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NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

So what we have here is a quality 2000 Zinfandel from Lodi (that most people won't give the time of day since the label says Woodbridge on it). Great mellow Zin with only 13.5% alcohol, not the normal killer from Amador or El Dorado Counties in California. But with the lower alcohol content it really opens up the Zinfandel fruit. What you will taste on this one is the following: Blackberries, ripe raspberries, slight black currant, and a mellow spice on the finish. So if you subtle (or not so subtle) wine snobs can get past the Woodbridge label you will be in for a bottle that will be empty by the end of the evening (even if you are alone).

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

This is a good wine for those of you who are looking for something mellow and smooth for a dinner party. Now more of your wine "snobs" will expect more but for the price you really can't go wrong. I enjoy this with various cheese, crackers, and apples. Of course it will hold up to a full dinner, but it is nice as a first bottle / appetizer wine.

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

Let's just say for the price there are quite a few other Pinot Grigio's available on the market....especially in California where I live!! This was brought over to my house for a dinner party, and granted the person who brought it doesn't know much about wine so we thanked them. I tried it, but was turned off instantly. Later on tried cooking with it...and it made my dish nearly uneatable!! Please choose wisely when looking into the Pinot Grigio, that is all I can say.

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

Ok again having ran out of the '02 some time ago I am going to focus on what I do have which is the '04 Bordeaux blend. The '02 was a great wine, nice balance, decent tannins, quality spice, and nice finish. The '04 is more of that and then some. This is a nice wine to open for an occasion or no occasion at all other than to enjoy life. I like this one with wild rice dishes, BBQ chicken and even a grilled burger. Mellow to most, but some will not appreciate the spice that comes from the Sierra Foothills of California, but for the price again you can't go wrong. Expect to pay under $15 retail and if you head over to the winery they will beat that price all day long.

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

A sad day in a reviewers life is when a great Zin like this one is gone. The good news is that I still have some '98 and '03 left of this wonderful wine. The '98 is about done (meaning it is not gonna get any better), and will be finished off soon. Again I would recommend a good cut of red meat on the grill for this one. As for the '03....hmmm well that is a different story all together. Still has a nice spice to it with some flavors of ripe cherries, hint of tobacco, and is a little earth, but it pairs fantastically with chocolate. If you have a bottle of '03 treat yourself and a loved one to a nice night in with some dark chocolate and a bottle of the '03 Clarke Zin, you never know where it will lead to....

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

Now I know the label here reads 2003 Barbera, but you know what I don't have any of this left in my cellar. But what I do know is that the 2005 Barbera is awesome!! I recently purchased a half case from the winery and had a bottle just a couple of weeks ago. Not sure how many of you out there appreciate or even have tried the Barbera varietal but here is the one you need to start with. I remember the 03 went really well with some spanish Paella for a main course and for the appetizer sharp white cheddar and spanish olives. The 05 is on par if not one step beyond the 03 in that it has great legs, and years to come of cellaring. Pair with a heavy meal or strong / complex appetizers or if you are like me open up a bottle and share with the neighbors.

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

There is only one bad thing about the 2001 Coulson Sangiovese....I only have 1 bottle of it left!!! Ha ha ha.....Ok, now to the serious wine review. Here you have another tasty gem from the Sierra Foothills in California. If you drink enough wine you will begin to determine where the wine is made, and this one screams foothills. Quality wine, great price, and with my red sauce I made for pasta all I can say is yum. I am getting hungry just thinking about it!! I also have 2 bottles of the 97 and 1 bottle of the 04 left in the cellar as well and let me tell you the 97 is fantastic! If it all you get a chance to pick up any of these years I would obviously start with the 97, then 01, and of course don't leave out the 04.

NorCal Wine Nerd's Review:

Ah yes the Coulson Cabernets (and yes I put the hard T on the end of this one), here is another hit wine that is very drinkable with food or without. Have gone through my collection of the 2001 bottles about a year ago, and now have only 2 bottles of the 2002 left in the cellar. This is a great BBQ wine, whether it be ribs (beef or pork), tri tip, london broil, or even some great pork chops. (Pork chops and applesauce....just kidding). The 01 and 02 have one great thing in common, a smooth red that needs no time to open up. Nice mellow tannins, with a good finish. I recommend picking up some the next time you are on your way to or from South Lake Tahoe.