2015 Forchini Old Vine Zinfandel
It’s been years since I tasted this old friend and quite happy with the updated reunion. Culled from 100 year old vines in the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, the striking deep ruby color and fragrant aroma shows thorny dark berries, blackberry and cherry with black pepper, mint...
Ridge Lytton Springs Vertical Tasting
A vertical tasting is when you open multiple bottles of the same wine from different vintages. It is the perfect way to find out how those wines are aging in the cellar, plus experience all the different nuances they reveal as they age....
What is the number one tourist attraction in California?
For many years, Disneyland ruled. Now, wineries are king. The wine industry now attracts more than 18 million visitors to its wineries, tasting rooms, and vineyards. Who would have ever thought grapes could overtake a couple of cute mice....
2014 Frick Cinsaut
I am always on the hunt for something new and different to tease my taste buds. The typical varietals are everywhere among us, I am in search for something rare and unusual. I had enjoyed this wine years ago but only recently had the opportunity to experience it once...
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Ripe and ready for picking, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at Pride Mountain Vineyard are considered some of the best in Napa Valley. High atop Spring Mountain in the western part of the valley, their fabulous wines are rivaled by the spectacular views and the winery itself. ...
Who are Crljenak Kastelanski and Tribidrag?
It’s our good friend, Mr. Zinfandel. Thought to be a native California grape, Zinfandel’s origins actually belong to the country of Croatia. The varietal also spread it’s wings to southern Italy, where it is grown and known as Primitivo....
2016 Michael David Petite Petit
You want them big? You want them hearty? When it comes to this value gem, there is nothing petite about this rocking beauty. Deep Purple in color and jammin’ like the band of the same name, the depth of dark fruit like blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, blueberry and...
Cline Cellars Critters
At Cline Cellars in the Sonoma Valley, instead of pesticides and herbicides, 1500 sheep and 500 goats roam the vineyards, tasked with removing invasive weeds. In spring, they munch on new growth between the vine rows. During summer months, sheep clear the weeds from the vineyard floor while chomping...
What grape varietals make up Spanish Cava?
The 3 main grapes that are in Spain’s famous sparkling wine are Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parelleda. But in some instances, Chardonnay is now being included in some blends. A stark difference from true French Champagne which uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier exclusively. Cheers!...
2017 Drylands Sauvignon Blanc
With warmer temperatures right around the corner, it’s almost time to shutter the hearty red wines and start thinking Spring and Summer. Be gone Old Man Winter, to us that means enjoying warm sunshine, blue skies, whites and roses. It’s not hard to find a crisp and citrusy New...