Random Musings

Washington Wine Landscape Circa 1990

Sometime in the early 90’s my late mother gave me this poster designed by Andy Anderson that represented the state of the Washington Wine Industry. The poster has a treasured spot above the toilet in my current master bath. The other day as I glanced at it yet again it occurred to me just how much things have changed in…

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Bottle Notes

2014 Sandlands Carignane – Bottle Notes

Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. The wines made at Sandlands include Syrah,…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (4/8/19)

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. Mike Dunne writes ‘Personal Favorites’: Parting Thoughts After 46 Years on the California Wine Beat. Dan Berger writes Local Wine Icons Gather at Coppola. Randy Caparoso writes Michael…

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Bottle Notes

2014 Turley Tecolote – 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

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Sodini 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 . Expect to see a Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Montecillo Vinyard and a Russian River…

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Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2005 Domaine Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis – Bottle Notes

Domaine Isabel Ferrando is owned by Isabel Ferrando who created the estate when she purchased 3.9 hectares of vines. The goal was to create a wine that was distinct from Domaine Saint Prefert, her other Southern Rhone winery. The wine is 100% old vine Grenache made from grapes ranging from 65-100 years of age. 2004 was the debut vintage. Ruby…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2011 William Selyem Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard – 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…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (4/1/19)

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. Sheryl Nance-Nash writes A Northern California Wine Country Underdog Is Working Its Way Back Into the Spotlight. Wine Business writes Gallo Acquires 30 Brands, Six Wineries from Constellation…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2016 Quivira Vineyards Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – Bottle Notes

Quivira Vineyards is a leading producer of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Rhône varieties, built upon intentional winegrowing and a thoughtful commitment to biodynamic standards and organic farming. Quivira was founded in 1981 by Holly and Henry Wendt, who were drawn to Dry Creek Valley’s unspoiled rural character and rich wine history. In 2006, Pete and Terri Kight purchased Quivira from the…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

The 2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the March Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. 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…

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