The 2007 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning bottle in the April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. I did not decant the wine and it was served with a New York Steaks and Brussel sprouts roasted in bacon fat. Dalla Valle Vineyards was founded in 1986 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, who purchased 21 acres on the…
The Week in Zinfandel (4/22/24)
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!
2019 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – Bottle Notes
Outpost Wines was established in 1998 and sits on a pristine piece of land atop Howell Mountain 2200 feet above Napa Valley. Thomas Rivers-Brown has been the winemaker from the start and has gained further acclaim making highly sought after wines for Schrader, Rivers-Marie and many others. Outpost produces Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Right Bank inspired blend called Immigrant. In…
2015 Domaine Faury St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes – Bottle Notes
Along the valley that traces the northern Rhône sits the appellation of St. Joseph and Domaine Faury is one of the region’s most well known producers. When Philippe Faury took over the domaine in 1979, the family was mostly selling wine locally. Over the years, Philippe expanded their holdings to over eleven hectares, and expanded sales internationally. In 2006 his…
2019 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Bottle Notes
Aston Estate was founded in 2001 by Fred Schrader, founder of Schrader Cellars, Chuck Sweeney, co-founder of Vine Cliff and Thomas Rivers-Brown. Several years ago TRB bought out the other two founders and became the sole owner. Aston Estate is located near the remote township of Annapolis, approximately five miles from the coast. I was on the mailing list early…
Pick My Next Bottle – 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2004 vintage. The purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. 2004 was an average vintage in Napa Valley but all the wines I have chosen below have an exceptional track record…
2015 No Girls Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard – Bottle Notes
No Girls Wines is a partnership between famed Cayuse vigneron Christophe Baron and longtime friend and Cayuse general manager, Trevor Dorland. The fruit comes from the Cayuse La Paciencia vineyard, which means patience—appropriate as the project was ten years in the making. The vines are tightly spaced and planted on an angle, giving No Girls a profile all its own. Elizabeth…
2018 Bedrock Wine Co. Wedding Wine – 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. Served at Morgan’s wedding this wine is…
The Week in Zinfandel (4/15/24)
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. Happy reading!
2018 Hartford Family Winery Russian River Valley Old Vine – Bottle Notes
Hartford Family Winery was founded in 1994 as a result of Don and Jennifer Hartford’s appreciation for the wines, the people, and the unique vineyards near their Russian River Valley home. Located in the Sonoma County town of Forestville, the winery is about 15 miles from the cool Pacific Coast. Jeff Stewart is the Hartford Family Winemaker. Purple in color.…









