Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Walsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. In addition to the line up of Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, Rivers-Marie also makes a few single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay.…
Category: Bottle Notes
1994 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes
Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the forefront of Napa Valley Cabernet in the 1960s and 70s. He credits summer trips to visit his uncle in St. Helena, California with developing his early interest in wine. Alex’s son,…
2009 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes
Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique was founded in 1976. Four years later, in 1980, Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique produced, bottled and sold their first wine. Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique is owned by the Bonnet family who are also well-known negociants in the Rhone Valley. La Bastide Saint Dominique is best know for their Secrets de Pignan which is produced from 95%…
2014 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,…
2007 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Reserve – Bottle Notes
Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Dehlinger Reserve is made from the top lots of the various Dehlinger Pinot Noirs. Ruby…
2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch – Bottle Notes
Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s . Carlisle also recently released their first Cabernet Sauvignon from Montecillo Vinyard and a Russian River…
Zinfandel of the Month – 2017 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate 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 February Zinfandel of the Month is the 2017 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard. I chose…
2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Saxum Vineyards is located in the Paso Robles AVA of Central California. Founded in the early 2000’s by Justin Smith, a young winemaker who had previously been part-owner of Linne Calodo, Saxum leapt into the limelight in late 2010 when its 2007 James Berry Vineyards wine was named the #1 Wine of 2010 by Wine Spectator. Smith owns the winery…
2015 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines – Bottle Notes
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes right around 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…
2012 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard – Bottle Notes
The 2012 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard was the winning bottle in the January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit…