Wine Bazar

Some of the best meals of my life have been from the kitchen of chef David Kinch at Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos. I’d take half a tasting menu from him over anything at the French Laundry, any day of the week. Which is why I’m humbled at his continued interest in collaborating with me to provide an unparalleled dining and drinking experience for a few adventurous diners every once in a while.

David and I both have an enduring love for Japanese cuisine. If you’ve ever eaten at Manresa you may have noticed this influence in Chef Kinch’s cooking. It’s one of my favorite aspects of his cooking — the guy knows how to deal with raw seafood better than almost any (non-Japanese) chef in this country.

All of which is why he and I are both giddy with excitement at the prospect of the Sake Dinner: an eight course meal that will be a little heavier on the Japanese influence than normal for David, accompanied by some of the best sakes I’ve ever tasted. The early drafts of the menu that I’ve seen make me extremely hungry (I’m currently traveling on business in upstate New York, and pretty much every restaurant in town is Italian — I’d kill for a decent plate of sushi).

Working with Jeff Barielles, the wine director at the restaurant, we’ve managed to get our hands on some sakes that are almost never seen in the United States (as well as some others that are also phenomenal, but easier to find in the event you fall in love with them).

The food and the sake will be accompanied as usual by stories from me about how and where they are made.

This will be a fantastic evening if you care to join us. There are still seats available, so call the restaurant to make reservations.

Manresa and Vinography present: The Sake Dinner
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Seating begins at 6:30 PM
Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane (just off North Santa Cruz Avenue)
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408-354-4330

$325 per person gets you an eight course meal with sake pairings. You pay tax and gratuity.

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Andrea Cardelli)

It’s a pretty good time to be alive. I don’t find myself often wishing that I had lived in earlier times. However, there are events in the past that I would give my right arm to have been able to experience first hand. One of my top choices for time-travel destinations would certainly be the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago. I’d love a week to explore the wares of the world amidst Olmstead’s gardens.

There may not ever be another event so grand as that, but when it comes to American food and wine, Slow Food Nation may very well be the equivalent for those who enjoy the pleasures of the palate. There’s so much stuff going on over the weekend of August 29th to September 1st all I can really do is point you to the web site and offer you good luck in drooling your way through artisan bread tastings, cooking demonstrations, speakers, films, farmer’s market, concerts, tours and field trips, hikes, and more.

What I will tell you is that the part of the weekend known as the Taste Pavilions will be a wonderland for bay area wine lovers, especially those interested in sustainable, organic, and Biodynamic^™ wines. More than 450 wines will be available for tasting, and perhaps a hundred of them will be from exotic places like Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Texas. There will be hundreds more from well known places like California, Oregon, and Washington. All told it will likely be the single largest tasting of sustainable wines yet held in the U.S. Here’s a full list (PDF) of the producers who will be pouring and their wines.

The Taste Pavilions, which have both mid-day and afternoon sessions on Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st will also offer a huge variety of other foodstuffs and drinks, all from Slow Food friendly purveyors and producers.

Tickets for the mid-day sessions are already sold out, so if this smorgasbord of amazing food and drink appeals to you, you’d better plan on freeing up Saturday or Sunday evening over labor day to go check it out.

Slow Food Nation
August 29th - Sept 1st
Fort Mason Center (and other locations)
San Francisco

Tickets for the taste pavilions are $65 (or $45 if you’re under 21) and they must be purchased in advance online. This event will likely sell out in the next week or so.

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Andrea Cardelli)

Wine country is now 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco, thanks to the surge in wine producers that are popping up all over the East Bay (and in San Francisco proper, too!). Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley are now home to more than a dozen wineries that range in size from a couple of people and a couple of barrels, to some of California’s most lauded wineries.

A couple of years ago, these wineries got together and formed a marketing association that would help them all gain more visibility. This organization, known as the East Bay Vintners Alliance, has begun to put on yearly tastings to showcase the wines of its members and make good on the promise of an urban wine country in the East Bay.

I had a chance to sneak off to Oakland a couple of weeks ago on a picture perfect sunny day and hang out with the hundreds of Bay Area wine lovers that showed up to sample wines and special food pairings from some great restaurants in the area.

The event was, as far as I can tell, a smashing success. The weather alone would have made it a pleasant enough experience, but the food was quite good, including a huge cheese spread that I made several passes on once I had finished tasting all the wines.

This was my first opportunity to sample wines from all the members of the Vintners Alliance, and I’m happy to report that there’s some truly great wine being made in the East Bay’s urban wineries, and not just by the established names like J.C. Cellars, Dashe, and Rosenblum. There were a number of wines that were not to my taste, but the bulk of the wines were competently made and if they weren’t all spectacular, they certainly all showed both the hard work as well as promise of several new small producers.

My scores from my tasting follow below. Prices quoted are the suggested retail price for purchase direct from the winery.

Photo courtesy of John Joh.

Scores for the 3rd Annual Urban Wine Experience

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2007 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel L’Enfant Terrible McFadden Farms, Potter Valley. $24.00
2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley. $32.00
2006 JC Cellars Marsanne Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley. $32.00
2007 Rosenblum Cellars Viognier Kathy’s Cuvee.Winery only.
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Kontrabecki. Winery only.

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve French Colombard Domaine de Mirail, Cotes de Gascone. $12.00
2007 Dashe Cellars Dry Riesling McFadden Farms, Potter Valley. $20.00
2006 Eno Wines Grenache “Yes, Dear…” Eagle Point Ranch, Mendocino. $28.00
2007 JC Cellars Rose Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley. $18.00
2007 Prospect 772 Rosé “Babydoll” Sierra Foothills. $15.00
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Pickett Road. Winery only.

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2006 Andrew Lane Gamay Noir, Napa Valley. $19.00
2005 Andrew Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $28.00
2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley. $24.00
2006 Eno Wines Pinot Noir “Never Say Never” Santa Lucia Highlands. $32.00
2006 Eno Wines Zinfandel “Acres of Happiness” Teldeschi Vyds Dry Creek Valley. $28.00
2005 Eno Wines Syrah “S05″ Las Madres Vineyard, Carneros. $35.00
2006 JC Cellars Syrah California Cuveé . $25.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Pinot Noir Morelli Lane, Russian River Valley. $42.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Pinot Noir Saralee, Russian River Valley. $42.00
2006 Prospect 772 Grenache/Syrah “The Brawler” Sierra Foothills. $36.00
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Rosie Rabbit Late Harvest Zinfandel Winery only.
2007 Two Mile Wines Viognier Bloomfield Vineyards , Central Coast . $23.00
NV Adam’s Point White After Dinner Wine. $16.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2005 Andrew Lane Cabernet Franc, Oakville. $35.00
2005 Andrew Lane Merlot, Napa Valley. $17.00
2006 A Donkey And Goat Three Thirteen (Southern Rhône style blend). $37.00
2006 A Donkey And Goat Syrah The Recluse, Anderson Valley. $37.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Reserve Syrah Trenton Station, Russian River Valley. $35.00
2006 Prospect 772 Syrah “The Brat” Sierra Foothills. $36.00
2006 Tayerle Wines Carneros Pinot Noir . $30.00
2007 Urbano Cellars Vin Rose Solano County Green Valley. $14.00
2006 Urbano Cellars Syrah Dry Creek Valley. $19.00
NV Adam’s Point Mango Dessert Wine. $16.00
NV Adam’s Point Persimmon Dessert Wine. $16.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2006 Irish Monkey Cabernet Franc, Lodi. $29.00
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. $28.00
2005 Aubin Cellars Verve Syrah Columbia Valley. $26.00
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles. $14.00
2006 Tayerle Wines Savignon Blanc Villa San Julliette . $12.00
2006 Two Mile Wines Petite Sirah Rosciano Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $34.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Syrah Alegria, Russian River Valley. $35.00
2006 Periscope Cellars Deep 6, California(6 Grape Red Blend). $24.00
2006 Urbano Cellars Petit Verdot Lodi. $16.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 AND 8
2006 Irish Monkey Syrah Lovall - Borneman Lavender Farm. $26.00
2006 Periscope Cellars Sangiovese, Alexander Valley. $22.00
2006 Two Mile Wines Sangiovese Polesky-Lentz Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $42.00
2005 Urbano Cellars Old Vine Zinfandel Solano County Green Valley. $18.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7.5
2006 Periscope Cellars Petite Verdot, Lodi. $18.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7 AND 7.5
2006 Irish Monkey Cabernet Sauvignon, “MEF”. $35.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7
2006 Irish Monkey Primitivo Lovall Valley, Napa Valley. $30.00

WINES WITH A SCORE BELOW 7
2006 Periscope Cellars Zinfandel, Sonoma County. $20.00
NV Adam’s Point Chocolate Dessert Wine. $16.50

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Levi Reiss)

Wine country is now 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco, thanks to the surge in wine producers that are popping up all over the East Bay (and in San Francisco proper, too!). Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley are now home to more than a dozen wineries that range in size from a couple of people and a couple of barrels, to some of California’s most lauded wineries.

A couple of years ago, these wineries got together and formed a marketing association that would help them all gain more visibility. This organization, known as the East Bay Vintners Alliance, has begun to put on yearly tastings to showcase the wines of its members and make good on the promise of an urban wine country in the East Bay.

I had a chance to sneak off to Oakland a couple of weeks ago on a picture perfect sunny day and hang out with the hundreds of Bay Area wine lovers that showed up to sample wines and special food pairings from some great restaurants in the area.

The event was, as far as I can tell, a smashing success. The weather alone would have made it a pleasant enough experience, but the food was quite good, including a huge cheese spread that I made several passes on once I had finished tasting all the wines.

This was my first opportunity to sample wines from all the members of the Vintners Alliance, and I’m happy to report that there’s some truly great wine being made in the East Bay’s urban wineries, and not just by the established names like J.C. Cellars, Dashe, and Rosenblum. There were a number of wines that were not to my taste, but the bulk of the wines were competently made and if they weren’t all spectacular, they certainly all showed both the hard work as well as promise of several new small producers.

My scores from my tasting follow below. Prices quoted are the suggested retail price for purchase direct from the winery.

Photo courtesy of John Joh.

Scores for the 3rd Annual Urban Wine Experience

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2007 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel L’Enfant Terrible McFadden Farms, Potter Valley. $24.00
2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley. $32.00
2006 JC Cellars Marsanne Preston Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley. $32.00
2007 Rosenblum Cellars Viognier Kathy’s Cuvee.Winery only.
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Kontrabecki. Winery only.

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve French Colombard Domaine de Mirail, Cotes de Gascone. $12.00
2007 Dashe Cellars Dry Riesling McFadden Farms, Potter Valley. $20.00
2006 Eno Wines Grenache “Yes, Dear…” Eagle Point Ranch, Mendocino. $28.00
2007 JC Cellars Rose Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley. $18.00
2007 Prospect 772 Rosé “Babydoll” Sierra Foothills. $15.00
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Pickett Road. Winery only.

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2006 Andrew Lane Gamay Noir, Napa Valley. $19.00
2005 Andrew Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. $28.00
2006 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley. $24.00
2006 Eno Wines Pinot Noir “Never Say Never” Santa Lucia Highlands. $32.00
2006 Eno Wines Zinfandel “Acres of Happiness” Teldeschi Vyds Dry Creek Valley. $28.00
2005 Eno Wines Syrah “S05″ Las Madres Vineyard, Carneros. $35.00
2006 JC Cellars Syrah California Cuveé . $25.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Pinot Noir Morelli Lane, Russian River Valley. $42.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Pinot Noir Saralee, Russian River Valley. $42.00
2006 Prospect 772 Grenache/Syrah “The Brawler” Sierra Foothills. $36.00
2006 Rosenblum Cellars Rosie Rabbit Late Harvest Zinfandel Winery only.
2007 Two Mile Wines Viognier Bloomfield Vineyards , Central Coast . $23.00
NV Adam’s Point White After Dinner Wine. $16.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2005 Andrew Lane Cabernet Franc, Oakville. $35.00
2005 Andrew Lane Merlot, Napa Valley. $17.00
2006 A Donkey And Goat Three Thirteen (Southern Rhône style blend). $37.00
2006 A Donkey And Goat Syrah The Recluse, Anderson Valley. $37.00
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Reserve Syrah Trenton Station, Russian River Valley. $35.00
2006 Prospect 772 Syrah “The Brat” Sierra Foothills. $36.00
2006 Tayerle Wines Carneros Pinot Noir . $30.00
2007 Urbano Cellars Vin Rose Solano County Green Valley. $14.00
2006 Urbano Cellars Syrah Dry Creek Valley. $19.00
NV Adam’s Point Mango Dessert Wine. $16.00
NV Adam’s Point Persimmon Dessert Wine. $16.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2006 Irish Monkey Cabernet Franc, Lodi. $29.00
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. $28.00
2005 Aubin Cellars Verve Syrah Columbia Valley. $26.00
2006 Aubin Cellars Verve Sauvignon Blanc Paso Robles. $14.00
2006 Tayerle Wines Savignon Blanc Villa San Julliette . $12.00
2006 Two Mile Wines Petite Sirah Rosciano Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $34.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
2006 Lost Canyon Winery Syrah Alegria, Russian River Valley. $35.00
2006 Periscope Cellars Deep 6, California(6 Grape Red Blend). $24.00
2006 Urbano Cellars Petit Verdot Lodi. $16.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 AND 8
2006 Irish Monkey Syrah Lovall - Borneman Lavender Farm. $26.00
2006 Periscope Cellars Sangiovese, Alexander Valley. $22.00
2006 Two Mile Wines Sangiovese Polesky-Lentz Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley. $42.00
2005 Urbano Cellars Old Vine Zinfandel Solano County Green Valley. $18.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7.5
2006 Periscope Cellars Petite Verdot, Lodi. $18.00

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7 AND 7.5
2006 Irish Monkey Cabernet Sauvignon, “MEF”. $35.00

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7
2006 Irish Monkey Primitivo Lovall Valley, Napa Valley. $30.00

WINES WITH A SCORE BELOW 7
2006 Periscope Cellars Zinfandel, Sonoma County. $20.00
NV Adam’s Point Chocolate Dessert Wine. $16.50

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Andrea Cardelli)

Most people, when they come visit me in San Francisco and ask to be taken to wine country, assume that they’re going to Napa, but at least half the time, that’s definitely not where we end up.

These well meaning tourists aren’t the only ones who seem to forget that Northern California has many different “wine countries.” Napa casts a long shadow, as it were.

I’ve got lots of love for every piece of wine country we’ve got, and a special place in my heart for Sonoma County, both because it is the place of my birth, but also because I think sometimes it gets short shrift compared to its more famous neighbor.

Sonoma County is several different wine regions rolled up into one — from the chilly fog of the Sonoma Coast and Carneros, to the cool Green Valley and Russian River Valley, to the warmer climes of Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Alexander Valley, and the Sonoma Valley — there’s something for everyone in Sonoma.

The main problem however, is that all these regions are spread out over a wide area, much wider than the relatively (in comparison) compact Napa Valley. So experiencing the breadth of Sonoma can be time consuming, no matter how fulfilling it ends up being.

So while it’s a good idea for wine lovers to pay more attention to Sonoma in general, there is one weekend this year when any self respecting wine lover shouldn’t be thinking of anything else: The Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.

The first event of its kind, this weekend celebration of Sonoma County wine is a combination of what have been two separate annual events up until now: The Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction. These two events have been combined into a single weekend that is the single best opportunity in existence for anyone to learn a thing or two about Sonoma wine.

The weekend starts on Friday August 29th, with winemaker lunches at various wineries around the valley. On Saturday the 30th, the grand tasting will take place from 11 AM to 4 PM, where more than a hundred Sonoma County wineries will offer their wines for tasting along with food from more than 60 of the regions top chefs and artisan food purveyors. Sommeliers (apparently some of them famous) will be conducting wine seminars, and almost every wine that you might taste is available for sale (or shipping back home) with the help of the event staff.

The evening of Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th will also involve winemaker dinners at some of Sonoma’s most spectacular wineries, including Pride Mountain Vineyards at the top of the Mayacamas mountains.

And if that weren’t enough, on Sunday the live Harvest Wine Auction, whose proceeds go to local charities, offers chances at bragging rights and some amazing prizes (and wines) for those who can afford to be generous, as well as a blockbuster meal cooked by some serious Sonoma culinary heavyweights. Rumor has it that there will be just a tad of wine poured at this event as well.

While attendance at the auction and dinner on Sunday is a somewhat pricey proposition ($650 a head) the rest of the weekend’s events are a relative steal at between $75 and $150 bucks.

This is a huge opportunity to soak in the breadth and depth of Sonoma County wine without spending 4 days and 8 hours in the car zipping all over the place. It comes highly recommended by yours truly.

Find out everything you need to know on the event web site.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
August 29-31, 2008
MacMurray Ranch, Cline Cellars, (and individual wineries)
MacMurray Ranch
9015 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Tickets, which can be purchased online, are priced as follows:

Friday Winemaker Lunches: $75
Friday Winemaker Dinners: $160
Grand Tasting: $150
Saturday Winemaker Dinners: $160
Sunday Auction: $650

Additional VIP packages are available.

This event will almost certainly sell out, so purchase your tickets now. September just before harvest is one of the most beautiful times to be in Sonoma County.

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Louise Wasa)

Serious wine lovers in the San Francisco Bay area get several opportunities each year to indulge their passions for wine. Large, themed tastings like the ZAP Zinfandel Festival or the recent Pinot Days are great opportunities to get a sense of a certain varietal and the quality of the recent vintage in California and events like the upcoming Family Winemakers are an opportunity to taste wines from smaller producers.

It is quite rare, however, despite the nearness of the appellation and the saturation of wine in the Bay Area, for consumers to get the opportunity to get an in-depth or comprehensive look at the wines of Napa Valley. Perhaps it’s just because Napa wines don’t need much marketing help, or perhaps it’s because the Napa Valley Vintners association exhausts itself with its two major events each year, but there just isn’t a real good opportunity for members of the public to survey the breadth and depth of wines from the Napa valley.

Unless, that is, you happen to be a member of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association.

The Wine Library is just what it sounds like: a library with books about wine. Started in the early Sixties by a group of winery owners that realized the irony of having a public library in the heart of Napa Valley that possessed virtually no literature or resources about wine, the library association was built on donations of money and books from Napa’s wine families over four decades. Now occupying a special section of the St. Helena public library and even owning a small vineyard out behind the building, the Wine Library Association is a membership organization that gives its members access to these materials, some of which are rare and historic, as well as to annual tasting events.

Each year the organization hosts a two part event: On Saturday they offer a full day seminar on a specific topic, often a certain AVA or certain varietal, and then on Sunday they offer a tasting event showcasing a specific varietal as represented by hundreds of wineries in the valley.

This year’s event will feature an all-day seminar on August 23rd at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena focused on “White Winemaking — Techniques and Trends”, in which prominent winemakers and vineyard managers from Charles Krug, Robert Mondavi, Spencer Roloson, Stony Hill, and Louis. M Martini discuss the current state of white wine making in Napa Valley.

On Sunday the 24th, over 100 wineries will pour their recent vintages of white wines in the grove at the Silverado Country Club. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Marsanne, Vermentino, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Roussanne, Albariño, Viognier and more will be on offer.

“That’s all well and good,” you may be saying, “but this is a members-only event and I’m not a member of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association.” That’s true. But a check for $60 sent in advance, or a check for $85 on the day of the tasting will do the trick. Membership is available on the spot, and covers the tasting plus any others that you choose to go to for the rest of the year. If you’d like to attend the seminar on the 23rd, there is an additional cost of $150.

Sound like a steal? It is. Unless you’re a member of the trade that attends Premiere Napa Valley, or someone willing to pay in the hundreds or even thousands for a package at the annual Auction Napa Valley, there is generally no other way to get the opportunity to taste so many Napa Valley wineries in a single setting. If you’re serious about learning more about Napa wines, especially if you’re interested in some of the less famous wines of the valley, this is an event you don’t want to miss. I’ve provided an initial list of the wineries scheduled to pour at the bottom of this post organized by the varietal they’ll be showcasing.

Napa Valley Wine Library Association Member Tasting
Sunday August 24th
Silverado Resort and Country Club
1600 Atlas Peak Road
Napa, California 94558
707-257-0200

Annual membership dues for the Association are $60, or $85 if purchased at the door. Only checks and cash will be accepted, I believe, so stop at an ATM or bring your checkbook. Additional details on how to get membership in advance and on the event can be found on the Association’s web site. Please note that the location for the Saturday event is the Greystone Castle in St. Helena

My usual tips for such outdoor public tastings apply: wear loose fitting but dark colored clothing (but keep in mind that it may be very warm for the outdoor tasting). Eat a good meal before going and drink lots of water while tasting. Decide in advance which wineries you would like to visit, and make sure to spit rather than swallow the wine to make sure you get a chance to enjoy (and remember) a number of wines.

The wineries and the varietals currently scheduled to pour are as follows:

Albariño
Mahoney

Chardonnay
El Molino
Fleury Estate
Forman
Grgich Hills
Hendry
Hyde de Villaine (HdV)
Jocelyn Lonen
Keenan
Kongsgaard
Long Vineyards
Mayacamas
Monticello
Muir’s Legacy
Northfield
O’Brien
Patz & Hall
PEJU
Pine Ridge
Pride
Prix
Richard Partridge
Rombauer
Rutherford Ranch
Saddleback
St. Clement
Saintsbury
Sedna
Stags’ Leap Winery
Stony Hill
Swanson
The Hess Collection
The Terraces
Trefethen
Truchard
Tulocay
ZD

Chenin Blanc
Ballentine
Casa Nuestra

Gewürtztraminer
Madonna Estate
Stony Hill
Marsanne
Krupp Brothers

Moscato Canelli
Robert Pecota

Muscato Azul
La Sirena

Pinot Blanc
Saddleback

Pinot Grigio
Madonna Estate

Pinot Gris
Hendry

Riesling
Casa Nuestra
Prix
Stony Hill
Trefethen

Rousanne
Prix
Truchard

Sauvignon Blanc
Broman
Cakebread
Carrefour
Crocker & Starr
Duckhorn
Ehlers Estate
Emmolo
Frog’s Leap
Green and Red
Hall
Heitz
Hill Family
Honig
Jericho Canyon
Joseph Phelps
Long Meadow Ranch
Markham
PEJU
Rios
Rutherford Grove
Rutherford Ranch
St. Supery
Silverado Vineyards
Spring Mountain
Teaderman
Vinoce
Vermentino
Mahoney

Viognier
Saddleback
Seps
Spencer Roloson
Stags’ Leap Winery

Proprietary Blends
Ceja, Vino de Casa
Hill Family, Carly’s Cuvée
Krupp Brothers, Black Bart’s Bride
Prix
Robert Mondavi, Fumé Blanc
Robert Sinskey, Abraxas
St. Supéry, Vertú
Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs
Venge, Bianco Spettro

Original post by default@goarticles.com (James Brown)

The Pinot Days event, which took place on the last weekend in June this year, brings together one of the largest collections of Pinot Noir producers in North America for the tasting pleasure of the public.

It’s taken me quite some time to get this report out. Such tasting reports are the most time intensive blogging that I do, especially when the organizers of events like Pinot Days don’t have an electronic list of the wines that are being poured at the event. Which means I need to transcribe the hundreds of wines and scores that I record in my notebook at the event. And that is tough to do with a newborn in the house. But this weekend I finally got a block of time to spend with my scores and crank them out.

I use such events, comprehensive as they are, as a means of judging the overall quality of the vintage in California, if it is possible to generalize in such a way as this. At this most recent tasting, the 2006 Pinot Noirs were on display, and I found them generally good but not as consistent as those who made good wine in 2005 (a problematic vintage in certain places). 2006 seems to have been more consistent in quality across many regions, from Santa Barbara County all the way up to Mendocino than in 2005. However the character of the wines did not seem as strong as in recent past vintages. In particular I found myself encountering a moderate incidence of volatile acidity in the wines, which seemed more prevalent in Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley wines than in wines from the Central Coast areas.

The field of wine also evidences a continued dialing back of extraction and ripeness from levels that seemed to peak in the 2002 and 2003 vintages. This is especially true for the wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands which tend to be some of the most overripe Pinot Noirs made in Northern California. Wines from Garys’ Vineyard, Pisoni Vineyard, and Rosella’s Vineyard, continue to be moderated to saner levels of fruit and alcohol than in the past.

I’m especially excited about the 2006 wines from the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley, which seem to be excellent and certainly worth pursuing in greater depth.

I know that some of you have been waiting for this report for some time (and probably given up on ever getting it), but better late than never. I’ve called out the few nice roses I found as well as a couple white wines of note. Also, given the increasingly steep price of most Pinot, I’ve called out those wines that I think represent the best values (under $35).

Enjoy.

Click on the wine names to find online retailers who sell that wine.

PINKS AND WHITES
2007 Patton Valley Vineyard Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $14.
2007 Hartford Family Winery Rose of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: between 9 and 9.5. $22.
2006 Fort Ross Vineyard Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Score: around 9. Cost: $16. Where to buy?
2007 Coterie Rose of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $??
2007 Inman Family Wines Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $ 25
2007 Novy “Blanc de Noir” White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $??

BEST VALUES
2005 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $30.
2004 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinotage, Sonoma Coast. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $32.
2006 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $35.
2006 Joseph Swan “Saralees Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $35.
2006 Mary Elke Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $26
2006 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Score: around 9. Cost: $28
2006 Joseph Swan “Cuvee de Trois” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $28
2006 Copain “Tous Ensemble” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $30
2006 Fort Ross Vineyard “Symposium” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Score: around 9. Cost: $32
2006 Eno Wines “Never Say Never” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. Score: around 9. Cost: $32
2006 Melville Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. Score: around 9. Cost: $32
2006 Eric Kent “Windsor Oaks” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $33
2006 Byron Kosuge “The Shop” Pinot Noir, Carneros. Score: around 9. Cost: $33
2006 Londer Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. Score: around 9. Cost: $35

Complete List of Scores

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2006 Elke Vineyards Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $38
2006 Derbes Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $45
2004 Derbes “Les Pinots” Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier, Russian River Valley. $44
2005 Calera “Ryan Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan. $40
2002 Calera “Mills Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan. $48
2006 Peay Vineyards “Pomarium” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $52

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2006 Freeman “Akiko’s Cuvee” Pint Noir, Russian River Valley. $52
2006 Fort Ross Vineyard “Estate” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $39
2005 Fort Ross Vineyard “Reserve” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $49
2004 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinotage, Sonoma Coast. $32
2006 Eric Kent “Stiling Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $42
2001 Elke Vineyards Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $55
2005 Elke Vineyards Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $45
2006 Demetria Estate “Le Belier” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $45
1999 Clos Saron Pinot Noir, North Yuba. $N/A
2005 Calera “Mills Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan. $45
1997 Calera “Reed Vineyard” Pinot Noir (out of magnum), Mt. Harlan. $75
2007 Auteur “Ophelia” Pinot Noir (blend of Oregon and California fruit). $38
2006 Auteur “Shea Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $70
2006 Arista “Longbow” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $48
2006 Ancien “Mink Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Napa. $45
2006 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $35
2006 Peay Vineyards “Scallop Shelf” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $52
2005 Pelerin “Rosella’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $48
2006 Saintsbury “Lee Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $45
2006 Hartford Family Winery “Fog Dance” Pinot Noir, Green Valley. $$45
1998 Domaine Naddef “Les Champeaux” Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, Burgundy, Fance. $??
2006 W.H. Smith “Marimar” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $48
2006 W.H. Smith “Maritime” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $54
2006 Pappapietro Perry “Pommard Clone” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $49
2006 Pappapietro Perry “Peter’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $49
2004 Michaud Pinot Noir, Chalone. $38
2002 Michaud Pinot Noir, Chalone. $N/A
2006 Melville “Terraces” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $52
2006 Melville “Carries” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $52
2006 Londer “Canby Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $50
2006 Londer “Paraboll” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $30
2005 Ladd Cellars Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $30
2006 Ladd Cellars “Gaps Crown” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $??
2006 Kindred “Amber Ridge” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $$44
2006 Joseph Swan “Saralees Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $35
2006 J. Wilkes “Block Q” Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County. $55
2005 J. Wilkes “Block Q” Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County. $55

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2006 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $55
2006 Freeman “Keefer Ranch” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $46
2006 Freeman Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $42
2006 Foursight “Charles Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $46
2006 Fort Ross Vineyard “Symposium” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $32
2006 Flying Goat Cellars “Rio Vista Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $40
2006 Eno Wines “Never Say Never” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $32
2006 Eric Kent “Windsor Oaks” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $33
2006 Mary Elke Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $26
2006 Demetria Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $40
2006 Demetria Estate “Cuvee Sandra” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $60
2006 Copain “Kaiser En Bas” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $50
2006 Copain “Tous Ensemble” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $30
2006 Copain “Cerise” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $45
2006 Clos Saron “Home Vineyard” Pinot Noir, North Yuba. $45
1994 Clos Saron Pinot Noir, North Yuba. $N/A
2003 Hereszytn Clos Village Vielles Vignes, Gevrey Chambertin, Burgundy, France. $37
2006 Byron Kosuge “The Shop” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $33
2006 Byron Kosuge “Hirsch Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $50
2006 Byron Kosuge “Manchester Ridge” Pinot Noir, Mendocino. $40
2007 Auteur “Sonoma Stage” Pinot Noir, Sonoma. $60
2006 August West “Graham Family Vineyard” Russian River Valley. $48
2006 Arista Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $40
2006 Arista “Mononi Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $56
2006 Ancien “Toyon Farm Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Carneros . $45
2006 Pey-Lucia “Frisquet” Pinoe Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $39
2006 Saintsbury “Stanley Ranch” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $45
2006 Saintsbury “Brown Ranch” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $65
2006 Siduri “Ewald Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $??
2006 Hartford Family Winery “Lands Edge” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $45
2005 Skewis “Reserve” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $50
2006 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $28
2005 Huber “Baden” Pinot Noir, Malterdinger, Germany. $42
2006 Pappapietro Perry “Laura’s Family Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $49
2006 Miner Family Vineyards “Garys’ Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $55
2006 Miner Family Vineyards “Rosella’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands . $55
2003 Michaud Pinot Noir, Chalone. $38
2001 Michaud Pinot Noir, Chalone. $N/A
2006 Melville Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $32
2006 Londer Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $35
2006 Londer “Estate” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $50
2006 Joseph Swan “Cuvee de Trois” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $28
2005 Joseph Swan “Trenton Estate” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $52
2005 Joseph Swan “Great Oak” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $38
2006 Inman Family Wines “OGV” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $45

WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2006 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir, Mendocino. $25
2005 Handley Cellars “RSM Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $52
2006 Goldeneye “Migration” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $32
2007 Gary Farrel “Bien Nacido Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley. $50
2008 Gary Farrel “Hallberg Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $50
2006 Freeman Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $42
2006 Flying Goat Cellars “Dierberg Vineyard” Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley. $42
2005 Eno Wines “Fairview Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $38
2006 Elke Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $18
1998 Elke Vineyards Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $$60
NV Mary Elke “Booneville Bath” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $18
2007 Caloir “Romas Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $44
2007 Caloir “Monument Tree” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $44
2005 Tardy “Au Bas de Combe” Nuits St. George, Burgundy, France. $54
2006 Calera “Mt. Harlan Cuvee” Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan. $30
2006 Bouchaine “Estate” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $39
2006 August West “Rosella’s Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands. $48
2006 Arista “Toboni Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $56
2006 Ancien Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $??
2006 Pelerin “St. Vincent” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $38
2005 Philo Ridge Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $32
2005 Copeland Creek Pinot Noir, Sonoma. $25
2006 Roesseler Cellars “Dutton Ranch” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $38
2006 Roesseler Cellars “Sanford and Benedict” Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara. $48
2006 Saintsbury Pinot Noir, Carneros. $35
2006 Saintsbury “Toyon Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Carneros. $45
2006 Saintsbury “Cerise Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $45
2006 Siduri “Muirfield” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $??
2006 Siduri Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $??
2006 Siduri “Sonatera” Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $??
2005 Skewis “Legenfelder Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $44
2001 Skewis “Floodgate Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $N/A
2006 Suacci “Carcienne” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $48
2005 Tandem “Sangiacomo Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $48
2005 Tandem “Van Der Kamp Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain. $48
2006 Halleck “The Farm” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $50
2005 Huia Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand. $30
2006 Tantara “Bien Nacido - Old Vine” Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County. $48
2006 Tantara “Dierberg Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley. $52
2006 Tantara “Pisoni Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $60
2006 Ladd Cellars “Moore Ranch” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $35
2006 Ladd Cellars “Swicegood” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $??
2006 J. Wilkes “Hillside Bien Nacido Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County. $42

WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2006 Handley Cellars Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley. $30
2006 George “Vintage IV” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $50
2006 Gary Farrel Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $42
2006 Flying Goat Cellars “Rancho Santa Rosa” Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. $44
2006 Enkidu “Gina Marie” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $42
2006 Enkidu Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $28
2006 Dovetail Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $39
2006 Dovetail “Indioli Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $52
2006 Clos Saron “Texas Hill” Pinot Noir, North Yuba. $40
2005 Domaine Prince de Menode “Ladoix” Burgundy, France. $31
2005 Serveau “Les Sorbets” Morey St. Denis 1er Cru, Burgundy, France. $73
2006 Bouchaine Pinot Noir, Carneros. $24
2006 Roesseler Cellars “Red Label” Pinot Noir, California. $28
2006 Roesseler Cellars “Griffin’s” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. $35
2006 Roesseler Cellars “La Encantada” Pinot Noir. $46
2006 Tandem “Auction Block” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain. $60
2006 Tandem “Silver Pines” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain. $60
2006 Tantara “Garys’ Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. $52
2006 Native 9 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County. $55
2006 Inman Family Wines “Meredith” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. $45
2005 Sonnet “Kruse Vineyard” Pinot Noir, York Mountain. $40

Original post by default@goarticles.com (James Brown)

Size isn’t everything, they say, but sometimes it’s mighty impressive. The yearly Family Winemakers tasting in San Francisco has as one of its many claims to fame that it is the single largest tasting of California wines in the world. That alone would not be reason for excitement, were it not for the generally exceptional quality of the wines that are on offer, year after year.

Regular readers know that this tasting is one of my favorites every year. It provides an opportunity to sample the wares of smaller, family-run wineries, many of whose wines are made in such small quantities that they do not receive wide distribution. Because most of these wines are made in such small quantities, by folks who often take extra care in their creation, a trip around the tasting is a very clear window into the quality of recent vintages in California.

If you’ve never been to a large public tasting of wine, then this might very well be the best one to experience for the first time. Such tastings are a fantastic way to learn about wine in a way that you simply can’t anywhere else — by tasting many dozens of wines in comparison with one another.

So set aside a few hours on Sunday the 24th, buy a ticket, and enjoy some of the best that California has to offer.

Family Winemakers Public Tasting
Sunday August 24th, 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Herbst Pavilion
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA 94123-1382

Tickets are available for $45 in advance through the Fort Mason Ticket office. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event for $55.

Trust me when I say you want to buy a ticket in advance. Also trust me that you want to park far, far away from Fort Mason and then cab, walk, or take a bus to the event, as street parking, or even parking in Fort Mason’s paid lot is nearly impossible.

Finally, do yourself a favor and observe my tips for large public tastings: wear dark clothes; come with your stomach full, drink lots of water, plan which wineries you want to visit using the list on the web site, and for Pete’s sake, SPIT! You may think that you need to swallow to enjoy the experience, but you really don’t. You’ll be able to taste many more wines and will actually learn something, instead of ending up a stumbling drunken fool that the rest of us make fun of.

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Louise Wasa)

Wine country means a lot of things in California, a state with winegrowing regions stretching most of its 800 mile length. For most residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, we tend to think of Wine Country as Napa or Sonoma. Increasingly, however, wine country must also include the East Bay. The cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda are now home to dozens of “Urban” wineries that are producing some of California’s most sought-after wines. Recently united by an organization known as the East Bay Vintners Alliance, this group of 15 winemakers is holding its third annual Urban Wine Experience event on the second weekend of August.

The 15 East Bay Vintners are:

Adams Point
A Donkey And Goat
Andrew Lane Wines
Aubin Cellars
Dashe Cellars
Eno Wines
Irish Monkey
JC Cellars
Lost Canyon Winery
Periscope Cellars
Prospect 772 Wine Company
Rosenblum Cellars
Tayerle
Two Mile Wines
Urbano Cellars

The Urban Wine Experience is like tasting wine in wine country, just without the wine country (and the long drive to get there). Held At the Meadow at Jack London Square in Oakland, this event offers attendees the opportunity to taste over 50 wines from all 15 members of the Alliance. The event will include food from local restaurants and food purveyors, as well as music from the Cajun All Stars.

Attended by more than 600 people for each of the last two years, this event will likely sell out again, so plan accordingly.

The Urban Wine Experience
The Meadow at Jack London Square
Oakland, CA 94607
( map )

Advance tickets are $45 per person and are available for purchase online. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $60 per person.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to the event. The Lake Merritt BART station is very close to Jack London Square, and a free shuttle service will be offered between the station and the event.

Original post by default@goarticles.com (James Brown)

These days, with a newborn, I don’t get out to many large tasting events, but one I decided I shouldn’t miss this year was the annual Golden Glass tasting in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. This tasting is an annual fundraiser for Slow Food USA, and has been called the best single wine tasting event in San Francisco by more than a few wine lovers I know. In addition to having a reputation for pouring a lot of great wine (mostly Italian) the Slow Food focus attracts many of the top artisan food producers and restaurants from around the Bay Area. So the snacks are pretty good.

Generally the Golden Glass is on a weekend that conflicts with many other wine tasting events for me, so I often don’t get a chance to attend, but this year I carved a couple of hours out of my schedule to wander the hall and check out what the event had to offer.

While past years have been almost exclusively Italian in focus, this year a significant number of producers from New Zealand were on hand, as well as smatterings of other regions like Australia, Spain, Germany, and Argentina. I cruised these areas, and after a little consideration, decided to focus my tasting efforts on the Italian contingent (which still made up more than 60% of the wine being poured).

After all the hype about this tasting from folks I know in the business, I have to say I was disappointed in the quality of the wines. That goes for both the Italians, which I tasted, and the rest of the producers, many of whom I was familiar with. Don’t get me wrong there was plenty of good wine there. But there wasn’t a lot of amazing wine being poured. Compared to the Tre Bicchieri tasting, held about two month’s earlier, this tasting was lackluster. However, there were some excellent wines to be found amongst a crowd of decent ones, so my scores follow below.

The food at the event was definitely some of the best I’ve had at any public wine tasting event, and might alone be worth the $50 entrance fee.

WHITE WINES

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2006 Cantina Prod. San Pauls Sauvignon Passion. $35

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2004 Barone Pizzini/Pievalta Verdicchio Castelli Jesi Class. San Paolo Pievalta. $30
2006 D’Antiche Terre Greco di Tufo. $21

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2007 Cornarea Roero Arneis. $26
2006 Pierpaolo Pecorari Sauvignon, Kolaus. $32
2005 Primosic Collio Ribolla Gialla di Oslavia Riserva. $20
2007 Ronco dei Tassi Malvasia Collio. $25
2007 Ronco dei Tassi Sauvignon Collio. $25
2007 San Michele Appiano Alto Adige Sauvignon Sanct Valentin. $45

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2007 Castello di Neive Roero Arneis. $16
2006 Collavini Broy Bianco Collio . $??
2003 Collavini Ribolla Gialla Brut. $35
2006 D’Antiche Terre Fiano d’Avellino. $21
NV Gigante Schiopettino Cof. $32
NV Gigante Pinot Grigio Cof. $25
2006 La Boatina Pinot Grigio Collio. $25
NV Livon Braide Alte. $30
2006 Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta Roero Arneis . $??
2006 Marotti Campi Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi Classico Salmariano. $16
2006 Marotti Campi Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi Classico Luzano. $18
2004 Primosic Collio Bianco KLIN. $35

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2006 Barone Pizzini/Pievalta Verdicchio Castelli Jesi Class sup. Pievalta. $19
NV Gigante Friulano Cof. $25
2007 Livon Ribolla Gialla. $28
2006 Pierpaolo Pecorari Pinot Grigio, Olivers. $32
2006 Pierpaolo Pecorari Pinot Grigio. $30
2006 Primosic Collio Pinot Grigio Murno. $16
2004 San Michele Appiano Alto Adige Pinot Nero Sanct Valentin. $45

WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2006 Accomo - Bricco Majolica Langhe Bianco

WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
NV Barone Pizzini/Pievalta Franciacorta Brut Barone Pizzini. $37
2006 Busso - La Badia Moscato d’Asti. $20
NV Livon Tiareblu. $25

RED WINES

RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2001 Prunotto Barbaresco Bric Turot DOCG. $90
2001 Prunotto Costamiole Barbera D’Asti. $70
2005 Prunotto Mompertone Monferrato. $28

RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2007 Cantina Prod. San Pauls Pinot Bianco Ploetzner. $25
2007 Caprai Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani . $??
2000 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Riserva Per Elen. $105
2004 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Riserva Vigna Preda. $100
2003 D’Antiche Terre Taurasi DOCG. $40
2003 Il Molino di Grace Gratius. $50
NV La Montagnetta Rosato Ciaret . $??
2003 Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta Barbera d’Asti Superiore Sant’Emiliano . $??
2006 Marotti Campi Lacrima di Morro D’Alba Orgiolo. $22
2004 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barolo Corsini. $45

RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2004 Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette . $??
2004 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello. $50
2004 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Fossati. $85
2004 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Riserva Cannubi. $84
2003 Fornacina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG . $??
2003 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva. $30
2006 La Montagnetta Freisa Bugianen
2003 San Michele Appiano Alto Adige Lagrein Sanct Valentin. $45
2003 Tenuta Caparzo /Borgo Scopeto Brunello di Montalcino Caparzo. $50
2004 Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Valle Reale. $21
2003 Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Calisto. $38

RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2006 Accomo - Bricco Majolica Dolcetto Diano Sori’ Bricco Maiolica. $20
2005 Attilio Ghisolfi Barbera d’Alba Vigna Lisi . $??
2004 Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano . $??
2005 Caprai Rosso di Montefalco . $??
2006 Cascina Adelaide Barbera d’Alba Vigna Preda. $36
2003 D’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture Caselle. $35
2005 Fornacina Rosso di Montalcino . $??
2004 Le Fonti Chianti Classico Riserva. $45
2007 Marotti Campi Rubico . $??
2006 Poderi San Lazzaro Sangiovese Polesio. $18
2005 Poderi San Lazzaro Grifola. $60
2003 Sassotondo Ciliegiolo Riserva San Lorenzo . $??
2007 Sassotondo Rosso Maremma Toscana . $??
2006 Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vigne Nuove. $15

RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2006 Cantina Prod. San Pauls Lagrein Gries. $28
2004 Castello di Neive Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano. $50
2006 Castello di Neive Pinot Nero I Cortini. $30
2003 Le Fonti Fontissimo. $60
2006 Poderi San Lazzaro Rosso Piceno Superiore Poderi 72. $20

RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
2004 Accomo - Bricco Majolica Nebbiolo Cumot. $28
2003 Busso - La Badia Barbera d’Asti Clotilde. $28
2006 Cantina del Pino Nebbiolo Langhe. $20
2005 Cascina La Corte Barbera d’Asti La Grissa . $??
2005 Cornarea Roero. $32
2003 D’Angelo Canneto Rosso Basilicata. $28
2006 D’Angelo Sacravite Rosso Basilicata. $18
2005 Le Fonti Chianti Classico. $30
2005 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Langhe. $20
2007 Ronco dei Tassi Collio Rosso Cjarandon. $25

Original post by default@goarticles.com (Steve Manik)