to Southern Cal, I passed through Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, but I spent all my cash up in Mendocino. Guess we’ll have to start saving again and take another trip!!

is called Shiraz,which has something to do with it’s supposed Persian origins. Besides straight Shiraz,Australia also is big on wine blends such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon etc.. There are many excellant Aussie...

whiner, you are absolutely correct. I looove spicy food, and reds just don’t pair well (although I love red wine). We always stop at Laetitia for a sparkling tasting on our way to Paso Robles, and belong to their sparkling...

alsatian wines are much higher acid then american zins. most of which are now pushing 16 and 17% alcohol. i spoke with a paso robles winemaker last week who has found yeasts that will still work at 20%. i agree about the tannins,...

. In fact, if you can only pick one zin, you can’t do better than the '04 RRV’s. DRY CREEK: Ditto, the 2004’s are incredible PASO ROBLES: 2002, 2003, and especially the 2004’s NAPA: 2002, 2003, 2004 Note these...

but in different parts of the country/world (sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, California, the Loire and South Africa) - wines made in the same region and the same style but from different grapes (syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot...

reprise lunch at Bistro Laurent in Paso Robles we fell on a seafood salad and a roast beef sandwich at Montecito Cafe. I’d only stopped at the bar in the evening once when I was staying there and hadn’t appreciated...

Melanie, Black Box now has a Paso Robles cabernet, too. IMHO, it far outshines their merlot. The best red I’ve had so far. The Le Cask Zin will appeal to those who like a big, jammy, and slightly sweet style of zin, but I...

Cotes de Beaune, Bourgogne France, 2006 11/42 Highfield, Pinot Noir, Marlborough New Zealand, 2005 17/65 Steele, Merlot, Lake County CA, 2002 11/40 Abando, Crianza, Rioja Spain, 2001 11/45 Bishop’s Peak, Paso Robles Cabernet...

(that’s the spelling he’s used historically) from Paso Robles, especially Shell Creek Vineyard, is delicious and drinkable young – the silkiness of structure and full-fruit shows that a Pinot-lover made them. I...

NO grape is for everyone. This is no less true of Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, than it is of Petite Sirah. Ridge Vineyards (Santa Cruz Mountains winery – Spring Mountain AVA grapes), Freemark Abbey Winery (Napa Valley...

. I’m thinking about adding some Syrah and Grenache since it grows so well here in Paso Robles. Have fun. It’s a great hobby! We have a “waiting list” of people who want to come help pick grapes and and...

I tend to get my hands on some wines that are pretty hard to come across but, just in case, a few of my favorites are: O’Brien Family (Napa) Chateau Christina (Monterey) Midnight Cellars (Paso Robles) Isenhower (Washington) Hall...

Pinot Noir: Casa de la Cruz – Sonoma Coast ($15) Zinfandel: Rosenblum Richard Sauret ($20) Syrah blend: Rosenblum Chateau La Paws ($10) Cabernet: Justin - Paso Robles ($18)

that makes an appearance in the finish. Drink it over the next six to nine months. $10 Falesco 2005 Vitiano Rosé (Umbria, Italy) 87 points. It’s a blend of merlot, sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, and a touch of aleatico. The...