Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2016 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…

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Cellar Management

Pick My Next Bottle – 1995 Bordeaux

The February installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Bordeaux from the the now 28 year old 1995 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. The winning bottle will be opened this Saturday and a Bottle Note will…

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Bottle Notes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2007 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan – Bottle Notes

Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique was founded in 1976. Four years later, in 1980, Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique produced, bottled and sold their first wine. Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique is owned by the Bonnet family who are also well-known negociants in the Rhone Valley. La Bastide Saint Dominique is best know for their Secrets de Pignan which is produced from 95%…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2014 Ridge Lytton Springs – Bottle Notes

Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. Paul Draper recently…

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Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2013 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. In addition to the line up of Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, Rivers-Marie also makes a several single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay. Thomas is…

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Bottle Notes, Sauvignon Blanc

2018 J. Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc Old Vines – Bottle Notes

Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has published a detailed map of…

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