Willm 2012 Riesling Reserve Founded in 1896 by the Willm Family, Alsace Willm was the first Alsace producer to export wines to the United States after Prohibition. Alsace Willm is located about 20 miles south of Strasbourg in Barr on the Route du Vin d’Alsace, which is the “Wine Road of Alsace”. Alsace Willm produces a selection of outstanding Alsace wines, both still and sparkling, as well as some Grand Crus. The 2012 Reserve Riesling is 100% Riesling that is aged for about 3 months on its lees, with bottling occurring about 10 months after the harvest. Note: “Lees” refers to deposits of dead yeast or residual yeast and other…
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Chateau St. Jean 2011 Chardonnay Robert Young Vineyards Not long ago, I commented on Chateau St. Jean’s 2011 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, today I am going to comment on their single vineyard Chardonnay from the Robert Young Vineyards. The estate of Chateau St. Jean is located at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Sonoma Valley near Kenwood, California. The estate was founded in 1973 and recognized as a true leader in “Vineyard Designated” wines. The winemaker, Margo Van Staaveren, brings with her 30 years of experience and draws out the best that Chateau St. Jean vineyards has to offer. The Robert Young Vineyard is tucked away in a protected cove…
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La Rioja Alta S.A. 1994 Viña Arana Reserva On the 10th of July 1890, five Basque and Rioja families shared their passion for wine and founded “Sociedad Vinicola De La Rioja Alta” in what is known as the Haro Station District. That day was the start of an ongoing searching for excellence that their descendants still pursue today. The company changed its name to “LA RIOJA ALTA” in 1891, and in 1941 the company took on its present name, LA RIOJA ALTA, S.A. A year later, chairman of the board, Leandro Ardanza Angulo, registered the renowned brand name, “Viña Ardanza”. To give you a little taste of the town of…
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Ruffino 2008 Gold Label Riserva Ducale Oro I recently discussed and reviewed Ruffino 2010 Tan Label Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico, (see June 20, 2014 review). Briefly I mentioned that Ruffino has a long history and enjoys more than a century of fine winemaking in Tuscany. In 1870, two men (cousins) with a common dream founded Ruffino. Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundation for what was to become one of the most known and loved Italian wineries in the world. One of the first and most prominent admirers of Ruffino wines was without doubt the Duke of Aosta, who at the end of the nineteenth century appointed Ruffino supplier to…
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Patz & Hall 2011 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Russian River Valley I recently reviewed Patz & Hall 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, see July 11, 2014. I was impressed by this wine I had to try Patz & Hall’s Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and was able to grab a 2011 vintage. Founded by 4 individuals Patz & Hall is one of California’s premier wineries. In 2011 the growing season was extremely cool resulting in a very small crop, with tiny berries in small clusters. Such low yields heighten the wine’s concentration, density and texture. Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley, is one of several single vineyard Chardonnay’s offered by Patz & Hall. Opening a bottle…
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Beringer 2010 Knights Valley Caberinet Sauvignon Beringer Vineyards roots date back about 140 years ago when Jacob Beringer sailed from his home in Mainz Germany to New York. After arriving in the “new world”, Jacob heard that the rocky hillside soil and fertile valley floor of Napa Valley resembled that of the vineyards back home in Germany. Jacob, and his brother Frederick, headed for Napa and purchased 215 acres of land in 1875, becoming one of the first wineries in Napa. A lot of time has passed and Beringer has perfected its craft of making fine wines, balancing time-tested traditions with modern technology, resulting in a portfolio of admired vineyards,…
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Heitz Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay In 1961, Joe and Alice Heitz purchased their first vineyard, 8 acres just south of St. Helena. Working out of their small California winery attached to the land they purchased, they put in round-the-clock sweat equity to build their business. Heitz Wine Cellars rapidly established a reputation as home base for one of the Napa Valley’s most innovative and brilliant winemakers, and the unassuming winery soon became a prestigious destination for wine connoisseurs. In 1964, Heitz acquired 160-acre parcel in Spring Valley and began sharpening his skills on Cabernet Sauvignon, and in 1965, by chance, acquired a small vineyard in Oakville from Tom and Martha…
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Patz & Hall 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four individuals; Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California’s premier wineries, with a renowned portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. The seeds for Patz & Hall were planted in the 1980s when assistant winemaker James Hall and national sales manager Donald Patz struck up a close friendship while working together at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards. The two discovered a mutual enthusiasm for a rich and compelling style of wine made by applying traditional winemaking techniques to fruit from elite,…
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Les Closiers Caves des Papes 1998 Chateauneuf de-Pape Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an historic town in France’s southern Rhone Valley, famous for its full-bodied, spicy red wines (although it does also produce a small quantity of weighty, flavorful white). The name Chateauneuf-du-Pape means ‘new castle of the Pope’ and refers to the fact that nearby Avignon was chosen as the new home for the Pope’s court in the early 14th century. The pope in question (Clement V) also gave his name to the ancient and equally prestigious Chateau Pape Clement in Bordeaux’s Graves district. Ogier et Fils was founded by Christophe Ogier as a negociant firm in 1859. In 1948 Ogier became…
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Joseph Phelps 2011 Pinot Freestone Vineyards Exceptional Red for a Red, White & Blue Day! I recently posted comments on Joseph Phelps 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, their regular Cabernet offering, and was extremely impressed with the wine I wanted to try their Pinot Noir and see how the quality matches up with his Vinification of other grapes. I previously discussed That Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery founded in 1973, so refer to my May 2, 2014 Post to get additional background. The philosophy of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is to maintain, preserve and (where possible and appropriate) ecologically enhance the natural vineyard environment. While this goal is essential for present…