Category Archives: California

Summer sippers: Easy-to-find white blends

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Carolyn Blakeslee

Earlier this week, I published a blog post about some outstanding white wines from Lodi. While they’re extraordinary, they aren’t easy to find, and most people will need to order them directly from the winemakers. This post will cover some … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Moscato/Muscat, Muscat Alexandria, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier | Leave a comment

Five Outstanding White Wines from Lodi

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Carolyn Blakeslee

Lodi, pronounced “LOW-dye,” has become a winemaker’s paradise, with 750 winegrowers farming nearly 100,000 acres of wine grapes. In 1998 Lodi had only 10 wineries, and today the number has increased to 77. With about the same number of different … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberino, California, Garnacha Blanca, Gewurztraminer, Moscato/Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musquee, Uncategorized, Viognier | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: More from Casey Flat Ranch.

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Carolyn Blakeslee

2013 Viognier, 14.1% ABV, $20 SRP. This lovely light-straw-colored wine started out with canteloupe, a hint of citrus, and a delicate candy (circus peanuts!) flavor, which always delights the heck out of me on the rare occasions I encounter it … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah/Shiraz, Viognier | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Casey Flat Ranch “CFR” 2010 Estate Red Wine, Capay Valley, 14.8% ABV, $35 SRP.

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Carolyn Blakeslee

WOW. This opaque, nearly-black wine was smooth yet charismatic from the get-go. Flavors of cassis and blackberries played nice with the pleasant but not-overbearing wood overlay of faint cedar. This was an extraordinarily rich potion that was balanced, impressive, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mourvedre, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz | Leave a comment

TASTING: Wente Vineyards, Wine and Music

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

On Thursday, August 1st, Karl Wente hosted an interesting Wine and Music tasting, with his friend Shannon Koehler. Besides being a fifth-generation winemaker, Karl is an avid musician. Karl started on saxophone, gravitated to electric guitar, and plays acoustic guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Music, California, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Tastings | 1 Comment

RECOMMENDED: Primal Roots 2011 White Blend, California. 13% ABV, around $10.

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

Primal Roots has made a tasty white blend consisting of 50% Viognier, 20% French Colombard, 15% Riesling, and 15% Gewürztraminer. We enjoyed the contrast of its Sauvignon Blanc-like acidity, and its somewhat sweet, Moscato-like floral notes. A hint of cinnamon … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colombard, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Viognier | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED SUMMER WINES: The White Knight

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

A division of The Other Guys wine group (Sebastiani family), The White Knight brand’s motto is “Saving the world from the tyranny of Chardonnay!” Cute. After their initial offering of an impressive Viognier, the Knights have expanded into Riesling, Moscato, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Moscato/Muscat, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Viognier | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED/HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Madroña Riesling

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

2010 Madroña Riesling. El Dorado. 13.5% ABV. About $14. Pretty color; soft gold. Gentle nose; green apple and citrus. Honeysuckle, “petrol,” a hint of yeast, and minerals on the palate. Soft, round, and slightly creamy; gentle acidity. I would pair … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Riesling | Leave a comment

New Branding: Pennywise (and an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon)

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

I don’t normally pay much attention to labels. (Kind of a contradiction, as I’m an artist and publication designer/editor.) However, the Pennywise redesign caught my attention in a big way. The previous Pennywise label was okay. Reminiscent of a postage … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Merlot, News, Syrah/Shiraz | 2 Comments

Mother’s Day, Wine, Joy, Life and Death

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Carolyn Blakeslee

Happy Mother’s Day. Random thoughts: Why do I always weep when my college-age children leave to go back to college? I’m turning into my mother! My Mom died on 3/3/07. In a strange synchronicity, 3307 was the house number of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Family | Leave a comment