Category Archives: California

Thanksgiving 2021: Enjoy the Best of American Sparkling Rosés

Posted on November 13, 2021 by don

There is nothing better than sparkling rosé to pair with the variety of dishes of the traditional Thanksgiving meal.  The 15 wines listed below are the best of the American and Canadian sparkling rosés that we tasted earlier this year. … Continue reading →

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The 2019 Testarossa Chardonnays from Central California’s Premium Vineyards

Posted on October 31, 2021 by don

It seems like ages since we tasted with Diana and Rob Jensen at their winery in Los Gatos, but then almost everything pre-Covid seems to have happened a long time ago.  We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to again … Continue reading →

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Stellar Values in California Chardonnay from Sonoma County

Posted on October 29, 2021 by don

Modern California Chardonnay is some of the best in the world. It’s fresh, balanced, often elegant and nothing like the too-ripe, oaky, buttery wines of the past.  But the best single vineyard Chardonnays can be expensive (>$50), and the inexpensive … Continue reading →

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Cathy Corison’s Elegant Cabernet Sauvignons from the Special 2018 Vintage

Posted on October 27, 2021 by don

Cathy Corison makes some of the Napa Valley’s most elegant and refined Cabernet Sauvignons.  In this article we review her wines from the cool, long-ripening 2018 vintage, including the still to be released wine from the special, old vine Kronos … Continue reading →

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Hanzell Vineyards: Sonoma’s Historic Chardonnay Winery

Posted on October 5, 2021 by don

In this article we review the current Chardonnay releases of Sonoma County’s historic Hanzell Vineyards.  In 1953 James Zellerbach planted Sonoma County’s first commercial Chardonnay vineyard in the foothills of the Mayacamas after returning from Europe where he managed the … Continue reading →

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Kistler Chardonnay: A Review of the 2018 Portfolio

Posted on September 21, 2021 by don

Steve Kistler founded his eponymous, Sonoma winery in 1978 and produced his first vintage in 1979.  Although he was not the first Californian to make single vineyard Chardonnays, his carefully crafted wines from meticulously farmed (and seldom irrigated) vineyards fermented … Continue reading →

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Value Wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain and California

Posted on September 14, 2021 by don

Most American consumers purchase wines that cost less than $20/bottle. In this article, we review inexpensive wines that we have recently tasted.  Many of them offer very good value.  They include wines as varied as Carménère and País from Chile, … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Chile, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Spain, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on Value Wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain and California

The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs of Ross Cobb: The 2018 Vintage

Posted on September 7, 2021 by don

Winemaker Ross Cobb, who founded Cobb Wines with his father David in 2001, is a product of his father’s Sonoma Coast ‘Coastlands Vineyard’, as much as the grapes that are grown there. His father planted the vineyard in 1989, looking … Continue reading →

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Passionate About Grenache

Posted on September 4, 2021 by don

The International Wine Review is passionate about Grenache, and we join others in celebrating International Grenache Day on the 3rd Friday of September.  Over the years, we have prepared three major reports on Grenache focused on the growing importance of … Continue reading →

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   Wrath Vineyards of Monterey:  2019 Releases

Posted on September 1, 2021 by mike

Wrath is a small artisanal winery located along the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands in the Monterey AVA.  It crafts  high quality premium Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc from its own 72-acre San Saba Estate Vineyard and … Continue reading →

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