Red Wine

Article: 2010 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel Sonoma County

There are many excellent single-vineyard Zinfandel bottlings. They are distinct, interesting and reflect both the vintage and the vineyard’s terroir. On the other hand, single-vineyard wines can be pricey, too much so for most...

Article: On Wine, Jazz and Inkblots

Great wine, like instrumental jazz, mines the observer for meaning. A bottle can be shared among friends, as can a night at The Blue Note. Everyone gets the same input. But individual...

Article: Quiz: Which County Grows the Most Syrah?

There’s been a lot of focus on California Syrah for the last month or so. There was the Rhone Rangers’ San Francisco event.

Article: John Alban Traps Philippe Guigal in an Elevator and other Tales of HdR

This is the third installment of my conversation with John Alban regarding Hospice du Rhone and the advancement of Rhone variety wines globally over the past...

Article: John Alban on the Evolution of Hospice du Rhone and Surge in Rhone Variety Popularity

This is part two of my interview with John Alban of Alban Vineyards...

Article: John Alban on the First Hospice du Rhone and the State of American Rhone Variety Wine in 1993

Hospice du Rhone is only two weeks away. I’ll once again be leading a small band o...

Article: 2009 Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Syrah Napa Valley

Cornerstone’s Stepping Stone label is intended to offer wines that are ready to drink upon release but don't compromise regional and varietal typicity. The 2009...

Article: 2009 Fisher Vineyards Syrah Hidden Terrace Vineyard Sonoma County

Fisher Vineyards’ Hidden Terrace Vineyard is part of their Sonoma County estate which is located on Spring Mountain benchland off of St. Helena...

Article: Looking Forward to Hospice du Rhone 2012

Hospice du Rhone 2012 will take place in Paso Robles, CA on...

Article: 2009 Quivira Mourvedre Wine Creek Ranch Dry Creek Valley

Mourvedre is a very late ripening variety. In Dry Creek Valley, with its sun, warmth and relatively dry Autumns, the grapes can ripen fully in most years. It’s Mourvedre wines shows better balance between savory and sweet than is...

Article: 2008 Von Holt Syrah Old Lakeville Vineyard Sonoma Coast

The Old Lakeville Vineyard, named for the highway that borders it, is subject to two major cooling influences. Morning fog creeps in from the San Pablo Bay just one mile to the south. In the evening, ocean breezes...

Article: Impressions from the 2012 Wine Road Barrel Tasting in Northern Sonoma

The 2012 Wine Road Barrel Tasting in Northern Sonoma took place on the first two weekends of March. More than 140 wineries participated, opening both their doors and...

Article: I Want Mour(vedre)

Mourvèdre is like a middle brother. It’s not big and strong like Syrah. Syrah exudes power, even when Auntie Viognier pins a little white fl...

Article: 2010 Alpha Omega Syrah Krupp Brothers Vineyard Napa Valley

Alpha Omega first opened the doors of their hip yet inviting

Article: Breaking News: Ken & Diane Wilson Buy Pezzi King

Article: 2009 Tudal Tractor Shed Red

Tudal Winery is an old-timer compared to most Napa Valley wineries. Its start came in 1974 when Arnold Tudal and his...

Article: Profile of McCay Cellars: Video Interview with Michael McCay, Photos, More

McCay Cellars is a small, family-owned winery in Lodi. They make...

Article: 2009 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah Sonoma County

Pride Mountain Vineyards sits atop Spring Mountain. Both the winery and it’s vineyards straddle the Napa-Sonoma County line. In fact, Pride has two separate production facilities, two sets of b...

Article: Premiere Napa Valley 2012 in Photos

Premiere Napa Valley 2012 took place on February 25 at the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone Campus in St....

Article: Wrap Up on the Antonio Galloni Interviews

My in-depth interview with Antonio Galloni was published in three parts this week. (