California Wines

One important thing to say about buying wines you see here or anywhere. Unless it is a national distribution from a "large" winery or wine distribution, chances of finding wines in your local liquor store are rare. Most of the wines I am discussing are from small distributions. I would recommend getting to know your local wine shop. Ask when the wine representative comes in. Try getting to know them and ask if they are doing any tastings and ask to be invited. Get on mailing list. Go to wine dinners, etc.

Most wines on my website, you can probably find by doing an Internet search. When you find a wine you really like, and you can afford to, you better buy several bottles. The same vintage (year) bottle you love today, may taste totally different next year. A vineyard will do their best to try and maintain consistency. If so, you may trust that particular winery. An example of this is Calistoga Cellars. Their winemaker is very consistent year to year. So the chances the 2003 Red Zinfandel you love, may be just as good for the 2004.

Below are some of the California Wines I find worth buying.

2002 EOS - Petite Sirah

Ah...EOS, the Greek goddess of Dawn. If you notice on the label, you can make out a face in the sky as dawn begins. I have now had this wine two times. This is a great tasting wine with lots of dimensions. Lush, deep dark purple color with a sweet fruit and vanilla bouquet. Ripe and jammy, this is a big wine. Flavors include red currant jam, baking spices, milk chocolate and a spicy finish. Very, very good.
GOLD MEDAL (2005 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition)

2002 Fagan Creek - Syrah

Tasted this October 28, 2006. This wine is a pass. Almost all Syrahs' I try, I enjoy, except this one. It lacked complexity and seemed to just be dull. It did not have the fullness that a good Syrah has. I am not expert in describing taste, but I do know what I like and don't like. I had two friends try this wine. They were not impressed and felt it fell short of being a good wine.

The wine is deep, rich ruby color with a full note. It has flavors of chocolate, cherry and raspberry with a touch of current and spice. There are slight oak overtones. With only 425 cases in production, these hand picked grapes were aged in small oak barrels to produce this Dunnigan Hills Syrah.

Tandem - Pinot Noir 2001

If you love the movie Sideways, the you will love this Pinot Noir. This is an excellent California Pinot Noir Wine. I have found it is best to decant for an hour. The aromas from the right glass really enhance the enjoyment of this lively wine. Characteristics: Deep ruby purple color; lots of spicy, earthy, pine needle aromas with some black cherry and plum notes on the nose; big and powerful on the palate with lots of black cherry and plum flavors along with some earthy, pine tones; great structure and a finish that goes on forever. The Pisoni Vineyard is almost a legend in recent Pinot history with the long list of great wines that have been produced by many wineries.

I tried another bottle of this in late September 2006. I had it stored in a tiny apt refrigerator. It was not a wine refrig and I think I damaged the wine. 1) I was only able to get the temperature up to 47 degrees 2) I believe the vibration of the refrig is what really caused this wine not to taste as wonderful as I remember. I am tasting another bottle of it this weekend (10/21/06), so we shall see. I have 6 bottles of this.

I tasted another bottle October 21, 2006 with two friends. One doesn't know a good wine from bad, the other does. Evidently, my Pinot Noir had come back to life after being in the refrigator for a couple of weeks I was experimenting. The wonderful taste that is Pinot Noir came back to life. The wonderful nose and cherry and plum flavours were all there. I can safely say, my last remaining bottles should be okay.

Tantara - Syrah 2002

I thought this was a very good Syrah and interesting. Actually, at first opening, I was not greatly impressed. It was good, but didn't make my mouth sing. However, after leaving it sit out for about 2 hours, and coming back to it, this wine came alive and was excellent. I had been out to dinner. We returned and I had another glass of this Syrah. The flavour seemed to explode in my mouth. The astringent feeling was excellent. What is astringent? the tactile sensation that an excess of tannin leaves on the insides of one's mouth. I have two bottles remaining and I look forward to drinking them.

2003 Calistoga Cellars Red Zinfandel

All I can say is, WOW! - this wine rated 93 points from Wine & Spirits in June 2006. It won Gold and Best of Class 2006 in the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. "A superfine Zin, lush, fruity, and well balanced, with extra richness and finesse. The wine really shows off its ripe blackberries, cherries, and even mocha, in a dry package with smooth tannins" - The Wine Enthusiast

I have one bottle of this wine left. I've been told the 2002 is even better.

FYI - Calistoga Cellars 2004 Sauvignon Blanc is superb. I am not a big white wine drinker, but this white wine is extraordinary.. At a recent wine dinner, everyone raved about this white wine, as well as all the Calistoga Wines. Also, 2003 Merlot is fantastic. Not being a Merlot fan, I certainly was impressed with this wine. All of the Calistoga Wines are excellent values, most under $25.

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