by Stan Hock
May 16, 2008

Amador's production of robust, intensely flavored red wines also reflects its high percentage of old vines, including several vineyards dating to the 19th century. These deeply rooted, head-trained vines are responsible for the intense, concentrated Zinfandels for which Amador County is renowned. But now Syrah and the entire range of Rhone varietals are giving Zins are run for their money, er...acreage.

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by Alan Goldfarb
May 27, 2008

If there was any concept that could be concluded from our tasting of Napa Valley wines it was this: There’s a quiet evolution taking place in the Napa Valley. Some producers have taken up the cudgel of terroir-driven wines.The wines are beginning to be ratcheted back through various means both in the cellar and in the vineyard; and equilibrium is returning, especially to the Cabernet Sauvignons that made the appellation so famous in the first place.

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by Anne Sampson
June 3, 2008

The building at Terra Blanca grabs a lot of attention, but the real story is in the vineyards. The Pilgrims in 1993 began planting 40 acres to a wide variety of grapes, with a heavy emphasis on research. "We have 60 different varieties or clones planted here that aren’t planted anywhere else in the state." Red Mountain’s diversity was one of its biggest attractions for Pilgrim.

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