Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2007 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard – Bottle Notes

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.…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

Zinfandel of the Month – 2015 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Les Enfants Terribles McFadden Farm

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 August Zinfandel of the Month is the 2015 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Les Enfants Terribles McFadden Farm. Dashe Cellars…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/7/17)

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. Cheers! Randy Caparoso writes Borra’s Markus Niggli Reflects on the Explosion of Red Wine Blends. Nancy Croisier writes Washington Zinfandel is Child’s Play for Oregon Winemaker. Esther Mobley writes Vintners Rally…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Pagani 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, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Pagani Ranch is just off Highway 12…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1996 Chateau Lagrange – Bottle Notes

Chateau Lagrange is a third-growth St-Julien owned by the Suntory group since 1983. The 270 acre estate is situated next to Gruaud Larose. The winery went through major improvements and huge investments in the decades that followed the purchase by Suntory. The vineyard is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon , 27% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot . Over the years, the…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (7/31/17)

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. Cheers! Ray Isle writes 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust. New Hampshire Wine Man reviews the 2014 Frog’s Leap Napa Valley Zinfandel. Palate Press reviews the 2012…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – 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…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Saitone 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 . They have also recently added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma…

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Bottle Notes

New Releases from Attune Wines

Attune Wines was founded in 2011 by Mike and Nancy Scribner, Ken and Debbie Venner and David Povlak. The winery currently produces a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rosé. Kenneth Juhasz is the consulting winemaker. Kenneth also owns Auteur Wines and works with other labels including Donum Estate, Pali Wine Company and Gary Farrell. I recently was fortunate to try the…

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