Bottle Notes

2010 Rasa Vineyards Creative Impulse DuBrul Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Rasa Vineyards is a relatively new winery located in Walla Walla, Washington. Founded in 2007 by brothers Pinto and Billo Naravane, Rasa specializes in Syrah-based wines but has also released Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, Petite Verdot, Grenache and Mourvedre. There is also a second label known as PB Wines. Pinto is the Managing Partner, while Billo is the Winemaker. Dark…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (6/29/15)

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! Ridge Vineyards writes Zins, Blends & BBQ Pairings! Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine writes What Wine to Bring to the Party. Pull That Cork writes Lodi Native…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2009 Force Majeure Collaboration Series VI – 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…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2010 Sandlands Mataro – Bottle Notes

Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. Light purple in color. 13.6 ABV. A…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2006 Carlisle Syrah Pelkan 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. Pelkan Ranch is located in the Knights Valley AVA at 1000′ elevation on a rocky ridge top facing Mount St. Helena. Crimson in color. 15.9% ABV. Black fruits, olive brine, game and smoke on…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (6/22/15)

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! Portland Wine Examiner writes Portland’s Distillery Row Welcomes an Urban Winery into the Fold. Now and Zin Wine writes Lodi Native Single Vineyards Zinfandels on Social Media.…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2010 Sojourn Pinot Noir Wohler Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley. The winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and recently added a Chardonnay to the lineup. Their fruit is sourced from some of California’s finest vineyards. Developed in 2006, Wohler Vineyard in Forestville sits in the heart of the famed Russian River Valley within sight of the Russian…

Continue Reading

Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel

The June installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Old Vine Zinfandel from the the 2011 vintage. 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. The winning bottle will be opened on Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published…

Continue Reading