Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/28/19)

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. Esther Mobley writes Rombauer Buys Renwood Winery, Expanding Napa Valley Presence in the Sierra Foothills. Italian at Heart writes Zinfandel vs. Primitivo. Have Wine Will Travel Radio writes…

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Bottle Notes, Burgundy

2011 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

2016 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi – Bottle Notes

Ravenswood was founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson. The winery is a pioneer in producing single vineyard Zinfandels from some of Napa and Sonoma’s most treasured vineyards, including Dickerson, Old Hill, Cooke and Belloni. I used to visit Ravenswood in the summer, when they released their single vineyard wines. Back in the day they also served delicious barbecue on the deck out…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published next week. 2005 was an…

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Bottle Notes

2015 Sandlands Trousseau – 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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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/21/19)

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. Randy Caparoso writes At ZAP’s 2019 “Flights!”: The Question of Blending vs. 100% Varietal Zinfandels. Wine is my Life reviews the 2014 Gary Farrell Zinfandel Grist Vineyard. Jim…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2013 Kanzler Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes

Kanzler Vineyards, located in California near Sebasopol, was founded in 1996 by Stephen and Lynda Kanzler. Planted in 1996 in a former apple orchard, the vineyard quickly developed a reputation for producing world class Pinot Noir grapes featured in award winning wines from some of the finest wineries in Northern California, including Kosta Browne, A.P. Vin and Rivers-Marie. In 2004,…

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Bottle Notes, Grenache

2013 Outpost Grenache – Bottle Notes

Outpost Wines was established in 1998 and sits on a pristine piece of land atop Howell Mountain 2200 feet above Napa Valley. Thomas Rivers-Brown has been the winemaker from the start and has gained further acclaim making highly sought after wines for Schrader, Rivers-Marie and many others. Outpost produces  Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and a Right Bank inspired blend called Immigrant.…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/14/19)

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. Peg Melnik writes Wine of the week: Robert Biale, 2017 R.W. Moore Vineyard, Napa Valley Zinfandel. Virginia Boone writes A Beginner’s Guide to Mendocino & Lake County’s Wines. Jessica Zimmer…

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