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Title and summary Date/time
1
La Crema, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2006
So this was the last wine we had during our "Pinots of the World" flight night. First New Zealand, then France, Australia, Oregon, and now California Pinot Noir. The nose was vanilla, white pepper, cinnamon, dust, hyacinth or maybe violet. ... 		Feb 1, 2009
2
Frank Family Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2006
So this was a California Chardonnay to compare with one from Oregon (see earlier review). Again, this was the same vintage (2006) and the same price point (about $32). And I was surprised to find that this one was not that super-oak, super-butter Cali ... 		Dec 28, 2008
3
Arrowood, Grand Archer, Merlot, 2000
This is a wine that our sister-in-law had purchased years ago, and we had it following the Chateauneuf-du-Pape for our Thnksgiving feast. Being an Oregonian, it was hard to want to like this commercial California wine. But I have to admit, this wine ... 		Dec 5, 2008
4
Robert Mondavi, 'Private Selection', Pinot Noir, 2007
Mondavi and Parker: the two most famous Roberts in the wine world. Big! And they make all kinds of wine. We drink a lot of Oregon and French Pinot, but I don't usually drink all that much from California. When I do, it's usually because someone brought ... 		Nov 23, 2008
5
Novella, Paso Robles, Petite Syrah, 2004
Our friends brought over this bottle. It was a favorite of theirs; they bought a case of it. The nose was spicy: pepper and cayenne. This wine was oaked too, so there's the vanilla. There was a bit of a chemical smell too. Andrew described it as ... 		Nov 13, 2008
6
Vampire Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
It was Halloween, so we had to try it. We bought some last year (also for Halloween then), but we never got around to trying it (the scary thing still lives in my cellar). One whiff, and it's like you you were thrown into the bottle of a fishing boat. ... 		Nov 4, 2008
7
Aquinas, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
It was my son's birthday, and he loves to go to Sal's restaurant. So off we went. The server said that the Sal's on Killingsworth had closed (bummer), so the NW location was swimming in extra wine; so much so, that they were blowing out some of it for ... 		Sep 13, 2008
8
Titus, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
We followed the Berringer Cab (see other review) with this one. Some liked this one better, but for me, the Berringer was clearly better. The nose was plum, and the oak was much lighter than the Berringer. However, it was also much less earthy, though ... 		Sep 9, 2008
9
Beringer, Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002
As I've mentioned in recent posts, I recently went on a fishing trip to Crater Lake with family. And one of those family members runs a Bed & Breakfast down in Napa Valley. And he likes wine. So he generously brought quite the powerhouse in this ... 		Sep 8, 2008
10
Miner Family, 'Simpson Vineyard', Viognier, 2007
I usually like Viognier, and this was no exception. The nose was all kinds of stuff: papapya, mango, lettuce, lemon, and cantaloupe. The nose was herbal (lavender?), lemon, but mostly very floral! The finish retained the floral elements, but also with ... 		Sep 5, 2008
11
Niebaum-Coppola Estate Wines, Cabernet Franc, 1997
We had this bottle right after the Ken Wright, Shea 06 -- a hard act to follow. But this one really stood its ground. Cab Franc? Really? Yep, this was very good. The nose was wild: bark, vegetable, mushroom, spice, pepper, nutmeg, asparagus, moss, ... 		Sep 2, 2008
12
Cuvaison, Chardonnay, 2006
We had my aunt and uncle over, and they like a good Chardonnay. However, and despite the volume of wine I drink, I really don't drink all that much white wine, let alone Chardonnay. So this wine was recommended by a guy at Zupan's. And it turned out ... 		Jul 18, 2008
13
Stags Leap, Petite Syrah, 2000
Oak -- smells like oak and heavy, heavy wood. There are cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar tastes. Then dirt and manure. This wine is quite gamey and earthy with a hint of black cherry. A heavy vegetable flavor emerges. Kale. This wine tastes like earthy, gamey ... 		Jun 15, 2008
14
The Rematch: Oregon versus California Pinots
Back in January, I participated in a competition of sorts: Oregon versus California Pinots. I was at a business dinner, and the other company is from California, and mine is based in Oregon. So you can guess where my allegiances lie. Anyway, I lost in the ... 		Apr 10, 2008
15
Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
Smell: Peat, river bank, cinnamon, oregano, pine needles. Plum. Taste: Plum, raisin, currant. Really tight for the first 20 minutes; and then, it was smooth and yummy. Finish: Currant. And a very subtle granny smith apple -- not that apple dryness, ... 		Mar 24, 2008
16
Cima Collina, 'Cedar Lane', Sauvignon Blanc, 2006
Smell: Mustiness, pears, and grape skins. Fresh, pungent, and rich top soil mixed with lemon. Taste: Citrus--lemons and kiwis. Smells much stronger than it tastes. With eyes closed, it tastes like a ladybug on a rainforest leaf. Finish: Fades fast. ... 		Mar 1, 2008
17
A Rafanelli, 'Dry Creek Valley' Sonoma, Zinfandel, 2005
Smell: Overwhelmingly pepper! Oak and orange. Taste: Plum and black cherry. Finish: Cherry lingers. Later, hints of bark and a very slight lime sourness. Cost: Rating: 8.0 		Jan 17, 2008
18
Papapietro Perry, Russian River 'Leras Family Vineyards', Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: Very strong cayenne. Pepper, papaya, cinnamon, curry and/or paprika. Taste: Plum is predominant. Hints of cranberry and pomegranate. Finish: Raisin. Smooth with a slight sourness at the end. A 2% milk consistency. Cost: Rating: 8.0 		Jan 17, 2008
19
Gustave Niebaum, Captain's Reserve, Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: At first, a strong sweat aroma (in a good way). Cinnamon and then candy strawberry. Taste: Raisin and plum. Tannic textures and bark flavors. Very slight oak. Interesting that the candy strawberry smell was nowhere to be found in the taste. In ... 		Jan 17, 2008
20
Morgan, Santa Lucia Highlands 'Twelve Clones', Pinot Noir, 2005
Smell: Cedar, pepper, orange sherbet, star fruit. Super peppery! Pungent, perfumey and floral. Taste: Cayenne, Granny Smith apple, boysenberry. Grapey tasting. Chocolate cuts it down and is a good compliment. Finish: Sort of a burnt plus berry ... 		Jan 16, 2008

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