Sirah, Port 2005 The smell is of prunes and liqueur-like fruit. The 9% Residual sugar rounds out the palate with a bit of overt alcohol but that's appropriate for a port-style of wine. The sweet...
Selvapiana, Chianti Rufina DOC 2006 There is an appropriate sense of earthiness in the nose along with dried cherries. In the mouth the acidity is electric, a corresponding amount of tannin as well as tart cherries. Estate bottled in Rufina 13.5%...
Lynmar, Russian River Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Again, the pale side of Pinot is truly worth the departure from its more opaque cousin. Like the Williams Selyem, there is the quintessential smell and taste of strawberries. There is also a...