Tag Archives: california

Pahlmeyer, Merlot, Napa Valley, California, 2011, 15.2% abv, US$85

Posted on July 22, 2015 by winellama

If violet coloured velvet were a wine, it would be this one. Plush and sensuous, it’s made with 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and a smattering of Malbec. The grapes came from three separate vineyards. On the eyes it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged 2011, california, merlot, napa valley, Pahlmeyer, red wine | 5 Comments

Qupé, Syrah, Central Coast, California, 2012, 13.5% abv.

Posted on July 17, 2015 by winellama

“Whose bottle is this!?” This bottle of Qupé flew to Saltspring Island, BC from Menlo Park, California and almost didn’t make it onto the plane due to someone forgetting it was actually in the hand luggage. Oops. In the post-911 flying … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged 2012, Bob Lindquist, california, Central Coast, Qupé, red wine, syrah | Leave a comment

Iron Horse Ranch and Vineyards, Winter’s Cuvée, Sebastopol, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, 2008, 13.5% abv.

Posted on July 2, 2015 by winellama

We visited this winery in the beautiful Russian River Valley and its 65 ha of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines in 2013. While there, we purchased two bottles – both for children’s high school graduation celebrations. When the second one … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Tagged 2008, california, chardonnay, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Iron Horse Ranch and Vineyards, pinot noir, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, sparkling wine, Winter's Cuvée | Leave a comment

Qupé, Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California, 14.5% abv, 2005

Posted on April 30, 2015 by winellama

When I started planning the brief trip to Santa Barbara, I also began to plot my assault on a bottle of locally produced Qupé. It’s challenging to find in my corner of the world and this winery owned by winemaker Bob Lindquist … Continue reading →

Posted in California, OTHER, Red, Shiraz / Syrah | Tagged Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido, Bob Lindquist, Buellton, california, cool climate syrah, Hitching Post 2, Qupé, red wine, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley | Leave a comment

Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Winery, Napa Valley, 2011, 14% abv

Posted on December 18, 2014 by winellama

While at Trader Joe’s last summer on a cross-border run, I did a scan for the most expensive red wine I could buy and this was the one- a whopping $20. “Go big or go home”, I thought. I went … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, OTHER, RED | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Mount Veeder, napa valley, red wine, Trader Joes | Leave a comment

Chardonnay, Charles Shaw, California, 2012, 12.5% abv, US$2.49

Posted on October 29, 2014 by winellama

Let it be said I will try just about anything – at least once. When I saw the infamous bottles of Two Buck Chuck on the shelves at Trader Joe’s during a cross-border shopping trip, I admit I was terribly … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, WHITE | Tagged 2 buck chuck, 3 buck chuck, california, chardonnay, charles shaw, white wine | 2 Comments

Viader, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, 2001, 14% abv, US$80

Posted on October 24, 2014 by winellama

The first thing Doug said when I met him was ‘I only drink vodka and Californian wines’. Who says that?! Then he sent me a bottle of Viader. Now at least I understand the method of his madness – … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, RED | Tagged cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, howell mountain, napa valley, red wine, viader | Leave a comment

Caymus, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California, 2011, 15.2% abv, C$46.00

Posted on August 14, 2014 by winellama

Owned for 40 years in Rutherford, California by the Wagner family, the Caymus wines are some of the most dependable and tasty produced in Napa Valley. Over the course of time, they’ve diversified with several product lines and quality levels. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, RED, Red, Zinfandel | Tagged california, caymus, napa valley, rutherford, zinfandel | 2 Comments

Simi, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California, 2005, 15.5% abv.

Posted on August 1, 2014 by winellama

Start with two wine geeks – one with a broken finger suffered on a recent trip at the Simi winery and one with extreme WSET pre-exam stress. Throw in a Friday evening and three bottles of Simi Russian River Valley … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, OTHER, WHITE | Tagged california, chardonnay, russian river, Russian River Valley, simi, Simi 2010 Reserve Chardonnay, Simi 2011 Chardonnay, Simi Chardonnay 2005, Sonoma County, white wine | 6 Comments

Andretti Winery, Sangiovese, Napa Valley, California, 2009, 14.9% abv.

Posted on May 10, 2014 by winellama

Sangiovese is a black grape native to Central Italy and primarily Toscana whose name literally means ‘Blood of Jove’, the Italian name for Jupiter. It’s Italy’s most planted variety, is the only grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino and is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, RED, Sangiovese | Tagged Andretti Winery, Brunello, california, Morellino, napa valley, Niellucio, Prugnolo Gentile, red wine, Sangiovese, WSET Sangiovese study | Leave a comment