Wine of the Day: 2014 Smith Madrone Chardonnay

Year in and year out, this distinguished wine is one of my favorite California Chardonnays! This wine is 100% Chardonnay crafted from 42-year-old dry-farmed vines on Spring Mountain.  It was 100% barrel fermented and raised for 9 months in 100% new French oak Color – Pale straw yellow Aromas – Apple, pear, lemon curd, almond, and toasty…

Exclusive Pre-Release of “Somm 3”; Napa Valley Style!

If you’re a fan of the “Somm” documentary series, here’s your opportunity to see the latest release – “Somm 3” Napa Valley style!  The Cameo Cinema in St. Helena has the exclusive theatrical pre-release of SOMM 3 beginning Friday October 19 through Thursday, October 25, with three shows daily, at 2:00, 5:00 and 7:45 p.m. Producer &…

Penne Boscaiola Paired with 2015 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot #WinePW #MerlotMe

This Penne Boscaiolo recipe tastes like a weekend meal, but could be put together on a weeknight.  I paired  it with Merlot with excellent results! Disclosure: Wine provided as a complimentary sample by Duckhorn Vineyards. No other payments were involved and all opinions expressed in my blog posts are my own. Do you know that October is Merlot Month?  You’ll…

Wine Of The Day: 2017 Rombauer Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

This delicious and very food friendly wine offers high QPR.  More please! Introduced with the 2014 vintage,  the Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc was their first new varietal wine introduced in more than 20 years, and only the second white wine in their long history.  The fruit for this wine comes from four carefully…

Wine Of The Day: 2014 Smith-Madrone Riesling

This impeccably balanced Riesling is among the best I’ve had! This wine is crafted from 100% estate fruit from 42 year-old vines at 1,800 ft elevation. The dry-farmed vines are planted on very steep slopes (up to 35%),  thereby honoring the international tradition of Riesling which thrives on steep hillsides. My tasting notes follow: Color – Very…

Wine Of The Day: 2012 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon

This is an outstanding well-structured, delicious and fruit forward wine….It’s wines like this that make Napa so popular! The Martin Stelling Vineyard,  planted in 1978 , and located behind the winery in Oakville, is the cornerstone of Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc aged…