Booze Archives - Page 66 of 179

07
Feb
2019

California’s First Woman Winemaker of the Modern Era, Mary Ann Graf, Passes

categories: Booze, Wine

Press Release.

Sonoma, Calif.—Mary Ann Graf, born October 23,1942, died of pancreatic cancer 1/30/2019. She was diagnosed in the spring of 2016. She is survived by her twin brothers, Don Graf and James and Paula Graf, of Sacramento and their families.

Graf was a trailblazing female in the world of wine and had many “firsts” to her credit. These include being the first woman to earn a degree in Enology (Fermentation Sciences earning her degree in 1965) at UC Davis, the first woman winemaker of the modern era in California, and the first woman on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

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06
Feb
2019

Hahn Family Wines Lucienne 2016 Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

categories: Booze, Wine

Last week I posted a rather personal anecdote about Hahn’s Lucienne Smith Vineyard Pinot Noir. This is another from that same label, this one hailing from Doctor’s Vineyard—a vineyard I’ve become quite acquainted with in my tasting around the Santa Lucia Highlands. During my time at Hahn Family Winery, we dove deep into what differentiates their various vineyards. The Doctor’s Vineyard isn’t the highest nor the lowest elevated of the estate vineyards, but is right in the center of the SLH AVA. Thus, it receives a bit more sunlight than other portions. And wider vine row spacing (11 feet by 7 feet) means these Pinot Noir grapes get quite a bit of sun exposure after the morning Monterey fog blows off. So what exactly does that all taste like?

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02
Feb
2019

Hahn Family Wines 2016 Lucienne Smith Vineyards Pinot Noir

categories: Wine

There’s been a lot going on and, yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I didn’t realize people would notice until, well, people started to notice. So thank you to those of you encouraging me to keep my private writing space up and running.

A lot has been changing over the last year. I’m now a full-time wine writer—so I am traveling, tasting, and writing a whole lot more. I’m busy constantly learning about all sectors of the wine industry, from the vineyard to the tasting room. I love it.

Please check out my updated About page. I’m also currently working on a page linking back to my professional work. For now, please Connect with me on LinkedIn where you can find current and past clips.

So, what exactly does all this personal stuff have to do with the Lucienne Smith Vineyards Pinot Noir?

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21
Dec
2018

Delille Cellars 2015 D2 Bordeaux Blend

categories: Booze, Wine

I tasted the Delille Cellars 2014 D2 Bordeaux blend and absolutely loved it. So I was thrilled when the winery sent me the next available vintage this year. Wine geek that I am, of course I wanted to take my notes blind and compare my tasting notes. Oh what a difference a year makes…

PS Just read the 2016 became available earlier this month…*hint hint…please and thank you*

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20
Dec
2018

Delille Cellars 2016 Chaleur Blanc

categories: Booze, Wine

I was so excited to try this wine—honestly to relive it. I received a sample of the Delille Cellars Chaleur Blanc, but alas it was before I was taking wine notes so regularly and rigorously and, unfortunately, did not have anything to refer to when I received this year’s vintage. So, even though I could remember I enjoyed the wine before, I treated this like an all new experience. Well, it was everything I wanted it to be—full of flavor, round supple body, and yet always light and refreshing from start to finish. And I’m not usually a fan of white wine blends…