Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/12/19)

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. Jeb Dunnuck writes Floating Downstream with Justin Smith. Michele Bigley writes How Sonoma’s Vineyards Survived a Siege of Fire, Smoke and Ash. Bill Swindell writes Williams Selyem, King…

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Bottle Notes, Merlot

2010 Force Majeure CS IV – Bottle Notes

Force Majeure was founded in 2004 by Paul McBride and made its name pairing some of Washington’s highly acclaimed winemakers with fruit from one of Washington’s highly acclaimed vineyards, Ciel du Cheval. The winery recently transitioned from Collaboration wines to Estate wines. Todd Alexander, formerly of Bryant Family Vineyards, is the winemaker for the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo. Force Majeure…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Papera Ranch – 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. Papera Vineyard is situated…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/5/19)

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 The Historic Relationship Between Lodi’s Zinfandel and Unforgotten Tokay. Lauren Mowery writes The Best Summer Red Wines Under $50. Ben’s Wine Notes writes Notes on…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2001 Chateau Clos St. Martin – Bottle Notes

Clos St. Martin dates back to at least the early 1800’s. The vineyard has been owned by the Rieffers family since 1850. Clos St. Martin takes its name from the St. Martin, who is the Patron Saint for wine growers, soldiers and beggars. In March, 2013 the Cuvelier family, the owners of Chateau Clos Fourtet, headed by Matthieu Cuvelier, purchased…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille – 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 many years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…

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Bottle Notes

2015 Sandlands Carignane – Bottle Notes

Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. The wines made at Sandlands include Syrah,…

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