Grgich Hills Estate, in Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, was founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich. Grgich earned fame in 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced as winemaker at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines at the now famous Paris Wine Tasting. The estate has 366 acres of vineyards in American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga and…
The Week in Zinfandel (9/5/16)
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! Total Sorority Move writes What Member of Your Friend Group You Are, Based on Your Wine Preference. Wine Folly writes 50 States of Wine. Randy Caparoso writes…
Zinfandel of the Month – 2012 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch
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 2012 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch. Ridge Vineyards was founded in…
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…
2010 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips and venture into winemaking. Fifteen years later, Kosta Browne is one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in all of California.…
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…
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot #64 – 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 sons, Jake and Scot, have taken over most of the responsibilities. Jake and…
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…
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…
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…








