Joseph Swan Vineyards - 2009 Zeigler Vineyard Zinfandel ($30)  This Russian River Valley wine was an unexpected experience.  Often California Zinfandel is either big and jammy or spicy and peppery. This Zinfandel was unexpected because it was n
 Michael David - 2012 Lodi Petite Petit ($27 1.5L)  I always passed by this cartoon character label with the two elephants sipping wine. But Wine Enthusiast recently named this wine their #2 pick on the 2015 top 100 wines, giving it a 94 point rating
 Cristom - 2011 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir ($30)  Really enjoyed visiting Cristom Vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley and tasting their wines. Pinot Noir is the wine in Willamette Valley and this one from Cristom is very nice. While some of t
 Daou -- 2013 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)  A tremendous Cab from a beautiful winery in the hills of Paso Robles facing the Pacific Ocean. This wine has amazing bold fruit flavors, with a smooth and lasting finish.  With great earthly an
 Matrix -- 2011 Russian River Valley Zinfandel ($32)  This was a really nice Zin!  Smooth right out of the bottle with great bright fruit and a terrific finish.  Matrix sources their Zinfandel grapes throughout the Russian River Valley. &nb
 Tower 15 The Jetty --2011 Paso Robles ($21)  A blend of 41% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre and 14% Petite Sirah produced by Pali Wine Company.  Paying homage to lifeguard tower 15 on the beach in Pacific Palisades, California (or 'Pali
 Ridge Geyserville -- 2012 ($30)  A wonderfully complex blend of Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre and Alicante Bouschet. The 71% Zinfandel nearly qualifies this as being labeled as a varietal, but the other grapes blended into the wine g
 Barton Family Winery -- 2010 Kashmir ($38)  Visited the Barton Family Winery a couple of years ago on a trip to Paso Robles. Great little farmhouse tasting room and some tremendous wines.  Had put away this bottle of Kashmir, 100% Syrah, for a
 Provenance Vineyards -- 2011 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($32)  This was an unexpected find. Opened this bottle and found it to be incredibly smooth for a Cab. But, this is no ordinary Cab.  Very light on the tannins, deep in f
 Clos Pegas -- 2011 Carneros Merot ($18)  A really nice Merlot.  Smooth and rich with strong fruit flavors of black cheery and subtile tobacco nuances.  Light on tannin and finishes very nicely. I went back and picked up two more.  You
 Locations F2 -- French Red Wine ($18)  This is one of Dave Phinney's line of Locations wines. Dave Phinney has made quite a name for himself at Orin Swift Cellars, and is continuing to exhibit his amazing wine making talents in his line of Locations
  Kramer Vineyards -- 2010 Rebecca's Reserve Pinot Noir ($35)   Picked this up during a visit to Kramer Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon.  They have a beautiful location and several excellent wines. The 2010 Rececca's Reserve is very nice with flavor
 Charles Smith 'Chateau Smith' -- 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)  Charles Smith is a tremendous winemaker in the state of Washington.  This Cabernet from Columbia Valley is another fine example of his work.  Excellent depth of character and
  Sbragia Family Vineyards -- 2011 Andolsen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($33)   Really came to love the Sbragia Family Vineyards after having visited their beautiful winery a couple of years ago. Previously had found their Merlot to be super and it w
 Gary Farrell -- 2011 Russian River Pinot Noir ($30)  If you like Pinot Noir from the Russian River, you are going to absolutely love this one.  This has all the great cherry, raspberry  and cola flavors yet is delicate and has a wonderful
 Caymus Vineyards --2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($70)  Don't have to say a lot. It's Caymus.  It's excellent!  This wonderful Cab from Chuck Wagner is his 41st and he just continues making some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon on th
 Cristom -- 2013 Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Gris ($17)  Picked this one up during a visit to Cristom in Oregon.  This winery is making a bunch of great wines.  Enjoyed talking with Tom (the 'Tom' of Cristom) about the family w
 Beran -- 2012 Zinfandel ($23)  If you love a good Zinfandel, this one will knock your socks off. This wine is produced by Joey Wagner, Son of famed Camus winemaker Chuck Wagner. Joey has done amazing things with this wine.  Sourced from through
 Tenshen  - 2013 Red Blend ($21)  This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Merlot and Mourvèdre is outstanding. Joey Tensley, Wine Maker, exceeded my expectations on this one by a mile.  The blend of varietals give this red big, bo
 Francis Ford Coppola - 2013 Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)  A wonderfully smooth and easy Cab to drink. Alexander Valley produces dependably excellent wines, and this one is no exception. Full-bodied with nice oak and berry flavors and a so
 Locations E3 - 2013 Blend ($18)  Another of Dave Phenney's blends.  This time Locations E3 blends Grenache, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre and Carignan from old vines with low yields locations from Priorate, Jumilla, Toro, Rioja and Ribera del Duero. &
 Dutcher Crossing - 2013 Proprietor's Reserve Syrah ($30)  This is a terrific Syrah. It's a deep purplewine with dark fruit flavors and cola, . The mouth is filled by luscious red fruit which give way to mouth coating tannins that linger on the palle
 Moshin Vineyards - 2009 Bowman Vineyard Zinfandel ($28)  A great Zinfandel from the Shenandoah Valley that has a nice peppery flavor and smooth finish. Shenandoah Valley is located in Amador County, and area well known for Zinfandel.  Great wit
 Hook & Ladder - 2012 Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ($21)  If you are looking for a big, bold Cab, this is not the Cab for you.  It's a great wine, don't get me wrong. But it has nice red fruit flavors and very moderate tannin. Probabl
  2013 Justin Isosceles ($70)   This is a truly amazing wine. It's a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot. The depth and character of this wine is fantastic. And very smooth. Justin describes it as offering "complex flavo
  Sbrigia Family Vineyards --- 2010 Home Ranch Merlot ($27)   This was an amazing Merlot with tremendous depth of flavors and a wonderfully smooth finish.  Flavors of bright pepper, caramel, vanilla and hint of mint.  Knew this one had pote
  Orin Swift D66 -- 2012, Maury France ($36)   A product of Dave Phinney, the creator of 'The Prisoner,' has once again created an amazing wine.  Produced and bottled in France, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan results in a wonderfull
  Trentadue Winery's La Storia -- 2012 Alexander Valley Petite Sirah ($34)   Quite a find!  Picked this one up at a local wine store only because it's from Alexander Valley, home of many great wines. Trentadue describes it as "...  beautifu
  Alma Rosa -- 2012 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir ($22)   Have been hearing great things about Pinot out of Sta. Rita Hills and this one delivers. Great hints of blueberries and red currants with forest floor earthiness of mushrooms. If you enjoy Russia
  Chronic Cellars — 2012 Dead Nuts Red Blend ($18)   Dead Nuts, out of Paso Robles, is a blend of 63% Zinfandel, 15% Tempranillo, 14% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 2% Tammat. And, Wow, what a blend! This one was impressive right out of the bottle. Big e
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