Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
This is a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Light golden in color. The nose has nice minerality with a touch of grapefruits. On the palate, the taste is consistent. The best thing about this is the somewhat oily texture. It is refreshing. Worked well with some Shihito peppers. It should probably be consumed in the next few years.
Evangelho vineyard is a blend featuring mostly Zinfandel. This vineyard always seems to have a more "claret" or elegant style to it. That can be a disadvantage at a tasting or with a group of bigger wines. When consumed on its own, however, it can be charming. Deep ruby in color. The nose has cherries, raspberries, slight smoke and an interesting bit of mint. On the palate, the cherries and smoke tend to dominate at the moment. Some depth. Good acidity. Nice finish. This drinks well on its own but really begs for pasta, pizza or burgers. Drink it over the next five years.
This is a rose wine made in California from Gamay grapes. So, to start, a bit untypical. It is made by veteran winery owner Steve Edmunds. The wine is doing fine at age two from vintage and this year, graced our family's Thanksgiving table. It worked out quite well. Salmon pink in color, slightly electric. The nose has watermelons, strawberries and slight cranberries. On the palate, this has a lot of energy to it. Clean with good fruit; strawberries and slight cherries. An underlying salinity which is nice. Long finish. This worked well with a wide variety of foods. It probably
Tynan makes a top cab for which he is probably better known for. This was my first time trying this wine and it is impressive. Inky purple in color. Opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, slight bacon fat and roasted herbs. With air, a slight lavender/violet comes out. Wonderful lush but energetic texture. Delicious. Firm tannins. This is still young but drinking wonderfully on its own. Black raspberries layered with pepper and charred earth. Great acidity. Long finish. This will continue to improve for the next five to seven years and be at peak for a
Rafanelli followers are some of the most devoted in the Zin world, and rightly so. They make some of the best Zins. In style, the wines are middle of the road. They have a lot of fruit, but are not bombastic. They have an elegance but are not in a claret style. They also age nicely. This one is purple in color. The nose has raspberries, black raspberries, black cherries, slight bramble and spice. On the palate, this has a lot of energy. Good acidity. Plenty of black cherry fruit with a bit of raspberries over a char/smoke and spice. Medium bodied with a lovely texture. Good fini
This is a fairly priced Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast. Msrp is $25 but can often be found for less. Light golden in color. The nose is nice with vanilla, slight lemons and baking spice. Creamy texture. Moderate acidity. On the palate, the vanilla and slight lemons come thru. Good finish. This drinks easily on its own. It will work well with heavier sea foods, pasta or fowl. Drink over the next few years.
Light golden in color. The nose has pears, yeast, and baking spice. Full bodied. On the palate, the pears come thru with underlying toast. Nice mouthfeel. A bit warm. Long finish. This is very nice with oak showing but not overwhelming. It will work with seafoods or fowl. Drink over the next few years.
Limerick lane is making some of the best Zinfandels. They are world class red wines. This is a big, intense Zinfandel at the moment that is delicious to drink. It should calm down for those who prefer more of a claret style. Deep ruby in color. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black pepper and char. On the palate, this has a lush texture. Juicy black raspberry fruit. Underlying char. Deep and complex. Long finish. This drinks great on its own or will work well with ribs or grilled meats.
Gorgeous wine in a great place right now. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and hints of cherry cola. Full bodied. Silky but full texture. Lots of black raspberry and black cherry fruit over gravel, char and scorched earth. Nice acidity. Complex, deep; the layers unwind in the glass. Still some tannins left. Long finish. Just abot at peak but should have a decade to go at this level. Works great on its own and will work with roasts and grilled food.
Petite Syrah or Petite Sirah? Same grape and one that can really age well. At age 26, this is drinking quite well. Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, spice and dust. With air, a bit of gravel. On the palate, this is full bodied. Boysenberry fruit, dried fruit and slight dry earth. Slight depth and complexity. Tannins all resolved. Good acidity. Moderate finish. This probably is a bit past prime but certainly should continue to provide good drinking for five to ten more years as it slides downhill. It really needs food. Burgers or steaks would be great.
