Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard Old Vines – Bottle Notes

The 2006 Rivers Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard Old Vines was the winning bottle in the June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. This bottle was opened and poured immediately. 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…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (5/30/16)

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! My Side of Fifty writes Wino Wednesday – Small Hours Zinfandel 2012. The Wines of Lodi, CA writes Tiny PRIE’s Latest Wines Express True Lodi Soul. Reverse…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2008 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – 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. Besides Zinfandel, Outpost also produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Violet in color. 16.2% ABV.…

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Random Musings

Thoughts on the Schrader Price Increase

With the offer for their 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon lineup Schrader announced a price increase of $50 per bottle bringing the cost per bottle before shipping and handling to $225. The increase was surprising as Schrader has alway promoted their commitment to low prices vis a vis other sought after Napa Valley Cabernets. I don’t fault Schrader for the price increase.…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Lineup from Kinsella Estates

Kevin Kinsella founded Kinsella Estates in 2008. Kinsella Estates is an organically farmed vineyard situated in a private valley in the foothills of the western edge of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Thomas Rivers Brown, of Schrader, Rivers Marie and Outpost fame, has been the winemaker from the start. Kinsella makes several Cabernet Sauvignons and a Zinfandel. All of these wines will be…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (3/30/15)

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! Allie Merrick reviews the 2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard. Honest Wine Reviews writes Frank Family Zinfandel Wine Review. Luxe Beat Magazine writes The Best of “America’s Grape”.…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2007 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – 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. Besides Zinfandel, Outpost also produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Served without decanting. Deep red…

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Bottle Notes, Petite Sirah

2005 Outpost Petite Sirah Howell Mountain – 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. Besides Petite Sirah, Outpost also produces Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Pitch black in color.…

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