California

Tinged, Not Tainted

Tinged, Not Tainted

Navarro Vineyards Anderson Valley Deep End Blend Pinot Noir 2008 13.8% ABV | Price: about $36 “Dear Navarro Friend,” the letter began, “We need…

Well Born

Well Born

Bonny Doon Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Syrah2007Current price: about $40 (as club members we paid $34) This wine is deep ruby red…

Toasted

Toasted

Windy Oaks Estate One-Acre Estate Chardonnay2007Current price: about $38 We received two bottles of this about a year ago. We opened the first right…

O Grinho

O Grinho

Bonny Doon Vineyard Vinho Grinho2009Current price: about $20 (as club members we paid $17) Made from 56% Portuguese loureiro grapes and 44% Spanish albariño,…

At Our Fingertips

At Our Fingertips

We just returned from a long weekend in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Over the course of two and a half…

Lifted

Lifted

Bonny Doon Vineyard Paso Robles Viognier2009Current price: about $20 (as club members we paid $17) This wine is a pure, pale yellow, washed clean…

Bright

Bright

Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc2008Current price: about $14 Spring weather today, 68°F and sunny. My garlic's up, and one crocus—school bus yellow—popped open midday. It's time…

Success

Success

We recently enjoyed a 2007 Ridge Sonoma County Zinfandel, so much so that when I found @RidgeLS on Twitter, I clicked through to their…

Scholium

Scholium

Scholium Project Lost Slough Vineyards Gemella2007Current price: about $50 We gathered last night for braised beef and an array of powerful Turleys (on which…

Grenache Lessons

Grenache Lessons

Last week I joined the Rhône Rangers. This week they sent me an invitation to a tasting event, part of their Grand Tasting weekend…

Lit From Within

Lit From Within

Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc2004Current price: about $22 (2007 vintage) Brilliant yellow-gold, clear like March sun. It smells to me like the beach,…