The “pinotgate” scandal is old news, but the settlement in the class-action suit occurred a few days ago. Wine industry giants E&J Gallo and Constellation Brands agreed to a $2.1 million payout to consumers who purchased bottles of their inexpensive California wines filled with merlot and (...) “Pinot could be excellent,” I wrote in my vintage diary on Sept. 2, 2010. At that point in the harvest–a crucial one, when a heat wave had just blasted Northern California–everything depended on two things: the weather moderating, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and not shrivel, and the rain (...) [STEVE HEIMOFF| WINE BLOG ] La Follette Wines grew out of Greg La Follette’s Tandem label that he founded in 2001. He met Pete and Terri Kight in 2008, and the couple bought Tandem, folding it into a new winery and label that generously carried the winemaker’s name. I tried three of the winery’s five pinot noirs; La Follette (...) By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Over a relatively short period of time, Heart & Hands Wine Company has almost become synonymous with New York pinot noir. There are other wineries making good versions of course, but on a consistent (...) By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Over a relatively short period of time, Heart & Hands Wine Company has almost become synonymous with New York pinot noir. There are other wineries making good versions of course, but on a consistent (...) Special Report 1/13/2012 When it comes to discussing Pinot Noir in California it doesn't take long before somebody mentions the initials ‘KB'. This acronym is insider shorthand for what is to their fans, sommeliers and critics one of the most consistently high quality yet diversified wineries (...) [The purely domestic wine blog - the purely domestic wine blog] Jim Moore has had a distinguished career as a winemaker in California. He was at Robert Mondavi from 1979 to 1998, developing the Carneros appellation chardonnay and pinot noir programs, reintroducing zinfandel to the roster and redesigning the style and packaging for the proprietary dessert (...) 2008 Cristom Pinot Noir Signature Cuvee, Willamette Valley, 14% alcohol, $100. is an outstanding wine showing rich, round spice in the nose with some flashy floral notes. The palate presents as rich and full-bodied with flavors of graphite, cherry, salt and rounded black fruits. Finish is (...) [The purely domestic wine blog - the purely domestic wine blog] See the entire review online [nosnob.com wine reviews] Matrix Winery located on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma makes wine from a number of different varietals. Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah are each part of their portfolio. First and foremost however they’re a Pinot Noir House. They make a host of small lot, single (...) |
