Bottle Notes, Chardonnay

2006 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Allen 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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Bottle Notes

New Release Rosé Wines from Bonny Doon

Bonny Doon Vineyard began with an attempt to replicate Burgundy in California. Randall Grahm realized early on that he would have far more success working with Rhône varieties in the Central Coast of California. In 1986 Bonny Doon Vineyard released the inaugural vintage of Le Cigare Volant, an homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and this continues as the winery’s flagship/starship brand. Over the…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (2/29/16)

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! Jon Bonne writes Joel Peterson Set the Course for California Zin. Now He Returns to his Roots. Wine n Friends writes Parducci Family Cellars True Grit. Gastronomique…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2010 Efeste Syrah Eleni Red Willow Vineyard – 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. Opaque purple in color. 14.95%…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2007 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate – 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

2007 Turley Zinfandel Mead Ranch – 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, Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard – Bottle Notes

The 2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard was the winning bottle in the February Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was not decanted and was paired with steaks. Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (2/22/16)

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! Jay McInerney writes Meet Paul Draper, the Man Who Introduced California Wines to Europe. Wine Enthusiast writes The New & Improved Sierra Foothills. Peg Melnik writes Wine…

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