• California,  Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley,  Sonoma,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    J. Rochioli 2013 Chardonnay Joe Rocchioli Sr. legacy began in 1911 when he immigrated to America along with his parents, Michele and Menichina Rocchioli (they later dropped the second “c”). Originally from a small village just outside of Lucca, the Rocchioli’s were one of many Italian families that arrived in New York, made their way across the country, and settled in Northern California. In 1934 Joe Rochioli Jr.  was born and the family moved to a 125-acre property nearby called Fenton Acres (same location where Rochioli Vineyards is today). At that time, grapes were a small part of what was grown here and much of the land was dedicated to…

  • California,  Chardonnay,  Russian River Valley,  Sonoma,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Ramey 2012 Chardonnay Russian River I have reviewed several Ramey Wine Cellars offerings, now I will discuss one of their 2012 Chardonnay’s. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts outstanding quality wines that are both delicate and magnificent and comes from some of the finest Sonoma vineyards. Ramey selects vineyards for their ability to continue producing the highest quality fruit. David and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996 after spending time at Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus and Rudd. Ramey Wine Cellars is located in Healdsburg, in the heart of the California wine country. Ramey’s varietals are basically Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah. Since Ramey is a “Fine” winery, I…

  • California,  Pinot Noir,  Sonoma,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Walt 2011 La Brisa Sonoma Pinot Noir WALT Wines, owned by Vintners Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall, produces premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, and the Willamette Valley. Kathryn’s parents, Bob & Dolores Walt, were dedicated winegrowers who loved the land and each other. Her family produced six different varietals that was sold to several great wineries. For Kathryn’s parents, growing grapes was a shared family vision. In 2009, Hall partnered with Roger and Richard Roessler, brothers who sought the finest vineyard sources along the Pacific Coast to make…

  • California,  Chardonnay,  Sonoma,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Sixteen by Twenty 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay David & Karen Dunphy were born and bred in Minnesota. They have been living the Napa Valley dream since 2004, but chasing the dream since 1978. From the first day they sought out grapes from this region, they had a vision for expression of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Sixteen by Twenty refers to one of the most common canvas sizes used by artists for their oil paintings. Why? Because these dimensions often provide the ideal balance for their artwork. At Sixteen by Twenty they are artists in crafting fine wines, from vineyard to bottle. Paul Hobbs is one of the top winemakers in the…

  • California,  Cellar Selection,  Napa,  Sauvignon Blanc,  Semillon,  Sonoma

    Cellar Selection

          Quintessa Illumination 2013 Fascinated with making a white wine from Quintessa, Agustin Huneeus planted a small plot of Sauvignon Blanc at the estate in 2002. Illumination first emanuated from this little vineyard, its rays penetrating the palates of sommeliers, friends and guests who requested it for their own cellars. He now shares this limited production wine with kindred spirits seeking illumination via wines that express their place of origin. Agustin Huneeus celebrated his 80th birthday, at harvest time in 2013, with the release of the latest vintage of Illumination. I tasted Illumination at a recent wine tasting event hosted by Quintessa representatives and thought the wine was truly magnificent.…

  • California,  Cellar Selection,  Pinot Noir,  Sonoma

    Cellar Selection

    Flowers 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir As nursery owners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Walt and Joan Flowers had long dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture. They knew they wanted to produce their favorite varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; what they didn’t know was that their path would eventually lead them across country to Northern California’s rugged Sonoma Coast. After responding to a small classified ad in a national wine publication, that’s exactly where they landed. In 1989, after many information-gathering trips to Napa and Sonoma, Walt and Joan purchased 321 acres, including a ridge top, high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma…

  • California,  Chardonnay,  Sonoma,  Weekend Selection

    Weekend Selection

    Flowers 2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay As nursery owners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Walt and Joan Flowers had long dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture. They knew they wanted to produce their favorite varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; what they didn’t know was that their path would eventually lead them across country to Northern California’s rugged Sonoma Coast. After responding to a small classified ad in a national wine publication, that’s exactly where they landed. In 1989, after many information-gathering trips to Napa and Sonoma, Walt and Joan purchased 321 acres, including a ridge top, high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma Coast.…

  • California,  Chardonnay,  Exceptional White,  Sonoma

    Exceptional White

    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…

  • California,  Cellar Selection,  Pinot Noir,  Sonoma

    Cellar Selection

    Walt 2012 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir WALT Wines, owned by Vintners Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall, produces premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, and the Willamette Valley. Kathryn’s parents, Bob & Dolores Walt, were dedicated winegrowers who loved the land and each other. Her family produced six different varietals that was sold to several great wineries. For Kathryn’s parents, growing grapes was a shared family vision. In 2009, Hall partnered with Roger and Richard Roessler, brothers who sought the finest vineyard sources along the Pacific Coast to make a…

  • California,  Exceptional Red,  Petite Sirah,  Sonoma,  Zinfandel

    Exceptional Red

    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…