My First Zinfandel
Ridge California Sonoma County Three Valleys Zinfandel2007Current price: about $21 Okay, it's not my first Zinfandel. But it's the first one I've really liked. It's…
California
A Bagatelle
Acacia Vineyard A2007Current price: about $12 A sweet little wine, juicy and vibrant. Bright pink-purple, with a nose like the wild roses that grow in…
An Italian and Two Frenchmen Walk Into a Bar…
Bonny DoonSuper Tuscan2008Price: about $15 This wine is a blend of 52% Sangiovese, 33% Syrah, and 15% Cinsault. So that means it's: bright, fruity,…
The Moon in a Glass
Ca' del Solo Estate VineyardMuscat2008Price: $18 This wine is a pale, translucent gold, a warm moonbeam in a glass. It offers a nose of…
The Rhône Rabbit
Bonny Doon VineyardCigare Alternative C2004 Brilliant red-purple, like the queen's velvet. The nose is floral; I get violets, the breath of spring. I get…
Windy Oaks Pinot
Windy Oaks EstateEstate Cuvée Pinot Noir2007 This wine is brilliant red-purple, ringing with clarity. Its nose reaches up with lovely red fruit plus a…
Lang and Reed: Hard and Soft
Lang & ReedNorth Coast Cabernet Franc2007 This wine is deep purplish red, like a liquid ruby. It's full on the nose, offering bramble fruits,…
Bewitching
Bonny Doon VineyardSyrah "Le Pousseur"2006 I've had two wines recently that shook me up, then haunted me after. The first…
A Brutish Rose
SchramsbergMirabelle Brut RoséNonvintage This pale pinkish gold sparkler bubbles exuberantly when poured, making it a little coarse at first. Once the fizz subsides, it…
William Hill Merlot 2005
William Hill EstateNapa Valley Merlot2005 This wine has a smoky, plummy nose with chocolate and sweet tobacco. On the palate it's earthy, with leather,…
Markham Napa Valley Merlot
Markham VineyardsNapa Valley Merlot2005 This wine is deep purple, offering a nose of chocolate and earth. It's fulsome and not too tannic—just what we'd…
Acorn Alegría Rosato 2007
AcornAlegría Rosato Russian River Valley2007 This wine, made primarily of Sangiovese, is deep rosy pink with a lightly floral, slightly strawberry nose. Straight from…