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Before leaving for the States, John Holmes worked in the wine sector for about 10 years with his business, Classic Wines. John and his wife Heather moved to the USA early in the millennium and are currently based in Texas, where John works in the oil industry. He still finds time to indulge in his passion for wines, and in this special update report for wine-pages, gives his own, personal views on wines tasted on a wine tourism trip through the Napa Valley and Sonoma regions of California. Part II also includes his favourite wine finds and restaurants. |
a tale of two cities, part II
by John W N Holmes, 2011The Restaurants
Each evening we selected a local restaurant and marked them with as much enthusiasm as the wines. Our marks were based on food (35), ambience (20), wine list (20) and service (25). Celadon, Napa(Food 20 Ambience 15 Wine 15 Service 15) Total 65/100. Were kept waiting for a table for 30 minutes despite having a booking. Food was greasy and the steak tough. Avoid unless you are a Michelin tester in which case you get treated well. Scopa, Healdsburg
(Food 30 Ambience 15 Wine 15 Service 18) Total 78/100. Good food but it was far too crowded and the eating experience was spoiled. Zin Restaurant in Healdsburg
(Food 30 Ambience 18 Wine List 17 Service 20) Total 85/100. Cosy restaurant serving great food with some interesting pairings. Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg
(Food 30, ambience 10, wine list 18, service 15) Total 73/100. One of Charlie Palmers restaurants and a very popular location. The food scored highly as did the wine selection but the noise levels were too loud for reasonable conversation and the wine waiter was appalling with an astonishing mix of ignorance and arrogance. We won't be going back there again! Ravenous, Healdsburg
(Food 30 ambience 17 wine list 15 service 20) Total 82/100. Looks like it is a on old house but produces great food at reasonable prices Fume, Napa
(Food 30 Ambience 18 wine list 10 service 20) Total 77/100. Went there on off chance was really a pleasant surprise. Downtown Joe's, Healdsburg
(Food 18 Ambience 15 beer list 20 service 18) Total 71/100. Poor fast food but the attraction is good locally produced beers
Top 10 Red Wines
One wine per producer maximum in each top 10.
Top 10 White/Rose Wines
Top 10 Value Wines (>89 points)
List of wines tasted, prices, scores and notes
Adrian Fog Oppenlander 2007Price: $75, Score: 91 . Full bodied long finish Adrian Fog Oppenlander 2008
Price: $75, Score: 90 . Wonderful raspberry and flowery cranberries
Adrian Fog Numbers 2008
Price: $75, Score: 89 . Full fruit, mineral nose of cherries Antica Chardonnay 2009
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Pears apples mineral finish, tannic Antica Cabernet Napa Valley 206
Price: $55, Score: 88 . Tannic structure Antica Cabernet 2007
Price: $55, Score: 88 . Tannins too high for balance Battaglini Zinfandel Select 2005
Price: $50, Score: 89 . Full bodied zinfandel, lush tannins Battaglini Chardonnay oaked 2009
Price: $18, Score: 88 . Smoky pears and citrus Battaglini Zinfandel 2001
Price: $17, Score: 88 . Good nose, short finish Battaglini Proprietary Reserve 2007
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Chocolate and red fruit on nose, red currants on taste. Tannic though Battaglini Chardonnay 2009
Price: $18, Score: 87 . Pears and lemons Battaglini Zinfandel 2008
Price: $27, Score: 87 . Smoky palate, tannic Battaglini Rosato 2008
Price: $18, Score: 86 . Zinfandel and chardonnay, but why. Battaglini Petite Syrah 2006
Price: $35, Score: 86 . Rhubarb and chocolate Battaglini Chardonnay 2003
Price: $22, Score: 85 . Corked Battaglini Zinfandel 2010
Price: $27, Score: 85 . Red and rustic Bella Hillside Cuvee 2008
Price: $30, Score: 90 . Black fruit, acidic but opens up with air Bella duNah vineyard pinot 2008
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Mineral nose, smoky red fruit. Bella Maple vineyard 2009
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Flint plums, pepper, rounder finish Bella RRV Pinot Blend 2008
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Difficult nose, tannin structure Bella Belle canyon 2009
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Red berries but tannins destroys fruit Bella Big River Petite Syrah 2008
Price: $40, Score: 88 . Deep colour, liquorice nose still too young, keeper? Fruits concealed Bella Late picked Zinfandel 2009
Price: $25, Score: 88 . Desert wine with tannins! Ch. Montelena Zinfandel 2003
Price: $40, Score: 91 . Vanilla, berries, blackcurrants, coffee Ch. Montelena Chardonnay 2007
Price: $55, Score: 90 . Golden colour, melon, citrus. Ch. Montelena Cabernet sauvignon 2004
Price: $55, Score: 89 . Black currants, mineral balanced Ch. Montelena Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Price: $25, Score: 88 . Citrus oaky, and warm finish, floral Darioush Viognier 2008
Price: $39, Score: 90 . Peaches, smooth slight viscous finish Darioush Chardonnay 2008
Price: $43, Score: 89 . Citrus with ripe oak malolactic flavour Darioush Merlot 2007
Price: $46, Score: 89 . Reasonable merlot Plums and tannins Darioush Cabernet Franc 2008
Price: $58, Score: 88 . Red cherries, tannic redcurrants Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Price: $80, Score: 88 . Solid cab but too pricey Darioush Syrah Shiraz blend 2006
Price: $68, Score: 88 . Pepper nose, back fruit Dry Creek Foggy Oaks Chardonnay 2008
Price: $20, Score: 90 . Buttery melons, with Meyer lemon Dry Creek Beeson Ranch Zinfandel 2007
Price: $34, Score: 90 . Smoky plums, smooth black cherries Dry Creek Soleil late harvest 2005
Price: $25, Score: 90 . Sauvignon blanc, apricot, lemon balanced Dry Creek Chenin Blanc 2009
Price: $12, Score: 89 . Great nose, green apples and honey Dry Creek Musque 2008
Price: $25, Score: 89 . Sweeter Sauvignon blanc, orange undertones Dry Creek The Mariner 2006
Price: $40, Score: 89 . Bordeaux blend, black currants, short finish Dry Creek Endeavour cabernet 2005
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Redcurrants, chocolate, raisins. Short finish Dry Creek Late harvest zinfandel 2006
Price: $30, Score: 89 . Black currants, slight lemon undertone Dry Creek Malbec 2007
Price: $30, Score: 88 . Dark berries and rhubarb Dry Creek Spencer Hill Zinfandel 2007
Price: $34, Score: 88 . Lighter nose, red cherries, tannic structure higher Elizabeth Spencer Went Clone Chardonnay 2008
Price: $45, Score: 91 . Barrel fermented ml pear vanilla toast Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Price: $75, Score: 91 . Natural yeast, cedar wood and black fruit good structure Elizabeth Spencer Grenache 2007
Price: $30, Score: 89 . Peppercorn black cherries Elizabeth Spencer Chenin blanc 2009
Price: $25, Score: 89 . Peach pear drops, tangerine Elizabeth Spencer Petit Syrah 2007
Price: $45, Score: 88 . Earthy flavour tannins, plums deep colour Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet franc 2007
Price: $55, Score: 88 . Mineral flavour, tannins structured well Ferrari Carano El Dorado Noir 2009
Price: $30, Score: 92 . Rose petal, floral. Blueberries Ferrari Carano Emelias cuvee 2008
Price: $36, Score: 91 . Toasty vanilla, long finish. Malolactic with mellow oak Ferrari Carano Tresor Bordeaux 2007
Price: $58, Score: 91 . Blackcurrant, great taste, solid base for aging Ferrari Carano Back 40 2006
Price: $85, Score: 90 . Red berries, solid tannins, balanced will last long time Ferrari Carano Syrah 2007
Price: $36, Score: 89 . Great nose, good balance, solid fruit but short for a Syrah Fontanella Beckstoffer George III 2008
Price: $95, Score: 92 . Wonderful flavours and structure. Keeper Fontanella Zinfandel 2009
Price: $36, Score: 92 . Blackberries, Jammy, vanilla Fontanella Mt Veeder 2008
Price: $52, Score: 90 . Blackberries and cherries Fontanella Mt Veeder Chardonnay 2009
Price: $30, Score: 89 . Peach, pear ml fermented creamy finish Foppiano Russian River Pinot 2008
Price: $25, Score: 90 . Strawberries and mineral undertones Foppiano Petite Syrah 2003
Price: $45, Score: 90 . Herbal flavour Foppiano Chardonnay 2009
Price: $20, Score: 89 . Green apple oaky flavour, long finish minerality Foppiano Petite Syrah 2008
Price: $20, Score: 89 . Deep colour, blueberries chocolate, long finish Foppiano Lot 96 2008
Price: $15, Score: 87 . Lacks nose or taste short Foppiano Rose 2009
Price: $15, Score: 89 . Strawberry, light summer wine acidity balanced Forchini Pinot Noir 2007
Price: $32, Score: 91 . Great finish, long. Forchini Old Vine Zinfandel 2007
Price: $25, Score: 90 . Long finish, good nose, good balance. Berries Forchini Beau Sierra 2007
Price: $20, Score: 89 . Rich flavour, soft tannins Forchini Russian River Valley 2009
Price: $18, Score: 88 . Green apple, acidic. Minimal oak Forchini Tuscan Red 2008
Price: $19, Score: 88 . Dry Italian style, tannic. Forchini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Price: $32, Score: 88 . Tough nose, tannic Forchini Pinot Noir 2008
Price: $34, Score: 85 . Corked Freeman Keefer Ranch 2008
Price: $46, Score: 92 . Great fruit flavour, strawberries long finish Freeman Akikos Cuvee 2008
Price: $52, Score: 91 . Mineral Burgundy style, raspberry Freeman Ryo-fu 2008
Price: $40, Score: 90 . Pears, apples and ml flavours Freeman Russian River Valley 2008
Price: $41, Score: 90 . Full flavour, raspberry, well balanced Freeman Sonoma Coast 2008
Price: $41, Score: 89 . Raspberry, long finish Grgich Hills Cabernet 2005
Price: $70, Score: 89 . Deep Cherry and red fruit, tannins robust Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Price: $88, Score: 89 . Lighter nose rounded flavour, black cherries Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Price: $105, Score: 89 . Great nose long finish matured and ready Hall Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Price: $22, Score: 87 . Nose strange sulphur? Bitter tannic taste Hall Katherine Hall 2007
Price: $80, Score: 87 . Good nose but chewy tannins Hall Merlot 2006
Price: $28, Score: 85 . Ripe fruit nose, wow tannic overload Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Price: $44, Score: 85 . High tannins low fruit unbalanced Hanna Sauvignon blanc 2010
Price: $19, Score: 89 . Pear, lemon, grass and fresh citrus Hanna Bismark Cabernet 2004
Price: $52, Score: 89 . Cherry and sandalwood Hanna Bismark Syrah 2005
Price: $48, Score: 89 . Warm taste of plums, chocolate Hanna Russian River Chardonnay 2009
Price: $26, Score: 88 . Acidic, low fruit nose. Hanna Russian river pinot 2008
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Caramel, red cherry flavour, lacks depth Hanna Alexander valley merlot 2006
Price: $32, Score: 88 . Cherry nose, Hanna Alexander Valley Cabernet 2006
Price: $34, Score: 88 . Toasty blackcurrants lacks taste too tannic Hanna Bismark Titan 2007
Price: $58, Score: 88 . Closed and reluctant Hanna Bismark zinfandel 2006
Price: $52, Score: 88 . Spicy nose peppers and red fruit Hanna Two Ranch Red nv
Price: $27, Score: 86 . So mixed its poor Heath Dolan Balance 2007
Price: $24, Score: 88 . Blueberry, sharp Inman Thorn Ridge Ranch 2007
Price: $52, Score: 90 . Beautiful balance, delicate floral, cola, has a higher acid content Inman OGV 2007
Price: $56, Score: 92 . Strawberries, cola, citrus at end. Long finish. Smooth Inman Pinot Gris 2009
Price: $25, Score: 89 . Stony, citrus long finish Inman Chardonnay 2009
Price: $30, Score: 89 . Butter, melon, acidic Inman Chardonnay 2008
Price: $52, Score: 88 . Lemon, hint of vanilla Inman RRV 2007
Price: $30, Score: 88 . Closed nose slightly too acidic J Ratafia
Price: $42, Score: 92 . Nutty flavour, brandy kills nose honey J Sonoma Coast 2008
Price: $50, Score: 91 . Berry flavours, long finish J Nicoles vineyard 2007
Price: $50, Score: 90 . Great nose, Jammy taste, redcurrant. J Russian River Valley 2008
Price: $35, Score: 90 . Bacon fat nose, red fruit, long finish J 16 barrel Chardonnay 2009
Price: $40, Score: 89 . Apples, vanilla nose J 16 barrel Pinot Noir 2007
Price: $60, Score: 88 . Low nose, fuller finish Joseph Swan Stellwagen Zinfandel 2006
Price: $26, Score: 91 . Great fruit, long finish Joseph Swan Trenton Estate Syrah 2005
Price: $22, Score: 89 . Red currant, citrus finish Joseph Swan Viognier 2009
Price: $19, Score: 88 . Peach and tangerine, acidic finish Joseph Swan Chardonnay 2009
Price: $28, Score: 88 . Melon and tangerine Joseph Swan Trenton View Pinot Noir 2007
Price: $32, Score: 88 . Good nose flowery high tannins on taste Joseph Swan Mancini Ranch 2006
Price: $26, Score: 88 . Tight nose, high tannins Keefer Ranch Keefer Ranch 2008
Price: $42, Score: 92 . Toasted vanilla, delicate strawberry Littorai Savoy Vineyard 2007
Price: $60, Score: 90 . Floral, rhubarb, strawberries Littorai Thieriot vineyard 2007
Price: $70, Score: 90 . Black tea, orange, strange pinot mix but it works Littorai The Haven Vineyard 2006
Price: $75, Score: 90 . Blackberries, tannins all in balance Littorai Ch. Heintz Chardonnay 2008
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Light straw, lemon and apple. Tangerine. Littorai Les Larmes 2007
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Mineral nose, strawberry, good structure burgundy style Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Price: $42, Score: 91 . Only 3 per cent cab franc but really comes through, revisited after only 20 mins and had improve Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon blanc 2009
Price: $18, Score: 90 . Excellent value Long Meadow Ranch Ranch house Red 2007
Price: $24, Score: 89 . Good value red, still tannin structure Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet sauvignon 2005
Price: $42, Score: 89 . Slightly vegetal and tea with bell peppers tobacco Long Meadow Ranch EJ Church 2006
Price: $85, Score: 88 . Wooden undertones, mineral flavours Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet sauvignon 2004
Price: $49, Score: 89 . Berries and oak tannins cherry and black fruit Longboard point break red 2008
Price: $21, Score: 90 . Fruity, mellow tannins, prunes, blackcurrants Longboard Cabernet Rochiolli 2007
Price: $80, Score: 90 . Good structure, balanced. Blackcurrant Longboard Russian river 2008
Price: $33, Score: 89 . Red fruit, lighter style, smoky strawberries Longboard Dakine Syrah 2007
Price: $28, Score: 89 . Acidic, short on fruit Longboard Chardonnay 2008
Price: $28, Score: 88 . Low nose, acidic. Peachy style Longboard Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Price: $20, Score: 88 . Apples, yeast, grapefruit, citric Longboard Dakine Merlot 2008
Price: $27, Score: 88 . Flabby merlot, light on flavour Longboard Dakine Syrah 2006
Price: $45, Score: 88 . Good nose, short finish Longboard Maverick Syrah 2006
Price: $40, Score: 88 . Pepper nose, shot finish Longboard Redgrave cabernet 2006
Price: $50, Score: 88 . Red fruit and mineral taste MacPhail Vagon Rouge 2009
Price: $59, Score: 94 . Full bodied and robust MacPhail Homegirl 2009
Price: $29, Score: 94 . Great value wine MacPhail Ferrington 2009
Price: $49, Score: 94 . Floral nose, spice fruity MacPhail Gaps crown 2009
Price: $49, Score: 92 . Black tea and cherries MacPhail Toulouse 2009
Price: $45, Score: 92 . Full fruit, upfront. MacPhail Rose 2010
Price: $20, Score: 92 . Creamy round rosehip MacPhail Ray's hill 2009
Price: $49, Score: 91 . Strawberry balanced cherry undertones MacPhail Sonoma coast 2009
Price: $39, Score: 90 . Cherry flavour, young and fruity balanced Newton Unfiltered chardonnay 2007
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Butterscotch, hint of acidic orange and spice Newton Puzzle 2007
Price: $80, Score: 89 . Bordeaux blend, but omg those tannins structure is good Newton Filtered chardonnay 2009
Price: $25, Score: 88 . Oaky and commercial blend Newton Unfiltered 2007
Price: $60, Score: 88 . Low fruit on nose, tannins strong and too harsh Newton Unfiltered Merlot 2006
Price: $60, Score: 87 . Lack of nose, tannins overpower the fruit Quivira Zinfandel 2008
Price: $20, Score: 88 . Plums, pepper, high tannins Quivira Syrah 2007
Price: $28, Score: 88 . Good nose, let down by structure Quivira Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Price: $18, Score: 87 . Bitter undertones Quivira Flight Zinfandel 2008
Price: $38, Score: 87 . Floral nose, tannic not balanced Quivira Grenache 2008
Price: $26, Score: 88 . Quivra Mourvedre 2008
Price: $32, Score: 88 . Blackberry Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Price: $45, Score: 89 . Good nose, black currants good balance Ramey RRV Chardonnay 2008
Price: $38, Score: 91 . Smooth, apples and malolactic flavour Ramey Ritchie Vineyard 2007
Price: $70, Score: 91 . Toffee apples Ramey Sonoma Coast Syrah 2007
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Floral nose, white pepper. Ramey Claret 2007
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Excellent structure and good claret style Ramey Larkmead Cab. Sauvignon 2006
Price: $65, Score: 89 . Cedar smoky, vanilla on finish, long. Ramey Sonoma Chardonnay 2008
Price: $38, Score: 88 . Melon fruit, acidic long finish Ramey Napa Valley cabernet 2007
Price: $50, Score: 90 . Smoky black currants, nose is astringent Ramey Hyde Vineyard 2007
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Vanilla, moon and apples Ramey Annum Cab Sauvignon 2006
Price: $110, Score: 88 . Mellow nose, tannins overpower the fruit Ridge Montebello 2007
Price: $140, Score: 92 . Classic Bordeaux style, great balance keeper Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel 2008
Price: $30, Score: 90 . Jammy black tea red currants Ridge Santa Cruz chardonnay 2008
Price: $40, Score: 89 . Lighter lemon driven flavour Ridge Old school zinfandel 2007
Price: $35, Score: 89 . Sweet and dry at the same time Ridge Geyserville 2007
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Lively, jamming balanced Ridge Pagani Zinfandel 2008
Price: $35, Score: 89 . Red currant jam with White pepper Ridge Buchignani Carignane 2008
Price: $26, Score: 88 . Olive undertones, red berry Ridge York Creek Zinfandel 2008
Price: $30, Score: 88 . Light style Zin, too tannic Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2007
Price: $38, Score: 88 . Red fruit with slight tangerine undertones Ridge Old School Zinfandel 2007
Price: $40, Score: 88 . High tannic structure Ridge Syrah Grenache 2006
Price: $28, Score: 89 . Red damsons, long finish with earthy undertones Rodney Strong Estate pinot 2009
Price: $20, Score: 89 . Smoky, vegetal flavour smooth finish Rodney strong S Blanc Charlotte home 2009
Price: $14, Score: 88 . Light citrus fruit, acidic Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2009
Price: $14, Score: 88 . Buttery flavour melon, slight acidic Rodney Strong Malbec 2008
Price: $30, Score: 88 . Rubbery smell Rodney Strong Laden Edgar cabernet 2007
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Chocolate vanilla on nose, black currants Taste disappointing Rodney strong Symmetry 2007
Price: $55, Score: 88 . Tannic and not balanced, lacks fruit Rodney Strong Cabernet Brothers ridge 2007
Price: $75, Score: 88 . Chocolate nose, blackberry fruit Rodney Strong Estate Chardonnay 2008
Price: $35, Score: 87 . Butter, smooth finish reluctant nose Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Price: $50, Score: 92 . Balanced and young, dark cherries Round Pond Bovet Blanc 2009
Price: $38, Score: 89 . Pineapple and nectarines, creamy finish Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Berries with a hint of clove. Nice balance Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel 2008
Price: $36, Score: 90 . Peppery fruit nose and finish Seghesio Barberra 2009
Price: $28, Score: 89 . Sweet berries, long finish Seghesio San Lorenzo 2006
Price: $60, Score: 89 . Fruity, plums and pepper Seghesio Petite Syrah San Lorenzo 2007
Price: $45, Score: 89 . Lighter style Syrah, peppery nose Seghesio Costeira Pinot noir 2009
Price: $42, Score: 88 . Bright Pinot, bit non descriptive, Seghesio Aglianico 2005
Price: $38, Score: 88 . Earthy, red fruits Seghesio Dionigia 2005
Price: $40, Score: 85 . Port style, chocolate, strange nose of corn alcohol Truett Hurst Southdown zinfandel 2009
Price: $29, Score: 91 . Stonking Zin, great open taste, blackberry. Fruit forward Truett Hurst Burning Man Petite Syrah 2008
Price: $33, Score: 90 . Red currants, tannins, foodie wine Truett Hurst Boudreaux 2009
Price: $45, Score: 89 . Deep taste, black fruit Truett Hurst Dark Horse 2009
Price: $40, Score: 89 . Red fruit balanced, good structure slightly sweet Truett Hurst Red Rooster 2008
Price: $29, Score: 89 . Red fruit, raspberries Truett Hurst Rattler Rock 2009
Price: $29, Score: 89 . Raspberry, tannic Truett Hurst Ivywood 2009
Price: $45, Score: 88 . Good fruit, tannins harsh Vine cliff 16 Rows Cab Sauvignon 2007
Price: $150, Score: 92 . Initially chocolate on nose, tannins are higher than expected but balanced. Long keeper 10 years plus Vine cliff Prophetess reserve 2008
Price: $60, Score: 91 . Vanilla and sweet tropical fruit. Creamy balanced, classic style, long finish with tangerine Vine cliff Oakville Est. Cab Sauvignon 2008
Price: $75, Score: 91 . Blackberries, good nose. Long finish. Structured and balanced Vine Cliff Chardonnay 2007
Price: $39, Score: 88 . Very malolactic, yeasty. Viscous and toasty WH Smith Maritime Selection 2008
Price: $75, Score: 91 . Deep Cherry flavour, long finish strawberry WH Smith Piedra Bronze 2006
Price: $42, Score: 91 . Wonderful structure. Deep fruit flavours WH Smith Naked Pinot 2009
Price: $24, Score: 89 . Light strawberry, tannic WH Smith Sonoma coast 2008
Price: $30, Score: 89 . Strawberry long finish balanced WH Smith Marimar 2008
Price: $48, Score: 89 . French style, short finish WH Smith Little Billy 2009
Price: $22, Score: 88 . Strawberries but weaker flavour Wilson Molly Petite Syrah 2007
Price: $38, Score: 91 . Red currants, open nose, good balance. Wilson Carls vineyard, zinfandel 2008
Price: $32, Score: 91 . Chocolate, smooth red fruit Wilson Dry Creek Zinfandel 2008
Price: $26, Score: 89 . Toasted almonds, red fruit Wilson Sawyer 2008
Price: $45, Score: 89 . Blackcurrant, full flavour, Wilson Ellies Vineyard 2007
Price: $35, Score: 88 . Too tannic, unbalanced Wilson Mollys Zinfandel 2008
Price: $32, Score: 88 . Smooth but lacks depth Wilson Tori Vineyard Zinfandel 2008
Price: $32, Score: 87 . Low fruit on nose, tannic
| go to Part I: Visiting the wineries of Napa and Sonoma |
