Dry Creek Vineyards ‘The Mariner’ 2019 This is a blend of 61% Cabernet, 18% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc, all sourced from their own Dry Creek Vineyards in Northern Sonoma. The Mariner had its initial launch in 2007 with the release of its 2004 vintage and was well received withContinue reading “‘The Mariner’ Never Fails to Impress. Dry Creek Vineyards does it again.”
Category Archives: American Wines
Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.
These wines could just be the most value-driven wines you drink all year. Parducci Wines’s journey started back in 1912 with a 16-year-old stowaway from Italy. Early efforts were tough going, constructing the winery with no electricity or tractors- everything was done by hand. Their early ‘bottling plant’ consisted of hoses and corks pounded inContinue reading “Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.”
More Santa Rita Magic- Rancho Las Hermanas Winery
Rancho Las Hermanas Winery 0r RLH for short. Rancho Las Hermanas is a north-facing ranch covering almost 600 acres, with just over 200 acres of grapevines planted, and 40 acres of avocado trees along the upper ridgelines. The ranch is steeped in history being part of the original Mexican Land Grant in 1837 called RanchoContinue reading “More Santa Rita Magic- Rancho Las Hermanas Winery”
Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As a wine-growing region, Red Mountain was ‘discovered’ in 1972 but the essentials such as roads, power, and water did not make their appearance until 1975, and after much effort, the first 10 acres of vineyards were planted by John Williams and Jim Holmes. Fast forward to 1980 when the first winery was bonded- KionaContinue reading “Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank.
Mac and Billy Cellars M Cabernet 2021 – Paso Robles. This blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah comes from a collaboration of McPrice “Mac” Myers and Billy Grant- two heavy hitters from the Paso region, who believe in sun, soil, and grit to make great wine. “M is aContinue reading “Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank. “
It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?
Is the third Wednesday in November which would be the 15th. Somehow it got shifted to the 17th … something about a conflict with Beaujolais Nouveau Day, although that is always on the third Thursday of November. Confusion aside for a minute … The Crljenak Kaštelanski grape, which translates to “the red from Kaštela”Continue reading “It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?”
Two California Gems.
Nick Goldschmidt, the winemaker is truly an international winemaker. Born in New Zealand, and raised in Australia, he became, arguably the first ‘flying winemaker’. He starts his year making wine in Barossa, in South Australia, them flying to California to make wine, then on to Argentina to round the year out. His schedule is aContinue reading “Two California Gems.”
Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.
In my day job I get to taste some really interesting wines, some great, some OK, and some that just make me smile from the first sip. These are three of them. Paul Hobbs is the man behind this impressive Chardonnay made from predominately estate-grown fruit totally from Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County- two wineContinue reading “Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.”
Summer is upon us so it’s time to enjoy some excellent whites!
Picollo ‘Rovereto’ Gavi 2020 – nicknamed the ‘Chablis of Italy’. The Winery was established in 1945 and is now run by third-generation Gianlorenzo Ernesto and is situated in the picturesque hills surrounding the town of Gavi. This is considered the most prestigious site in the appellation and is 260 meters above sea level taking fullContinue reading “Summer is upon us so it’s time to enjoy some excellent whites!”
An Elegant Blockbuster from Yakima Valley, Washington.
K Vintners Motor City Kitty Syrah 2020 This is made by Charles Smith, who, over the past 20-plus years has built a reputation of making allocated, single vineyard wines of quality and appeal from some of the best vineyards in Washington. With his long flowing hair, he looks like he is more comfortable walking ontoContinue reading “An Elegant Blockbuster from Yakima Valley, Washington.”
Vine to Table 