Distant Cellars Winery – Amador County, CA

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Nov 112012
 
Distant Cellars is a new family owned (4 brothers and dad) winery. These are their first efforts. They show great potential for future vintages.
2009 Distant Cellars Winery Prospect Zinfandel, Fiddletown, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 87

A blend of Zinfandel from two vineyards (75% estate fruit) with a hint of Alicante Bouschet.  The nose offers notes of cherry, red berries and chocolate coming together with a certain jamminess. Flavors of dark cherry and dark berries are accented with notes of mint, chocolate and dark spice. Let the wine decant to soften the acidity and bold tannins. Buy This Wine

2009 Distant Cellars Winery “Drifter” Red Wine Blend, Amador County, CA, $28 (S) – Rating 3.8

This blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Alicante Bouschet offers a robust nose of dark cherry pie, spice and a little leather giving way to round flavors of dark cherry, ripe raspberry and spice with notes of saddle leather and dark chocolate. Tannins soften with decanting. Buy This Wine

Trione Vineyards & Winery Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

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Oct 282012
 
2007 Trione Vineyards & Winery Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Block Twenty-one, Sonoma County, CA, $64 (S) – Rating 94

Wow! A really big Cabernet from Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.  This big boy opens with a rich and spicy nose of blueberry and ripe raspberry. The lush mouth-feel is enhanced with flavors of dark cherry, plum, ripe raspberry, dark spices and just enough earthiness to be interesting. The tannins are a soft and well integrated but still some zippy acidity remains. A classic Bordeaux blend with 10% Merlot and 2.5% each Petite Verdot and Malbec. A long and complex finish. Buy This Wine

Carol Shelton Larson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

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Oct 282012
 
2010 Carol Shelton Larson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Carneros, CA, $ 38 (S) – Rating 92

This Carneros Pinot really grabbed my attention. A boisterous nose of dark cherry, strawberry jam with notes of baking spice. Medium-bodied on the palate with flavors of strawberry jam, ripe plum and dark cherry with subtle leathery notes. Structured yet well integrated tannins and soft acidity play nicely in the long finish. 3.5% Petite Sirah in the blend adds an unexpected zip. Buy This Wine

Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee 2009

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Oct 282012
 
2009 Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee, Sonoma County, CA, $24 (S) – Rating 88

A good-value go-to red blend. Very easy drinking with soft and inviting tannins. A nice nose of blueberry, cherry and dark spice. On the palate resides the same dark fruit and cherry flavors with added notes of coca, tobacco box and espresso on the finish. Best after decanting for about 15 minutes. Buy This Wine

La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2010

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Oct 282012
 
2010 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir, CA, $23 (S) – Rating 90

It is hard to find an excellent value Pinot Noir… but here’s a good one. A pleasant nose of blueberry, plum dark spice with interesting notes of bramble and tobacco. Medium bodied with rich flavors of dark cherry jam, blackberry and ripe raspberry with plenty of spicy undertones, hints of leather and minerality. Soft tannins with a touch of acidity round out the wine. Buy This Wine

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