California

• Amador County
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  • Atlas Peak
  • Best of Napa
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• North Coast
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• Santa Cruz
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• 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

Sandlands makes my favorite US Chanin Blanc.  That might not be an impressive statement, but there are some great ones and this one competes with any anywhere.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice (if not served too cold) with almonds, orange peel, minerals and slight lemon.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a nice depth.  The almonds and orange peel carry thru with a slight waxy note.  Good energy.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This seems like it should improve a bit with age and should drink well for seven to ten years (and quite possibly more).  It will work well with li

This is one of those wines that is allowed to call itself Champagne as it is grandfathered in for the use of the name.  Of course, champagne is a region in France but this is from California.  This is one of the most popular sparkling wines sold in the US.  Ceartainly marketing and price have a lot to do with that, but it is a solid wine and, especially if being used for Mimosas or other mixed drinks, it is a reasonable alternative.  Light golden in color.  The nose is steely with lemon/lime notes.  A nice head of medium sized bubbles.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Clean, just a hint o

This is still a bit young but rounding into peak form and almost there.  With a  bit of air, this is drinking quite well.  A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, leather, cigar box, slight dark chocolate, cherries and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a lush but firm texture.  Lots of energy.  Layers of fruit and dried tobacco with a bit of char.  Complex.  Light tannins.  After about an hour, this was singing.  Long finish.  This will work with most heavier foods especially roasts or casseroles (wit

What a pretty Zinfandel.  Not a monster in any way.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  Rather light looking, just on appearance I would not have guessed Zinfandel.  On the nose, this has raspberries, slight cherries, a bit of bramble, black pepper and vanilla.  The label lists this as 17.3% Alcohol.  Whoa.  Not a trace on the nose or palate though.  Even the texture, which can be bolstered by alcohol, doesn't reveal the high level.  The palate does give cherries, slight Framboise, with underlying char.  There is depth and complexity here.  And deliciousness.  I would guess that this

Opened later in the night after a bunch of red wines, this really seemed fresh and lively.  It worked out great.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon chiffon with nice minerality.  Just a touch of vanilla.  Full bodied.  Crisp.  Delicious.  The lemon carries thru over a mineral bed.  Great on its own, this will work well with seafood, salads and certainly on its own.  It is very young now and worth drinking that way, but this should easily go another ten years and probably more as it matures.  

Pop and pour, this never really showed as much as hoped for.  Solid but not more.  Maybe just in a weird phase right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis with a bit of baking spice.  Full bodied.  The cassis carries thru to the palate.  Clean.  No hard edges.  Nice finish.  Not a lot of complexity at this point.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  Worked well with some Italian food.  No signs of age, it might be better to wait a few years on this and check back in.  

This is an easy drinking red.  It is uncertain what varietals.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose shows some cherries, black cherries with slight milk chocolate.  On the palate, the same flavors come thru.  This probably should be consumed in the next few years.  it drinks well on its own but would be fine with burgers.  

The cork crumbled on opening and the wine was decanted.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char, slight ink scent and a bit of blueberries.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the blueberries are more pronounced and plenty of boysenberries with underlying char.  Still has youthful energy.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now but still young.  No harm opening or letting it age another ten to fifteen years.  It probably won't get much better.  It will work well with pizza, burger but also roasts and grilled foods.  

This is the second release of the Orin Swift project now that Dave Phinney's non-compete with Prisoner Wine Company is over.  It was nice to get a chance to try this.  This is a very solid wine.  Purple in color.

This is a non-vintage blend.  It was bottled in 2016.  Although it carries a Napa Valley designation, as it is mostly Mt. Veeder grapes, it has grapes from all over California.  A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon,36% Cabernet Franc, and 23% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose has a mushroom note to it along with black cherry fruit and baking spices.  Warm.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Easy drinking.  This probably should be consumed in the next five to seven years.  It will work well with stews and casseroles.