The 2003 Sociando-Mallet was the winning bottle in the May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for two hours and served with steaks. Chateau Sociando-Mallet is a 225-acre estate in St.-Seurin-de-Cadourne, which is part of the Haut-Medoc appellation just north of the city of Bordeaux. It has been owned since 1969 by Jean Gautreau. After many…
Author: Tom Lee
2011 “Birth Year” Case Wine Recommendations
This is my 3rd annual “Birth Year” case blog post. This post can serve as a guide for readers who had children born in the year of 2011. My 2009 list and 2010 list were published around this time in the preceding years. 2011 was a challenging year in many regions known for the longevity of their wines including both…
2008 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel – Bottle Notes
Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, first founded A. Rafanelli Winery in the early 1900’s. It wasn’t until the early 70’s that Alberto’s son, Americo, came out with the present day label and started selling the wine commercially. David and Patty Rafanelli now run the winery and a 4th generation Rafanelli, their daughter Shelly, is the winemaker. The winery is perhaps…
2000 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – Bottle Notes
Dunn Vineyards is located east of St. Helena in the town of Angwin on Howell Mountain. The Winery was established in 1979, with the first harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. In 1981, the first release consisted of 660 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howell Mountain vineyards. In 1982, Dunn released a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dunn is one…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2003 Bordeaux
The May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2003 Bordeaux. 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 this Saturday and a Bottle Note will be published shortly thereafter. We all know…
2008 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot – Bottle Notes
Pride Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1991 by Jim and Carolyn Pride on a site once known as Summit Winery. Jim Pride died in 2004, but the Pride children, Steve Pride and Suzanne Pride Bryan, now own and run the winery. The property consists of 235 acres, 183 of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot,…
Washington Rosé Recommendations for Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day to remember our fallen soldiers. It is also the unofficial kickoff of grilling season and a great time to sit on the deck with a bottle of Rosé. Smart wineries are releasing their Rosé right now in advance of the hot weather and smart consumers should be stocking their cellars for the Summer. Below are…
2004 Dehlinger Estate Syrah – 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…
2005 Turley Zinfandel Duarte – 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. This wine is a tribute to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. Red in color. 15.4% ABV.…
2003 Rochioli Pinot Noir River Block 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. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve blogged about Rochioli previously in Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists. River Block is a…