Mar 202013
 
2011 Ca’ Momi Winery Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Ca, $20 (S) – Rating 88

An enjoyable Chardonnay with a nose of citrus and grilled pineapple with just a hint of red apple. Balanced acidity and slightly creamy with flavors of tropicals, citrus and pineapple combined with subtle notes of vanilla and caramel Just a touch of of apple on the finish. Buy This Wine

Mar 202013
 
2011 Giordano Salento Prestigio Chardonnay i.g.t. Gold Collection  Apulia, Italy, $11.50 (S) – Rating 89

An excitingly crisp Chardonnay for those who prefer an unoaked style. A bright nose of floral notes complimented with hints of citrus, honeydew melon and honeysuckle. The palate will enjoy the flavors of pineapple and Meyer lemon with red apple undertones . Crisp acidity makes for many food pairing possibilities. Buy This Wine

Feb 262013
 
2011 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA, $18 (S) – Rating 88

A pleasant nose of Meyer lemon, cream, green apple and vanilla. A round mouth-feel with notes of tartness. Flavors of Meyer lemon, tropical citrus, and green apple are followed by a vanilla creamy finish. Enough crisp minerality for good foodie possibilities. Buy This Wine

Feb 172013
 
2009 Ceja Vineyards Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Carneros, CA, $34 (S) – Rating 91

A crisp style of Chardonnay with an appealing nose of pineapple cream, Meyer lemon and canned pears. Sur lie aging creates a round soft mouth-feel without the flabbiness found in some CA Chards. Well balanced acidity with flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple with other tropical notes makes this wine a great food pairing partner. Buy This Wine

Winemaker Interview – Kurt Beitler of Bohème Wines (Sonoma Coast)

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Jan 302013
 

Kurt BeitlerDuring the 2012 Aspen Food and Wine Festival we had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Sonoma Coast winemaker Kurt Beitler of Bohème Wines. I was excited to meet the energetic and passionate young winemaker; if for no other reason than he is a grandson of one of the winemakers most influential in my early wine development, Charlie Wagner, co-founder of Caymus Vineyards. We waited for Kurt outside an Aspen restaurant, to find him wheeling up through the festival crowd on his mountain bike with a great smile on his face and even better wines in hand.

While Kurt learned much of his craft working with his uncle Chuck Wagner (co-founder of Caymus) and cousins at Caymus Vineyards, he ventured out a few years ago to create hand-crafted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under his own label Bohème Wines. Kurt’s five small-lot wines are exceptional examples of terrior-driven single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Bohème Wines are available from their website and tasting room in Occidental, CA. For those who support small, family and artisan wineries…Bohème is a wine find that will definitely excite your palate and enhance your cellar. Continue reading »