Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2024 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County – Bottle Notes

Seghesio Family Vineyards  was established in 1895, when Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vineyard in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. The focus at Seghesio has always been Zinfandel and Italian varietals. Bright crimson in color. 15% ABV. Primarily Sonoma County but grapes are also sourced from Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. Savory nose of red and black fruits, licorice,…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2010 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Three Corner Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has published a detailed map of…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Evangelho 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. Evangelho Vineyard is in Contra Costa County,…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2023 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes

Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh have 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 several single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay. Thomas is in…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2021 Marcel Lapierre Morgon – Bottle Notes

Marcel Lapierre took over the family domaine from his father in 1973. The winery dates back to the early 1900’s. In 1981 Marcel met Jules Chauvet. A winemaker, researcher and chemist, Chavet preached for natural wines and the traditional methods of Beaujolais. Joined by local vignerons Guy Breton, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Jean Foillard, Marcel led a group that soon went to the…

Continue Reading

Old Hill Ranch
Random Musings

A Visit with Will Bucklin at Old Hill Ranch

This past Sunday my wife and I had the opportunity to meet with Will Bucklin and walk Old Hill Ranch Vineyard and taste through some new releases and a few selections from the Bucklin cellar. Will Bucklin has been a vintner for over 35 years, working in France, Australia, Sonoma, Mendocino and Oregon. Old Hill Ranch is a site to…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2018 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Papera Ranch – Bottle Notes

Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2020 Turley Zinfandel Judge Bell – 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…

Continue Reading