The 1990 Lynch Bages was the winning bottle in the April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for almost four hours and served with steaks off the grill. I chose this bottle to kick off a week of Birthday shenanigans. The was also Day 47 of the #coronaviruswinechallenge. Lynch Bages has a special place in my…
The Week in Zinfandel (4/20/20)
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. Costco Wine Blog reviews the 2017 Seghesio Zinfandel. Wine Spectator writes 10 California Values up to 91 Points. Allen Balik writes Wines for Summer and the “New Normal”.…
2017 Bruce Patch Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard
Bruce Patch cut his teeth in the music industry — having once met the Beatles and helped to discover the famous 80’s band, The Cars. Bruce moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990’s, and transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. Bruce Patch Wines sources grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including…
2017 Bucklin Bambino Field Blend Old Hill Ranch – Bottle Notes
Bucklin Winery was founded in 2000 by the four Bucklin siblings: Arden, Kate, Ted and Will. Will Bucklin has been a vintner for over 25 years, working in France, Australia, Sonoma, Mendocino and Oregon. Bucklin produces several Zinfandels, a Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and a White Field Blend. Old Hill Ranch is a historic jewel. It was founded by William McPherson…
2013 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne – Bottle Notes
Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel five years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full…
2016 AldenAlli Zinfandel Limerick Lane Vineyard – Bottle Notes
AldenAlli is a collaboration between the families Dan Kosta and Emeril Lagasse. The winery is named after their wifes Alli Kosta and Alden Lagasse. The initial release was a 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. In 2015 the lineup expanded to include a single vineyard Pinot Noir from Campbell Ranch and a Zinfandel from Limerick Lane Vineyard. Shane Finley is the…
Pick My Next Bottle – 1990 Bordeaux
The April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 1990 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 early next week. 1990 was…
2003 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…
The Week in Zinfandel (4/13/20)
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. Loren Sonkin reviews the 2018 Sineann Zinfandel Old Vine. Madison Bloom writes Snoop Dogg Anounces New Wine. Jim Greco reviews the 2009 Ridge Geyserville. Randy Caparoso writes Gimme…
2008 Lillian Syrah – Bottle Notes
Maggie Harrison was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non for eight years before moving to Oregon to take over the wine making position at Antica Terra. Lillian Winery, founded in 2004, represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non. The fruit for the Lillian Syrah comes from the…









