2009 Bonneau Rockpile Zinfandel with Winemaker John Bambury

TV Tuesday Live featured winemaker John Bambury of Bonneau Wines and his knock your socks off  2009 Rockpile Zinfandel. The rockpile appellation known as the most rugged and spectacular in Sonoma County, yields clusters of smaller berried more intense fruit. Varitels from these storied vineyards include Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot just to name a few. Scott told us a hilarious story where Mr Macho decided to drive up to the vineyards and down a spot where he potentially could have gone down the cliff, a point which his wife was ready to jump out of the truck. We asked questions of John from his thoughts on this past years harvest to his favorite wine in his portfolio. Always a great discussion when John is in the house.

I noticed as I first opened the bottle the pepper notes and cedar smoke poured from the glass. The longer I allowed the wine to open up the beauty explodes with raspberry, blackberry, currants, white pepper and a hint of licorice. Intense aromas and very pleasing to the nose.

Elegant with layered flavors. Wonderful red fruit (cherry, raspberry), followed by soft spice and white pepper. Nice long finish and such a well balanced wine. First food I thought of was some nice smoked ribs to pair with this wine......and we did on night 2. Slathered with texas pit sauce, the spice on the ribs combined with the wine was outstanding. Versatile is another description of this wine. I enjoyed alone and with food, you hear no complaints from this guy. John this Zinfandel sings....well done!

Folks watch, listen and learn every Tuesday 6pm pacific at Cellars of Sonoma or if you're in Santa Rosa do like my buddy Dezel did and stop by 133 4th Street Santa Rosa Ca and enjoy these Bonneau Wines in person. Scott and John thanks you for a great evening sipping this wonderful juice.

Cheers
Dan

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Cellars of Sonoma TV Tuesday 2010 TR Elliott Burgonet Russian River Valley

Cellars of Sonoma TV Tuesday has to be one of the longest running wine shows for almost 4 years where viewers can tune in via the internet and learn all things wine. Winemakers, food pairings with Jack & Tony's, industry wine experts, they all stop by to spend time as a special guest with host and owner Scott Jordan. I can count on one hand how many shows I have missed in those 4 years. Tonight's guest winemaker was none other than the Father of Pinot Ted Elliott of TR Elliott Winery.

Ted answered questions from the audience dealing with the challenges of blending, the history of the vineyard, as well as his excitement as he swirled and sniffed his aroma filled pinot. What I really enjoy about Ted Elliott is his knowledge of winemaking and his willingness to educate those with the same interest. He also introduced his Chardonnay this evening which I will need to taste.

The 2010 Burgonet is classic Russian River Valley juice. Dark cherry, earthy mushroom, cinnamon spice, cloves, rich cola and a hint of fennel. Amazing aromas! I found myself swirling and sniffing this beauty well into the night.

Beautiful mouth feel with the rich juicy cherry, tart cranberry, cola, cloves and a quick splash of orange peel. The longer the wine stayed in the glass hints of cinnamon and herbal/earthy notes. The layers of flavor are in perfect harmony. Well done Ted. Your wines are some of my favorites.

Visit their website TR Elliott Winery to learn more about Ted Elliott and his history of Pinot and buy a bottle or 12. Tune in Tuesday at Cellars of Sonoma 6pm pacific to join in the fun. You never know who may show up.

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Cheers
Dan

Steven Kent Wines A Virtual Twitter Taste Feb 2013

What an introduction to the Steven Kent Portfolio at tonight's virtual Twitter taste! Six wines graced my palate along with several of my wino friends. We all had the opportunity to talk directly with Steven Kent Mirassou discussing everything from flavors to regions or as I like to say "all things wine" The lineup included a 2011 "Lola" (Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Blend) priced at $24. A 2010 La Rochelle Chardonnay Dutton-Morelli Lane Russian River Valley $65. A 2009 La Rochelle Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands $38. A 2009 La Rochelle Pinot Noir Donum Estate Carneros $75. A 2009 Steven Kent Petit Verdot Ghielmetti Vineyard Livermore Valley $50. Finally a 2009 Steven Kent Cabernet Home Ranch Vineyard Livermore Valley $65. Crisp to elegant and everything inbetween. Great fruit with perfect balance. Let's get started.

Wine one the 2011 "Lola" from the Ghielmetti Vineyard Livermore Valley. A beautiful white blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon. Lemon/lime citrus with orange zest. Fresh pear and tart apple. When the wine warms up I get a touch of fresh sliced ginger. Excellent balance of fruit and acidity. I wish it were warmer here because this is a definate refreshing porch sipper to start the evening. Well done!

Wine two the 2010 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch-Morelli Lane Vineyard from the Russian River Valley. Really love the nose on this wine with its green apple, ripe pear, lemon, fresh melon, creme brulee. Nice flavor combination with peach, apple, pear and orange peel with a hint of butterscotch. We have started with 2 tasty treats.

I have become a huge fan of Santa Lucia Highlands wine and the 2009 Pinot Noir from LaRochelle is no exception. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, clove, anis and a wet earthy note. On the mouth ripe cherry, raspberry, strawberry and a perfect balance of clove spice. Warms me up on the finish. I have to say this may have been one of my favorites of the night. With both Pinots I paired my pork medallions with wild cherry pomegranate reduction sauce. Pork and pinot what a treat.

Lets keep the pinot flowing with our next selection the 2009 LaRochelle Donum Estate Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir. Cherry with dried herbs followed by that dead giveaway Carneros eucalyptus aroma. Raspberry, cinnamon with a hint of earthiness. Wonderful mouth feel with the red fruit (cherry and raspberry) very juicy from start to finish sprinkled with the herbal notes and spice. Definite pronounced layers of flavor with each sip. I'm in "pinot heaven" right now thanks to LaRochelle.

Twist my arm we are on to wine 5 of the evening the 2009 Steven Kent Petit Verdot Ghielmetti Vineyard in Livermore Valley. Big wine in both aroma and flavor. Smokey oak, blackberry, raspberry, tobacco, cocoa and spice. On the mouth I really enjoyed the huge jammy fruit combined with the spice and that slight hint of chocolate on the finish. When I go back to the wine later hints of plum and black licorice appear. A ton going on with this wine and so well balanced with fruit and spice as well. Right away I'm thinking hearty beef roast to pair with this wine and even had some comments if I was inviting the gang over for dinner. The more the better.....great food + great wine= a fun time.

The final wine of the evening the 2009 Steven Kent Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard Livermore Valley. Right from the start the cherry and fresh mint aromas come screaming from the glass. Cloves and a combination of blackberry/black raspberry fill my nose. Silky and elegant in the mouth with the cherry, black raspberry, blackberry dancing on my tongue followed by the mint and chocolate. The finish was beautiful as smooth as milk chocolate. My first thought with cabernet is to always pair with a steak but honestly I found myself just wanting to enjoy this wine by itself. I'm going to purchase another bottle and allow it to age and compare. Young and will only get better. Ok maybe this was my favorite tonight.

A big thank you to Steven Kent Mirassou, Stacey Orozco and Tracey Hoff for the invitation to tonight's event. You spoiled this wino's palate. Impressive wines. To Michael Wangbickler and all my blogger friends it was fun spending time with you talking wine. Finally to the staff at Steven Kent Winery and La Rochelle....there is a lot of love in each bottle. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I better plan a visit and soon. My favorite of the night........all of them!

Cheers
Dan

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2nd Annual Vintage Oregon Tasting Set for April 28 2013

For further information, contact:
Charles Humble, Oregon Wine Center
(503) 228-8336
charles@oregonwine.org

Oregon Sets Date For April 2013 Vintage Oregon Tasting

Second annual event in Portland to kick off Oregon Wine Month

PORTLAND, February 7, 2013 — The Oregon Wine Board announced today that the second annual all-Oregon tasting event will be April 28, 2013, in Portland. The tasting, which is expected to showcase as many as 100 wineries representing all regions of the state, will kick off Oregon Wine Month in May.

The 2013 event also gets a new name –Vintage Oregon. The tasting will be held at the Left Bank Annex in Northeast Portland.

“Last year’s event helped us launch Oregon wine month in an exciting way for consumers and our industry,” said Michael Donovan, chairman of the Oregon Wine Board, which represents the state’s 450 wineries and 850 vineyards. “The format of the event will encourage exploration of our diverse industry not only at the tasting, but throughout Oregon wine month and during the year ahead.”

The name of the event has been changed to provide an enhanced platform for representation of the states rapidly growing wine industry while encouraging Oregonians to explore its diversity. Vintage Oregon will present an extensive selection of Oregon wine while exposing wine enthusiasts to the breadth of the state’s wine regions and varietals produced there.

Restaurants from Oregon, all using locally sourced products, will be featured at Vintage Oregon, including several from the Superior Cellar Award program. Superior Cellars is partnership between OWB and the Oregon Wine Press that recognizes restaurants that offer outstanding selections of Oregon wines on their menus. OWB has confirmed that the Oregon Beef Council and Oregon Trawl Commission as sponsors for the event.

During Oregon Wine Month, wine retailers and restaurants throughout the state will be celebrating and promoting the Oregon wine industry, which contributes nearly $3 billion to the state’s economy annually. The month culminates with the annual winery open houses on Memorial Day Weekend when most wineries in the state are open for public tastings.

About OWB:
The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions.

2010 Campesino Pinot Noir Los Carneros Napa Valley Papi Y Chula Vineyard

Macario Montoya owner and winemaker at Campesino Cellars ( along with his wife Griselda)  has a gift for making outstanding wine. I would be remiss if I did not thank Carrie Bowman Napa Valley Wine And Cigar who introduced me to Campesino 2 years ago. Ever since I make sure its a staple in my cellar. I too must thank the campesinos (fieldworkers) who nurture the vineyards spending many long hot hours caring for the grapes. Remember them the next time you sip! Their blood sweat and tears are in each bottle.

From the moment this wine hits the glass it screams Carneros. Eucalyptus that beautiful aroma reinforces the region where these grapes were born. Ripe cherry and clove with hints of raspberry and cinnamon. Dried herbs, touch of earth, violets and hints of plum. Wow what awesome layers of fruit and spice. Beautiful bouquet.

Silky, rich, elegant..... heaven in a glass. Fresh cherry, raspberry and strawberry on the start of the taste. Cloves, cinnamon and juicy cherry/raspberry on the long finish. As the wine warms cranberry makes an appearance. A very special pinot noir indeed!

Macario each vintage impresses me even more. You are a true master of your craft. A treat when I open and drink your wines. Next release remind me I need to buy a little more so I don't run out :)


Cheers
Dan