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Frei Brothers Dry Creek Zinfandel 2014

Frei Brothers Dry Creek Zinfandel 2014

Blackberries, black cherries, plums, smoke and spice grace the nose of this Dry Creek Zinfandel from Frei Brothers. It’s an easy-going Zin, with velvety tannins and a moderate level of acidity. Certainly, this is a food friendly wine, but it’s also one that can be enjoyed on its own. As is typical with Dry Creek […]

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Classic Louis Martini, the 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet is rife with steeped blackberries, plums, and black fruit in general. I’ve lingered over this glass trying to tease out which ones. A top note of cedar and dried thyme re-emerges on the back palate along with firm tannins and medium + acidity. As with all Louis […]

Gallo Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Signature Series 2013

Gallo Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Signature Series 2013

Yet another winner from Gallo’s Signature Series, the 2012 Dry Creek Zinfandel has a smokey countenance, followed by musky earth, steeped blackberries and Italian plums. Tons of intensity on the palate, a bit of char, and unbridled, racy acidity. This isn’t a sweet, heavy Zinfandel, rather it’s endowed with lots of power and punch. The […]

Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Zinfandel 2013

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Zinfandel 2013

Soft and pliant, the 2013 Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend is comprised of 100% Zinfandel of which 53% is sourced from San Joaquin County and the remaining 47% is from Sonoma County. While not overly complex, it does offer inviting aromas of blackberry liqueur, juicy black cherries, vanilla and spice. On the palate, it’s smooth and easy-drinking […]

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

J Vineyards is the only domestic sparkling wine producer I’ve seen with a Coquard press, which is de rigueur in Champagne, but not so across the pond. Their NV Brut Rosé is a spirited blend of 66% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 1% Pinot Meunier, all from the Russian River Valley. The mousse is lively […]

Gallo Signature Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2013

Gallo Signature Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2013

An elegantly styled, full and fleshy Sonoma Chardonnay from Gallo’s Signature Line. The 2013 blossoms in the glass with aromas of bruised apple, yellow peach, caramel, acacia flowers and toasted hazelnut. High glycerol and admittedly high alcohol of 14.8%, but this is well integrated on the palate and nicely balanced by a burst of acidity, […]

Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012

Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012

Almost Burgundian in expression, the 2012 Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir offers aromas of crushed raspberries, dried cherries, allspice, caramelized brown sugar, earth and mushrooms. Bright acidity lends lift to a core that is sweetly outfitted in red fruit, with marked purity, low tannins, and acid that hits the sides of the tongue and pleasantly lingers. […]

Louis M. Martini Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 2012

Louis M. Martini Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 2012

The Zinfandel vines grown at Monte Rosso Vineyard are a sight to behold, massive and tightly gnarled, they are still productive despite an advanced age of 125 years or more. The wine produced from these grapes is substantial without being heavy, yielding heady notes of damson plum, blackberries, clayey soil and a whiff of allspice. […]

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Enjoyed from the topmost point of historic Monte Rosso vineyard, the 2005 Louis Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet is showing beautifully ten years on. Sumptuous notes of lavender, violets, and anise along with muscular tones of graphite, cassis, macerated blackberries, dried mushroom and forest floor. Expansive on the palate, with firm, grippy tannins that have […]

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1987

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1987

I attended a tasting that featured a Royal Cuvée vertical hosted by winemaker, Steven Urberg last week. It was fascinating to see the evolution of the style of this Sonoma Brut, but also to taste wines from vintages spanning more than 20 years. The 1987 is mature, austere, and sports higher acidity than the rest. […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com