Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. River Block Vineyard is the portion of Rochioli…
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot #67 – Bottle Notes
The history of Marietta Cellars goes back almost 40 years. It is a true American success story that merits the attention of every red wine drinker who wants to drink exceptional wines at fair prices. Marietta Cellars was founded by Chris Bilbro in 1978. In recent years Chris’s son, Scot, has taken over most of the responsibilities. Scot’s brother Jake is…
The 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings
Welcome to the 6th, annual installment, of the Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings. The intent behind the list is 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, Instagram, Wine Spectator, WineBerserkers, WineBid and Cellartracker. Factors such as demand for…
The Week in Zinfandel (9/3/18)
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. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2014 Grgich Hills Zinfandel. 1WineDude reviews the 2015 Chateau Montelena Estate Zinfandel. Fred Swan writes 24 California Zinfandel Well Worth Trying. Allison Levine…
2007 Cuvée du Vatican Réserve Sixtine – Bottle Notes
Cuvee du Vatican is a 40-acre estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, in the Rhone Valley. It is owned and operated by the Diffonty family, which traces its history in Rhone Valley winemaking to the 17th century. Jean-Marc Diffonty now runs the estate. In 1998, Cuvee du Vatican began producing the popular, Reserve Sixtine wine from some of their oldest vines. It’s usually…
2015 Steele Zinfandel Pacini Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Jed Steele has been making wine in California for almost 50 years and 2017 is the 25th anniversary of Steele Wines in Lake County. Jed started in the cellar in 1968 at Stony Hill in the Napa Valley. After he earned his enology degree at UC Davis he ended up at Edmeades in the Anderson Valley, then started Kendall-Jackson in Lake…
2014 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Nervo Ranch – Bottle Notes
Bedrock Wine Co. was founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007 and focuses on small production wines from many of California’ s most treasured and historic vineyards. The lineup of wines at Bedrock is expanding rapidly, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Nervo Ranch is situated south of Geyserville…
Zinfandel of the Month – 2016 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The September Zinfandel of the Month is the 2016 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile. Turley Wine Cellars was founded in…
2000 Clos du Marquis – Bottle Notes
At the end of the 19th century, Theophile Skawinski purchased Leoville Las Cases. Theophile Skawinski was the managing director of Chateau Leoville Cases. Skawinski passed his shares to Andre Delon, which is the start of the Delon family ownership in Bordeaux. At about the same time, Leoville Las Cases created one of the first official, “Second” Bordeaux wines with Clos…
The Week in Zinfandel (8/27/18)
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. Ken’s Wine Guide reviews the 2015 Ravenswood Zinfandel Big River. Great Northwest Wine reviews the 2015 Tendril Wine Cellars Zinfandel Child’s Play. Randy Caparoso writes Jessie’s Grove’s Royal Tee…