zinfandel corks
Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/18/17)

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. Cheers! Mike Dunne writes End-of-the-Year Wit and Wisdom From Some of California’s Most Renowned Winemakers. Los Angeles Times writes Stuck in Lodi Again? Relax with a Glass of Zinfandel.…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Syrah

2008 Spottswoode Field Book Terra Bella Vineyard – 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

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 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…

Continue Reading

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/11/17)

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. Cheers! Jancis Robinson writes Warming, and Refreshing, Winter Reds. Wine Spectator writes Big Reds – 100 Top Value Wines for 2017. The Nittany Epicurean reviews the 2015 Cosentino…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2012 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard – 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. In addition to the line up of Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, Rivers-Marie also makes a few single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay.…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2014 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile – 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. Turley now makes right around 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast – Bottle Notes

Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst – 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

Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/4/17)

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. Cheers! Randy Caparoso writes The 12 Most Interesting Lodi Wines of 2017. Costco Wine Blog reviews the 2013 Bootleg Red Wine. Uncorked writes The Buzz About Old Vines.…

Continue Reading

Bottle Notes

2011 Sandlands Carignane Contra Costa County – Bottle Notes

Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. Crimson in color. 13.2% ABV. Savory nose…

Continue Reading