2004 Leonetti Merlot
Bottle Notes, Merlot

2004 Leonetti Merlot – Bottle Notes

Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti, along with Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is near and dear to me as a wine consumer, and I’ve been on their…

Continue Reading

2010 Rivers Marie Pinot Noir
Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2010 Rivers-Marie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Bottle Notes

Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Walsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. Rivers-Marie also does several single vineyard Cabernets and a Chardonnay. In addition to making his own wine, Thomas serves as a…

Continue Reading

Wines of Alsace
Bottle Notes

The Wines of Alsace Twitter Tasting

Alsace is located on France’s eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. Historical decisions, wars, and strategic politics have resulted in Alsace being administered separately as its own “region” within the Republic of France. Along with Austria and Germany, Alsace produces some of the most noted dry Rieslings in the world.…

Continue Reading

2006 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Bottle Notes, Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Araujo Sauvignon Blanc – Bottle Notes

Araujo Estate is a 38-acre vineyard in northeast Napa Valley, east of Calistoga. It was established in 1990 when Bart and Daphne Araujo bought the historic vineyard from Milt and Barbara Eisele, who planted the vines in the 1960s. For nearly 40 years the Eisele Vineyard has been known as one of the valley’s great vineyards, consistently producing outstanding wines.…

Continue Reading

1997 Spostteswood Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon – 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…

Continue Reading

2001 Chateau Pavie
Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

2001 Chateau Pavie – Bottle Notes

Purchased by Gerard Perse in 1998, Chateau Pavie, a Premier Grand Cru Classe B, has since become one of St.-Emilion’s most noted wines. A former cyclist who made his fortune with supermarket chains, Perse in the last decade has modernized and updated the estate with a major replanting program in the vineyards and by totally remodeling the cellars. Perse also…

Continue Reading

2011 Efeste Lola Chardonnay
Bottle Notes, Chardonnay

2011 Efeste Chardonnay Lola – 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. The fruit for Lola is…

Continue Reading

2011 Navarro Mendocino Chardonnay
Bottle Notes, Chardonnay

2011 Navarro Vineyards Chardonnay Mendocino – Bottle Notes

Located in the Anderson Valley, Navarro has been producing exceptional, fairly-priced wines since 1974. The winery is best known for its range of Pinot Noirs, including the showstopper Deep End Blend (available through futures). They also produce an age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon and a delicious Zinfandel, and their whites are noteworthy with a one-of-a-kind Riesling, Gewurztaminer and Muscat Blanc. The color…

Continue Reading

2006 Rafinelli Dry Creek Zinfandel
Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2006 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…

Continue Reading