I didn’t walk into the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes expecting to be humbled.
I thought I knew my way around wine. I’ve done Napa. I’ve had the big names. I can swirl, sniff, and nod with the best of them like I know exactly what’s going on in the glass.
And then this festival hit me with a reality check.
Read MorePardon The Punctuation... looking for the perfect wine gift under $30? Look no further than this killer Syrah from Russell Vineyards. A wine that will punch your pallet with jammy fruit, pepper, and delicious tannins. Hints of vanilla will give you the finish you want from this food friendly Syrah. At $29.99 a bottle you can't go wrong. Here's a link to pick up a bottle here. If you happen to live by a Whole Foods in northern California you may be able to pick one up in person. Here's a wine you can drink today or lay down for 10 years.
Read MorePardon the Punctuation…I know I’ve been off the grid for a while but here is a sign of good things to come. Recently got my hands on a bottle of Castello Di Amorosa 2011 Barbera from their twin creeks vineyard. Here’s the rub.
Tasting Notes: On the cusp of being top acidic for my taste but it made the cut. The aromas do justice to the classic wines from the Piedmont region in Italy. Hints of black pepper, sage, and blackberries. Paired it with some Gnocchi and it worked perfectly. I’d say open it and give at least 30 min before drinking. It softened up a bit after a while. Would definitely drink again.
Pardon the Punctuation…I had no idea a wine from Washington could conjure the Rhone Valley. Hedges Family Estate wines do just that. Their 2012 Descendants Liegeois Dupont Syrah is a stunning example of the magical fruit from Washington’s Red Mountain. Aged 100% barrel aged for an average of 12 months in 52% new oak and 48% older oak, this wine is dark, viscus, and spicy. Right away you taste blackberry, and allspice. The wine is ready to drink now or could go a few more years. I’d have trouble aging it because it’s delicious. The only bad thing is I don’t have a case of it in my cellar. Perfect with grilled meats or on it’s own. At under $30 this is a steal of a wine. If it were from Napa you’d expect to pay upwards of $60 for a wine of a similar caliber.
Pardon The Punctuation…Here’s a quick review on a great library wine from Spring Mountain Vineyards in Napa, California. Spring Mountain is one of my favorite regions in Napa and the wine from there seems to never disappoint. This 2002 Cabernet has all the great characteristics of a Napa Cabernet with the smoothness of a Bordeaux wine. To use one of the terms I’ve learned here in Cali..it’s “Hella good.” It drinks really well now. Blackberries punch you right in the nose with hints of dark chocolate on the palate. I wouldn’t hold on to this one for more than another 3 or 4 years. It’s perfect right now.
Pardon The Punctuation…Howell Mountain makes some of the best wine in Napa Valley. Red Cap Vineyards 2008 estate Cabernet does not disappoint. The fruit punches you in the nose right when you sniff the glass. Ruby red in color with soft tannins and a cleansing finish. This wine is big, bold and has all the characteristics you have from this stellar region of Napa. The Yum Yum Foodie approves. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle drink it and send pics to make me jealous. Wish I had a glass of it now.
Pardon The Punctuation…I’m going to do a quick write up for one of my favorite wines you can buy. It’s not cheap..about $30 but it will knock your socks off. Tinto Pesquera comes from the Ribera Del Duero region of Spain. This tempranillo based wine are aged a minimum of 18 months in American or French oak and bare an intoxicating ruby color..hints of jam, berries, black currants and have one of the smoothest finishes in the biz. I absolutely love this wine. Just click on this silly pic if you want to order one so you can see for yourself.
Pardon The Punctuation...Some of the best value wines on the market happen to be from the "Ribera Del Duero" region of Spain.
Read MorePardon the Punctuation...I'm a sucker for a good story and an underdog. Porter Family Vineyards is just that...a family.
Read MorePardon the Punctuation...I recently picked up a bottle of 2009 Chateau Chevalier form the spring mountain district in Napa.
Read MorePardon the punctuation...it's summer so lets review a perfect summer wine. Bodegas Moraima 2012 Albariño is a stellar example of the of what an Albariño should bring to the table.
Read MorePardon The Punctuation...Just had a tasting of the Turiya Wines current releases. Turiya is a boutique winery from the central coast of California. Wine maker Angela Soleno hand crafts each uber small production wine to ensure
Read MorePardon The Punctuation... Love me some Spanish wine and the Ribera Del Duero region in happens to me my favorite. I recently had the blessed opportunity of drinking a grand bottle of wine from the region.
Read MorePardon the punctuation...In Spain, Garnacha is the second most widely-planted red grape. Only the Tempranillo grape is planted more. I recently picked up a bottle of Tres Picos Granacha for $12.99 at Costco.
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