Dancing Bull, California, Winemaker's Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose reminds one of a dusty road with sweet flowers and fruit in the background. In the mouth, this Cabernet is a supple, easy drink, mildly sweet and easy. Besides the...
Quady Winery, Amador County, Starboard 1996 The raisins are in full force, chocolate and lots of sweet smells melded with a hint of the fortifying spirit. The mouth sports chocolate and caramel with a strong but appropriate sense of the brandy that...
Siduri, Sonoma Mountain, Van der Kamp Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 The nose combines fresh and dried fruits along with the forest floor. The mouth is warm and silky. P&B in Santa Rosa 14.1% $36.99 at Bottle Barn Siduri
Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Pinot Noir 2007 Like the previous vintage, this wine is a rustic style of Pinot. I'd like to try another bottle before passing judgment. Grown, made, matured and bottled on the estate in, Hermanus...
Sonnet, Santa Cruz Mountains, Muns Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 There is bright berry fruit, and a bit of Bandaid in the nose. The mouth is still rather tight and the fruit is starting to break out and shine. The vineyard, owned by Ed Muns, is perched...
Thomas Fogarty, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 1999 There's quite a sense of the horse saddle at this point in time, with brown spices and prunes and dried fruits. The mouth is drying out and the brett is starting to dominate....
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Russian River Valley, Gunsalus Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 The fruit is almost liquer-like in the nose, with a jammy character. In the mouth, the fruit is also vibrant. P&B down in Saratoga. 14.5% $50 at the Winery...
Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Pinot Noir 2007 This is one of those Pinots that has the smoky character of an ashtray. In the mouth, there are green characters and astringency - a disappointment from this producer. The grapes are sourced from...
Plantagenet, Western Australia, Omrah, Pinot Noir 2007 The wine smells of earth and cherries. In the mouth, the smells repeat with a touch of the richness of oak. This is a good value Pinot. The grapes are from vineyards in the Great Southern...
Segura Viudas, Cava, Brut, Aria, Pinot Noir nv This seems a sweeter brut than many with some astringency - awkward. This is traditional method sparkling, fermented in the bottle opened and produced in Torrelavit 12% $7.49 at Bottle Barn