Random Musings

The Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings

Welcome to the 3rd, annual installment, of the Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings. The intent behind the list was to rank wineries based on the buzz and excitement they create in the wine collecting crowd. The rankings are entirely subjective based on my observations on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Wine Spectator, Wine Berserkers and Cellartracker. I’ve ranked the wineries below and…

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Bottle Notes, Grenache

Baby Cayuse or Does No Girls Stand on It’s Own?

No Girls Wines was originally founded as a collaboration between Cayuse owner and vigneron Christophe Baron and general manager Trevor Dorland. The first release of the wine was with the 2008 vintage. Two wines, a Syrah and Grenache from La Paciencia Vineyard, were released. Over time the winemaking has transitioned from Christophe Baron to Elizabeth Bourcier. I recall vividly when…

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Bottle Notes, Buying Wine

Cayuse 2014 Release Party

Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit to Walla Walla, he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…

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Bottle Notes

Pick My Next Bottle – Taste Washington Wine Month

The March Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on great bottles from some of the best producers in Washington. 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 Sunday and a Bottle Note…

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Bottle Notes, Syrah

Pick My Next Bottle – Cult Syrah

The December installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on some of the very best domestic Syrah producers. 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 be…

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russian river valley grapes
Random Musings

Making a List

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays I am making a list of wines I’d like to see made. In some cases it is a winemaker that I would like to see make a wine from a new varietal and in other cases it is an existing varietal from a different vineyard source. Lets get this list started with a…

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2004 Cayuse Armada Vineyard Syrah
Bottle Notes, Syrah

2004 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Cayuse was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a native of France who grew up in family of winemakers in Champagne. Baron studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne, and had ambitions to make Pinot Noir in Oregon. However, on a visit to Walla Walla he found property that he believed would be perfect for growing grapes and decided to purchase…

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