Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pick My Next Bottle – 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The July installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 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. I plan on opening the winning bottle this Sunday and will publish a Bottle Note shortly thereafter. Although overshadowed by 2005…

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Bottle Notes

2003 Antinori Tignanello – Bottle Notes

The Antinori family has been in the wine producing business for 26 generations and it now one of the most successful and respected producers in Italy. The Estate is led by Marchese Piero Antinori, who is well regarded for his passionate attention to tradition and terroir as well as his interest in innovation and new ideas. Antinori originally made its reputation by producing Chianti…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (7/15/19)

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 2016 Rock Wall Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley. IntoWine reviews the 2017 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County. Good Cheap Vino writes Six Delicious Zinfandel Wines…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2009 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Kosta Browne was founded in the late nineties by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In 2009 controlling interest was sold to Vincraft for close to $40 million. In 2015 J.W. Childs Associates, a Boston-based private equity firm, bought out Vincraft. Most recently Kosta Browne was purchased by Duckhorn Wine Company. With these investments have come numerous changes including a new Winery (Gallery)…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Walsh have quickly 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 few single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay.…

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Random Musings

Introducing Downstream Wines

Downstream is a partnership between Justin Smith of Saxum and Philippe Cambie, a consulting winemaker, primarily known for his work in the Southern Rhone. Downsteam will marry California’s Heritage varieties with Philippe’s extravagant style. The first Downstream cuvee will include James Berry Vineyard Mataro, Dusi Ranch Zinfandel, Paderewski Vineyard Zinfandel, Terry Hoage Vineyard Syrah, 4hearts Vineyard Petite Sirah and G2 Vineyard Grenache.…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (7/8/19)

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 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage Vines. Tim Fish writes 8 Underdog California Zinfandels. Esther Mobley writes Wine and Barbecue, A Perfect Pairing.…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

Zinfandel of the Month – 2014 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range

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 July Zinfandel of the Month is the 2014 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range. Storybook Mountain Vineyards…

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Bottle Notes, Burgundy

2004 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Clos de la Maréchale – Bottle Notes

The family run estate of Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier dates back to 1863. This was initially a 4-hectare Chambolle domaine but since Frédéric took back the family’s old Nuits St-Georges Monopole, Clos de la Maréchale, from Faiveley in 2004, the Domaine has increased to 13 hectares. Their are 7 wines currently being produced at Mugnier with the Bonnes Mares and Musigny being…

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