2008 Leeuwin Estate ‘Art Series’ Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia
Pale straw in color, with glints of emerald. Lovely aromas of grilled Meyer lemon, hazelnut, vanilla, smoke and pear lead to additional fleshier fruit flavors and creaminess in the mouth. Remarkably balanced, with a finish that seems to build with… Read more
2010 Sea Smoke Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills
Dark straw color. The nose offers up a cornucopia of seductive scents — honey, toast, butter, spiced peach, white flowers and a hint of hazelnut. The wine delivers in the mouth, where the flavors of ripe stone fruit, honey and butter blend… Read more
2010 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros
In the glass, the wine shows a translucent deep ruby color with lightening around the edges. It displays intense aromas of spiced cranberry, orange peel, dark cherry and a high note of fennel frond. There is a velvety weightiness in the mouth, where… Read more
2007 Benziger Family Winery ‘Tribute,’ Sonoma Mountain
Does Biodynamic farming really make a difference in growing winegrapes, or is it merely a marketing ploy for selling wine? We’ve heard passionate arguments on both sides of this debate, but it would be difficult to argue against the worthiness of… Read more
2007 La Ferme de la Sansonnière ‘La Lune,’ Anjou, France
La Ferme de la Sansonnière is owned by Mark Angeli, who tends to his vines as a self-described paysan solidaire (peasant of solidarity). When he first came to the Anjou, Angeli produced the moelleux wines for which the Bonnezeaux appellation is… Read more
2009 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros
Deeply hued, this is an amazing Pinot Noir that shows off the richness and depth of the 2009 vintage in California. The aromas and flavors come in waves of raspberry, blueberry, cranberry sauce, cinnamon spice, white chocolate and anise. The plush,… Read more
2009 Patz & Hall Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros
This totally captivating wine begins with rich aromas of perfumed Asian flowers, Creamsicle, baking spices, and ripe pear and tropical fruit. Palate-coating flavors of fruit, spice and buttercream meld into a liquid version of pineapple upside-down… Read more
2009 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Jenkins Ranch, Sonoma Coast
Deep ruby in color, with violet streaks. The nose is enchanting, full of fresh, ripe, black cherries, orange peel, lavender, plump black berries, brown sugar and perfumed floral notes. It’s juicy and lush in the mouth, yet maintains the litheness… Read more
2008 McPrice Myers ‘Beautiful Earth,’ Paso Robles
Perfumed and heady, this Rhone-style blend (79% Syrah, 16% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre) is big, bold and impressive. The first aromas that emerge from the glass are tobacco, leather, earth and a hint of pencil lead. A few swirls later, blackberry and… Read more
1996 Chateau St. Jean ‘Cinq Cepages’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
It’s always a treat to try a well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly one with the lineage of Cinq Cepages. The cork was in pristine condition, always a good omen. The nose fairly leapt out of the glass: Polished leather cloaked rich layers of… Read more
