Category Archives: California

Review of the 2016 Rosés: Focus on Pinot Noir

Posted on May 26, 2017 by don

Delicious, crisp rosés are already on the shelves waiting for consumers to welcome the coming hot summer with a chilled glass. In this, our annual rosé review, we review 60 rosés made from different grape varieties grown around the world. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, New Zealand, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Leave a comment

Dutton Goldfield New Releases from the 2014-2016 Vintages

Posted on May 9, 2017 by don

The Spring 2017 new releases from Sonoma County’s Dutton Goldfield winery include a sumptuous Pinot Blanc, vibrant Riesling, and spicy, very appealing Gewürztraminer from the 2016 vintage; a classic Green Valley Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Enkidu Winery: New Releases

Posted on May 3, 2017 by mike

Enkidu is a small artisanal winery owned and operated by Phil Staehle.  It produces a wide variety of handcrafted wines of high quality and originality from its custom crush facility in Sonoma,  sourcing grapes from top vineyards such as Bedrock … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Wrath Wines: New Releases from Monterey and the Santa Lucia Highlands

Posted on April 10, 2017 by don

Sabrine Rodems (shown below with ceramic dolium) makes the excellent Monterey County wine at Wrath with the assistance of grower Steve McIntyre. Wrath Wines is located on the bench land overlooking the Salinas River and just across the river from … Continue reading →

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The Farm Winery: 2013-14 New Releases from Paso Robles

Posted on December 23, 2016 by mike

These six new 2013 and 2014  releases from The Farm Winery in Paso Robles are terrific.  We are enthusiastic about them because they reveal outstanding vineyard management and restrained winemaking.   As a group these wines offer fruit forward purity, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Red Wine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gary Farrell Winery: More New 2014 Releases: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel

Posted on October 13, 2016 by mike

This is the second installment of our reviews of Gary Farrell’s new 2014 releases of single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs and two single vineyard Zinfandels.  Readers who missed the previous reviews can find them here.  The wines reviewed here are … Continue reading →

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Testarossa Winery: New Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Releases

Posted on September 23, 2016 by mike

These new releases confirm once again that Testarossa Winery  is among California’s finest producers of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   As in previous years, it has released a bevy of outstanding handcrafted terroir-based wines from some of the top growers … Continue reading →

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Wente: New Chardonnay Releases from Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco

Posted on September 21, 2016 by mike

Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated family-owned winery in the country. Founded in 1883, the winery is now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery produces premium wines sourced from nearly 3,000 … Continue reading →

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Schug Carneros Estate Winery: New Releases of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on September 8, 2016 by mike

The Schug Carneros Estate Winery was founded by Walter and Gertrud Schug, originally from Germany.  Prior to establishing their family winery in the early 1980s, Walter worked for E&J Gallo and Joseph Phelps. During his tenure at Phelps, Walter made … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Pinot Noir | Tagged | Leave a comment

Morgan: New Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Releases 2014

Posted on September 5, 2016 by mike

These wines are among Morgan’s finest.  They are also from a very fine 2014 vintage which offered a relatively long growing season for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  The wines are beautifully crafted and reveal the  purity of fruit and elegant … Continue reading →

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