Curran Wines, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Grenache Blanc 2007 The nose combines flowers and herbaceous notes while the mouth is reminiscent of biting into a plum that isn't fully ripe, bursting with fruit yet ripping with tart acidity...
Claiborne & Churchill, Central Coast, Dry Riesling 2007 Unfortunately this wine was corked. Proprietors Claiborne Thompson & Fredericka Churchill. P&B in San Luis Obispo 12.6% $15.49 at Bottle Barn Claiborne & Churchill
Graff Family Vineyards, Chalone, Viognier 2007 Smelling the glass is like getting close to a bottle of perfume - very pretty and enticing. There's loads of peaches in this wine with a sense of acidity in the background making this a bit fresher and...
Robert Hall, Paso Robles, Hall Ranch, Rose de Robles 2008 Strawberries and floral notes are the predominant features in the nose - very clean and fresh. In the mouth the fruit shines again in a very dry format with a lingering touch of creaminess....
Quady Winery, California, Starboard Batch 88 The nose features caramel, nuts and spirits, like a nutty liqueur. In the mouth the nutty theme continues, with appropriate warmth for a Port-style wine and a sense of brown-sugar dusted raisins. The...
Easton, Fiddletown, Rinaldi Vineyard, Late Harvest, Zinfandel 2006 In the nose you'll find baked red and black fruits. In the mouth the fruit really comes alive. There's a gripping astringency on the palate and a conservative amount of residual...
Quady, California, Vya, Sweet Vermouth nv What makes this aperitif so exciting is that it is impossible to stop adding descriptors if you start - so I won't - just buy a bottle, chill it well and serve it over a few ice cubes. Try it first, before...
Robert Sinskey, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir 2007 The nose sports fresh berry fruit and sweet vanilla. In the mouth it is pure elegance, light and fresh. All byodynamically grown grapes in this Pinot. GP&B in Napa 13.6% Sinskey
Lustau, Jerez, (Sherry) Denominaciónes de Origen, Solera Reserva, Pedro Ximenez, San Emilio nv The glass is packed with molasses, caramel and toffee. In the mouth it is among the thickest of dessert wines, very rich, very complex and evocative of...
Cline, Contra Costa County, Late Harvest, Mourvedre 2005 This wine exudes sweet berry jam with a healthy dose of oaky richness. It has been a perennial hit at our events and quite lovely with dark chocolate. The fruit is sourced from the family's...