Artisan Wines

• April 2012

  Nah, not really. I kinda like it. ;-)Life is good here in Sonoma County. I took half the day off today to drive over to Carneros for a 2011 syrah barrel tasting from 8 different winemakers who source their fruit from Las Madres Vineyards. The vineyard hosted the tasting and made all... Read moreNah, not really. I kinda like it. ;-)Life is good here in Sonoma County. I took half the day off today to drive over to Carneros for a 2011 syrah barrel tasting from 8 different winemakers who source their fruit from Las Madres Vineyards. The vineyard hosted the tasting and made all of us feel right at home. Aside from the beautiful setting we got to taste through the samples, From smalll production artisan labels:ApsaraEric KentMyriadVanitéOrin Swift - well, not all small productionLois RaeVIEQuivetWe also had a selection of library wines from the vineyard from the likes of:Nicholson RanchEnoLas MadresMyriadApsaraVIELois RaeBefore diving into a spectacular lunch. I could think of way worse ways to spend a Wednesday afternoon. Cheers!    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic I hate to rub it in...

  
  
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  April 2012

  Artisan Wines Pure Welschriesling 2011

  Snoothrank: Starting at $5^.80

  super fresh, mix of green apples and hay on the nose, hints of exotic fruits on the palate, nice tingling acid backbone. perfect for summer

  Wine review by 81732Franz Schneider 81732

  
  
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  January 2012

  Marquee Artisan Wines Signature Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2008

  Snoothrank:

  This is downright oaky and smells of dried herbs and hay. Theres something vaguely mineral here, with almond husks and some heirloom apple notes too. Rather broad and caressing on the palate, this really spreads out in the mouth. While it lacks some height, it does delivere a lovely... Read moreThis is downright oaky and smells of dried herbs and hay. Theres something vaguely mineral here, with almond husks and some heirloom apple notes too. Rather broad and caressing on the palate, this really spreads out in the mouth. While it lacks some height, it does delivere a lovely core of almond brittle, tangerine and peach fruit. Theres a touch of astringency on the palate which is slightly unusual, but it helps balance sweetness, adding another layer of textural interest. The finish is a bit short and halts with some nice river stone tones before the finale of gentle wood spice kicks in. This smells funky but tastes just fine. 88pts    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• January 2012

  Levi Dalton continues his series of interviews with John Slover, of New York's Ciano restaurant. Ciano is home to Chef Shea Gallante who won wide acclaim during his stint at Cru, New York's famous and sadly now shuttered wine-centric mecca.In addition to the remarkable list that Cru... Read moreLevi Dalton continues his series of interviews with John Slover, of New York's Ciano restaurant. Ciano is home to Chef Shea Gallante who won wide acclaim during his stint at Cru, New York's famous and sadly now shuttered wine-centric mecca.In addition to the remarkable list that Cru had, Shea's cooking was a huge draw that always kept people returning. In his current incarnation, Shea has developed an Italian menu that stresses a farm to table ethos, artfully bending classic Italian fare with artisan accents. John stocks a tight list, ripe with gems and rich with affordable wines. The bottle, the half bottle and the glass not only work well with the menu, but offer patrons new experiences and options. Listen in as Levi teases out some of the details involved in stocking a list that is accessible to a broad audience while respiting the demands of the most knowledgable and demanding clients. Ciano Restaurant45 East 22nd Street  New York, NY 10010(212) 982-8422    (hide)

  From the article Levi Dalton Catches Up with John Slover

  
  

• December 2011

  The wines of Sonoma-Cutrer express our partnership with nature, resulting in world-class Chardonnays and Pinot Noir. At every step from vineyard to bottle, we encourage them to reflect their superior origins of soil, climate and vintage. Each of our wines is a study in elegance... Read moreThe wines of Sonoma-Cutrer express our partnership with nature, resulting in world-class Chardonnays and Pinot Noir. At every step from vineyard to bottle, we encourage them to reflect their superior origins of soil, climate and vintage. Each of our wines is a study in elegance and complexity: straightforward at first, then evolving in the glass, developing new character and leading to an exquisite finish with beautifully balanced fruit and acidity. It's a perfect balance of tradition and discovery, bringing forth noble wines that express a sense of place, vintage after vintage. Sonoma-Cutrer wines will perfectly complement all of your holiday festivities. Order today! Just a block off Healdsburg’s historic town plaza is the sustainably chic h2hotel. Sister property to the acclaimed Hotel Healdsburg, h2 features 36 guest rooms beautifully appointed with bamboo floors, organic linens and water bars of chilled sparkling and flat on every floor. Complimentary bicycles are available for touring the surrounding countryside. While you’re here, don’t miss sampling one of the celebrated artisanal cocktails and dining at h2hotel’s lively Spoonbar, featuring a large selection of boutique local and international wine producers.Save 20% on a two night stay at h2hotel through the end of February. Mention Snooth when making your booking to receive complimentary artisan cocktails at Spoonbar and an upgrade subject to availability at time of check in. Click here for more information on seasonal specials offers!    (hide)

  From the article The Best from Sonoma

  
  

• October 2011

  We are bringing the charm and delight of wine country to the center of Manhattan. Join us for our debut Pop Up Tasting Room Event where you can sample luxury wines from critically acclaimed producers and place orders for your favorites right in time for the holidays. Wines from Three... Read moreWe are bringing the charm and delight of wine country to the center of Manhattan. Join us for our debut Pop Up Tasting Room Event where you can sample luxury wines from critically acclaimed producers and place orders for your favorites right in time for the holidays. Wines from Three Rivers Winery, Sebastiani Estate, Chalk Hill, Kuleto Estate, and Lincourt will be paired with Brix Chocolate, cheeses from Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro Wine Bar, breads from Orwasher's artisan bakery, and panini's from New York's Salumé–you don't want to miss this event.RSVP to this Snooth Exclusive: FREE TASTING EVENTThree Rivers Winery:·       2007 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon·       2008 Champoux Vineyard Merlot·       2008 Columbia Valley River’s Red Lincourt Vineyards:·       2010 Chardonnay, Unoaked·       2009 Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay·       2009 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery:·       2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon·       2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir·       2009 Sonoma County Chardonnay Chalk Hill Estate:·       2009 Estate Chardonnay·       2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc·       2008 Estate Red Kuleto Estate:·       2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon·       2005 Danielli Cabernet Sauvignon·       2007 Estate Syrah     (hide)

  Forum post in the topic We're tasting wine agin, this...

  
  

• September 2011

  The California Wine Club (CWC) is having their last wine sale of the year and you can save up to 68% on hand-selected, handcrafted, limited-production wines!  We suggest stocking up for the holidays while prices are low!Some of our favorites:•    SideJob... Read moreThe California Wine Club (CWC) is having their last wine sale of the year and you can save up to 68% on hand-selected, handcrafted, limited-production wines!  We suggest stocking up for the holidays while prices are low!Some of our favorites:•    SideJob Cellars 2008 Sonoma Coast Zinfandel - Rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast; Retail price: $21, Sale price: $8.99•    Handley Cellars 2008 Mendocino County Pinot Noir - Awarded a gold and two silver medals; Retail price: $22, Sale price: $8.99•    Babcock Vineyards 2009 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay - Just released; Retail price: $25, Sale price: $7.99•    Summers Estate Wines 2005 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Just 1,000 cases made, Rated 91 points by The Connoisseurs' Guide; Retail price: $69, Sale price: $41 Click Here to See All Wines on Sale!What is it about CWC anyway?Duh, it's about the wine. It's always been about the wine. Truly great wines from small, passionate California winemakers. In fact, it’s the same wines you are buying from their wine sale. When people love the wine they're drinking, they want to share it with others. One sip, and you will too! No "tanker truck" bulk wines at this club, no sirree Bob. CWC only features handcrafted wines from artisan wineries who take the time to do things properly, not just slap a label on a bottle of something from who knows where. Lucky CWC members get the inside track to great wines. Even better? A monthly delivery gives members the chance to “sample the wines,”  so you get to actually know what you love before you decide to buy more. Would you join if you knew they offered a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee? Who wouldn't? For 22 years, club owners Bruce and Pam Boring have sipped and savored, fussed over and hand-selected each vintage to be sure it's a wine they'd be proud to serve their friends in their home.  Bruce and Pam have the best jobs a wine lover could dream of. This video link gives you a glimpse of how they find the wines they feature. Click Here to Shop CWC’s Wine Sale Now! HURRY—Sale ends September 30, 2011    (hide)

  From the article Save up to 68% on Award-Winning Wines

  
  

• August 2011

  Every now and then, I come across a winery that’s almost too good to be ... of Lambert Bridge’s artisan wines. Under their watch, only fully mature, perfectly ripe, and hand-selected grapes become Lambert Bridge wines. A tremendous amount of time is spent in the field... Read moreEvery now and then, I come across a winery that’s almost too good to be ... of Lambert Bridge’s artisan wines. Under their watch, only fully mature, perfectly ripe, and hand-selected grapes become Lambert Bridge wines. A tremendous amount of time is spent in the field – evaluating soil nutrients and water holding capacity, sun exposure and climate data – finding the perfect sites with conditions that enable Lambert Bridge to produce grapes with the most concentrated flavors possible. The grapes are hand-selected from clusters only at their optimal ripeness. “Our processes are unusual in that they are very time consuming,” says Jill. “They are expensive. To completely hand-sort fruit is extremely uncommon. You don’t get the level of richness, balance and complexity found in our world-class wines by accident.”I’m a fan of all of their reds, particularly the Cab Francs. Every time I bring a bottle of Lambert Bridge to share with my persnickety wine loving friends, the comments are uniformly superlative.An informal blind tastingRecently, my friends Cheryl and Bob Guth had an informal blind tasting of Cab Franc blends over dinner at their home in Baltimore, MD. Joining us were two fellow wine aficionados who agreed to spend the evening guessing the origin of each Cab Franc. Bob selected Cab Francs from four different wineries. One from Napa, one from France, one from Washington State, and the 2008 Cab Franc from Lambert Bridge. Bob made sure to open the wines at the same time, he took care to pair foods that married well with Cab Francs, and only he knew which wines were being featured.Throughout the evening, course after course, our friends declared with emphatic certainty that the glass that contained the Lambert Bridge was consistently the winner and further asserted that it had to be the wine from France. Meanwhile, I confidently knew the best tasting wine of the group was “my” Lambert Bridge. The distinctive black cherry and plum, with a hint of vanilla and soft gentle tannins gave this wine away. This was the first Lambert Bridge wine that I fell in love with and, like your first date, you never forget it. Imagine the surprise (for the others) and pride (for me) when Bob revealed that, no, the winner did not come from France; it came from good old California.Influenced by European travelsAndy Wilcox, National Sales Manager at Lambert Bridge, explained to me that their winemaking is influenced by his father’s travels throughout Europe. Their wine styles are Old World elegant combined with the intense flavors that are only found in Sonoma County fruit. I’m particularly grateful for the slightly lower alcohol content which provides for a far more subtle wine which is more food-friendly and ages more gracefully.Impressive WinesLet’s not forget their other varietals which are equally impressive. If you’re a Zin fan, the 2008 and 2009 Zinfandel blends really ought to be part of your repertoire when you’re firing up the grill. They’re made in Italian style which is to say they’re not “hot” but incredibly smooth. A very small quantity of the Zins are produced (no more than 500 cases) and I’m partial to the Forchini Vineyards Zins, although the other Zin selections are equally lovely.For an extra special occasion, I’ve stocked up on the ’06 and ’07 Crane Creek Cuvee. At $95/bottle it is admittedly a splurge, but these bottles will age well over time and I consider it a sound investment in my mental health.White wine fans, don’t despair! There are some delightful Chardonnays to choose from which may remind you of a white burgundy. The 2008 Chambers Vineyard Chardonnay and the 2009 Sonoma County Chardonnay are on the shy side — which is to say not too overly oakey. An easy everyday wine that won’t break your budget is the Bevill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. All are 100% Sauvignon Blanc and would be the perfect dollop to savor on a warm Southern California summer night with lighter culinary fares.Lambert Bridge Hospitality House and visitsOne of the fun benefits of becoming a wine club member (or “Liquid Assets Wine Club”) at the Signature Member level is that you get to enjoy a complimentary two-night stay for four people at the Lambert Bridge Hospitality House just up the hill from the tasting room. Waiting for me when I arrived were some bottles of Lambert Bridge wines and a mini-refrigerator stocked with all the basic ingredients for Happy Hour. The house comes with two bedrooms with two baths; each on opposite sides of the house for extra privacy, and a central intimate living room accentuated by a gas fireplace. A deck wraps around a portion of the house that offers breathtaking views of the vineyard. If you happen to go during Fall, you’ll be surrounded with foliage that bursts alive with color. If I had my druthers and no one was looking, I’d defect there.I would also defect to the picnic grounds since it is the typical bucolic Sonoma setting that you read about in all those glossy magazines. You’re encouraged to stroll around and relax. No one really rushes you at Lambert Bridge and it’s the perfect respite to the noisy and cacophonous world that we live in (looking at you, Los Angeles freeway system). Getting to the winery from Los AngelesGetting to Lambert Bridge or to Sonoma from Los Angeles is easier than you think. As of this writing, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air flies direct from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Santa Rosa/Sonoma County Airport (STS), which is also known as Charles M. Schultz named after the creator of the “Peanuts” cartoon series. It's also a nice roadtrip, about 7 or 8 hours north of Los Angeles off the 101.Andy Wilcox put it best when he said that Lambert Bridge is great wine served with great food and shared with great friends. You may enter as a stranger but you’ll leave as a life-long friend.Gus, Bernie and Heinzy would agree.Lambert Bridge Winery4085 West Dry Creek RoadHealdsburg, CA 95448Phone: (707) 431-960    (hide)

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• August 2011

  I was responding to an older post mentioning this event, and thought I'd start a new thread here. The East Bay Vintners' "Urban Experience" was held last Saturday (Aug 6) at the Jack London Square Pavilion in Oakland.  Members of the East Bay Vintners'... Read moreI was responding to an older post mentioning this event, and thought I'd start a new thread here. The East Bay Vintners' "Urban Experience" was held last Saturday (Aug 6) at the Jack London Square Pavilion in Oakland.  Members of the East Bay Vintners' Alliance were invited to pour their wines at this event, along with local restaurants that served up pairings for the various wines.  It was a nice showing... not too crowded, but still energetic.  The provided food pairings for each were decent, although I found the food overall to be a bit disappointing in quality, with the exception of a few.As for the wine... This was my first tasting of the Oakland/Berkeley/Alameda (etc) wineries that were present; hence, I do not know if the wineries had a "trend" to pour inexpensive stuff, or if they were presenting their best.  This can, unfortunately, be an issue as events such as these.  Also to keep in mind, not all wineries in the East bay were present, only those affiliated with EBV who wanted to participate.  There are other good wineries that I do not believe participate in the EBV association..... um, Eight Arms Cellars comes to mind? (and they make some good vino).Anyhoo, I have to comment on Dasche, since DH just got some DCV zin over in OZ.  Dasche did have  a few reds there, and forgive me for not remembering all of them because I only really liked one.... the 2008 Florence Vineyard, DCV Zin.  Readers also need to know that I am NOT generally a zin/syrah person!!  But thisis not a big fruity zin, but one more in the style that I prefer:  Amazingly light for a zin, but not watery or thin... think white pepper, earth, a bit tartness to the fruit, not  overripe at all... almost like a just-ripe blackberry with that earthy, peppery note.  For this wine, your choices on pairings increases, SH, IMHO.  I think this could really broaden outside bbq/grilled burgers...   some gourmet pizzas, florentine dishes, tex mex, even some cheese pairings....  I ended up buying a few bottles:http://www.dashecellars.com/shop/Zi... must mention two other wineries that stood out for me...Stomping girl winery was, by far, pouring the best wine at show, hands down.  They specialize in artisan Pinot Noir (close to my heart), and had three great pinots there... a sonoma coast pinot, a carneros pinot, and a russian river pinot.  Although I tend to be partial to the sonoma coast pinots in general, I absolutely LOVED the RRV pinot:  http://www.stompinggirlwines.com/St... This was a very nice, light, red, almost clear pinot...  earthy/slight barnyard nose, red fruit, a bit of spice, and enough of that french oak to wind the flavor out with a very subtle toastiness.  Ahhh...heaven.   Bought this too!The other wine that stood out for me was from a wine company with an office in Piedmont, CA, Aubin Cellars.  They don't really have a formal tasting room, but they will happily do tastings by appt at their office. Aubin seems to me, a bit more like a "wine company" when you research them. They import barrels/tanks, and make wines via winemakes at various locations, according to this article:  http://bungrcooper.com/?p=660 .   But from what I tasted, these wines are ones to watch :-)    Aubin Cellars'  Verve 2008 French Colombard, Domaine de Mirail. http://www.aubincellars.com/index.h... the one I particularly liked.  This wine was very well balanced...  some very slight tropical and floral notes, but tempered with good acidity and  minerality.. complex, yet with a crisp finish.  I'm sure it would pair great with seafood, but since I am allergic, i plan to experiement with my arsenal of artisan cheeses:-)  My overall impression of the event itself was that it was mostly well-managed, decent attendance, but not crowded.  Albiet for a few rude tasters who don't know to go to the back of the line after getting a pour (jeez, we'er not bellied-up to the bar here!!!) , it was a good event.  The cheese plates that were offered globally were really good... they even had a black truffle cheese!  But some of the local restaurant offerings were sadly either over-salted or pedestrian.  The offering of live music was a bit of a disappointment, since they didn't start until almost the end of the event.  And... well... um..they were not so great music-wise....As for the tasting... if, and I mean IF, these wineries were pouring a good representation of their decent wines, then I would wholeheartedly suggest this show to those who would like an "all in one" , "no driving", tasting location for the East bay winemakers.   Generally, I prefer to visit the wineries when possible.  But this did give a good example of what is happening out in Berkeley, Alameda and Oakland.  But please don't forget those wineries who don't belong to the alliance as well.My favorite take away was the discovery of Stomping Girl Wines....http://www.stompinggirlwines.com/  I am definitely visiting them soon!!     (hide)

  Forum post in the topic East Bay Vintners "Urban...

  
  

• August 2011

  Going to Seattle this coming week and was looking for advice on any must-visit wineries in Columbia Valley/Woodinville.  We're looking at Matthews and Hestia.  Any others folks have had a great experience at that are worthy of a stop in or appointment?

  Forum post in the topic Must-See Wineries in Washington?

  
  

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