Bigger Than Your Head, August 9, 2023 If any two people in the California wine industry could be called a power couple, that epithet could go to Bibiana Gonzalez Rave and her husband Jeff Pisoni. Bibiana — let’s use first names — is owner and winemaker of Cattleya Wines, a producer of chardonnay and Pinot… Read more »
10 years ago, Bibiana and Jeff set out to create something together. This would be a wine label dedicated to exceptional and age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc. The goal from the outset was to gain inspiration from two famed regions in France that produce noteworthy styles of this wine: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley (home to Sancerre… Read more »
The continued surge of terrific Sauvignon Blancs from California has cemented the wine’s reputation as one of the most consistent and affordable whites in the state. What’s even more exciting for fans of this complex, fragrant and refreshing variety is how many different expressions there are. The examples I have reviewed over the past year… Read more »
Tasting Sonoma Wines: Bolder and Brighter, with a Unique Coastal Kick In this report we mainly focus on the 2018 and 2019 vintages, which are both fantastic years but for different reasons…2019 was generally cooler, resulting in more elegant and restrained wines with real charm. —Nathan Slone, Associate Editor Image: jamessuckling.com 2019 Les leçons des… Read more »
August 2021 Issue We have long held that Sauvignon Blanc does not get the full respect that it deserves, and those produced by wineries such as Grieve Family, Merry Edwards, Lail and Shared Notes… are guaranteed to bring a change of heart to those who question its status as a truly important variety. —Stephen M…. Read more »
Sonoma: Looking at the 2019s In a nutshell, 2019 is another strong vintage that fits nicely alongside the trilogy of 2016, 2017, and 2018 in terms of quality. I think 2018 is the best of these recent vintages, yet 2019 is certainly not far behind, and as I hope these reviews show, the vintage is… Read more »
Summer is the good life: long days of light, slow evenings, time spent outside. In this bright season, we spend mornings and evenings in the open air, talking and eating with friends and family al fresco. purchase wine We invite you to celebrate these days with us, from morning til night. Shared Notes is just… Read more »
February 2021 We published nearly 1,600 wine ratings in February 2021, and covered a large range of regions, from Barolo to Bordeaux, Argentina to Australia, South Africa to Napa Valley. There were some fascinating highlights… —James Durston 2019 Les lecons des maîtres – 94 points Subtle aromas of green mango, green apple, stone, jasmine and… Read more »
August 2020 Issue We were mightily impressed by the 2017 Shared Notes offerings at this time last year, and the two from 2018 only reinforce our belief that the winery ranks with the finest producers of distinctive Sauvignon Blancs around. —Stephen M. Eliot 2018 Les pierres qui décident – 94 points While both are stunning,… Read more »
purchase wine Jeff Pisoni and Bibiana González Rave may be absorbed in their respective winemaking ventures, but they are still able to collaborate not only in their family life but also in their professional capacities. After all, both Jeff—vintner for the Pisoni family—and Bibiana, who crafts Alma de Cattleya as well as Cattleya wines, possess… Read more »
