Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast – 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…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2010 ACORN Zinfandel Heritage Vines Alegría Vineyards – Bottle Notes

Bill and Betsy Nachbaur purchased Alegria Vineyard in 1990. Situated in the Russian River Valley, Alegría Vineyards has 26 acres planted with Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, and many lesser-known varieties. The oldest part of the vineyard dates back to the 1890’s. For the first many years Bill farmed the vineyard and the grapes were…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/12/16)

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! Reverse Wine Snob writes Best Red Wines Under $20. Bohemian.com writes Dirt Farmer. Sip on this Juice writes 2016 Holiday Wine Gift Guide – Sip Sonoma County.…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Sauvignon Blanc

2010 J. Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc Old Vines – Bottle Notes

Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery recently published a detailed map of…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2008 Turley Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard – 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 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and has been…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2006 Carlisle Syrah James Berry 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 recently added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/5/16)

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! Cliff’s Wine Picks reviews the 2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard. Tales of the Cork writes Old Fig Wine Cellars: A Central Valley Urban Dream. Vino Sphere reviews…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

Top 10 Zinfandels Tasted in 2016

It is the time of the year where every wine blogger publishes their lists of Wines of the Year or Values of the Year, etc. Although I try to blog about all the wines I taste it is clear that Zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. With that in mind here are my top 10 Zinfandels of 2016. The…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia – Bottle Notes

Fattoria di Felsina is an historic estate in the Chianti appellation of Tuscany. In 1966 the estate was purchased by the Poggiali family, and today a second generation of the Poggiali family still run the estate. At the edge of the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi denominations, the estate counts 475 hectares, of which 61 are planted with vineyard.…

Continue Reading