Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2003 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard – 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…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/28/15)

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! The Wines of Lodi, CA writes In 2016, Time for New Directions with Lodi’s Stunning Range of Varietal Wines. Women on Wine writes Why Foodies Love Zinfandel.…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2008 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard – Bottle Notes

The 2008 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard was the winning bottle in the December Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for one hour. Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

2005 Dehlinger Syrah East Face – 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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Random Musings

The Best of Zinfandel Chronicles in 2015

The end of the year is always a time to reflect on what transpired in the previous twelve months. With that in mind I took a moment to look at what posts in 2015 generated the most traffic (excluding Bottle Notes, The Week in Zinfandel and Pick My Next Bottle polls). Since many of you just recently started reading my…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 2008 Syrah

The December installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2008 Syrah from some of the most iconic domestic producers. 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 plan on opening the winning bottle on New Year’s Eve and will…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (12/21/15)

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! Enobytes reviews the 2013 Edmeades Zinfandel. The Gray Report writes Where do Supermarket Sale Wines Come From? Reverse Wine Snob writes The 2015 Top 10 Red Wines…

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Bottle Notes, Chardonnay

2012 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 Lola Chardonnay is sourced…

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