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Another great Syrah from Campesino.  This is in the vein of the Northern Rhone but with lots of good California sunshine.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black olives, slight dried lavender and a hint of moist turned earth.  On the palate, this is smooth and easy to drink.  But, there is also nice depth with good acidity.  It opens beautifully in the glass showing black raspberry fruit and underlying earthiness.  Nice finish.  This may still improve but it will make nice drinking for another ten to twelve years.  A great match for f

Petite Sirah is a very interesting grape.  Some wines are made to be consumed young but most need a little to a long time.  This one is not quite there but almost.  It is a grape that might be better suited to blending although its fans are strong (of which I am one).  The flavors are deep and intense but not boisterous.  This one is deep purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, slight plums, dark chocolate and tarragon.  With air, a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The boysenberries and plums come thru with an underlying gravelly note.  Nice balance.  It re

Bonterra uses organically grown grapes to make their wines.  The wines are very good to great and priced reasonably.  Their Rosé is always a favorite.  As Memorial Day approaches, this year will be a bit different with Social Distancing still appropriate.  Finally, however, we had a nice weather day, and it was a great time to try the latest vintage.  The wine is screw topped which is a great thing.  This vine is mostly Grenache.  It will keep the wine fresher.  It has a very pretty color.  Sort of a deep, ruby/pink in color.  Clear and bright.  Upon opening, notes of Rhubarb with some cher

This is a nice value in under $20 California Cabernet.  A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, some cassis, a bit of spice and slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries dominate with light tannins.  This drinks easy right now on its own and will work well with burgers and grilled foods.  This won't get better but should last, if well stored, for another four to six years.  

This is the second vintage for a Red Wine Blend and I far prefer this to the 2015 version.  it is a blend of 42% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 19% "Port Grapes, and 18% Syrah.  Yes, Port wine grapes can be a wide variety but I have no idea what they used and that the grapes are from Mendocino.  But, for $20 retail, no need to get hung up on that.  Right now it seems the Zinfandel and to a lesser extent the Syrah dominate the blend although that might change with time.  It is made by Rich Parducci.  This utilizes a cork (unlike the Chardonnay)  Ruby in color with purple swirls.  The nose has

This is a label created by golfer Ben Curtis and Rich Parducci.  The wines are meant to be affordable (full retail is about $20).  This Chardonnay was made in steel and uses no oak.  Screw capped.  Golden in color, with a bit of a copper hue.  The nose is tight but with some air, it opens to show lemon balm, lemon grass, and just a hint of LemonHeads candy.  On the palate, the texture is slightly oily.  There is an interesting chalkiness to it and the lemon balm comes thru.  It is steely and easy drinking.  This drinks well on its own.  Very refreshing.  It has enough acidity to work well w

This is a surprisingly big and bold Pinot Noir.  The surprise is more that it is from the Santa Lucia Highlands.  The vines were planted in 2008.  Although 2017 wasa bit lighter of a vintage in Sonoma/Napa, it would appear that down in Monterey, there was no issue in getting fruit ripe.  Certainly not for this wine.  It has a very pretty ruby/garnet color.  Clear and bright.  The nose shows coffee, black cherries, and a slight rhubarb.  With air a bit of brown sugar emerges.  On the palate, this is full bodied with light tannins.  It has juicy red berries.  There is some oak coming thru as

Tasted this as part of a virtual wine tasting during the Covid 19 Shelter in Place Order.  These tastings are a fun and informative way to try some wines.  This is a blend of 23 different vineyards to make an affordably priced wine.  For those seeking a wine in this style, this offers a nice value.  it has a medium to deep gold color with some green swirls.  The nose has plenty of up front toasty oak along with a bit of lemon chiffon and a hint of baked apple.  On the palate, this has s very nice, slightly oily texture.  The palate is similar to the nose.  The oak is out front, but there is

Nice to revisit this one.  It's been a few years.  This is drinking great although it still is probably not at peak.  Deep ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and very nice with cassis, smoke, slight cedar.  Very concentrated, it opens in the glass.  Likewise, the palate is very concentrated.  Cassis with slight earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This still has some lighter tannins.  This will drink well for at least another decade and probably two.  It drinks well on its own but will work well with roasted meats or vegetables.  

This is from a northern California.  While I really enjoy the Rhys Chardonnay's, this is not as exuberant the ones from Santa Cruz.  Still, it is excellent.  Golden green in color.  The nose has vanilla, slight grapefruit and slight pineapple.  On the palate, this has a very nice texture.  Slightly viscous.  Nice underlying minerality.  The vanilla comes thru without being too overt.  Nice fruit.  This is drinking well now.  I don't think it will get better but should remain at this level for another five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own.  This will go well with lighter foods such