Category Archives: California
Syrah, Ramey Wine Cellars, Sonoma Coast AVA, California, 2013, 14.5% abv (US$59)
Four years ago this month, I graduated with the WSET Diploma – a credential anyone who works in wine and spirits will know is that difficult. Drinking lots of interesting things to support my wine studies and habit has never … Continue reading
Chardonnay, Wayfarer, Wayfarer Vineyard, Fort Ross – Seaview AVA, Sonoma County, California, 14.5% abv, 2014, US$89
So, a Winellama walks into the new Las Vegas Total Wine and asks whether they carry any wines from California’s Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. “Oh no, most definitely not,” she is told. Except they do, because after an hour of browsing, … Continue reading
Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard, Livermore Valley AVA, California
Next time you are in San Francisco – or somewhere around the Bay area – here’s a winery you can plan a trip to and be at in about 2 hours. Murrieta’s Well is one of the original wineries of … Continue reading
Syrah, Alban Vineyards, Patrina, Edna Valley, California, 2013, 15.5% abv, US$50
People often ask me, “What is your favourite red wine?” Syrah, hands down. But, not just any old Syrah. It has to be well made – and this one is. You. Must. Drink. This. Alban Vineyards is located in Edna … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Poseidon Vineyard, Primo’s Hill, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, California, 2014, 14.3% abv. US$49
On a trip to California while on the hunt for Napa and Sonoma wines, we found this bottle of Primo’s Hill Pinot Noir from Poseidon Vineyard at @BirdRockFineWine. Only 125 cases were made of this from fruit grown on two … Continue reading
Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Vineyards, Special Selection, Napa Valley, California, 1994, 13.9% abv. C$250.00
If you were going to write about a classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this would be the one to write about. This bottle was 22 years old when we opened it. Think about that for a minute. Twenty-two years ago in … Continue reading
Pinot Noir, Toulouse, Alexander Valley AVA, California, 2011, 14% abv., US$28
Toulouse is located near the northwestern end of the Alexander Valley AVA, a few short kilometers after emerging from the switchback drive through the Navarro River Redwoods State Park from Mendocino on the Californian coast. We visited there in August … Continue reading
