A complex Cabernet offering a bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, ripe plum and brown spice. Plush and rich on the palate with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. Rich integrated flavors of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, a little briar, a hint of chocolate and camp fire smoke. Black pepper spice adds to the long finish. Buy This Wine
A truly extraordinary Sauvignon Blanc from an intimate Carneros vineyard. A delicious blend of juicy acidity and minerality with a creamy mouth-feel. Opens with bouquet of baked pineapple and tropical aromas with distinct notes of flinty minerality. Balanced on the palate offering flavors of ripe pineapple, citrus and minerality with subtle hints of apricot and honeysuckle. Meyer Lemon is the star of the long finish. Buy This Wine
A refreshing wine on a warm summer evening, interesting enough to stand alone and inviting enough to pair with fresh summer fare. Expressive aromas of baked pineapple and white peach with floral notes to round out the experience. Mouth-watering acidity for excellent food-pairing with creamy yet crisp flavors of ripe pineapple, tropicals, Meyer lemon and minerality with hints of lime in the finish. Buy This Wine
I thought it might be interesting, if not self-indulgent, to share some personal experiences, insights and emotions over the next few posts. We’re friends, right? That’s what friends do…we share…among other things. In addition, writing in this context gives you a peek, assuming you want a peek, into a week of wine blogging travel and first impressions of winery visits. Continue reading »
The unusually warm and sunny San Francisco February weather retreated in favor of a cold windy downpour as we arrived for our first 2011 wine country visit. We had much on our blogging plate for the ten days. Winemaker interviews, winery visits, wine tastings, the Vintners Hall of Fame Dinner, Symposium for Professional Wine Writers and the Premiere Napa Barrel Tasting and Wine Auction were more than enough to make the average liver cry uncle. As you can see being a wine blogger is just “damn hard work.”
After the 90 minute rain soaked drive to Napa, our first pit stop was not a winery, but Target to buy a new massive suitcase to replace the one whose wheels had suffered irreparable damage in the gentle care of too many baggage handlers. After dragging the heavy broken-wheeled bag through SFO, on to the tram, then through the rental car building only to drive in a downpour, we were ready for some wine to revive the soul.
Our first stop was the John Anthony Wines Tasting Lounge in downtown Napa next door to the Avia Hotel. The hip décor includes a tasting bar as well as comfortable seating to just sit back and drink some wine. At night the Tasting Lounge turns into more of cool wine bar scene. We liked the wines and atmosphere so much we met friends there for a pre-dinner glass of wine, later in the week. Continue reading »
