Tuesday, March 25, 2025
2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, April 25, 2022
2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus
Sonoma Valley, CA
2,698 cases produced
Suggested retail price: $90.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93+/100
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, October 18, 2021
2018 Enkidu Wines Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Enkidu Wines of Sonoma, California is a new addition to the Drink The Bottles wine tribe. It is no secret that we taste and share a lot of Napa wines and when we partner up with a (new-to-us) producer from Sonoma, we're always excited to see the outcome. We had the privilege of tasting the 2018 Enkidu Wines Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) and this was a great introduction for us to this producer. When we popped the cork and saw the wine imprint, we suspected that we were in for a treat with some high quality, dense fruit. Medium to dark scarlet color solid in the glass from center to edge. Aromas of fresh out-of-the-oven strawberry rhubarb pie, damp earth and spices carry over to similar flavors. This is a potpourri of sweet fragrance with intense, medium bodied raspberry jam and hints of vanilla. The acid in this wine is solid but in check, leading the taster to a path of a lingering finish that goes on for moments. We didn't decant this wine but rather gave it some extended time and swirling in the glass. It is drinking really lovely right now and we suspect for another 3-5 years.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
2019 Cline Family Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel
Thursday, October 7, 2021
2019 Cline Family Cellars Petite Sirah Contra Costa County
Monday, September 13, 2021
Winery Adventure: Repris Wines
We were very blessed to be able to travel to California recently for a wine trip with great friends. We had planned the trip in 2020, but we had to postpone for a year due to most of the world shutting down from the Covid pandemic. We decided that we would take this trip in 2021, come hell or high water.
Our "Winos" group as we jokingly and affectionately call ourselves, spent a few evenings and many text messages back and forth to discuss the "must visit" wineries as well as those that had been on various wish lists throughout the years. After much discussion and many emails back and forth to the wineries on our radar, we finally decided on nine wineries that would complete our adventure. And, so we begun with Day #1...... Repris Wines.
- 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
- 2016 Texture Lancel Creek Chardonnay
- 2018 Syrah
- 2018 Left Bank
- 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain Vineyard
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Rodney Strong Wine Estates REJUVENATION Virtual Wine Tasting
- 2020 Rodney Strong Rose of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: $25.00
- 2019 Rodney Strong California Chardonnay: $17.00
- 2017 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Merlot: $20.00
- 2018 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon: $22.00
- 2018 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: $28.00
- 2018 Rodney Strong Old Vine Zinfandel: $25.00
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Navigating Wine Country During a Pandemic (aka let's help each other)
- If you're headed to Napa like we are, check out the new health guidelines before you go.
- Bring a mask or several masks. (Nobody wants to wear a wine-stained mask). If you don't have one, stay home. You'll be turned around at the cellar door without one.
- Make reservations because they are required now. Long gone are the days of just "popping into" a winery for a quick tasting.
- Keep your distance and be respectful. Re-opening to the public after being closed for months can be scary and foreign to your hosts. Tread lightly and follow their lead.
- If you like the wine, consider making a purchase and/or joining a wine club. Most wineries are family owned and have suffered greatly because of the pandemic. Show some love and you'll be rewarded with your incredible wine purchases.
- Communication. Seems easy enough, right? You would be surprised. I have reached out to about twenty California wineries during the planning of our upcoming trip. I am amazed at how many of them never even bother responding to an email. We get it; the wineries and tasting rooms are starting to get busy with re-opening in its infancy. But if we have specific needs or your web site scheduling tool doesn't work, we have to email you in order to plan our tasting experience. The lack of communication sends a message of apathy and we could have been your newest and biggest fans. I call this a "don't be a dick rule".
- Create a memorable experience. We understand that some areas and experiences may still be closed, but wineries still have an incredible opportunity to create lifelong memories for their guests. In lieu of a cave tour or super secret hidden gem tasting room that is inaccessible, maybe a sit-down with the vintner or a special library bottle tasting could be an extra-special treat? Or perhaps it is connecting us with the most special wine tasting room host who would blow our socks off with his/her knowledge, personality, humor and kindness?
- Try not to make things too sterile or uncomfortable. We're all scared. And we, as guests, promise to follow all of the rules and breathe the hot summer California air through our uncomfortable masks. We ask in return that the tasting room doesn't smell of hospital disinfectants and everyone doesn't spray us down with Lysol if we clear our throat.
Monday, July 2, 2018
2016 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Sangiovese Sonoma Coast
Sunday, July 1, 2018
2016 Frank Family Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay
Sunday, April 29, 2018
2015 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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