Bottle Notes, Syrah

2012 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne – Bottle Notes

Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel five years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (10/21/19)

Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Peg Melnik reviews the 2016 Bella Grace Vineyards Zinfandel Amador County Old Vine. Loren Sonkin reviews the Limerick Lane Zinfandel Block 1910. Esther Mobley writes Kincade Fire Threatens…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2002 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

The 2002 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the October Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty established PlumpJack Winery in 1995, inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff. PlumpJack Winery sits squarely in the heart of Napa Valley’s renowned Oakville region, surrounded by a 42-acre estate vineyard highly regarded…

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Bottle Notes, Burgundy

2013 Marcel Lapierre Morgon – Bottle Notes

Marcel Lapierre took over the family domaine from his father in 1973. The winery dates back to the early 1900’s. In 1981 Marcel met Jules Chauvet. A winemaker, researcher and chemist, Chavet preached for natural wines and the traditional methods of Beaujolais. Joined by local vignerons Guy Breton, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Jean Foillard, Marcel led a group that soon went to the…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2011 Ridge Geyserville – Bottle Notes

Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. Paul Draper recently retired…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (10/14/19)

Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Randy Caparoso writes A List of Lodi Grown Wines Produced by Non-Lodi Wineries. Wine Enthusiast writes Get in the Spirit with these Halloween Wine Labels. Michelle Anna Jordan…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2015 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Esola Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Bedrock Wine Co. was founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007 and focuses on small production wines from many of California’ s most treasured and historic vineyards. The lineup of wines at Bedrock is expanding rapidly, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels and Field Blends, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Esola Vineyard lies in…

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