Olson Ogden Pinot Noir 2007, Sonoma Coast

A well-balanced medium-bodied Pinot Noir showing mixed red fruit, sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb, sage, a bit of raisin, with dusty tannins and a long finish. This is a very good catch-all match for al but the heaviest foods.

Olson Ogden Syrah 2007

A smoky, full-bodied wine leading with dusty red fruit, followed by tar and tannins that still seem rather tight. This is sure to benefit from time in the cellar or a well-marbled steak.

2005 BearBoat Pinot Noir

The palate opens with a tsunami of unsweetened red fruit, cranberries and wild strawberries and cherries, along with some marjoram and sage. Some cocoa and black tea appear on the mid-palate. Tannins are firm and acids sharp at first, but after an hour or two of air, it smooths out into a well integrated wine. [...]

2006 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir

The flavors are typical of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, not over-ripe or over-oaked, but with plenty of red fruit, barely ripe strawberries and cherry stones, and black tea. What really makes it stand out, though, is the velvety mouth feel and lingering finish. It is a delightful experience for the mouth, with food [...]

This Crush For Rent: Options for Aspiring Winemakers

Since before Prohibition and certainly during, wine drinkers have made their own wine. We look at two custom crush facilities that provide the fruit-to-bottle experience without the heavy investment in costly equipment.

Wine Tourism Goes Local!

California wineries have thrown open their doors this harvest season. Make that wide open. Wineries are getting creative. They are offering new attractions such as wine education, a behind-the-scenes access to the winemaking process and the kind of TLC normally reserved for relatives and rock stars.