Patz & Hall 2013 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay I previously reviewed the 2011 & 2012 vintages and found the wines impressive, but the 2012 growing season was longer and cooler allowing the winemaker to pick the fruit at the peak of ripeness. Founded by 4 individuals Patz & Hall is one of California’s premier wineries. I noticed a light straw yellow color and light aromas of fresh fruit, mostly green apples and slightly citrus with floral notes. On the palate, the flavor was somewhat full and rich with layered flavors of peach, green apple and vanilla spice. The wine had a slight mineral taste with light oak, noting that the wine…
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Rombauer 2013 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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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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Newton 2012 Napa Chardonnay Unfiltered Widely acclaimed as a California wine trailblazer, Newton Vineyard was one of the first wineries on Spring Mountain, a rugged yet serene appellation located west of St. Helena on the eastern flank of the Mayacamas range which separates Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Newton Vineyard was established in 1977, the vision of founders Dr. Su Hua and Peter Newton, who recognized the potential of Spring Mountain as a prime viticultural region. Newton’s approach to winemaking is meticulous, using techniques based on an old-world style including natural fermentation and bottling without filtration. The grapes are handled with care, hand-picked in small lots and transferred for gentle pressing…
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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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The Calling 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay When Jim Nantz and Peter Deutsch met, they discovered they had both found success by pursuing a calling in life. For Jim, that calling was to unlock the voice within, eventually calling the greatest sporting events of his generation. For Peter, it was transforming a small family business into one of the most prestigious wine companies in the world. Inspired by their mentor fathers and guided by their common values, the two found a new calling: a partnership to produce hand-crafted wines that bear the standard of excellence and style that are the hallmarks of these two men. The Calling. The 2012 vintage…
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Roederer Estate Sparkling Anderson Valley Brut N.V. Roederer Estate is the first California sparkling wine to be produced by Champagne Louis Roederer, further building upon a 200-year tradition of fine wine making from this family owned company. Roederer’s unique winemaking style is based on two elements: complete ownership of its vineyards and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year’s blend or cuvée. The Roederer Estate is located 125 miles north of San Francisco near the Mendocino Coast, and since 1982 began developing its own vineyards and crafting wines. The Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut made its debut in October 1988. Anderson Valley offers a climate of warm days…
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Girard 2012 Chardonnay Russian River Thirty years after first planting its vineyards, Girard continues to produce wines reflecting the quality that has made Napa Valley the most famous New World wine-growing region in the world. Today, Girard is experiencing a rebirth of sorts as longtime California vintner Pat Roney purchased the winery shortly after the new millennium. Roney’s career in wine began as a sommelier at Chicago’s renowned Pump Room, where he worked during and after college. Later he returned to his native California and eventually he took up the reins of two wineries: first as president of Chateau St. Jean, and later as president of Kunde, both in Sonoma…
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Castello Di Pomino 2012 Chardonnay Pomino, meaning “Little Apple” is a small DOC located in central Italy’s picturesque region of Tuscany. The classified area encompasses the town of Pomino and includes vineyards within the Chianti Rufina sub-zone in the province of Florence. Although relatively unknown, this is a premium wine producing area, and was granted its DOC title in 1983. In a decree drawn up by the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1716, he declared Pomino to be one of four major areas in Tuscany that had the potential to produce quality wines. It was also hailed by the 17th-century writer and scientist Francesco Redi, who said, “The Pomino district…
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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…