The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. Saul had his conversion on the road to Damascus. Wells Guthrie had his conversion on the road home from Burgundy. Thus he decided to change his style.

But I think it’s worth pausing on California wines since it gets to the question of young people and old wine. find that people under 40 (if we are still considered young) are fascinated by older California wines because they represent something different than the current releases available from America’s most productive state.

On the Saintsbury website I read that Saintsbury's founders Dick Ward and Dave Gravescame to wine with scientific background, Dave with a degree in biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and Dick with a degree in structural engineering from Tufts University in Boston. Quick! Davis.

He was owed a debt and he asked if I would go to California to get the money from this wine maker. BW : I developed a small business as brokering sales between this cooper and California wine makers. was Kermit Lynch's agent in Beaune from 1977 - 1981 also. BG: How did you get started in the wine business? had two young sons.

Here are some that moved me, along with a few impressions: 1995 Mount Eden Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - if California wine tasted like this, I would drink lots of California wine. 1981 Bodegas Riojana Gran Riserva - I don't know which Gran Riserva this was, as there are several, but whatever it was, it was fantastic.

The 1981.yes, I said 1981 Pauillac Grand Vin de Chateau Latour - what a treat!  It actually reminded me a bit of a California Zinfandel.  I went away (within Israel) for the sabbath to a friend of the family.  A wonderful woman and great cook it is always a nice shabbat when spent with her and her family.  Emillion Grand Cru. 

Making my way past the French wines I landed in the California section. got to try the Lopez de Heredia Gravonia Rioja Blanco Crianza 1998, Tondonia Rioja Blanco Reserva 1989 & Tondonia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva 1981. Got back from the West Coast this morning and I hope to write up about day 1 of my wine country trip tomorrow.