Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (5/18/15)

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! Mike Dunne writes Lodi Shows off its Zinfandels. Lodi News-Sentinel writes Banana Boats, Wine and Entertainment Highlight ZinFest. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2012 Frank Family Zinfandel…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2001 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – Bottle Notes

Located in the Walla Walla Valley appellation of Washington State, Woodward Canyon Winery was started in 1981 by Rick Small and his wife, Darcey Fugman-Small. Woodward Canyon produces almost a dozen different wines, and their Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Chardonnay are some of the very best examples of those varietals produced in Washington State. Purple in color. 14.2%…

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Bottle Notes

2009 Force Majeure Collaborations Series Sangiovese – Bottle Notes

Force Majeure was founded in 2004 by Paul McBride and made its name pairing some of Washington’s highly acclaimed winemakers with fruit from one of Washington’s highly acclaimed vineyards, Ciel du Cheval. The winemakers contributing to the “Collaboration Series” is a Who’s Who of Washington winemakers including Ben Smith, Carolyn Lakewold, Chris Gorman, James Mantone, Mark McNeilly and Mike McMorran. Todd Alexander, formerly…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County – 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. Predominantly Zinfandel with small amounts Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Grapes from Montafi Ranch, Sodini Vineyard, Rossi Ranch, Banfield Ranch and Saitone Ranch. A real “kitchen sink” wine. Lighter in color than I…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (5/11/15)

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! Cliff’s Wine Picks reviews the 2010 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile. Honest Wine Reviews writes Frank Family Zinfandel Wine Review. Meg Maker writes Crazy Old Ladies of Jackass Hill.…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

Grgich Hills Estate, in Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, was founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich. Grgich earned fame in 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced as winemaker at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines at the now famous Paris Wine Tasting. The estate has 366 acres of vineyards in American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga and…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2011 Efeste Syrah Ceidleigh – Bottle Notes

Efeste, pronounced like the letters “F-S-T” strung together, was named after the last names of founders Helen & Dan Ferrelli, Patrick Smith, and Kevin & Angela Taylor. Efeste is located in the Warehouse District of Woodinville, Washington. Peter Devison took over full-time winemaking duties when Brennon Leighton left to work with Charles Smith in 2012. Ceidleigh is 100% Syrah sourced from Klipsun, Bacchus,…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2013 Kinsella Estates Zinfandel Spencer’s Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Kevin Kinsella founded Kinsella Estates in 2008. Kinsella Estates is an organically farmed vineyard situated in a private valley in the foothills of the western edge of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Thomas Rivers Brown, of Schrader, Rivers Marie and Outpost fame, has been the winemaker from the start. Kinsella makes several Cabernet Sauvignons and a Zinfandel. Deep violet in color. 15.5% ABV.…

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