Cave Dog Godello 2016
From acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens—Cave Dog is his latest project and this micro-lot of Godello proved surprising for many reasons. The nose is nuanced, almost hard to pin down with notes of pear, lemon sorbet, buttercup, honeycomb, malt and a delicate savory edge. It’s equally nuanced in the mouth, with unbelievable, glorious texture offset by […]
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV
I had the chance to visit J Vineyards in 2015, and was impressed (no pun intended) by the large Coquard press flanking the processing bay of the winery. The Coquard press is traditionally used by Champagne houses, and is extremely gentle. J’s Brut Rosé NV is as I remember it, fresh and vivacious, brimming with […]
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The profile of the 2012 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is consistent with the profile of the 2013 I reviewed last spring—how did I manage to get the vintages out of order? No matter, these are wines with great aging potential, they can be squirreled away for a decade or more. Black currants, […]
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
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
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. […]
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1990
Another wine from last week’s vertical tasting of the Royal Cuvée Brut. The 1990 is noticeably less austere than the 1987—the winemaker wanted to illustrate the progress in style from a more austere wine to one that is endowed with more fruit and slightly softer acid. It’s well-developed with aromas of candied orange peel, bruised […]
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 2004
The newly-released 2004 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée is a lively blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay. I spent a full day touring the facility and estate vineyards and was impressed by the care and labor that goes in to crafting their sparkling wines. The 2004 displays ripe red fruit and pleasing biscuit notes […]
Bedrock Wine Co. “Ode To Lulu” Old Vine Rosé Of Mourvedre 2014
I have greatly enjoyed the wines I’ve tried from Bedrock Wine Co., a Sonoma winery with humble roots. Founded in 2007 by Morgan Twain-Peterson, who used a 550 square-foot, former chicken coop as his initial base of operations, his Ode To Lulu Rosé is a nod to Lulu Peyraud, proprietor of Domaine Tempier. Crafted from […]
Hanzell Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2012
Hanzell Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay is poised, 26% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation in new barrels, with the balance matured in stainless steel. The resulting blend strikes a harmonious balance between freshness and oak, with pretty notes of ripe pear, lemon curd, marzipan, and meadow flowers. These notes are echoed on the palate, along […]