Random Musings

A Funny Thing Happened While Placing My Carlisle Order

The Carlisle Summer mailer landed this past Tuesday. This particular mailer happens to include some of my favorite Carlisle wines notably the Papera Ranch Zinfandel and Pagani Vineyard Zinfandel. Around 5:30pm, Wednesday, I decided I should probably place my order. While I was scanning my inbox for the email from Mike Officer I was also deleting a variety of other…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (7/6/20)

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 A History of Lodi Winegrowing, part 9 — Lodi’s Jahant, Cosumnes River and Alta Mesa Viticultural Areas. Loren Sonkin reviews the 2017 Ridge Geyserville. The…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Vineyard – 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 (6/29/20)

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 Great Zinfandel At Half the Price. Grape Collective writes Joel Peterson on Ravenswood’s Limbo, New Beginnings and Anniversary Bottles. Dan Berger writes The…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes right around 50 separate wines from 47 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2013 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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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (6/22/20)

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 2017 Rubus Zinfandel Old Vines. Dallas Wine Chick writes Grilling, BBQ and Zins: Synonymous with Summer. Sean Sullivan and Paul Gregutt write Pinot…

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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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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

The Week in Zinfandel (6/15/20)

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. Nittany Epicurean reviews the 2017 Pedroncelli Winery Mother Clone Zinfandel. Zinfandel Chronicles reviews the 2015 Sky Vineyards Zinfandel Mt. Veeder. Cuisine Noir writes From Hobby to Full-Time Business…

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