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2009 Cobb, Pinot Noir “Rice-Spivak Vineyard” Sonoma Coast. Absolutely stunning, beautifully detailed and vibrant Pinot with graceful red fruits, floral tones and mineral essences with refined tannins and balanced acidity.…

2011 Bodegas Monasterio de Corias, Seis Octavos Joven Seleccion, red Vino de Calidad de Cangas, Spain. (Albarín Negro & Carraquín) One of my new favorites, a beautiful medium weight red…

2011 Weingut Knebel, Riesling “Von Den Terrassen” Mosel, Germany. Mattias Knebel is a young German producer in the Mosel and new to me, but I’ll be following his wines from…

2010 Suertes del Marques, La Solana Vino de Parcela, Tenerife Valle de la Orotava DO, Canary Islands Red, Spain. One of the most exotic and rare wines of the Canaries,…

2010 J. Rochioli, Chardonnay “Riverblock” Estate, Russian River Valley. This wonderfully rich and detailed Chardonnay is wildly enjoyable and hedonistic, while still showing bright, vivid and focused layers of fruit,…

1989 Chateau Coutet a Barsac, Barsac “Cuvee Madame” Premier Cru Classe, Sweet Wine, Bordeaux, France. Thanks to Fred Daniels, one of SF’s biggest Sauternes enthusiasts, for sharing this masterpiece with…

2011 Castalia, Pinot Noir “Rochioli Vineyard” Russian River Valley. Rochioli’s long time serving cellar-master, Terry Bering has been making Pinot since 1985 and helps craft all the glorious Rochioli wines,…

2009 Samsara, Syrah “Melville Vineyard” Sta. Rita Hills. This is absolutely my kind of Syrah, this stuff hit magic notes with me, and what a value for the quality, a…

2009 Novy (by Siduri) Syrah “Rosella’s Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands. This richly textured Syrah is full and darkly robust with deep color and flavors that fill the palate. The nose…

2011 Zepaltas, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. While 2011 doesn’t look to be going down in the history books as a classic vintage for Northern California, there are some great…