Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2008 Antica Terra Pinot Noir – Bottle Notes

Antica Terra is an 11-acre estate in the Eola-Amity Hills of Willamette Valley. It was founded by John Mavredakis, Scott Adelson and Michael Kramer, who in 2005 convinced winemaker Maggie Harrison to join them. Harrison had been assistant winemaker to legendary Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non. Antica Terra makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose. Maggie has gained further acclaim…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – Bottle Notes

Located in the Walla Walla Valley appellation of Washington State, Woodward Canyon Winery was started in 1981 by Rick Small and his wife, Darcey Fugman-Small. Woodward Canyon produces almost a dozen different wines, and their Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Chardonnay are some of the very best examples of those varietals produced in Washington State. I wrote about Rick…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

Three Zinfandels from McCay Cellars

Michael McCay, owner of McCay Cellars, has a simple goal: to make wine with a sense of presence and character that expresses the trueness of the vineyard. Michael is a relative newcomer to Lodi. He has only farmed there for 35 years. He came to Lodi in the early 1980s, planted a vineyard, started making wine in 1994, and launched…

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Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

Grgich Hills Estate, in Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, was founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich. Grgich earned fame in 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced as winemaker at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines at the now famous Paris Wine Tasting. The estate has 366 acres of vineyards in American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga and…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2003 Sociando-Mallet – Bottle Notes

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…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

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…

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Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

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…

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