The June installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on the 2014 vintage from some of the very best domestic producers of Syrah and Syrah based wines. 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…
2014 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands – Bottle Notes
Kosta Browne was founded in the late nineties by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne and has always focused on Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The winery has changed hands several times. Most recently Kosta Browne was purchased by Duckhorn Wine Company. The waiting list for the Appellation wines is 18 months long and for the coveted 4…
The Week in Zinfandel (6/19/23)
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! Happy reading!
2019 Sandlands Mataro San Benito County – Bottle Notes
Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. Tegan is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Turley. The line-up encompasses some of the forgotten classic California varieties, primarily grown in decomposed granite from regions and vineyards that have been farmed for many generations but have remained the outliers of California viticulture. The wines made at Sandlands include Syrah,…
2018 Holocene Pinot Noir Apocrypha – Bottle Notes
Holocene was founded by Todd and Carrie Alexander in 2015. Todd, of course, is the winemaker at Force Majeure and prior to that at Bryant Family Vineyards. Holocene makes two Pinots, a Chardonnay, a Syrah and a Pinot Gris. Bright red in color. 13.4% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, citrus and forest floor. Medium body with medium acidity. Rich,…
2016 Aston Estate 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…
2018 Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis – Bottle Notes
Holocene was founded by Todd and Carrie Alexander in 2015. Todd, of course, is the winemaker at Force Majeure and prior to that at Bryant Family Vineyards. Holocene makes two Pinots, a Chardonnay, a Syrah and a Pinot Gris. Ruby red in color. 13.3% ABV. Stunning nose of red fruits, flowers and forest floor. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Light,…
The Week in Zinfandel (6/12/23)
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! Happy reading!
2014 Leonetti Merlot – Bottle Notes
Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti, along with Quilceda Creek and Woodward Canyon put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is part of Figgins Family Wine Estates. Chris Figgins is now in charge of the…
2016 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Papera 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…









