Featured Wines - August 2004

The 2002 Lake Sonoma Russian River Chardonnay reminds us of why the Russian River appellation is the most consistent producer of premium Chardonnay in California. This viticultural region turns out a plethora of Chardonnay wines that are just ripe for the picking, and this one is even a cut above. The 2002 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay sports a brilliant sunshine yellow robe, followed by the scent of tropical fruit, and a mere hint of spice and tropical...

"What legs! What a body! What a wine!" are just a few comments that emanated from the panel regarding Lake Sonoma's most recent Zinfandel release. Certainly, everyone sees life in a slightly different way, but the panel was unanimous in its endorsement of this stylish Zin. Make no mistake about it; the 2001 Lake Sonoma Dry Creek Zinfandel is one statuesque wine. Lots of glycerin, a heap of alcohol, and a ton of rich smooth flavors make for very m...

Whether you call it gooseberry, grapefruit, or fresh mown grass, the unmistakable herbal aromas that characterize the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are all alive and well in the 2003 Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Throw in a dollop of ripe melon and a couple of figs along with clean fresh fruit and the wine's herbal cachet and the flavor profile of this wine stands to greet you. On the finish, the Lawson's finishes dry, with a touch of c...

Smooth, sophisticated, and finely polished, the 2001 Casa Tamaya Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve is disarmingly charming for a young red wine. Imbued with power and structure as well as plenty of juicy fruit, this deeply colored blend offers a myriad of scents and savors. Merlot (54%) provides this Reserve offering's copious quantity of lush fruit as well as its comely, subtle earth tone. Meanwhile, Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Syrah (23%...