Bottle Notes, Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes

Switchback Ridge wines are sourced from the Peterson Family Vineyard in Calistoga. The property has been in the Peterson Family since 1914 and was replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah in 1990. Bob Foley has been the winemaker since the inaugural vintage in 1999. Violet in color. 14.8% ABV. Stunning nose of cassis liqueur, molten licorice, Whitman Sampler…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/29/16)

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! Now And Zin Wine writes Folly Indeed: Edmeades’ Wacky Blend Works. Paper City Magazine writes Worthy Zinfandel. Virginia Boone writes Wrecking Crew of Wine. Napa Valley Register…

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Random Musings

It’s Just Wine and There is no Right or Wrong Way

I recently saw a thread on WineBerserkers where a person was criticized for participating in a tasting where too many good wines were opened on a single night. The wines opened included Mouton, Haut Brion, Lafite, Margaux, Petrus, Lafleur, Harlan, Marcassin, Krug and a number of high end Burgundies. By my count at least a few cases of wine were…

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Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Bottle Notes

The 2004 Beaucastel was the winning bottle in the August Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. This bottle was decanted for one hour. Chateau de Beaucastel, located in Courthezon in the Southern Rhone Valley, has over 250 acres of organic vineyards. Unlike many Rhone Valley producers, Beaucastel grows all 13 of the grapes permitted in the appellation and the estate uses…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (8/22/16)

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! NorCal Wine writes Troon Vineyard: Reviews of Current Releases. Toledo Wines & Vines writes Amador County Producing Wines as Good as Gold. Social Vignerons writes Zinfandel Blending…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2007 Carlisle Syrah Pelkan Ranch – Bottle Notes

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s . They have also recently added their first whites, two blends from historic, old-vine vineyards plus Sonoma…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The August installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the 2004 vintage. 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. I will open the winning bottle this coming weekend and publish a Bottle Note shortly thereafter. Similar…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2006 Dehlinger Syrah – Bottle Notes

Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. The grapes for Dehlinger Wines are largely grown on the Estate Vineyard in the Russian…

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