California

• Amador County
  • Shenandoah Valley
• Carmel Valley
• Carneros
• Central Coast
  • Edna Valley
  • Mt. Harlan
  • Paso Robles
• Contra Costa County
• El Dorado County
• Lake County
• Lodi
• Mendocino
  • Anderson Valley
  • Yorkville Highlands
• Monterey
• Napa Valley
  • Atlas Peak
  • Best of Napa
  • Calistoga
  • Conn Valley
  • Diamond Mountain
  • Howell Mountain
  • Mt. Veeder
  • Oak Knoll
  • Oakville
  • Pope Valley
  • Rutherford
  • Spring Mountain
  • St. Helena
  • Stags Leap
  • Yountville
• North Coast
• Santa Barbara
  • Santa Lucia Highlands
  • Santa Rita Hills
  • Santa Ynez Valley
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Maria Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sonoma County
  • Alexander Valley
  • Bennett Valley
  • Best of Sonoma
  • Dry Creek Valley
  • Fort Ross/Seaview
  • Moon Mountain
  • Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak
  • Russian River Valley
  • Sonoma Coast
  • Sonoma Mountain
  • Sonoma Valley
  • Knights Valley

Honestly, I love Viognier from the Rhone Valley, but less so the full throttle Viogniers from California (usually with high alcohol).  Despite that disclaimer, I really enjoyed this.  Unique and different as it is.  Golden in color with green swirls.  The nose has green apples, slight floral notes and just a hint of peach.  Nice acidity.  Oily texture.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, the apples are present with a light minerality.  Long finish.  This drinks easy on its own and will work with some lighter foods.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

This is a "second" wine from Mount Eden, one of California's premier wine producers.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, apple juice, and a slight lemony note.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, there is a sweet tart note with a slight oxidized lemony note.  Moderate acidity.  This is very mature,  not likely to be a pristine bottle, this showed much older than six years.  

This is a rich California Cabernet but given that, more middle of the road in styling.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, baking spice and slight graphite.  Full bodied.  Lush texture. Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Lots of cassis, some black cherry with underlying char and spice.  Nice finish.  This needs about ten more years until peak, but no harm drinking now.  Drink over the next twenty years.  Great on its own, this needs but food if opening now.  Brisket would work well.  

This is a blend of 53% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot.  It is a delicious wine that is another label different from their Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, dark chocolate, cassis, plums, cedar and baking spices.  Full bodied.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some purple fruit over char and spice.  Firm tannins.  Good energy.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well and will probably improve a bit, but either way should drink well for ten to twelve more years.  It drinks well on

After just recently trying the 2018, it was nice to try something with at least a few more years on it.  Just as delicious.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, char and baking spice.  With air a slight graphite note.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, lots of cassis, some black cherries and underlying char.  This is drinking well but will continue to develop ad mature over the next eight to ten years.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen after that.  Great on its own, it needs big food to tame the tannins right now.  It went great wit

This is a blend of 48% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 10% Petite Sirah, and 1% Roussane from California's Central Coast.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, grilled meats, plums, roasted herbs, and char.  Full bodied.  High energy.

This wine has aged brilliantly.  Golden in color, slightly deeper, clear and bright.  The nose is great with vanilla, lemon crème, and a slight butterscotch note.  Full bodied.  Deep and complex.  Good balance.  On the palate, the vanilla and lemon are joined with some grapefruits.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

An interesting Pinot Noir from Potter Valley in northern California.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and some rhubarb.  Slight bubble gum note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit.  Drinks easy.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

Another outstanding wine from Carlisle.  This one is a bit more playful than some, but just as enjoyable.  At least as good, if not better on Day 2.  Deep garnet in color with purple swirls.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight black olive, spice and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Lots of energy.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit with underlying spice and char.  Nice complexity.  Light but present tannins.  Nice finish.  A really enjoyable bottle.  Drank great on its own and worked with with a mushroom and potato dish.  Drink over the next seven to te

Always one of the best chardonnay's made anywhere!  This vintage is no exception.  Light golden in color with slight green hues.  The nose is classic Rhys:  Vanilla, lemon cream, and slight bakers spices.  Full bodied.  This was drinking well from the beginning.  The palate has lemon cream and vanilla with a touch of spice/oak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and perfect with a Caprese salad.  In my experience, these drink well for a few years and then shut down a bit before re-emerging at age eight or so.  They drink well for another ten after that.