Bottle Notes, Chardonnay

2006 J. Rochioli Chardonnay Rachael’s Vineyard – 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…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

Zinfandel of the Month – 2013 Robert Biale Vineyards Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard

Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The October Zinfandel of the Month is the 2013 Robert Biale Vineyards Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard. Robert Biale…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (9/28/15)

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! Reverse Wine Snob reviews the 2011 Murphy-Goode Liars Dice Zinfandel. Food & Wine writes William Shatner’s New Wine Enterprise. Jetsetting Fashionista writes about St. Francis Winery &…

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Bottle Notes, Petite Sirah

2013 Robert Biale Vineyards Petite Sirah “Royal Punishers” – Bottle Notes

Robert Biale Vineyards in Napa has its roots in the 1930s, when the Biale family started growing Zinfandel grapes and other produce on the outskirts of Napa. The family grapes mostly were sold to local wineries, though the Biales saved some to make wine for the family. The winery was formally founded in 1991. The estate grows Zinfandel and Petite…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2011 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile – 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…

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Bottle Notes, Merlot

2006 Cayuse Flying Pig – Bottle Notes

The 2006 Cayuse Flying Pig was the wining bottle in the September Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. 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…

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Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2003 Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes

Vieux Donjon was formed in 1966 by Marcel Michel. The current iteration came about in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien and Marie José’s parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holdings were combined to form Vieux Donjon. The domaine covers fourteen hectares of vineyards, thirteen planted to red grapes and one planted…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (9/21/15)

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 2007 Ridge Geyserville. Santa Cruz Sentinel writes My, My – An Arousing Zinfandel. Ridge Wine Blog writes That’s a Wrap on Lytton…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2006 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Feeney 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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Buying Wine

Pick My Next Bottle – 2006 Washington Merlot

The September installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2006 Washington Merlot. 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. I plan on opening the winning bottle this coming weekend and will publish a Bottle Note shortly thereafter. 2006 was…

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