Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 Brown Estate Zinfandel – Bottle Notes

In 1980, The Brown Family acquired land in the hills east of Rutherford in the Napa Valley. In 1995 they decided to make wine under their own label. The following year the first vintage of Zinfandel was produced and subsequently they have added Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah to their lineup. First and foremost, Brown Estate is…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2006 Lillian Syrah – Bottle Notes

Maggie Harrison was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over the wine making position at Antica Terra. Lillian Winery, founded in 2004, represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non. The fruit for the Lillian Syrah comes from the…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (7/4/16)

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. Cheers! Traveling Wine Chick writes Lodi: Beyond the Zinfandel. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2014 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage Vines. Vinography writes Chillin’ Out in Coombsville, Napa’s…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2007 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge – 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. The grapes for Dehlinger Wines are largely grown on the Estate Vineyard in the Russian…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (6/27/16)

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. Cheers! Terroirist writes Wine Reviews: California Zinfandel. Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine writes The Remarkable Contributions of Paul Draper. Peg Melnik writes Five Tasty Zins to Uncork on…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch – 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 recently added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

New Release Zins from Troon Vineyard

Troon Vineyard, established in 1972, is located in the heart of the Applegate Valley AVA, the southernmost appellation in Oregon. Troon was one of the first grape growers in Southern Oregon, and is home to the region’s earliest planting of Zinfandel in 1972. They now grow more than 20 additional varietals on over 40 planted acres. I was fortunate to try some…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard Old Vines – Bottle Notes

The 2006 Rivers Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard Old Vines was the winning bottle in the June Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. This bottle was opened and poured immediately. 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…

Continue Reading