I first tried Pleiades, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink blend made by legendary and idiosyncratic Marin County winemaker Sean Thackrey, back in 2003. On a visit to Chicago, a sharp salesman at House of Glunz, Chicago’s oldest wine store, easily filled my request-read more-
The Kathryn Kennedy Winery website candidly lists some of their wines as "past prime." Luckily, the 1997 offered by my new wine friend Danny had been cellared well, so it fit the promised drink/hold category. And I would put the-read more-
The nose is a little tight, suggesting blueberries and tobacco along with a light background of red fruits and licorice. It offers some interesting complexity in the palate, too, with loads of dark fruit, blackberry, elderberry, and blueberry, with a-read more-
A really lovely offering from a producer who prides him (and her) self on Sauvignon Blanc. Nose of pink grapefruit and apple, with a very slight back hint of spice—cinnamon, maybe? Very clean and rich on the palate, with elements-read more-
The headwaters of the Russian River are in Redwood Valley, and here the grandsons of Bobby Fetzer are making a Pinot Noir that would make you think, tasting blind, that it came from downriver into the Russian River Valley. The-read more-
Judicious use of a careful blend of wood adds depth to its fruit, as if pears, a single slice of pineapple, and a fig or two were all very quickly sautéed in butter, then sprinkled with fresh honeysuckle blossoms. Similar-read more-
Judicious use of a careful blend of wood adds depth to its fruit, as if pears, a single slice of pineapple, and a fig or two were all very quickly sautéed in butter, then sprinkled with fresh honeysuckle blossoms. Similar-read more-
The nose is interesting, with blackberries, mocha, and a bit of tobacco leaf. The palate is interesting, too, with surprising cherry fruit in the lead, a background of blackberry, and hints of tobacco leaf. Very soft mocha shows upon the-read more-