Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch – Bottle Notes

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s . Carlisle also recently released their first Cabernet Sauvignon from Montecillo Vinyard and a Russian River…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/27/20)

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. Nittany Epicurean reviews the 2017 Pedroncelli Winery Zinfandel Courage. The Wine Write writes The Jewel that is Saucelito Canyon Vineyard. Eric Asimov writes Twenty Wines Under $20: Where…

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Bottle Notes

2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard – Bottle Notes

Saxum Vineyards is located in the Paso Robles AVA of Central California. Founded in the early 2000’s by Justin Smith, a young winemaker who had previously been part-owner of Linne Calodo, Saxum leapt into the limelight in late 2010 when its 2007 James Berry Vineyards wine was named the #1 Wine of 2010 by Wine Spectator. Smith owns the winery…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2015 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines – Bottle Notes

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes right around 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…

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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/20/20)

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. Vino-sphere writes Jeff Runquist and the Quest for Authentic Excellence in Wine. Caspernick’s Blog reviews the 2016 Cameron Hughes Zinfandel Lot 636. Randy Caparoso writes What do Restaurant…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2012 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel – Bottle Notes

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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Random Musings

The Week in Zinfandel (1/13/20)

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. Meg Maker reviews the 2015 Quivira Zinfandel Anderson Ranch Dry Creek Valley. Visit Calistoga writes 15 Wineries in Calistoga Where You Can Enjoy Zinfandel. Esther Mobley writes “I’m…

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Bottle Notes, Zinfandel

2014 Ridge Geyserville – 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 retired…

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