On New Year's day we opened a couple new zinfandels from the 2005 vintage to bring in the new year with hearty fare (chips and salsa) as we watched the Big 10 get eviscerated, once again, in the BCS bowls. Tags: 2 stars USA 2005 Sonoma Napa Valley Look for good dark fruits and mild loam, but no "wow." MORE >>

stayed in a northern part of Napa known as Calistoga and made my way North West to Sonoma county. Zinfandel is a very common varietal in Sonoma county and I tried 2 Zins at Sausal; the 2004 Family Zinfandel & the 2005 Private reserve Zin. There was also a Merlot, Cab, and then 4 zinfandels. Serious pretension. Ahhhh. MORE >>

Connie & I worked together at Napa Wine Company where she was easily one of my favorite people. We started the visit with a white as I tried what I was told the only Albarino from Napa (or maybe it was the first?). These Zinfandels are made from old vine fruit, some of it over 100 years old. Havens had some really nice wine. MORE >>

He is collaborating with a winemaker I used to work with in Napa and poured that wine for me in addition to his own wine. His 2004 Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Red is a blend of 1/3 Cab Sauvignon, 1/3 Merlot, & 1/3 Cab Franc. Maybach winery from the Napa Valley had one wine at the tasting. Zinfandels and 1 Syrah. MORE >>

Lang & Reed Napa Winery was represented by the husband and wife team who make the wines and they were great. Next was a wine from Etude Wines in Carneros, which runs South of both Napa & Sonoma counties. Also had a nice Cabernet from Oakville, the town in Napa where I lived and worked. Great stuff. really enjoyed it. MORE >>