Sangiovese, barbera, primitivo…the classic Italian grape varieties most cultivated across Italy. But grown in Sonoma, California? They are and have been dating back to the late 1800’s and thriving today. The arrival of Italian grape varieties in Sonoma can be traced to 1881 and the founding of the Italian Swiss
The color is the first thing to notice, a bright rich 18k gold. The nose is sweet and floral, hibiscus with apricot and honey. Layer after layer of flavor dance across the palate, all varying variations of apricot and honey, with a bright acidic backbone ranging from sweet Key Lime
Aromas of wild herbs growing on dry, late summer California hillsides – wild thyme, sage, juniper. At first it feels thinnish on the palate, but that’s only because the tannins are integrated into the dark fruit in a more refined manner than expected. Wild herbs show up in the finish
Opened for Open That Bottle Night 2012. Premiere Napa Valley is a special event, an annual fund raiser and auction. Wineries produce special bottles in tiny lots, 5-10 cases, for auction, available that one time and never again. This particular bottle was Lot No. 49, bottle 22 of 60, a
My choice for this weekend's Open That Bottle Night. Clear, bright, medium intensity straw yellow. Clean, medium-full intensity aromas: rich yeast roll and oak, caramel, toasted almonds, yellow apple, and Bosc pear. Dry on the palate with medium-full acidity, full bodied, and intense flavors. Yellow apple, pear, lightly toasted nuts,
[polldaddy poll=6001340]
Translucent magenta in color. The nose is shy and gives no hint of the candied fruit to come on the palate. The flavors started light, shy like the nose, with strawberries and cherries. On the mid-palate it opened up with loads of candied red fruits. Smoke from dosage with Pineau
Supposedly 2009 wasn’t an easy harvest in the Finger Lakes, but you’d never guess it based on this wine. Lovely rich aromas of toasted fruit, burnt sugar and earth. Nice fully developed fruit, plummy on the palate, and some good acidity for balance. Moderate finish, light at the very end.