Audubon Cellars
Cline
Dashe
Ferrari Carano
Kenwood
Landmark
Sebastiani
Seghesio
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Ferrari Carano 2002 Fumé Blanc
This fumé blanc, or sauvignon blanc, see a small amount of oak aging.
It is very smooth, with lower acid than you'd except from a sauvignon blanc.
The palate is rich with peaches and hints of citrus.
The tasteful use of oak leave the mid-palate and finish with a sweep of creaminess.
Retail price $18. Tasted October 12, 2003.
Rich, smooth, and very well crafted earning one  .
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Kenwood Sonoma 2001 Sauvignon Blanc
A very elegant sauvignon blanc.
The nose was citrus and the palate was loaded with gooseberries.
It palate was rich with citrus fruit and had a subtle touch of creaminess, no grassy flavors.
There was a very subtle, nearly undetectable touch of oak aging,
but this well made bottle retained the great acidity we've come to except from a sauvignon blanc.
Kenwood Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc ranks high above its peers in quality.
Retail price $12. Tasted October 5, 2003.
Well crafted, elegant, inexpensive, earning three out of a possible three  .
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Kenwood Sonoma 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
has a very interesting palate with lots of funky smoked meat notes, black pepper, and clove.
The underlying flavors of berries and plum offer this cabernet sauvignon a great backdrop.
The acid is ample and the tannins are pleasant.
Sonoma fruit in an inexpensive offering.
Retail price $16. Tasted October 5, 2003.
Wonderful Sonoma Mountian fruit earning two out of a possible three  .
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Kenwood Jack London 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
The toasted vanilla and ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors are scrumptious.
The acidity and tannins offer a compliment to the ripe fruit.
There is a smoky depth of flavors and an earthiness to the structure.
I found the quality of this wine excellent as well as the history very interesting.
The Jack London Series contains juice grown from the same land that the well known
author farmed in the later part of his life.
London worked his land with great enthusiasm and dedication.
He found great beauty and satisfaction in the product of his labor.
This bottle of wine reflects London's love of Sonoma Valley.
Retail price $35. Tasted October 5, 2003.
A tasty bottle of cabernet sauvignon and a great story to go with it earning two out of three .
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Audubon Cellars Sangiacomo Vineyard 1999 Chardonnay
I was very impressed with the bouquet of this wine,
it has a toasted marshmallow fragrance that is quite enchanting.
The palate is tropical with hints of starfruit, mango, lycees, and anise.
There is touch of oak on the palate, from the use of French oak.
The finish is rich, toasty, and lengthy, just how we like'em.
A lovely "New World" style chardonnay that has a beautiful label.
The artwork represented here is not necessarily what is on the label.
Audubon Cellars wines feature the artwork of John James Audubon on each bottle.
Retail price $13. Tasted September 16, 2003. A great wine with a beautiful label earning one .
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Audubon Cellars Napa Valley 1999 Merlot
is a smooth, structured merlot.
I found the plum and subtle blueberry on the palate to be exceptional for a lower priced merlot.
There is a touch of mint and toasted caramel on the finish.
This wine has good acidity, which is sometimes lacking in Domestic Merlots.
A skillfully made wine with again, another great label.
The artwork represented here is not necessarily what is on the label.
Audubon Cellars wines feature the artwork of John James Audubon on each bottle.
Retail price $18. Tasted September 16, 2003. Impressive, earning two out of three .
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Audubon Cellars Napa Valley "Grasser Vineyard" 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon
I found this cabernet sauvignon to be Bordeaux like with its good acidity and its hints of dried herbs.
Wild cherries, dried hibiscus flowers and cocoa dominate the palate,
while silky tannins and firm acidity finish the experience.
Well crafted, with its brighter fruits style and sultry tannins.
I may post the artwork for this label soon.
Retail price $18. Tasted September 16, 2003. A quality bottle earning one .
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Audubon Cellars "Picnic Hill Vineyard" 1999 Old Vine Zinfandel
If you've read a bit on this site you've probably guessed that I'm a sucker for "Old Vine"
juice.
This wine has ripe black cherries on the front palate with hints of tobacco.
The fruit flavors have depth, as the "Old Vine" qualities continue the mid-palate seamlessly.
The finish is long and smoldering g with notes of vanilla.
Chewy white pepper tannins also grace the finish.
Audubon Cellars, Picnic Hill Zinfandel has those flavors that Zin-drinkers look for.
Retail price $15. Tasted September 16, 2003. A zinfandel as good as it is "good looking" earning two out of three .
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Audubon Cellars 1997 Late Harvest Chardonnay
If you find this little gem on the shelf, you should treat yourself to a bottle.
Rarely do you find a "Late Harvest Chardonnay" and rarely do you find
dessert wines of this quality at this price.
This wine is rich with notes of dried orange fruits, like apricots, mangoes, and papaya
all on a canvas of honey.
It tantalizes the tongue and warms the soul.
I had this wonderful nectar with lemon tarts at Strings Restaurant
and the pairing was a delightful.
Retail price $15. Tasted September 16, 2003. A classic bottle earning two out of three .
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Seghesio 2001 Cortina, Dry Creek Zinfandel
dances in your mouth with a touch of white pepper and dried herbs.
The spiciness is matched only by the ripeness of the black cherry, raspberry and plum flavors.
The juice is rich and rasinesque, yet exposes clean varietal flavors.
The finish is earthy, lengthy, and with hints of toasted spices.
Well worth the price and quality enough to lay down, Seghesio Cortina Dry Creek Zinfandel is a
thought-proking red.
Retail price $25. Tasted September 12, 2003. Earning three out of three for it's elegant, funky, style .
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Seghesio Home Ranch 2001 Alexander Valley Zinfadel
is a very elegant red.
The grapes are from Seghesio's oldest vines, offering the distinct and alluring density that
"Old Vine" brings to the bottle.
The flavors are rich and the tannins marry well with the nuances of the extracted juice and spiciness.
The palate is very smooth with notes of plum, smoke, and chocolate,
true to the style of Alexander Valley wines are known for.
The acidity is ample and true to the varietal characteristics with hints of rosehips and choke-cherries.
Hints of chocolate and plum flirt with your tongue as the finish slowly fades.
Retail price $25. Tasted September 12, 2003. Earns two out of three for its sultry flavors .
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Seghesio Sonoma 2002 Zinfadel
smacks of rich zinfandel flavors as you take the first sip.
The wine is a touch tannic, but shows great fruit and solid structure.
It will be released just before Thanksgiving 2003 and will be even better at that time.
For the price, this zinfandel is full-bodied, rich, and interesting.
Retail price $13. Tasted September 12, 2003. The quality excels the price earning one .
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Seghesio 2002 Pinot Grigio Sonoma Valley
is stylistically Italian with a ripe California attitude.
The nose has a touch of apricot jam while the palate has gooseberries, apples, and
honeysuckle.
The acidity is refreshing, yet the wine is smooth.
A well made Californian pinot grigio with a no-nonsense approach.
Can stand up to any of its competitors from Italy in the same price range.
Retail price $14. Tasted September 12, 2003. A refreshing bottle when earning one .
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2001 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
is an exceptional zinfandel with deep ruby-violet color and ample vanilla and spice on the nose.
A canvas of blackberry has tobacco, cherry hard candy, vanilla, coffee, and a little dusting of cocoa
splashed across it.
The flavors are bold, yet seemless.
For those that love the compliment of ripe, mouthwatering savory fruit and
sultry bitter texture and flavor, Dashe Cellars Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is a must.
The touch of petite sirah and carignan give the wine an interesting complexity.
Lay this wine down for a few years or enjoy it tonight.
Winemaker Mike Dashe has done us Zin-Drinkers proud.
Retail $20. Tasted August 21, 2003. High honors with three .
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Landmark 2000 Sonoma Kastania
There are strawberries and mushrooms on the mose with fresh raspberries, cherries, and
burnt rhubarb pie on the palate.
The acidity is bright, and paired with the fruit, conguers memories of sweet and savory
cherry hard-candy. The tannins are soft and the finish quick.
Another collectable Oregon pinot noir.
Retail price $40. Tasted August 11, 2003. A great gift wine at two .
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Sebastiani 2000 Sonoma Chardonny
It is rumored that the fruit that goes into this stellar chardonnay is "declassified"
Dutton Ranch, Carneros, and Russian River grapes.
As I examined its elegance, full body, a tasteful use of oak and malolactic fermentation and I could
recognise the quality of the fruit's origin.
On the palate there are rich notes of peaches, apricots, and white flowers.
The acidity dances a bit in your mouth with subtle hints of green apple.
The finish had toasted pecans and vanilla.
Retail price $12. Tasted September 8, 2003. A great bottle of domestic style chardonnay earning two .
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Sebastiani 1999 Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon
offers an explosion of fruit with great structure.
The generous acidity of this wine makes the ripe wild cherry, plum, green olive, and currant flavors dazzle on the
front of the palate.
The tannin structure offers earthy notes of cocoa, white pepper, tar, and anise.
I was very impressed by how available the fruit flavors are, yet how seamless and deep the juice tasted.
This is one elegant bottle of cabernet.
The finish was long and thought provoking offering the bright fruit flavors and the sultry earth tones to the
tongue once again.
A collectable bottle of wine that will age for at least a decade in your cellar.
Retail price $70. Tasted September 8, 2003. Elegant wine earning two .
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Cline 2001 Viognier has a beautiful nose rich honeysuckle
and perfume.
The palate is opulent with pear, melon, and white flowers. This wine is delicate, elegant,
and voluptuous.
It has some acidity that will allow it to pair well with lighter foods.
Retail price $12. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine one .
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Cline 2001 Ancient Vines Mourvèdre is intense and exotic with
pronounced Indian Spices on the palate. I tasted cardamom, clove, and allspice mingled in with
black currant. The finish is hints of spearmint. If you want to cause a stir, brown
bag this wine and let friends take turns guessing what it is. You'll fool even the most
experienced wine connoisseurs. Let this wine breathe for at least
90 minutes prior to drinking.
Retail price $20. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine two .
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Cline 2000 California Syrah is a fine example of how sophiticated
value priced syrah can be. The palate is reminiscent of black cherries and black pepper.
This syrah is Rhone style and polished. It has great acidity making it a great choice for grilled beef and
heartier dishes.
Retail price $10. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine one .
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Cline 2000 Live Oak Zinfandel is what zinfandel drinkers look for in a
wine. The tannins are polished and give the wine a great texture. The fruit is lush with jammy berry,
dried fruit, tobacco, and vanilla. The acidity is prime to compliment a steak or buger.
Retail price is $20. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine two .
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