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Monday, March 27, 2017

Everyday Wine - Red




The following are a list of red wines that are priced to be enjoyed any day or every day of the week. These red wines retail for approximately $20.00 or less. We have also included some wines priced just over $20.00 as they are simply too yummy to omit.  (Please note that retailer/online prices may vary)

The wines listed for your everyday glass have been rated 88 and above by some of the most popular wine critics (i.e. Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Stephen Tanzer, The Tasting Panel, The Fifty Best Blind Tasting, James Suckling, James Halliday, Vinous & Wine & Spirits, Wilford Wong, Wine.com). Remember it is ultimately your palate that is the best judge for you.


PINOT NOIR

A.

A by Acacia 2014 Carneros ($16.00/NR)

B.

Barefoot Cellars California ($6.00)
Belle Ambiance 2014 California ($10.00)
Bishop’s Peak 2014 Central Coast ($20.00)
Block None Caiden’s Vineyards 2013 California ($15.00)
Bogle 2012 California ($12.00)
Broken Clouds 2013 Sonoma Coast ($14.00)

C.

Cameron Hughes 2009 Lot 271 Russian River Valley ($14.00)
Chalone Vineyard 2011 Monterey County ($15.00)
Chime 2015 California ($13.00)
Contour 2014 Pinot Noir Sonoma, Monterey & Napa ($15.00)

D.

Duckhorn Decoy 2014Sonoma Coast($21.00/NR)

E.

Esser 2012 Monterey County ($15.00)

F.

Fleur de California 2013 Monterey County ($!9.00/NR)
Francis Ford Coppola 2012 Votre Sante Pinot Noir California ($14.00)
Folie a Deux 2012 Sonoma Coast ($17.00)

G.

Garnet 2012 Monterey County ($15.00)

J.

Joel Gott 2013 Monterey County ($18.00)

K.

Kendall Jackson 2014 “Vintners Reserve” ($20.00)
Kirkland Signature 2011 Carneros ($14.00)

L.

La Follette 2014 North Coast ($20.00)
Lander-Jenkins 2013 California ($15.00)
Leese-Fitch 2014 California ($12.00)
Line 39 2014 California ($11.00)
Line 39 2013 California ($11.00)

M.

MacMurray Ranch 2014 Central Coast ($20.00)
Maggio Family Vineyards 2013 Lodi ($13.00)
Martin Ray Pinot Noir 2015 Sonoma ($20.00/NR)
Meiomi (Belle Glos) 2015 ($23.00/NR)
Mirassou 2013 Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey ($9.00)
MooBuzz 2013 Monterey Pinot Noir ($20.00)
Murphy-Goode 2014 California ($15.00)

N.

Napa Cellars 2013 Napa Valley ($17.00)
Noble Vines 2014 667 Pinot Noir Monterey ($14.99)

O.

Old Soul 2014 Lodi ($11.00)

P.

Parducci 2014 Small Lot Blend Mendocino ($15.00)
Pedroncelli 2013 Signature Collection Russian River Valley ($17.00)
Pennywise 2009 California ($12.00)

R.

Ron Rubin 2013 Russian River Valley ($18.00)

S.

SeaGlass 2014 Santa Barbara County, Central Coast ($13.00)
Sean Minor 4B 2014 Central Coast ($20.00/NR)
Simple Life 2014 California ($13.00)

Smoke Tree Pinot Noir 2015 Sonoma Coast ($20.00/NR)

T.

Taken Wine Company Complicated Pinot Noir 2014 ($18.00)
The Pinot Project 2015 Sonoma, Monterey & Central Coast ($12.00/NR)

W.

Wente 2012 Riva Ranch, Arroyo Seco Monterey ($18.00)

Wild Horse 2014 California ($20.00/NR)


RED BLENDS a/k/a MERITAGE

A.

Andis 2012 Painted Fields Red, Amador County-Sierra Foothills ($20.00)
Avelina 2011 Luca Red Santa Barbara ($18.00)

B.

Barbed Wire 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Lot No 7 Red, North Coast ($14.00)
Bogle 2013 Phantom Red California ($18.00)
Bogle 2014 Essential Red California ($12.00)
Bogle 2012 Essential Red California ($11.00)

C.

Chronic Cellars 2014 Purple Paradise Red, Paso Robles ($15.00)
Chronic Cellars 2013 Sofia King Bueno Red Paso Robles ($20.00)
Concannon 2010 Reserve Assemblage Red, Livermore Valley ($20.00)
Cosentino 2013 The Dark Red, Lodi ($15.00)

F.

Freakshow 2014 Red, Lodi ($20.00)

G.

Gifft 2011 Red, Monterey ($20.00)
Gnarly Head 2013 1924 Limited Edition Double Black Red, California ($12.00)
Gundlach Bundschu 2013 Mountain Cuvee Red Sonoma County ($20.00)

J.

Jamieson Ranch 2011 Whiplash Red, California ($15.00)
Jax 2014 Y3 Taureau Red Napa Valley ($20.00)

K.

Kendall-Jackson 2013 Vintner’s Reserve Summation Red, California ($17.00)

M.

Marietta Cellars NV Christo Lot Number 3 Red North Coast ($20.00)
Matchbook 2012 The Arsonist Red, California ($22.00)
McClean 2010 Simone Red Paso Robles ($20.00)
McManis 2014 North Forty Red, California ($18.00)
McManis 2013 North Forty Red, California ($16.00)
MCV 2013 Red Paso Robles ($21.00)

N.

Naggiar 2014 Dahlia Noir Red Sierra Foothills ($16.00)

P.

Prophecy 2014 The Lovers Red California ($14.00)

R.

Rancho Sisquoc 2013 Sisquoc River Red, Santa Barbara County ($20.00)
Red Rock 2012 Winemaker’s Blend Reserve Red California ($14.00)
Rock Wall 2013 Rock Hound Red, California ($16.00)

S.

Saint Gregory 2012 Pinotrois Red Mendocino County ($19.00)
Shannon Ridge 2013 Wrangler Red High Elevation Collection Red, Lake County ($20.00)
Stephen Vincent 2013 Crimson Republica de’California Red ($17.00)

T.

Terre Rouge 2013 Tete-aTete Red, Sierra Foothills ($20.00)
The Messenger NV Telegram Red Wine Number One Lot 612 Red, California ($18.00)
Tranzind 2012 Red, Lodi ($15.00)
Troublemaker by Austin Hope NV 9 Red, Central Coast ($20.00)
Turkovich 2014 The Boss Red Yolo County/Central Coast ($20.00)
Twisted Cedar 2013 Petit-Petite Red California ($15.00)

W.

Wargin Wines 2011 Big & Beautiful Red, Solano County-North Coast ($18.00)
Whiplash 2015 Red California ($15.00)


CABERNET SAUVIGNON

A.

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2014 ($20.00/NR)
Ancient Peaks 2012 Paso Robles ($18.00)
Ancient Peaks 2013 Santa Margarita Ranch-Central Coast ($18.00)
Auspicion 2014 California ($10.00/NR)
Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet 2014 ($20.00)

B.

Baron Herzog 2014 California ($15.00/NR)
Bishop’s Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Paso Robles ($22.00)
Bogle 2014 California ($11.00/NR)
Bonterra Vineyards *Organic 2014 ($18.00)
Bonterra Vineyards *Organic 2012 & 2013 ($16.00)
Bridlewood 2013 Paso Robles ($14.00/NR)
Broadside 2014 Paso Robles ($15.00/NR)
Buehler 2102 Napa Valley Cabernet ($16.00/NR)

C.

Camp 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County ($18.00)
Carmenet 2014 California ($12.00/NR)
Carnivor 2013 California ($15.00)
Carnivor 2012 California ($15.00)
Cartlidge & Brown 2014 California ($13.00/NR)
Chasing Lions 2014 Napa Valley ($14.00/NR)
Clos du Bois 2014 California ($12.00/NR)
Concannon 2014, Paso Robles ($20.00)
CULT Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Napa ($20.00)

D.

Dark Horse 2015 California ($10.00/NR)
DeLoach Heritage Reserve 2015 ($12.00)
District 7 Wines 2012 Estate Grown, Monterey County ($20.00)
Duckhorn Decoy 2014 Sonoma County ($20.00/NR)

E.

Eagle Glen 2013 Napa Valley ($22.00)
Edna Valley Vineyard 2014 Central Coast ($16.00/NR)
Elements by Artesa 2011 Sonoma County ($20.00)
Estancia 2014 California ($15.00)

F.

First & Local 2014 California ($13.00)
Folie a Deux 2013 Alexander Valley ($20.00)

G.

Geyser Peak 2013 California ($13.00/NR)
Greystone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (12.00)
Guenoc Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($15.99/NR)

H.

Hahn 2014 California ($15.00)
HandCraft 2014 California ($10.00/NR)
Hawk Crest 2008 Cabernet ($15.00/NR) (House wine for Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars)
Hess Select Collection 2013 Shirtail Ranches Cabernet, Lake County ($18.00)

J.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks 2014 Paso Robles ($15.00/NR)
Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 California ($17.00/NR)
Joel Gott 2014 California ($20.00)
Josh Cellars 2014 California ($19.00/NR)

K.

Katherine Goldschmidt 2011 Crazy Creek Cabernet, Alexander Valley ($20.00)
Kendall Jackson 2013 “Vintners Reserve” ($21.00)
Kirkland Signature 2011 Series, Oakville-Napa Valley ($20.00)

L.

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 California ($11.99)
Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet 2014 ($20.00)
Lucinda & Millie *Organic 2015 ($14.00/NR)
Lyeth 2013 North Coast ($15.00)

M.

McManis 2013 California ($11.00)
Michael David Freakshow Cabernet, Lodi ($20.00)
Milestone 2014 California ($12.00/NR)
Murphey-Goode 2013 California ($16.00)

N.

Naggiar 2013 Della Casa Cabernet Sierra Foothills ($16.00)
Noble Vines 337 Lodi 2014 ($15.00/NR)
Noble Vines 337 Lodi 2013 ($15.00)

O.

Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa ($19.99/NR)
Oberon 2014 Napa Valley ($23.00)
Once and It’s Gone 2013 Napa Valley ($20.00)

P.

Paul Dolan 2014, Mendocino ($20.00)
Pedroncelli Three Vineyards Dry Creek 2014 ($17.00/NR)
Pickett Fence 2014, Alexander Valley ($18.00)
Plungerhead Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($20.00)
Plungerhead Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($14.00)

R.

Ramsay 2015 North Coast ($19.00/NR)
Ravenswood “Vintners Blend” 2014 California ($10.00)
Raymond Family Classic 2014 North Coast ($18.00/NR)
Raymond R Collection 2014 California ($15.00/NR)
Robert Hall 2013 Paso Robles ($20.00)
Robert Mondavi 2102 Napa Valley ($20.00)
Rock & Vine 2013 North Coast ($18.00/NR)
Rodney Strong 2014 Sonoma County ($20.00/NR)

S.

SeaGlass 2013 Paso Robles ($12.00/NR)
Silver Palm 2013 North Coast ($18.00)
Simi 2014 Alexander Valley ($23.00)
Sketchbook 2013 Mendocino ($20.00)
Slow Press 2014 Paso Robles ($14.00/NR)
Souverain 2013 California ($13.00)
Sparrow Hawk 2012 Napa Valley ($16.00)
St. Francis 2014 Sonoma County ($19.00/NR)
Summers 2012 Andriana’s Cuvee, Sonoma County-Napa County ($20.00)

T.

The Divining Rod 2011, Alexander Valley ($18.00)
The Great American Wine Company, Rosenblum Cellars 2013 Central Coast ($11.00/NR)
The Federalist 2014 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.00/NR)
The Show 2013 California ($13.00)
Toasted Head 2014 California ($13.00/NR)
Tom Gore 2014 California ($14.00/NR)
Trim 2013 California ($14.00/NR)

V.

Van Ruiten 2013 Lodi ($20.00)
Van Ruiten 2012 Lodi ($17.00)

W.

Wente Southern Hills 2014 Livermore Valley ($18.00/NR)
William Hill 2014 North Coast ($14.00/NR)


MERLOT

B.

Beaulieu Vineyard 2102 Maestro Collection Carneros-Napa Valley
Benziger 2013 Sonoma County ($19.00)
Bonterra 2013 Mendocino ($16.00)
Bonterra 2012 *Organic Mendocino ($15.00)

C.

Camp 2014 Merlot Sonoma County ($18.00)
Cline 2012 Estate Grown Merlot Sonoma Coast ($18.00)

D.

Dominican Oaks 2013 Napa Valley ($19.00)

E.

Educated Guess 2013 Napa Valley ($20.00)
Esser 2012 Monterey County ($13.00)

F.

Firestone 2012 Santa Ynez Valley ($20.00)
Folie a Deux 2013 Alexander Valley ($20.00)
Frei Brothers 2013 Reserve Dry Creek Valley ($20.00)
Frey 2013 Estate Grown Biodynamic Merlot, Mendocino ($20.00)

G.

Gnarly Head 2014 California ($10.00)

J.

J. Lohr 2014 Estates Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles ($15.00)

M.

Maddalena 2010 Paso Robles ($20.00)
Murphy-Goode 2013 California ($15.00)

N.

Napa Cellars 2012 Napa Valley ($19.00)

O.

One Hope 2013 Merlot California ($19.00)

P.

Pedroncelli 2013 Bench Vineyards Merlot Dry Creek Valley ($17.00)

R.

Rancho Sisquoc 2014 Flood Family Vineyards, Santa Barbara County ($20.00)
Ray’s Station Vineyards 2012 Mendocino ($17.00)
Robert Mondavi 2013 Napa Valley ($23.00)

S.

Silver Palm 2013 Merlot North Coast ($18.00)
St. Francis 2013 Sonoma Valley ($20.00)

T.

Trig Point 2013 Diamond Dust Vineyard Alexander Valley ($20.00)

V.

Villa San Juliette 2013 Paso Robles ($19.00)

W.

Wellington 2012 Sonoma County ($20.00)
William Hill Estate 2013 Central Coast Collection

Monday, March 20, 2017

Napa Valley Map

With the huge variety of wineries, restaurants, hotels, and activities in Napa County, it may be hard to decide where to go first on your visit. Maybe you want to start at the top of the county and work your way down, or vice versa. To help with your itinerary, here is a map of Napa County. For a larger view, please click here.


For more information on Napa County, click the links below:

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Sonoma County Map

With the huge variety of wineries, restaurants, hotels, and activities in Sonoma County, it may be hard to decide where to go first on your visit. Maybe you want to start at the top of the county and work your way down, or vice versa. To help with your itinerary, here is a map of Sonoma County. For a larger view, please click here.


For more information on Sonoma County, click the links below:


Monday, March 6, 2017

Should You Put Ice Cubes in Wine?

Some say that putting ice cubes in your wine will water it down and dilute the flavor, which is true if you are a slow drinker. Even Decanter's ‘Confessions of a Sommelier’ series stated that "putting ice cubes into white wine was often cited as the ‘most annoying customer habit’."

If you don't mind the way your wine tastes with ice cubes in it, by all means, put ice cubes in your wine! But if you're looking for another way to chill your wine and keep all the flavor, here are some alternatives:

• Chill your wine in advance. Put your wine in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving it to give it a chill.





• Freeze grapes to use instead of ice cubes to chill your wine.







• Use chilled metal wine stones.

• Wrap the wine bottle in a damp towel then place it in the freezer.







• Use a chilled wine bottle spout that cools the wine as you pour.