The 2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch was the winning bottle in the May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I did not decant the wine and it was absolutely perfect with grilled brats and homemade pasta salad. Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah…
Author: Tom Lee
The Week in Zinfandel (5/21/18)
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. Alder Yarrow reviews the 2016 Ridge Vineyards “Benito Dusi Ranch” Zinfandel. D Magazine writes What to Drink Now: Summer Zinfandel. The Pour Man writes 15 Zinfandels to Drink with…
2016 Cline Zinfandel Ancient Vines Contra Costa County – Bottle Notes
Cline Family Cellars was founded in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline. The Cline family’s roots date back to 1907 when owner Fred Cline’s grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi, immigrated from Italy, bringing with him a family tradition of farming and making wine. Fred and Nancy Cline’s extensive holdings of 80-100 year old head trained, dry-farmed, own rooted Zinfandel blocks in Contra…
2010 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Patriarche – 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 five years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2013 Papera Ranch Zinfandels
The May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Zinfandel from Papera Ranch produced in 2013. 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. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published…
The Week in Zinfandel (5/14/18)
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. Adam Gopnik writes A Vintner’s Quest to make a Truly American Wine. Esther Mobley writes Why is Star Winemaker Tegan Passalacqua Building a Winery in Lodi? Appetite for Wine…
2010 Dehlinger Chardonnay – Bottle Notes
Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Dehlinger Chardonnay is sourced from the estate vineyard on Vine Hill Road. Gold in color.…
2008 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard – Bottle Notes
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 to Walla Walla he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…
2004 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina – Bottle Notes
Clos Saint Jean was founded in 1900 in Chateauneuf du Pape and is still a small, family-run operation. The estate produces 12,500 cases annually. Brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel run the business. Clos Saint Jean primarily produces Chateauneuf du Pape, including the Vieilles Vignes and several special cuvees including the Combe des Fous and Deus-Ex Machina. In 2002, Philippe Cambie…
2009 Carlisle Zinfandel Martinelli Road 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 . They have also added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma County’s…