Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2015 Black Sears Zinfandel – Bottle Notes

In 1979, Joyce Black and Jerre Sears purchased a one-of-a-kind property at the top of Howell Mountain. In 1997, Joyce and Jerre began producing very small quantities of estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel for their new Black Sears label, a few hundred cases per vintage. For twelve years, winemaker Ted Lemon called the Black Sears winery home, producing both the…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Pagani 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…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/25/21)

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. Now And Zin Wine writes A Great Zinfandel for Half its Original Price. Dallas Wine Chick writes Contra Costa: Putting Sense Before Dollars. Randy Caparoso writes ZAP Offers…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/18/21)

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. Loren Sonkin reviews the 2018 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Ancient Vines. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2018 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Banfield Vineyard. Ridge Wine Blog writes John Olney Named…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2017 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine – 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. Sourced from a number of vineyards including…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2015 Beekeeper Cellars Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Beekeeper Cellars was founded in 2008 by Ian Blackburn and Clay Mauritson. The focus at Beekeeper is solely on single vineyard Zins. Planted in the 1960s, Montecillo Vineyards sits at 1725’ elevation on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains above the town of Kenwood, just 680 yards from the Napa county line. Purple in color. 14% ABV. 95% Zinfandel…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/11/21)

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. Loren Sonkin reviews the 2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Pagani Ranch. Dan Berger writes A New Outlook on Wine Choices. Wine Enthusiast writes From Washington to Italy, 13 of our…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2017 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel – Bottle Notes

Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, first founded A. Rafanelli Winery in the early 1900’s. It wasn’t until the early 70’s that Alberto’s son, Americo, came out with the present day label and started selling the wine commercially. David and Patty Rafanelli now run the winery and a 4th generation Rafanelli, their daughter Shelly, is the winemaker. The winery is perhaps…

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