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 Zinfandel Courage. The Wine Write writes The Jewel that is Saucelito Canyon Vineyard. Eric Asimov writes Twenty Wines Under $20: Where…
Author: Tom Lee
Zinfandel of the Month – 2017 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The February Zinfandel of the Month is the 2017 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard. I chose…
2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Saxum Vineyards is located in the Paso Robles AVA of Central California. Founded in the early 2000’s by Justin Smith, a young winemaker who had previously been part-owner of Linne Calodo, Saxum leapt into the limelight in late 2010 when its 2007 James Berry Vineyards wine was named the #1 Wine of 2010 by Wine Spectator. Smith owns the winery…
2015 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines – 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 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…
2012 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard – Bottle Notes
The 2012 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard was the winning bottle in the January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit…
The Week in Zinfandel (1/20/20)
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. Vino-sphere writes Jeff Runquist and the Quest for Authentic Excellence in Wine. Caspernick’s Blog reviews the 2016 Cameron Hughes Zinfandel Lot 636. Randy Caparoso writes What do Restaurant…
2012 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…
2007 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille – Bottle Notes
Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel many years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…
1995 Chateau Lagrange – Bottle Notes
Chateau Lagrange is a third-growth St-Julien owned by the Suntory group since 1983. The 270 acre estate is situated next to Gruaud Larose. The winery went through major improvements and huge investments in the decades that followed the purchase by Suntory. The vineyard is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon , 27% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot . Today, the average age…
2017 Chateau du Moulin a Vent Moulin-a-Vent – Bottle Notes
The Moulin-à-Vent appellation is located at the southernmost tip of Burgundy. Château du Moulin-à-Vent dates back to 1732 and is located only 200 meters away from the historic windmill. Today, the domain picks 75 acres of vines in the intermediary part of the appellation, between 200 and 300 meters above sea level, around the Château, the windmill and the hamlet of…