Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/27/18)

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 2015 Ravenswood Zinfandel Big River. Great Northwest Wine reviews the 2015 Tendril Wine Cellars Zinfandel Child’s Play. Randy Caparoso writes Jessie’s Grove’s Royal Tee…

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Random Musings

An Afternoon at Carlisle Winery

I had the opportunity earlier this week to pay a visit to Carlisle Winery and catch up with Mike Officer. I’ve been on the Carlisle mailing list for almost 15 years. The first vintage I purchased was the ’02’s. Despite having corresponded over the years via email this was my first time meeting Mike in person and my first time…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/20/18)

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 Once & Future Zinfandel Oakley Road Vineyard. Kurtis Kolt writes On Canadian Zinfandel (!). Stephen Tanzer writes Double Vertical of Ridge Vineyards’ Geyserville…

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Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2005 Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes

Vieux Donjon was formed in 1966 by Marcel Michel. The current iteration came about in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien and Marie José’s parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holdings were combined to form Vieux Donjon. The domaine covers fourteen hectares of vineyards, thirteen planted to red grapes and one planted…

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Bottle Notes, Merlot

A Vertical Tasting of Force Majeure CS IV

Last Saturday I attended a vertical tasting of the Force Majeure CS IV hosted by Paul and Susan McBride. This Merlot based blend was produced from 2006-2013 and all eight of these wines were poured at the tasting. Carolyn Lakewold of Donedei Wines has always been the winemaker for the CS IV. Force Majeure was founded in 2004 by Paul…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – Washington Wine Month

The August Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on great bottles from some of the best producers in Washington. 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 weekend and a Bottle Note will…

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Bottle Notes

New Releases from Bruce Patch Wines

Bruce Patch cut his teeth in the music industry — having once met the Beatles and helped to discover the famous 80’s band, The Cars. Bruce moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990’s, and transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. Bruce Patch Wines sources grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/13/18)

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. The Nittany Epicurean reviews the 2015 Cedar Mountain Winery Reserve Zinfandel. Gabe Sasso writes Dry Creek Valley: Nirvana for Zinfandel Lovers. Alder Yarrow reviews the 2017 Farmstrong “Field Rosé”…

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