Jazz Uncorked
By David Ginochio

October 2002

Jazz Uncorked
Archive

Deerfield Ranch Pinot Noir Sebastopol Syrah Sunce Cabernet Simonsig Estate Wines Deerfield Ranch Wines Sobon Estate Barbera Peterson Zero Manipulation Roche Merlot & Pinot Noir Yorkville Cellars Wooden Valley Wines Milone Zinfandel Argonaut Syrah Claudia Springs Zin Pellegrini's Cab Westover Cab Storrs Grenache Tocai Friulano Lodi "Fancy Quest" 1998 Il Chiaretto Guest Columns Jacky Terrasson Prunotto R.H. Phillips' Malbec

Pinot Noir Deerfield Ranch 2000 By David Ginochio Having enjoyed several previous releases from Deerfield Ranch (April 2002) it is with great pleasure we bring you another gem from one of California's coolest little wineries. Pinot Noir is one of the trickiest grapes from which to create consistently fine wine, but it’s obvious that Robert Rex, the winemaker at Sonoma’s Deerfield Ranch, has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Deerfield Ranch’s 2000 Pinot Noir is a treasure. I sat for moments mesmerized by the aromas of candied strawberry misted with cinnamon orange spice that reveled themselves with each swirl of its shimmering garnet translucence. Caressed by unobtrusive French oak, rife with berries, properly low in tannins and balanced with a sufficient acidity, this lean, sensuous silky Pinot is the perfect companion to curl up with these cool Autumnal evenings, preferably with an extra special curling-up companion. Score 91 Visit the Deerfield Ranch Web Site

Eden Atwood Waves Groove Note By Dan McClenaghan Eden Atwood is a stylish young woman, an erstwhile model and television actress, a dark-haired, light-eyed beauty blessed with sultry good looks that are displayed in an array of professional model poses on the CD booklet; and if you're of a cynical frame of mind that old "style-over-substance" debate might come to mind when you pick up her new CD, Waves: The Bossa Novs Session" on Groove Note. Put the pictures down and listen, though, and substance wins out, big time. Atwood is a gifted singer with a sublime, delicate delivery, that is sometimes breathy, always nicely nuanced, always under complete control; a singer with an obvious passion for her craft. As the disc's title suggests, Bossa Nova is in the forefront here--three Jobim tunes, including the classic "Girl From Ipanema"; a lovley,lilting version of the McCartney/Lennon tune, "Fool on the Hill", and a sad and sultry take Berlin's "How Deep is the Ocean" that will make you cry or fall in love with Atwood, maybe both. And it was a small stroke of genious to pair Eden with pianist/arranger Bill Cunliffe. Atwood's is a sweet, sometimes coy-sounding voice that some producers feel compelled to surround with washes of strings or (more's the horror) electronical walls of noise. Cunliffe goes mostly with the spare approach that showcases Atwood's talents perfectly.