Welcome to the 3rd, annual installment, of the Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings. The intent behind the list was to rank wineries based on the buzz and excitement they create in the wine collecting crowd. The rankings are entirely subjective based on my observations on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Wine Spectator, Wine Berserkers and Cellartracker. I’ve ranked the wineries below and…
Author: Tom Lee
2001 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée – Bottle Notes
The 2001 Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée was the winning bottle in the July installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was briefly decanted and served with grilled steaks. The family of Domaine du Pegau has roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape dating back to the mid-17th century. The word Pegau refers to a wine jug discovered in the excavations of the…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/28/14)
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! Clifford Brown reviews the 2010 Novy Family Zinfandel Russian River Valley. European Travel Magazine writes about The Birthplace of Zinfandel. In Mama Maggie’s Kitchen reviews the 2011…
2005 Domaine Camus-Bruchon Savigny Narbantons – Bottle Notes
Lucien Camus, of Domaine Camus-Bruchon, is a rising star in the Côte de Beaune. Located in the village of Savigny-les-Beaune, just to the north of Beaune proper, he produces exceptional, balanced and complex wines. Lucien Camus took over for his father in 1971, and has a lovely spread of top vineyards in Savigny-les-Beaune well as a bit of premier cru…
2006 Simon Bize Savigny Les Beaune Aux Vergelesses – Bottle Notes
Domaine Simon Bize is in Savigny-Les-Beaune, in Burgundy. The estate dates from the late 19th century, when the original Simon Bize started the vineyards. Several generations later the estate is still in the hands of the Bize family with Patrick Bize now in charge. The 53-acre estate includes grand cru parcels in Corton-Charlemagne and Latricieres-Chambertin. There are also premier cru…
2009 Dehlinger Zinfandel Guadagni Bros. Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. The grapes for Dehlinger Wines are largely grown on the Estate Vineyard in the Russian…
2009 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc – Bottle Notes
Spottswoode is a family owned winegrowing estate located on the western edge of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. The 46 acre estate, established in 1882, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on the label. Its entrance is graced by classic formal gardens, while the vineyard stretches behind to the Mayacamas Mountains. The Spottswoode Estate was bought by…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The July Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 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. Voting will close this Saturday and the winning bottle will be opened this Sunday. A Bottle Note will be published…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/21/14)
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! Natalie Maclean writes 5 Surprising Facts About Zinfandel. Gregory Dal Piaz of Snooth writes about Blind Tasting 2012 Zinfandel. Sherri Housman writes about Dutcher Crossing. Sunset Magazine…
1999 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro – 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 153-acre estate. Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine journal, has often awarded Felsina’s wines with 3 Bicchieri, the journal’s highest rating. Fontalloro is 100% Sangiovese and…