Bottle Notes, Merlot

2018 A. Rafanelli Merlot Dry Creek Valley

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…

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Bottle Notes

2016 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio – Bottle Notes

Bodegas El Nido is a 100-acre estate in the Valle de La Aragona, in the Jumilla region of Spain. It was founded in 2002 and is a collaboration between Australian winemaker Chris Ringland and the Gil Family. Grapes grown are Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon. Two wines are produced, the Clio, which is 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2022 Cedarville Zinfandel – Bottle Notes

Cedarville Vineyard was founded by Jonathan Lach and Susan Marks in 2000. Cedarville Vineyard is located in the Gold Rush era town of Fair Play and is situated within the Fair Play, El Dorado, and Sierra Foothills AVAs. The winery produces many wines including a Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Ruby red in color. 14.8% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits,…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2018 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard – 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. Carlisle Vineyard, planted in 1927, lies in…

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Ridge Lytton Springs
Bottle Notes

Top 10 Zinfandels Tasted in 2024

It is the time of the year where every wine blogger publishes their lists of Wines of the Year or Values of the Year, etc. Although I try to blog about all the wines I taste it is clear that Zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. The link for each wine will take you to the detailed Bottle Note…

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