California

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  • Alexander Valley
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Compared to the 2010 Verna's, this seems to be a bit more elegant with more depth.  Both are great though.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, grilled meats and white pepper.  On the palate, this has lots of energy.  Unwinds into layers in the glass of fruit and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will continue to improve for a while.  If drinking now, give it some air.  

This is a big Chardonnay that is not for everyone.  For those who like buttery, oaked Chardonnay, they will love this.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon curd, fresh cut lumber, butter and spice.  On the palate, there are some searing oak tannins to deal with.  Also some nice lemon fruit.  Good acidity.  This is probably not a great food match, but lots of people would love this on its own.  For my tastes, the oak is a bit too pronounced.  That said, a small glass was enjoyable.  

Biased review as this is our own winery.  I post this as guidance for anyone thinking of opening a bottle.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, grilled meat, black pepper, slight iodine.  On the palate, this is still young.  It needs air or cellar time.  Medium tannins.  Juicy boysenberry fruit.  An underlying char.  Good finish.  Very food friendly but works on its own.  Still should see some upside.  

Mondeuse is a bit of a different grape typically found in the French Alps region of Jura.  This is a version grown in the mountain sunshine of the Napa Valley of California which gives it a bit more ripeness while retaining the depth.  At 9 years from vintage, this is still youthful but in a good drinking window.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, tart cherries, slight floral notes and lots of minerality.  On the palate, this is more about tart cherries and minerality.  With air, it gains weight but the profile is the same.  No tannins to speak of.  Good with food.  Nice fin

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, and some roasted meats.  Very deep.  On the  palate, this is still young but drinking great.  Black raspberry fruit with some roasted herbs and some spice.  Great texture.  Deep and tightly layered.  Long finish.  This will develop more complexity but if you like lush, delicious warm climate Syrah, this one is fine now.   

"Florida" Jim Cowan is doing some really interesting things with Italian (and other) varietals and at fair prices.  This is one of his more straightforward white wines.  Made from the Fiano grape more typically found in Campagna, Italy.  Light green gold in color.  The nose is nice with almonds and a nice salinity to it.  On the palate, this is medium bodied but a rounder fuller texture.  Not quite the acidity of the Italian versions, but still enough to work with food.  It has a quality that is almost like a non-oxidized sherry in a good way.  Easy drinking but still with some depth.  Nice

One of my favorite vineyards from one of my favorite wineries.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some bramble and a bit pf pepper.  Wonderful texture.  Lush but with great energy.  Deep but unwinds in the glass.  Juicy deliciousness.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  This will last another decade, but why?  It is so unique and great now.  

This is an inexpensive (around $6) Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some lemons and oak.  On the palate, this is simple but drinkable.  A bit of citrus.  Not much depth.  Works as an alcohol delivery system.  The key here is that for $6, this is drinkable.  

If you don't know Sandlands, this is a winery you should check into.  The wines are made using grape varietals that are not the usual for California.  Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua are making wines that are a bit lower in alcohol from not the usual locations.  Their pricing is reasonable as well.  This one is around $30.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight rhubarb, a hint of barnyard and a bit of bitters.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice cherry fruit with some black raspberries.  The bitters quality is also there which is kind of interesting.  Works well with food.  Ni

This is a wine produced by the now defunct Crushpad from their purchased grapes.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, dark cherries with a fair amount of oak.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  There is cassis fruit but also a lot of oak.  I wonder if there is enough fruit to outlast the oak.  I am not sure and would not take a chance.  drink this sooner than later.