Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery recently published a detailed map of…
Author: Tom Lee
The Week in Zinfandel (6/3/19)
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. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2016 Rock Wall Zinfandel Allegria Vineyard. Michelle Bigley writes In California’s Amador County, Spend a Weekend Sipping Zinfandel from Ancient Vines. Dan Berger…
2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes
Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses an unusually high percentage of Mourvèdre in its red wines, usually around 30%, along with 30% Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah,…
2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Gibson 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. Gibson Ranch is located…
2016 Jeff Runquist Zinfandel “Z” Massoni Ranch – Bottle Notes
Jeff Runquist Wines was founded in 1997 by Jeff and Margie Runquist. In 1995 Jeff crushed ten tons of zinfandel from the Massoni Ranch in Amador’s Shenandoah Valley and in 1997 he released 700 cases of that Zinfandel under his own label. In 2006 Jeff and Margie purchased a small five acre walnut orchard on Shenandoah Road in Amador. In…
New Releases from Lauren Ashton Cellars
Lauren Ashton Cellars was founded in 2009 by Kit Singh. A Dentist by profession, Kit’s passion for wine was fueled by trips to Napa, Sonoma and Europe’s best known wine regions. Kit’s enology background includes classes at UC Davis and Seattle Community College along with an internship at Delille Cellars. The inspiration for the name of the winery was Kit’s…
Zinfandel of the Month – 2015 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Frank’s Block Teldeschi Vineyard
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The June Zinfandel of the Month is the 2015 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Frank’s Block Teldeschi Vineyard. I chose this…
The Week in Zinfandel (5/27/19)
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 Lodi 101 (For True-Blue Lodi Wine Lovers). Shelby Vittek writes Four American Producers Rediscovering White Field Blends. Marissa Ross writes White Zin is in, Again:…
2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Foothills Reserve – Bottle Notes
The 2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Foothills Reserve was the winning bottle in the May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wines was not decanted and I served it with steaks off the grill. Reynvaan Family Vineyards is a small family owned winery started by Mike and Gale Reynvaan in May of 2004 in Walla Walla, Washington. They initially…
2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…