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
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  • Rutherford
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  • 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

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.  

This is "cellared and bottled" by Precision Wine Co., but that is really all I could find out about the wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis and a grapey quality.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  One dimensional.  Drinks easy.  Black raspberry fruit.  Clipped finish.  Lacks much acidity or energy.  The kind of wine that, for the right price, it fine to serve at large events.  

Light ruby in color.  The nose has bright cherries and a slight earthiness.  On the palate, this is light bodied.  Thin with tart cherry fruit.  There is some earthiness on the palate as well.  Long finish.  This is easy drinking and refreshing.  Drinks fine without food.  It will work with light foods too.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

For those who like a buttery, plenty of oak style California Chardonnay, this is a great option.  It can sometimes be found for less than $20!  Green gold in color.  The nose has fresh lumber, slight vanilla, butter and slight lemons.  On the palate, the lemon, oak and vanilla carry thru.  Nice texture.  Persistent oak on the finish.  It will be kind of wine that is divisive; love or not.  More for sipping on its own though it will work with roasted fowl quite well.  I admit this is not my personal favorite style, so your mileage may vary.  

This is a relatively affordable Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has lots of yellow grapefruits.  Slightly oily texture.  More yellow grapefruits on the palate.  Good acidity.  Good finish.  This drinks easy on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  It should be drunk in the next couple of years.