Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera 2011 Wines produced by Alejandro Fernández are made exclusively from the difficult, quick-maturing Tempranillo variety, of which he is the acknowledged master. His world-famous Tinto Pesquera is aged a minimum of 18 months in oak, with selected Reservas and Grandes Reservas remaining in barrel for 24 months and longer. Already over 70 years old, Alejandro shows no sign of letting up, rising at five every morning and personally overseeing all stages of the winemaking. The attention to detail is evidenced in this excellent vintage. Opening a bottle the color is a very dark Ruby with aromas of red/black fruits with hints of espresso, toast and…
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Ridge 2012 Sonoma Three Valleys Ridge Vineyards history begins in 1885 when Osea Perrone, a prominent Italian doctor in San Francisco, purchased 180 acres of land near the top of Monte Bello ridge. Perrone terraced the slopes, planted vineyards and constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage in 1982. In the 1940’s, William Short purchased the abandoned winery and vineyards just below Perrone’s property and planted new vines. From there a number of partnerships were formed with the surrounding vineyards, mostly by individuals with Stanford Research Institute credentials, up until 1986 when the Japanese pharmaceutical company Otsuka became the owners. The Ridge team is still more like a group of inspired…
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Turley 2012 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Born in Tennessee and raised in Georgia, Larry Turley of Turley Wine Cellars has spent the better part of his life on a farm. Being in the south, there were primarily tobacco and dairy farms; nevertheless, his respect for the land and its cultivation began at a young age. As an adult, Larry channeled this passion for preservation towards people, studying medicine and working as an emergency room physician. Because Larry has never met an old vine vineyard he didn’t like, Turley makes 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Often weak and decaying, these…
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Turley 2012 Howell Mountain Cedarman Zinfandel For the past 20 years, the strongest hand at the Zinfandel wheel has been Larry Turley of Turley Wine Cellars, which released its first wines with the 1993 vintage. Turley pioneered a plush, richly fruity style of Zinfandel that helped establish the varietal as a world-class contender. Turley’s Zins appear on some of the wine lists of America’s best restaurants. Born in Tennessee and raised in Georgia, Larry has spent the better part of his life on a farm. This being the south, they were primarily tobacco and dairy farms; nevertheless, his respect for the land and its cultivation began at a young age.…
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Taken 2012 Napa Valley Red Wine Taken Wine Company was founded in 2009 when next generation winemakers, Carlo Trinchero and Josh Phelps realized their mutual dream to start their own wine label. Josh and Carlo grew up together in the winegrowing town of St. Helena, in the Napa Valley; wine is in their DNA. The wines are crafted to appeal to the millennial generation in terms of both what’s inside and outside the bottle. The names (Taken, Complicated, and Available) all tie into social media and are relevant to their generation. The two friends launched their Taken line of wines in 2010, with the tagline, “great wine made by great…
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Establo 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Humanity Marketing & Branding is a Social Impact Investing Company: “Doing Well by Doing Good” The founder, Michael Gilerman, discovered a huge unmet need in our society and made it his mission to figure out a way he could make a difference. Michael took his knowledge and experience of the wine industry, teamed up with his friend the renowned Winemaster, Cesar Baeza to create two lines of high quality / affordable wines. Part of the proceeds is to be donated through their unique “GIVE BACK” program to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to enrich the lives of people with special needs. Establo introduced two distinct lines of wine:…
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Alto Moncayo 2009 Garnacha Bodegas Alto Moncayo is truly among one of Spain’s finest wine estates. Bodegas Alto Moncayo is a joint venture of Jorge Ordoñez, Jose Miguel San Martin, Dan Phillips together with Bodegas Borsao. Their flagship wine is Alto Moncayo made from 100% old vines Grenache grapes. Their website is still being developed, but check out what they have and read the reviews from Robert Parker, a top U.S. wine critic. Located in the town of Bulbuente, Spain, the winery possesses very unique soils of red clay and the hillside location provides soils very poor in organic matter and shallow. Opening a bottle of the 2009 Bodegas Alto…
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Clos Du Val 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Clos Du Val, French for “small vineyard estate of a small valley,” was founded in 1972 in the now legendary Stags Leap District of Napa Valley by Franco-American entrepreneur John Goelet. After a worldwide search to purchase vineyard properties from which to craft world-class wines, 150 acres in Stags Leap and 180 acres in Carneros were chosen, solidifying Clos Du Val’s iconic stature and formidable place in Napa Valley history. Today, Winemaker Kristy Melton, handcrafts wines to reflect the classic style, finesse and grace Clos Du Val is known for. The Three Graces, Splendor, Mirth and Joy have adorned Clos Du Val’s labels…
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Feudo Maccari Saia 2011 Nero D’Avola Antonio Moretti, owner of Tenuta Sette Ponti and Poggio al Lupo in Tuscany, along with his daughter, Monika, established Feudo Maccari in 2000. This 250-acre estate was assembled from numerous owners and more than 50 separate plots on the southerly hillsides near the town of Noto, Sicily. Vines existed in some parcels, and others were planted to the native Nero d’Avola and other selected red grape varieties. The wine is a brilliant deep ruby color with aromas of complex red and blue fruits. The palate shows plenty of fruit, raspberries and blueberries, a hint of dark plum with a touch of exotic spice made…
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Ferrari-Carano 2012 Siena 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 Siena, which is a blend of Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep Ruby color with aromas of red and black fruits and spicy notes. The palate shows the fruit well as berries and cherries take over with almost a jammy…