Ferrari-Carano Reserve Napa Chardonnay 2012 One of my absolute favorite California Chardonnay’s is the Ferrari-Carano offering from Sonoma County. Today I will comment on their Napa Reserve 2012 vintage. The Ferrari-Carano Winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano and is located in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. If you enjoy pairing food with wine, be sure to visit the Ferrari-Carano website where Rhonda has a number of recipes. So if you are adventurous and have a passion for good food and wine, then try some of her recipes. I opened the 2012 Napa Reserve Chardonnay and observed a clear golden yellow color. The 2012 Napa Reserve Chardonnay…
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Frank Family Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay Carneros First constructed as the Larkmead Winery in 1884, the building was refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906 and still stands tall today. The massive stone edifice is considered an archetype of California’s wine country; it appears on the National Register of Historical Places and is listed as a Point of Historical Interest in the state of California. The Frank Family Vineyards focuses their energies on making superb wines, producing Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah and several distinctively different Cabernet Sauvignons. Today I am tasting their Carneros Chardonnay, I noticed a vivid pale yellow color and wonderful aromas of…
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Rombauer 2009 Carneros Merlot I recently commented on the Rombauer 2012 Carneros Chardonnay, see Sept. 30, 2014 review, and indicated that Koerner Rombauer was born and raised in Southern California, later became a commercial pilot with Braniff until the airline ceased operations in 1972, moved his family, two horses, and five dogs from Dallas to the Napa Valley, where they purchased 40 acres of hilltop land on the Silverado Trail, near St. Helana. What was interesting was that the Rombauer’s had no intention of starting a winery. They did, however, have a great appreciation for the role of wine in the fine dining experience. Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer was…
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Rombauer 2012 Chardonnay Carneros Koerner Rombauer was born and raised in Southern California, in the small, agricultural town of Escondido, near San Diego. He attended public schools in Escondido and went to the same high school as Joan Ransome, who would later (in 1959) become his wife. Koerner’s first great career passion was flying, and was a commercial pilot with Braniff and flew as a captain along a South American route until the airline ceased operations in 1972. The Rombauers moved their family, two horses, and five dogs from Dallas to the Napa Valley. They purchased 40 acres of hilltop land on the Silverado Trail, near St. Helana, however without…
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Domaine Carneros 2007 Brut Taittinger Domaine Carneros in the heart of Carneros, is the California expression of the tradition and excellence of its founder, Champagne Taittinger. Established in 1987, Domaine Carneros is considered a regional landmark. In the late 1970’s, Claude Taittinger, the president of Champagne Taittinger, proclaimed his faith in the future of American wines and began the search on U.S. soil for a suitable winery site. In 1987, Champagne Taittinger, along with partner Kobrand Corporation, selected a 138 acre parcel in the heart of Carneros, a viticultural appellation they recognized to have the potential to produce world class sparkling wines. All of Domaine Carneros wines bear the Carneros…
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Charles Krug 2012 Chardonnay Carneros Charles Krug Winery was founded in 1861 by a 27-year old Prussian immigrant, Charles Krug, who came to America with little means but had the drive to work hard and build the cornerstone of the first winery in Napa. Charles Krug brought much influence, innovation and development into the Napa wine making era. For example he introduced the first cider press for wine making and it remains on display today. He experimented with selecting rootstocks, varietals and vineyard sites, unheard of in 19th century America. The winery changed hands at the turn of the 19th century and after Prohibition, in 1943, the winery was sold…