Recent content by Bree

Aldo Biale, longtime Napa winegrower, partner in Robert Biale Vineyards and patriarch of the family, passed away in his sleep Saturday morning. I think the family would appreciate your words of sympathy and respect. He will, to say the least, be missed.

No worries. I just think some folks are trying to reduce all things Ridge to generalizations. It simply doesn't work. Like any other label, some releases are early drinkers - the 1998 and 2000 Zins come to mind; others take quite a while to come around - the 1999 Geyserville is classic and...

"Ridge, in particular, was disappointing. I think that "Draper Perfume" is really a disguised term for "excessive coconut-caramel oak". The oak treatment was overwhelming, whether in the Geyserville or Lytton or other Zin or Syrah, and dominated each of these wines to the extent that the oak...

Hmmm..........I think we need a new board for hurling posts.

While many take just exception with Gallo politics, back before the advent of Zinfandel as a fashionable grape - in the 50s and 60s - Gallo helped keep a number of Napa family growers alive by guaranteeing purchase of the entire Napa Valley Cooperative production. Alot of great juice went into...

The Do Ferreiro is truly unique and simply wonderful. In the notes, I neglected to add that perhaps all the Ogier needed was a little time in a decanter - but then, I prefer more bottle age on my wines than, say, the average T-Rex does. The Riesling and Gruner did not disappoint - I think the...

Misfortunate Alluvial Plains dwellers like me, Dear Reader, have long since been sussed. Awash in overoaked and underfruited Chardonnay; gulpers of Pinot Noir disguised as Syrah; status seekers all, we covet the almighty List. Such is our lot, scurrying from new winery to new winery, searching...

Of course. However, I am only interested if they make you hurl.

Indeed. I think the Merlot fared better than the Cabernet Sauvignon that year.

Light and lilting cherry fruit in the nose with background notes of well integrated oak soft and friendly entry, like shaking hands with an old friend lithe and supple in the mouth with sweetly ripe fruit flavors, a light acid backbone and enough smooth tannin to keep it all interesting...

A not-very-long drive west on route 20 will take you to Redwood Valley in Mendocino County (also home to Lolonis, as mentioned above.) You'll also find Frey Vineyards there (not to be confused with Frei, the Gallo subsidiary) - a biodynamic producer with a long history. The wines have been...

...(sigh)...

No doubt.

Sourced from the legendary Smoot-Hawley Vineyard, located in the heart of the fringe of the Napa Valley, the precise blend, alcohol level and production levels of this extraordinary first offering are closely guarded industry secrets, and the source of considerable "insider" speculation. The...

Christian - Actually, none of the above. The vineyard is pretty cool - I think because of its proximity to the Petaluma Gap. They typically harvest their reds around the third week of October or so. I believe Russell might prefer higher alcohol in his Syrah, but this fruit is so beautiful that...