Posts belonging to Category Sonoma

The Sins of Wine and Truth in Tasting was never more apparent than recently when we pulled the corks on two big tickets and a super cheapie. Fall cellar purging is in full force as Dotoré realizes he is in danger of ending up in Wine Hell for his many sins. Here is the down low. (more…)

Desert Kings

Somebody else is always getting married in Las Vegas. As good a reason as any to visit this forsaken cultural desert in a desert. There used to be two primary distractions in Vegas: gambling, aka gaming, and S-E-X. From a distance we observed that both industries are still alive and thriving. We could have used more distance at the poker table where we learned our game is more rusty than the Minnow on Gilligans Island. In fact, I channeled the doofus deck hand for hours as sharper minds ran roughshod over my pathetic attempts at winning hands. No matter. Once Internet poker is legal again I will be able to play at a table with similarly unskilled altacockers. (more…)

There it was. The Williams Selyem 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir; three bottles for $150. I’m not saying this was the same as walking up to a Vegas casino and having Willie Mays or Joe Louis greet you. But…not far from it either. More like walking over to the jewelry counter at Target and wondering how the Tiffany earrings ended up there at half off. In case you did not get the significance of having Williams Selyem wine offered on the cheap there was a TIP: “California’s first cult Pinot Noir producer, WS is one of the most awarded PN producer in CA history.” The offer was only available to the first 150 “members” of Lot 18; an invitation only discount wine website. The development of discount wine websites is a topic in itself. Consider the fine differences between WinesTilSoldOut and Lot 18. (more…)

The weather has been fussier than a sommelier looking at a bottle of Two Buck Chuck a customer brought in. 90 degrees this week; 60 the next. Perfect Spring weather in the mid-70s last week then drizzling today. Late Spring should be when you put together Ros√©s and bright acidic fun White wines for the long hot summer haul just around the corner. But no. Make the most of every day. This is the perfect time to clear out the wine reviews that have not been transferred to the blogosphere. The odd lot wines for an odd lot late Spring include some pink wines from late last summer to get us all in the mood. (more…)