wine

Notes on wine I’ve tried. means I liked it, means it was just ok, means I didn’t like it. Also see beer, chocolate, and other lists.

Naturally, this isn’t comprehensive – I’ve tried wines that aren’t listed here - and it’s biased toward my taste. I tend to drink big, sharp, spicy reds.

To try:

Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Franc 2004

Dutton-Goldfield (Sonoma, California)
Van der Kamp

Martin Ray (Sonoma, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Bryn Mawr (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Pinot Noir Barrel Select 2007

David Bruce (Los Gatos, California)
Petite Sirah 2006

L’Hiver (Mendocino, California)
Copain Syrah 2006

Château St. Jean (Sonoma, California)
Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

Henri Boillot (Burgundy, France)
Chassagne Montrachet Baudines 2004

Bodega Catena Zapata/Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Mendoza, Argentina)
Caro Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec blend

Château Lagrazette (Cahors, France)
various

Unti (Sonoma, California)
Barbera

Domaine Giraud (Rhône, France)
“Les Gallimardes” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000

Tried:

Viña Sastre (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
Tempranillo 2007

Clefs Des Murailles (Rhône, France)
Vacqueyras 2007 (blend)

Bodega Hinojosa (Mendoza, Argentina)
Tempranillo 2007

Renwood (Sierra Foothills, California)
Old Vines Zinfandel 2005

Il Trullo (Puglia, Italy)
Primitivo 2008

Mount Eden (Saratoga, California)
Saratoga Pinot Noir 2007

Miner (Napa, California)
Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Tolosa (San Luis Obispo, California)
Edna Ranch Pinot 2007

Verasol (Navarra, Spain)
Tempranillo 2008

Puppeteer (Ramco, Murray Valley, South Australia)
Shiraz

Montes (Colchagua, Chile)
Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Central Coast (Santa Barbara, California)
Emergence Red 2009 (syrah blend)

Dutton-Goldfield (Sonoma, California)
Rued Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 , Stoetz Vineyard Zinfandel 2008 , Morelli Lane Zinfandel 2008 , Cherry Ridge Syrah 2007 , Pinot Noir: Freestone Hill 2007 , Sanchietti Vineyard 2006 , Devil’s Gulch 2008 , Dutton Ranch 2007

Château St. Jean (Sonoma, California)
Sonoma Pinot Noir 2008 , Benoist Syrah 2006 , Lyon Vineyard Fumé Blanc 2008 , Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay 2006 , Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 , Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2004 , Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Gloria Ferrer (Sonoma, California)
Pinot Noir: Rust Rock 2005 , Gravel Knob 2005 , José S. Ferrer 2005 , Carneros 2006

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe (Rhône, France)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006

Trio Infernal (Catalunya, Spain)
Priorat 2005 No. 1/3

Marchese Di Petri (Chianti, Italy)
Il Valore Sangiovese 2008

Coastview (Salinas, California)
Syrah 2007

Alta Maria (Santa Barbara, California)
Pinot Noir 2008

Tavijin (Piedmont, Italy)
Ruché di Castagnole 2008

Tres Sabores (Napa, California)
Porque no? 2007 (Zinfandel)

Panilonco (Colchagua, Chile)
Merlot Malbec 2009

Red Rock (Sonoma, California)
Merlot

Ravenswood (Sonoma, California)
Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 , Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Moon Mountain (Sonoma, California)
Estate Grown Cabernet Blend 2005

Francis Ford Coppola
Black Label Claret 2007

Viansa (Sonoma, California)
Freisa 2005

Copper Ridge/Gallo (Napa, California)
Merlot

Elliston (Sunol, California)
Cabernet Franc 1999

Domaine de Montrieux (Loire Valley, France)
Verre des Poetes (Pineau D’Aunis) 2004

Terre d’Or (Burgundy, France)
Syrah/Merlot blend 2008

Handley (Mendocino, CA)
Mendocino County Pinot Noir 2007

Terra Valentine (Napa, California)
Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

A Donkey And Goat (Berkeley, California)
El Dorado Syrah 2008

Ortman (San Luis Obispo, California)
Sangiovese 2007

Canard Sauvage (Sonoma, California)
Petite Sirah 2008

Flowers (Sonoma, California)
Pinot Noir 2006

Suacci Carciere (Santa Rosa, California)
Pinot Noir 2006 , 2007

Benjamin Silver (Santa Barbara, California)
Pinot 2005 , Cabernet Franc 2000 , Mourvredre Syrah 2001 , Syrah 2007

Merriam (Sonoma, California)
Jones Cabernet Franc 2006

Grassi (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Darms Lane (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 , 2006

Turnbull (Napa, California)
Toroso 2007 , Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Tin Barn (Napa/Sonoma, California)
Pinot 2006 , Zinfandel 2007

Thomas George (Sonoma, California)
Estate Pinot Noir 2007 , Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

A. Rafanelli (Napa, California)
Dry Creek Zinfandel 2005

Zenaida Cellars (Paso Robles, California)
Zinfandel 2006

Shiloh Road (Paso Robles, California)
Syrah 2006

Les Vignobles Mayard (Rhône, France)
La Crau de Ma Mére Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2004

Baileyana (San Luis Obispo, California)
Grand Firepeak Cuvée Syrah 2006

Viña Requingua (Curico Valley, Chile)
Puerto Viejo Carmenère 2007

Natalie’s Estate (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Hillside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Brazin (Lodi, California)
(B)Old Vine Zinfandel 2007

Adler Fels (Napa, California)
Douglas Oak Syrah 2007

Slow Paseo Red 2007

Simi (Sonoma, California)
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005 , Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2007 , Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2007 , Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005

Keller Estate (Sonoma, California)
La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005

Kenwood (Sonoma, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Methven (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Reserve Pinot Noir 2005

Straccali (Tuscany, Italy)
Chianti 2007

Ecco Domani (Napa, California)
Pinot Grigio 2008

Duckhorn (Napa, California)
Decoy 2006

Three Thieves (Napa, California)
The Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

MacMurray Ranch (Sonoma, California)
Pinot Noir 2007

Colli di Lapio (Campania, Italy)
Irpinia Campi Taurasini “Donna Chiara” Aglianico 2007

Pietra Santa (Monterey, California)
Sangiovese 2006 , Zinfandel 2007 , Sassolino 2006

Chock Rock (Monterey, California)
Chardonnay 2008 , Pinot Noir 2007 , Syrah 2006

Otter Cove (Monterey, California)
Oh Balo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006

Domaine Mosse (Loire Valley, France)
Anjou Rouge 2007 (Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend)

Valli Unite (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera 2008

La Clarine (Sierra, California)
Syrah 2008

Domaine de Moutrieux (Loire Valley, France)
Pineau d’Aunis 2007

Kastania (Sonoma, California)
Proprietor’s Blend 2006

Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2007

Saintsbury (Napa, California)
Carneros Pinot Noir 2007 , Garnet Pinot Noir 2008 , Brown Ranch Pinot Noir 2007

Acorn (Sonoma, California)
Heritage Vines Zinfandel 2006, 2007

Barnard Griffin (Richland, Washington)
Zinfandel 2006

Brown Estate (Napa, California)
Zinfandel 2008 , Chaos Theory 2008 , Arrested 2006

Clos LaChance (Santa Cruz, California)
Estate Zinfandel 2007

Dancing Lady (Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California)
Old Vines Zinfandel 2007

DeLoach (Sonoma, California)
Forgotten Zinfandel 2007 , OFS Zinfandel 2007 , Russian River Zinfandel 2008

Downing (Napa, California)
Zinfandel 2006, 2007

Dry Creek (Sonoma, California)
Old Vines Zinfandel 2006

Easton (Sierra, California)
Estate Zinfandel 2006

Folie A Deux (Napa, California)
Amador Zinfandel 2007 ?

Ledson (Sonoma, California)
Napa Valley Zinfandel 2006 , Russian River Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 , Estate Zinfandel 2006

Novy (Sonoma, California)
Unnamed Zinfandel , 2008

Ottimino (Russian River, Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel 2006

Outpost (Napa, California)
Zinfandel 2008

Papapietro Perry (Sonoma, California)
Dry Creek Zinfandel 2007 , Russian River Zinfandel 2006 , Timbercrest Zinfandel 2007

Rombauer (Napa, California)
Napa Valley Zinfandel , Fiddletown Zinfandel 2007

Sausal (Sonoma, California)
Century Vines Zinfandel 2007 , Private Reserve Zinfandel 2007 , Family Zinfandel 2007

St. Amant (Lodi, California)
Mohr-Fry Zinfandel 2008 , Marian Zinfandel 2008

Storybook Mountain (Napa, California)
Mayacamas Zinfandel 2007

Truchard (Napa, California)
Zinfandel 2002 , 2007 , Pinot 2007 , Petite Verdot 2006

T-Vine (Napa, California)
Brown Zinfandel 2006

Venge (Napa, California)
Scouts Honor Zinfandel 2007

XYZin (Sonoma, California)
Agnes Zinfandel

Sebastiani (Sonoma, California)
Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Cave de Ribeauvillé (Alsace, France)
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Gloeckelberg 2005

Château Haut-Montplaisir (Cahors, France)
Cahors 2005

Domaine Combier (St. Veran, France)
St. Veran 2004

Lolonis (Redwood Valley, Mendocino, California)
Redwood Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Cascina ‘Tavjin (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera 2007

Tandem (Sonoma, California)
Pinot Noir (not sure which vineyard) 2007

Rutz (Sonoma, California)
French Cuvée Pinot Noir 2005

Laura Zahtila (Napa, California)
Dry Creek Zinfandel 2005

Bodegas Navarro Lopez (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
Tempranillo 2002

Siesta Padrios 2008

Vignobles de Coninck (Fronsac, Bordeaux, France)
Château Junayme 2004

Bodega Catena Zapata/Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Mendoza, Argentina)
Padrillos Malbec

Viñedos y Bodegas Pablo (Cariñena, Spain)
Menguante Garnacha 2007

Domaine du Grand Montmirail (Rhône, France)
Vacqueyras (Grenache blend) 2007

Gregory Graham (Red Hills, Lake County, CA) Grenache 2006 , Zinfandel 2006

Mondavi Private Selection (California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Rainier Ridge (Columbia Valley, Washington State)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Ernst and Co. (Cape Town, South Africa)
Pinotage 2007

Lambert Bridge (Sonoma, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Thomas Kruse (Gilroy, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Penfolds (South Australia)
Koonunga Hills Shiraz 2006

Vinosia (Puglia, Italy)
Salento Primitivo 2007

Bogle (Central Valley, California)
Old Vine Zinfandel 2006

Camelot (by Kendall Jackson; Sonoma, California)
Merlot 2006

Quail Oak
Cabernet Sauvignon

WineStyles Rare Red (unknown)

La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux (Grenache blend)

Jus Soli Madder Lake Zinfandel 2006

Freeman (Sonoma, California)
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006

Cascina Val del Prete (Roero, Italy)
“Serra de Gatti” Barbera 2007

Jacuzzi (Sonoma, California)
Barbera 2004 , Barbera 2007 , Rosso Di Sette Fratelli 2007 , Primitivo 2006

Antonio Caggiano (Campania, Italy)
“Tari” Aglianico Dell’Irpinia 2006

Sterling (Napa, California)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Del Dotto Cave Blend 2006 , Cinghiale Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 , Lot B2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 , Lot RB Missouri 36 Month Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 , Cabernet Franc 2008 , Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 , Napa Valley Merlot 2007 , St. Helena Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (french oak), (missouri oak), Sangiovese 2007

Cline (Sonoma, California)
Cashmere 2007 , Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2008 , Bridgehead Zinfandel 2007 , Cashmere 2008 , Ancient Vines Mourvèdre 2008 , Big Break Zinfandel 2007 , Oakley Five 2008 , Los Carneros Syrah 2006 , Sonoma Zinfandel 2007 , Late Harvest Mourvèdre 2006 , Heritage Zinfandel 2007 2008 , Cool Climate Syrah 2007 , Big Break Zinfandel 2008 , Carneros Syrah 2007

Bodega Norton (Mendoza, Argentina)
Reserva Malbec 2005

Rabbit Ridge (Paso Robles)
Zinfandel 2007 , Allure de Robles

Murphy Goode (Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel 2007

Dashe Cellars (Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel 2007 , Florence Vineyard Zinfandel 2007 , Todd Brothers Ranch Zinfandel 2007 , Louvau Vineyard Zinfandel 2006

Bokisch (Lodi, California)
Garnacha 2007

Justin (Pasa Robles, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 , The Orphan 2006, 2007 , Malbec 2007 , Savant 2007 , Isosceles 2006

Joel Gott (Napa, California)
Zinfandel 2007 , License Zinfandel 2005 , Dillan Ranch Zinfandel 2007

Artesa (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

La Filice (Paso Robles, California)
Convivio (Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend) 2004

Raymond (Napa, California)
Merlot 2005

Bodegas Enosur (Mendoza, Argentina)
Tierra Prometida Malbec 2006

Domaine Grand Milord (France)
Agriculture Biologique (Chardonnay) 2007

Mas de Aveylans (Languedoc, France)
Syrah 2007

Château La Clotte-Fontane (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
Mouton Lu Clotte 2008 , Mathierou 2008 , Bathilde 2008 , Cremailh 2008 , Louise 2008

Le Cloitre du Chateau Prieure Lichine (Bordeaux, France)
Margaux 2006

Château Larose Lescarjean (Bordeaux, France)
Haut-Médoc 2007

Premieres Cote de Blaye (Bordeaux, France)
Bordeaux 2008

Domaine Jean Michel Gerin (Rhône, France)
Saint Joseph 2007

Mas Julien (Languedoc, France)
“Les Etats de Ames” 2007

Leroy (Burgundy, France)
Saint-Aubin 1993

Catherine & Pierre Breton (Alsace, France)
Borgueil 2006 , “Les Galichets” Bourgueil

Saint Clementin (Rhône, France)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007

Chateau Morel Cabades (France)
??? 2007

Comte d’Agushaim (Alsace, France)
Pinot Noir 2003

Bodegas Bretón (Rioja, Spain)
Loriñon Crianza (Rioja) 2005

Parés Baltà (Penedès, Spain)
Marta de Baltà (Rioja) 2006

Bodegas Palacios Remondo (Rioja, Spain)
La Vendimia 2006

Trouce Douce (France)
Bordeaux 2007

Millésime (Rhône, France)
Cote du Rhône 2007

St. Innocent (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Pinot Noir 1996 , Anden Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 , Pinot Blanc 2008 , Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007

Rosenblum Cellars (Lake County, CA)
Snows Lake Vineyard Zinfandel 2005 , Rockpile Road Zinfandel 2007 , Maggies Reserve Zinfandel 2007

Terrazas (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec 2007

Alejandro Fernandez Dehesa La Granja (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
Cosecha 2002 (Tempranillo)

Domaine de Givaudan (Rhône, France)
Cuvée Lea Côtes du Rhône 2007

Bodegas Venus “La Universal” (Montsant, Spain)
Dido La Universal 2005 (Cariñena/Syrah)

Planeta (Sicily, Italy)
La Segreta Nero d’Avolo 2007

Ridge (Napa, California)
Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2006 , Three Valleys Zinfandel 2007 , Lytton Springs Syrah 2005 , East Bench Zinfandel 2008 , Ponzo Zinfandel 2008 , Buchanan Zinfandel 2008 , Del Carlo Zinfandel 2003 , Dry Creek Valley Lytton Station Zinfandel 2007 ,

White Crane (Livermore, California)
Zinfandel Reserve 2006, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Jada (Pasa Robles, California)
Jack of Hearts (Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot/Merlot)

Hopper Creek (Napa, California)
Clos Valmi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Martellotto (Central coast, California)
Agent for Change Zinfandel 2006

C.G. Di Arie (Central California)
Southern Exposure Zinfandel 2006 , Primitivo 2006

Unti (Dry Creek, Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel 2006

La Madera (St. Chinian, France)
Nebbiolo Morassino-Langhe 2004

Mayr Nusserhof (Bolzano, Italy)
“Tyroldego” Alto Adige 2006

Breton (Loire, France)
Les Galichets Bourgueil 2007

Viña Los Vascos (Colchagua, Chile)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Vendange (California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Barefoot (California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Cavit (Florida)
Pinot Noir

Woodbridge (Lodi, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon , Pinot Noir

Little Boomey (Australia)
Merlot

Bodegas Borsao (Zaragoza, Spain)
Reserva Selección 2006

Toro d’Oro (Curico Valley, Chile)
Carmenère

Valle dell’Asso (Puglia, Italy)
Galatina Negramaro DOC 2006 (Negroamaro/Montepulciano blend)

Laurel Glen (Sonoma, California; Mendoza, Argentina)
Terra Rosa Malbec 2006

Chateau Montelena (Napa, California)
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon , Estate Zinfandel , Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Hanna (Sonoma, California)
Bismark Zinfandel 2005 , Bismark Zinfandel 2006

Fritz (Sonoma, California)
Saralee’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 , Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir 2006 , Widdoes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 , Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 , Estate Reserve Zinfandel Dry Creek 2007 , 2008 , Reserve Pinot Noir 2006

Balletto (Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel 2004 , Pinot Gris 2008 , Chardonnay 2006 , Pinot Noir 2008 , Zinfandel 2006 , Gewürztraminer 2007 , Winery Block Pinot Noir 2007

Robert Klingenfus (Alsace, France)
Cuvée Elodie Pinot Noir 2007

De Forville (Piedmont, Italy)
Nebiollo 2007

Château Peyros (France)
Tannat

Sfida (Puglia, Italy)
Puglia Rosso (Primitivo/Negroamaro blend) 2007

Altos de Duratón (Spain)
Tempranillo Castilla y León (blend)

Ricardos Santos (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec 2006

Tierra Salvaje (Spain)
Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon

Doña Paula (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec 2005

Mas de Boislauzon (Rhône, France)
Cuvee du Quet Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006

Turley (Napa, California)
Old Vines Zinfandel 2007 , Juvenile Zinfandel 2007

Clos Saron (Sierra Foothills, California)
Cuvée Mystérieuse (Syrah Merlot blend) 2004

Colores del Sol (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec

Bridesmaid (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Conn Creek (Napa, California)
Anthology 2006 , Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Franciscan (Napa, California)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, 2006 , Magnificat 2005

Quintessa (Napa, California)
2005 , 2004 , 2003

Elyse (Napa, California)
Korte Ranch Zinfandel , Howell Mountain Zinfandel , AKA Zinfandel , Morisoli Zinfandel

Clos du Val (Napa, California)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 , Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Goosecross (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 , Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, , Syrah 2005 , Merlot 2006 , Cabernet 2007 , Syrah 2007

Mount St. Helena (Napa, California)
Heritage Sites 2005

Elements (Australia)
Shiraz Cabernet 1998

Agostino Pavia e Figli (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera d’Asti

Cavalloto (Piedmont, Italy)
Dolcetto d’Alba “Vigneto Scot”

Cellar No. 8 (Sonoma, California)
Zinfandel , Cabernet Sauvignon ,

Roar (Paso Robles, California)
Pinot Noir

Martella (various, California)
Syrah

Clos Solene (Paso Robles, California)
“Essence de Roussanne”

Ladera (Napa, California)
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Domaine du Bel Air (Bourgueil, France)
Bourgueil

Clearwater Creek (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Choiunard (Livermore, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon , Alicante Bouchet

Pascual Toso (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec

Mil Piedras (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec

Heller (Carmel Valley, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Cannonball (Healdsburg, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon

Susana Balbo (Mendoza, Argentina)
Crios Malbec

Travieso (Santa Barbara, California)
“El Chupacabras” Cote du Rhone

Acacia (Carneros, Napa, California)
Pinot Noir 2005 , Pinot Noir 2008

Cakebread (Rutherford, Napa, California)
Chardonnay , Cabernet Sauvignon

V. Sattui (Napa, California)
Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Brut

Altocedro (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec

Casa Vinicola Michele Alois (Campania, Italy)
Taurasi Campole Aglianico

Bodega Monte la Reina (Castilla y León, Spain)
Castillo de Monte la Reina Tempranillo

Achával Ferrer (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec

Layer Cake (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec