Tag: california wine

Corner 103 2012 Zinfandel

I am always looking for wine education — in any form. And that is exactly what Corner 103 provides. Their modest location in downtown Sonoma (yes it’s on a Corner and yes the address is 103) offers guests the chance to taste through the winery’s complete portfolio learning everything from proper glassware to — yay! — food pairing. The experience is intimate, the winery will book no more than 10 guests at a time, which means the wine nerd in you will get all the one-on-one attention she’ll need. Hm…I guess it’s time for me to book my visit then…

My Corner: The Corner where I sleep

(more…)

Corner 103 2014 Cuvée

I don’t have much to say about Corner 103 other than I’ve always wanted to try itOk, I guess that is kind of a big deal. Walking through the rural-tastic downtown Sonoma, I’ve passed by the “the Corner” more times than I can count — yet I’ve never had the opportunity to actually taste and experience what the winery is all about. So I received a few bottles to taste at home and decided there’s no better way to dive into the Corner 103 portfolio than with their signature blend, the Corner Cuvée.

My Corner: The Corner where I write

 

(more…)

Crux Winery 2012 GSM Red Blend

The boys at Crux Winery are loud and proud Rhone Rangers and, unlike the vast majority of their fellow troop members who’ve paved the path in Paso, these guys claim the Russian River Valley for their stomping grounds. As Rhone-style specialists it would be a crime not to include a GSM in the line-up. And, indeed, they do every year. I’ve tasted their 2013, helped them sort out their 2016, and let’s not forget their 2015 rosé of GSM — but let’s travel back in time to 2012, shall we, and see how these blends compare…

(more…)

Ferrari-Carano UNA GSM Red Blend

Ferrari-Carano has a long-standing reputation for high caliber wines. From their casual, California classic Fumé Blanc to their celebration of their Italian heritage wine Sangiovese, I’ve heard nothing but high praise for the husband-and-wife team who’ve been a wine country staple since 1985. However — believe it or not — I never had the opportunity to visit or taste from Ferrari-Carano until just recently. Rhonda, Don, your reputation is well deserved…

(more…)

Passaggio Wines 2015 GSM Red Blend

When Cindy Cosco of Passaggio Wines first started on her winemaking adventure, her initial intention was to create a white wine house because, well, those were the wines she enjoyed most. With her cool, crisp Clarksburg Chenin Blanc; her fun, almost funky Rosé of Tempranillo; and her all-to-rare-for-California single varietal Roussanne, I do believe that Cindy does justice to the wider wine category that is “white wine.” But, just wait until you see what this woman can do with red…

(more…)