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,…
California
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…
Windy Oaks “Terra Narro”
Windy Oaks EstateSanta Cruz Mountains "Terra Narro" Pinot Noir2007 We love Windy Oaks. They make our favorite American Pinot, and we're even wine club…
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc – Viognier: Before and After
Pine RidgeChenin Blanc – Viognier2008 This wine is 81% Chenin Blanc, 19% Viognier. It's nearly colorless, with a lightly floral, almost peachy nose. At…
Treana: The Essence of Wine
When I was a kid, I knew what wine tasted like. I knew because I'd read the Narnia books, and The Hobbit, and The…
The First of the Whites
Ferrari-CaranoFumé Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)2007 On this late March afternoon, it's sunny and 43º outside, sunny and 72º inside. As an aperitif, we open a…
Acorn Zin on a Friday Night
Acorn Alegría Vineyards Zinfandel "Heritage Vines"2005 This wine is deep ruby, with a very interesting nose. It starts light, like blueberry, or maybe just…
Bogleman
BoglePhantom2005 In Phantom, Bogle creates a monster. A blend of Petite Sirah, old vine Zinfandel, and old vine Mourvedre, this inky red packs a…
A Dark Wine for a November Night
Clay StationPetite Sirah Lodi2005 This inky, full-bodied Sirah has a surprisingly cedary, herbal nose, while the palate offers lots of chocolate and dark fruits,…
A Really Lush Zin
SeghesioSonoma County Zinfandel2006 Take small sips: this Zin is incredibly concentrated, lavish, and unrestrained. The nose bursts with the brightness of cherries, but is…
Halter Ranch “Ranch Cab,” Paso Robles
Halter Ranch VineyardsRanch Cab Paso Robles2004 Purple and highly extracted, this wine had lots of stuffing when we bought it in the spring, so…