Cellar Notes

Al Spoler and Hugh Sisson host Cellar Notes

Short Program:

Only Archive

5/15/13 - Cellar Notes - Bargain Chardonnay (All Under $20)

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**Most Cellar Notes selections are available at Wine World (see Sponsor tab)

Wente Chardonnay "Morning Fog", Livermore '11 * 1/2
(good everyday chard)

Wente Chardonnay "Riva Ranch", Monterey '11 **
(adds a touch of complexity)

McMurray Ranch Chardonnay, RRV '11*
(good basic chard)

Edna Valley Chardonnay "Paragon" '10 **
(very reliable, crowd pleaser)

Beringer Chardonnay, Napa Valley '11 **
(classic Napa chard at a great price)

Benzinger Chardonnay, Carneros '10 **1/2
(very classy, convincing chard)

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5/8/13 - Cellar Notes - Fritz Wine Cellars: A Treasure in Sonoma

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**Most Cellar Notes selections are available at Wine World (see Sponsor tab)

Fritz Chardonnay, Russian River Valley '10 ***
(Premium chard source, first rate, a bargain at twice the price)

Fritz Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley '10 ***
(One of the best American Pinots we've ever tasted)

Fritz Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek '10***
(Superb, classic Dry Creek Zin, bargain)

Fritz Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek '09 **
(Big supple, drinking young, needs age)

Fritz Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel, Dry Creek '10 **1/2
(like late bottled port)

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5/1/13 - Cellar Notes - New Zealand

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Most Cellar Notes selections are available at Wine World (see Sponsor tab)

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, NZ '12 **
(total SB package with restraint)

Spy Valley Riesling, NZ '12 **
(tons of flavor, acidity, fleshy texture)

Spy Valley Gewürztraminer, NZ '12 **1/2
(soaring aroma, flavorful, first rate)

Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir NZ '10 ***
(Superb pinot, complex, graceful, classy)

Lawson Dry Hills Pinot Gris NZ '11 **
(full-flavored, off-dry, perfect with pâté)

Lawson Dry Hill Pinot Noir NZ '08 **
(mature, "Brunello lite", great bargain)

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4/24/13 - Cellar Notes - Justin/Walter Hansel

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**Most Cellar Notes selections are available at Wine World (see Sponsor tab)

Justin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles '10 **
(Good basic cab)

Justin Vineyards "Isoceles", Paso Robles '10 ***
(super premium red blend)

Walter Hansel Pinot Noir "South Slope", RRV '10 ***
(superb, complex)

Walter Hansel Pinot Noir "Cuvee Alyse" RRV '09 ***
(even better)

Walter Hansel Pinot Noir "North Slope" RRV '10****
(benchmark quality)

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4/17/13 - Cellar Notes - Spring Whites

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**Most Cellar Notes selections are available at Wine World (see Sponsor tab)

Bouchard Macon-Villages '10
(Classy white Burgundy at a great price)

DeAngelis Pecorino Offida DOCG '11 **
(Light, concentrated, essence of Spring)

Giesen Riesling, Marlborough NZ '11 **1/2
(Crystalline, pure, gorgeous)

Domaine La Bastide Viognier, Aube '11 **1/2
(Bone dry, yet rich and concentrated)

I Giussti & Zanza Toscano Nemorino White '11 **1/2
(very complex, earthy, impressive)

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4/10/13 - Cellar Notes - Calstar Cellars of Sonoma

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(Note: Calstar Cellars is represented by RSVP Wines. If you want to try some, ask your wine merchant to contact RSVP who will custom order it for you.)

Calstar Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley 2011 **
(Big, plump fruity SB)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2009 **
(Classic California Chard)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay Cuvee Ann, Sonoma 2010 ** 1/2
(Recalls Puligny-Montrachet with its acid and mineral fruit)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay, Sangiacomo, Sonoma 2009 **1/2
(Big, refined chard with very moderate oak)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009 **
(A warm, full-flavored Pinot with lots of flavor interest)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo, Sonoma 2010 * 1/2
(Light, graceful Pinot)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Londer Estate, Anderson Valley 2009 ***
(A very fine Pinot, with vibrant fruit, deep complexity)

Calstar Cellars Alta Zin, Cardanni Vineyards, El Dorado County 2008 ***
(A soaring zin built on medium-full lines, with a ton of flavor)

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4/3/13 - Cellar Notes - Deloach Vineyards, Russian River Valley

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Deloach Pinot Noir, RRV '11**1/2
(Fabulous California Pinot Noir bargain)

Deloach Chardonnay, RRV '11 **
(Firm, well structured, tasty)

Deloach Cabernet Sauvignon "Heritage Reserve" California, '11
(Good basic cab that hits all the right notes)

Deloach Zinfandel "Heritage Reserve", California '11
(Good basic zin blend)

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3/27/13 - Cellar Notes - Zinfandels for Beginners

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Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi 2009 * 1/2
(Easy to understand zin)

Frey Zinfandel "Organic Wine", Mendocino 2011 *
(Light, simple zin with good flavor)

Klinker Brick Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi 2010 **
(Refined, concentrated, more interesting)

Bogel "Phantom" Red Blend, California 2009 **
(A big, brawny well made blend)

Spann "Mo Zin", California 2009 **
(Crowd-pleasing, flavorful red with lots of life)

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3/20/13 - Cellar Notes - Acorn

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Acorn Cabernet Franc, Alegria Vineyard., Russian River Valley '08 ** 1/2
(Single vyd. field blend)

Acorn Axiom Syrah, Alegria Vineyard., Russian River Valley '08 ** 1/2
(Big, rich with a touch of viognier)

Acorn Sangiovese, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley '09 **
(Good California take on Chianti)

Acorn Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley, '10 ***
(The king of their field blends, great zin)

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3/13/13 - Cellar Notes - Wente Clones

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Entwine Merlot, California 2009 *1/2
(Everyday Merlot with a touch of class)

Entwine Pinot Grigio, California 2010 *
(Smooth, creamy and versatile)

Murietta's Well, The Spur Red Wine, Livermore 2010 *
(Big, brawny, tannic, informal)

Murietta's Well, The Whip, White Blend2011 * 1/2
(Tasty and complex, good value)

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