Enobytes Wine Blog

I’m guilty of reminiscing. I admit it. But I think anyone that has tasted wine for a few decades is as guilty as I for recollecting greatness. We all have those memories where certain decades, regions or producers simply blow our minds. Maybe it’s simply a green drinker finally grasping greatness in a glass. I don’t know. Whatever it is, some memories seem to stick more than others and for me, Arrowood is one of those producers that captured my heart back in the 90’s.

Back then, I used to work as a sommelier and I’d get excited every time my wine distributors showed up to pour me the latest Arrowood lineup. Pockets of greatness such as the ’93, ’94, ’96, ‘97 Arrowood Chardonnay Sonoma County Cuvée Michel Berthoud Réserve Spéciale were out of this world. ’94, ’95, ‘97 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County Réserve Spéciale were equally spectacular as were the ’94, and ’97 Arrowood Syrah Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard and the ’97 Arrowood Viognier Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard.

I left the restaurant business back in the late 90’s and haven’t had the pleasure of tasting every vintage like I used to.  Sure, I pick up a bottle here and there, maybe consume it immediately, or squirrel it away for a celebration or rainy day, but it’s not like the good old days where I got to try his full lineup upon release. I miss those days.

Here it is, more than a decade later, and I receive news that Read the rest of this entry »

I am envious of those attending the first annual Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC) in Sonoma County, CA on October 24-26. Marc and I planned on attending, but due to other commitments, we are not able to make it this year.

For those of you who are heading to the conference, I strongly recommend signing up for the Kick Ranch Vineyard Luncheon, which will kick off (no pun intended!) the event on Friday, October 24. Kick Ranch vineyard was planted and is owned by Dick Keenan and Kathleen McNamara. It’s a location in Sonoma’s Rincon Valley near the western side of the northern flank of Spring Mountain, a location that

separates Sonoma and Napa Counties. Historical documents show that this location began producing grapes in the 1870’s later to be abandoned during Read the rest of this entry »

While we were down in California a few weeks back for a wedding, we took advantage of all that Sonoma wine country has to offer – great wines, great beer, great restaurants, beautiful wineries and graceful hospitality. In the process, we saw old friends, visited new favorites, made some new friends and came home to some old favorites. In the next four posts, we will write about our experiences and hope they might either directly or indirectly effect your wine experiences.

Photo credit: Gayot.com

Bistro Ralph’s in Healdsburg, located on the square, has been there for more than a decade now and continues a blistering pace, never looking back and always maintaining their game like the consummate professionals Ralph Tingles team is. Team Ralph has the pleasure of serving some of the most discerning gourmands and enophiles from around the world. They descend into Bistro Ralph’s dining room daily leaving

satisfied and impressed. Not only does Team Ralph accomplish this among the well traveled he also has to accomplish this standard with his locals who just happen to be the most revered and respected vintners of Sonoma and Napa. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week we were down in Northern California for a wedding (Congratulations again, Rob) and as always, we were checking out a few retail wines at a local grocery store. I was amazed at the selection of well-known labels producing Chardonnay at prices we do not see here in Oregon. We loaded up and here is a comparison I thought might be appropriate this time of year.

First up is the Estancia Pinnacles Ranch 2006 Monterey County Chardonnay. This wine is crisp and refreshing and a style of Chardonnay that almost everyone will appreciate. Although the spec sheet states that the wine has been aged in French and American Oak and 60% of the blend underwent malolactic fermentation, neither the aromas nor the flavors reflect those techniques. I found the wine interesting and certainly capable of filling many culinary pairings. It was crisp and a bit austere still appealing but not exhibiting any signs of oak aging or malolactic fermentation. Read the rest of this entry »