In 1987 Jennifer and Herb Lamb purchased a little over 7 acres of hillside property on the eastern hillsides of St. Helena just below Howell Mountain. Starting in 1991 the fruit was sold to wineries like Karl Lawrence and Colgin. In 1997, with winemaker Mike Trujillo at the helm, they released the first vintage of Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright…
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. Rebecca Robinson writes Growing a Legend. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2017 Mettler Family Zinfandel Epicenter Old Vine. Hannah Selinger writes Exploring the Diverse, Terroir-Driven Wines of the…
Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses an unusually high percentage of Mourvèdre in its red wines, usually around 30%, along with 30% Grenache and smaller amounts of Syrah,…
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…
Fattoria di Felsina is an historic estate in the Chianti appellation of Tuscany. In 1966 the estate was purchased by the Poggiali family, and today a second generation of the Poggiali family still run the estate. At the edge of the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi denominations, the estate counts 475 hectares, of which 61 are planted with vineyard.…
Sleight of Hand was founded in 2007 by Jerry & Sandy Solomon and Trey Busch. The formula at Sleight of Hand is high quality wines from Washington’s most exceptional vineyards. Sleight of Hand produces a full range of red and whites and without question has one of the top few tasting rooms in both Walla Walla and SoDo. Sourced from…
The March Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on great bottles from some of the best producers in Washington. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. March is Taste Washington Wine Month. Taste Washington Wine Month in March…
Chateau Talbot is a Fourth Growth Bordeaux estate in the Saint-Julien Appellation. The Chateau was acquired by the Cordier family in 2017. The present owners are Lorraine Rustmann and Nancy Bignon-Cordier. Stephane Derenoncourt is their consultant. Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Traditional nose of red fruits, leather, cedar and graphite. Medium body with acidity in spades. Ready to drink with…
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. Isaac Baker writes Wine Reviews: Lodi, California. Tim Fish writes 10 Savory Zinfandels at 90+ Points. Randy Caparoso writes Recipe for Positive Shelter-in-Place Living with Lodi Zinfandel and…
Pahlmeyer was founded in the mid-1980s when Jayson Pahlmeyer, a Bay Area lawyer, decided he preferred thinking about wine over reading legal briefs. Pahlmeyer produced its debut vintage in 1986. Jennifer Williams is the current winemaker. Wines produced at Pahlmeyer include the flagship Proprietary Red, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In late 2019 Gallo purchased Pahlmeyer. 91% Merlot, 7% Petite…