Tag: product review


Dec
2016

Banshee Wines Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

During my last Sonoma wine country trip, I stayed right in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. With loads of restaurants, tasting rooms, and boutique shops, it’s an absolute delight for all the senses. But I’m telling you right now, if I lived in town, Banshee would be my hangout spot. And that seems to be the general consensus at this quirky, casual, albeit a bit hipster, tasting room and lounge in downtown Healdsburg. 

And what can you expect from winemaker Noah Dorrance? Well today I bring you a Sonoma County Pinot Noir that fits right in with the cool-kid vibe of Banshee.

banshee_pinot-noir

(more…)


Dec
2016

Flanagan Wines Bennet Valley Merlot 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

During my latest tour of Sonoma County wine country, I got a sneak peek at the new winery and tasting room for Flanagan Wines. They’re a boutique business that is certainly booming at the moment. After tasting a full line-up of their current releases, I can say from experience that this success is absolutely due to the fact that each bottle contains a specific vineyard’s story.

Once Upon A Time, there was a Merlot from Bennet Valley Vineyard…

flanagan-wines_merlot

(more…)


Dec
2016

Kunde Family Winery Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

I feel like Kunde is one of those big family names that has now become synonymous with Sonoma County wines. And it’s no wonder, since the Kunde’s have been harvesting grapes in the area for over a century. But despite their well-known name and prosperity, the Kunde Family Winery is still, in fact, a family winery, run by 4th and 5th generation Kundes. And as such, each wine is an estate-grown and 100% sustainably farmed. Maybe that’s why this seemingly simple Chardonnay provides not just depth of flavors, but depth of soul.

kunde_sonoma-valley-chardonnay

(more…)


Dec
2016

Flanagan Wines Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

During my latest tour of Sonoma County wine country, I got a sneak peek at the new winery and tasting room for Flanagan Wines. They’re a boutique business that is certainly booming at the moment. After tasting a full line-up of their current releases, I can say from experience that this success is absolutely due to the fact that each bottle contains a specific vineyard’s story.

Once Upon A Time, there was a Pinot Noir from Sonoma Stage Vineyard…

flanagan_pinot-noir

(more…)


Dec
2016

Lauterbach Cellars 2013 Late Harvest Syrah

categories: Booze, Wine

Stew and Barb weren’t always winemakers. In fact, Stew still works in the medical field and Barb is only recently retired from her career as an attorney. On a recent visit to Sonoma County wine country, I scheduled some time at this literal mom-and-pop wine operation. And if you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend you visit as well — this is your chance to learn the nitty gritty of the winemaking operation from a couple who’ve made this work a project of passion, not profit. And nothing exemplifies this creativity more than the 2013 Late Harvest Syrah.

lauterbach-cellars_late-harvest-syrah

(more…)