Vineyard 29 does it again!

Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – totally memorable. From their first vintage in 1992 they have gone from strength to strength stamping their name in Napa’s history books. Their stunning ultra-modern Winery disguises a very high tech, very sophisticated, gravity-flow wine making facility, tasting room and caves for storage of barrels. An ideal environmentContinue reading “Vineyard 29 does it again!”

Domaine de Fondreche Winery- A Rhone Treasure.

Located in the foothills of Mont Ventoux lies one of the top producers in this region of the Rhone – Domaine de Fondreche. In the shadow of the mountain, the vines are an average age of 40 years planted in chalky clay over limestone. Ventoux Blanc, Rhone Valley 2020- If you’re tired of drinking Chardonnay,Continue reading “Domaine de Fondreche Winery- A Rhone Treasure.”

I was fortunate to have met Nick Goldschmidt, winemaker extraordinaire last year.

A great guy and amazing winemaker. Did I mention how good the wines were? He told me to look up this interview instead of writing copious notes. Here is the interview. Interview with Nick Goldschmidt Experience is his teacher: An interview with winemaker Nick Goldschmidt – My Full Wine Glass For Nick Goldschmidt, owner andContinue reading “I was fortunate to have met Nick Goldschmidt, winemaker extraordinaire last year.”

Villa Puccini Governo All’Uso Tuscano 2022

This is a blend of predominately Sangiovese with a splash of Ciliegiolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which they allow to hang a little longer, and dry on the vine. Governo usually refers to the Government but, in this case, it refers to an old vinification process that is mainly used, and presumably developed in Tuscany. RelatedContinue reading “Villa Puccini Governo All’Uso Tuscano 2022”

The 2022 Harvest in Italy has been called the ‘Harvest to End All Harvests’

This has been compared to the 1828, 1947, 1967, 1994, and 2011 harvests. The 2022 Harvest has been described as a ‘miracle harvest’ and will first show up in the US with Rosé, Whites, and then Reds which will trickle in over the next 5 years. The question is, could this be the greatest HarvestContinue reading “The 2022 Harvest in Italy has been called the ‘Harvest to End All Harvests’”

John Duval- proves there is life after Penfolds Grange.

After three decades of making Grange, he left to embark on a new venture, John Duval Wines. He started with one wine- Plexus adding Entity in 2004, Eligo, a reserve Shiraz in 2005, then Plexus White, Annexus Grenache in 2013 and Annexus Mataro in 2016 and Integro. I had an incredible opportunity to attend bothContinue reading “John Duval- proves there is life after Penfolds Grange.”

‘The Mariner’ Never Fails to Impress. Dry Creek Vineyards does it again.

Dry Creek Vineyards ‘The Mariner’ 2019 This is a blend of 61% Cabernet, 18% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc, all sourced from their own Dry Creek Vineyards in Northern Sonoma. The Mariner had its initial launch in 2007 with the release of its 2004 vintage and was well received withContinue reading “‘The Mariner’ Never Fails to Impress. Dry Creek Vineyards does it again.”

Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.

These wines could just be the most value-driven wines you drink all year. Parducci Wines’s journey started back in 1912 with a 16-year-old stowaway from Italy. Early efforts were tough going, constructing the winery with no electricity or tractors- everything was done by hand. Their early ‘bottling plant’ consisted of hoses and corks pounded inContinue reading “Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.”

Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.

As a wine-growing region, Red Mountain was ‘discovered’ in 1972 but the essentials such as roads, power, and water did not make their appearance until 1975, and after much effort, the first 10 acres of vineyards were planted by John Williams and Jim Holmes. Fast forward to 1980 when the first winery was bonded- KionaContinue reading “Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Ronald McDonald House Wine Tasting. A great cause and a great evening.

Last year I was asked if I would like to be involved in the Ronald McDonald House Auction Dinner, I of course said yes- after all, it is a great cause. So, we put together a wine tasting to be auctioned off, selected the wines, and a long story short it went very well onContinue reading “Ronald McDonald House Wine Tasting. A great cause and a great evening.”