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. Michele Anna Jordan writes A Bright Zinfandel Pairs Brilliantly with Tomatoes and Basil. Dame Wine writes Telling Our Vintage Story. Dave McIntyre writes Tired of rosé? Here’s What Else…
2009 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard – Bottle Notes
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 to Walla Walla he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Revisited
The July installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the the 2007 vintage. 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 on Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published the following week.…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/16/18)
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. Bob Highfill writes Harry Hakala’s Mobile Wine Line has been a Lodi Institution. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the Ravenswood Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard. Jim Gordon writes The Boundary-Pushing Wines and Regions…
2014 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard – 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, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Tegan Passalacqua, of Sandlands and Turley fame,…
2010 Spottswoode Syrah Field Book Griffin’s Lair Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Spottswoode is a family owned winegrowing estate located on the western edge of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. The 46 acre estate, established in 1882, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on the label. Its entrance is graced by classic formal gardens, while the vineyard stretches behind to the Mayacamas Mountains. The Spottswoode Estate was bought by…
2004 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes
Clos des Papes is owned by the Avril family, now headed by Paul Avril and his son Vincent. The family has been making wine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape for 300 years. The name Clos des Papes comes from the fact that the original vineyard was part of a papal estate located inside a chateau. The Avril family now owns parcels throughout the…
2011 Switchback Ridge Merlot – Bottle Notes
Switchback Ridge wines are sourced from the Peterson Family Vineyard. The property, located just off the Silverado Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga has been in the Peterson Family since 1914 and was replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah in 1990. Kelly Peterson along with her father John founded Switchback Ridge in 1999. She is responsible for all aspects…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/9/18)
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. Randy Caparoso writes Premiumization of Lodi Grapes and Wines Addressed at 2018 Lodi Vineyard & Wine Economics Symposium. Esther Mobley writes Imbibe Like an American. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews…
2016 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County – 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…