2011 Talbott Vineyards Chardonnay, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Brilliant medium straw color. Vanilla, toasted bread and butter notes lead to a mélange of delicate fruit aromas — apple, pear and white peach — along with a whiff of citrus zest. The wine is full in the mouth, sporting a juicy acidity that… Read more
NV Perrier-Jouet ‘Grand Brut’ Champagne, France
Light straw in color, this sparkler has an effusive, fine-beaded mousse. A pleasing nose of green apple, pear, toast, lees and honey leads to a sweet-tart entry. The wine becomes creamy on the palate, with lots of plump fruit, and there’s a touch… Read more
2010 Jacques Puffeney Chardonnay, Arbois, Jura, France
Is there a producer more synonymous with the glories of Jura wine than Jacques Puffeney? His efforts over the past decade-plus are well documented; his wines beloved both by the snobbish cognoscenti and the plebeian Parisian hipster. Have you… Read more
2008 Dry Creek Vineyard ‘Endeavour’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
While world-famous for its jammy, berry and cherry-packed Zinfandels, the Dry Creek Valley has long had a loyal following for its Cabernet Sauvignon — and rightly so. This one is nearly opaque, ruby/purple in hue. Scents of violets, cherry… Read more
2008 Conn Creek ‘Anthology,’ Napa Valley
Conn Creek’s flagship wine is a true Bordeaux-style blend, using all five red varietals from that region. The lovely, perfumed nose unfolds to reveal layers of violets, fleshy black cherry, jammy dark berries and pie spices. In the mouth, the wine… Read more
2010 Ten Acre Pinot Noir, Stephens Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Nearly opaque dark ruby in color, with lightening at the rim. The pretty, fruit-driven nose delivers plenty of crushed raspberry, strawberry, cherry cola, orange peel, light vanilla and a dark floral note. On the palate, earth and a note of black… Read more
2008 Cobb Pinot Noir, Rice-Spivak Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Transparent red ruby color with glints of violet. Scents of earth, orange oil and woodspice give way to bright red berry and cherry aromas. Light upon entry to the palate, the wine picks up minerality, weight and earth toward the back. Great… Read more
2008 Cobb Pinot Noir, Emmaline Ann Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Transparent light ruby color, clearing at the edges. The nose delivers Old World charm, with lilting aromas of rose petal, raspberry, dried orange peel, earth and high-toned spice. The wine is all silky and feminine in the mouth, finishing with a… Read more
2010 Sea Smoke ‘Southing’ Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
Translucent bright ruby color. Refreshing aromas of strawberry jam, perfumed flowers, spiced cranberry, light cola and a hint of mushroom earthiness. Initially light as it enters the palate, the wine gathers weight and shows a tad of heat, which… Read more
2010 Patz & Hall Chardonnay, Zio Tony Ranch, Russian River Valley
Medium straw color. The nose is rich and fragrant, as the juicy ripe peach and apple fruit play off of the warm vanilla, butter toffee and perfumed wood spice. Full in the mouth, the wine coats the palate with spiced, buttered fruit. The afterflavor… Read more
