Palate Press

1 min read

Another gorgeous wine from Shafer. The color is deep and dark. Rich fruits explode on the nose, blueberries and blackberries, and a touch of black pepper. On the palate, blackberry, elderberry, dark chocolate and a hint of espresso lead, with highlights of raspberry singing out on the mid-palate. Tannins offer a

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Shafer Red Shoulder Chardonnay

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

This is a beautiful wine. Melon and lemon custard aromas are so delicious you might forget to drink. But don't. Layers of flavor pile in, one after another. An initial lime citrus zing leaps to creamy lemon custard, then ripe melon, then back to a zing with some pineapple, with

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Miner Emily’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Interesting aromas of herbs and grasses – a Mediterranean-style garrigue introduction to this Californian wine that continues on the palate where fruit takes second place to herbs and tannins. A hot, longish finish showing a little undeveloped tannin as expected. Because, though you can drink this now, it would be better to wait 1-5 years. RECOMMENDED (with age).

What We’re Drinking – Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

A beautiful, bright gem-like garnet color greets you in the glass. Black fruit shows on the nose, with a hint of tobacco from the tiny amount of Cabernet Franc sneaking out. Classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon cassis and a touch of blackberry come through on the palate. Six years out from

What We’re Drinking – Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

The color is dark, almost opaque at the center. On the nose, black currant and unsweetened chocolate take the lead. The real action is on the palate. Huge black fruits, deep, but not jammy, erupt, followed by unsweetened chocolate, espresso, mint, cedar, and a meaty umami. It's chewy and fat,

What We’re Drinking – Grgich Hills Estate Merlot

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

This is an Old World wine in a New World bottle, made with indigenous yeasts and extra bottle age prior to release. The nose shows black and red fruits, but what is remarkable is the savory and herbal background, promising depth and complexity on the palate. It keeps its promise.

What We’re Drinking – Shafer Merlot

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Black cherry, raspberry, a touch of cinnamon and some mint waft up from the glass. Les sweet on the palate, cranberry and raspberry join the cherry. Loads of spice plus eucalyptus and shine through on the palate. This is no flabby over-ripe mass produced Merlot. :It has balance, firm tannins,

Vine Day’s Work: Behind the Scenes at Auction Napa Valley 2014

Michelle Locke

Features

3 min read

Auction Napa Valley 2014 brought in a record $18.7 million in hard, cold cash. And that took a lot of ice -- 28,000 pounds were ordered just for the Friday and Saturday segments of the event, held each year over the first weekend in June. The ice is just the

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What We’re Drinking – 2013 Shafer One Point Five

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Shafer Red Shoulder Chardonnay

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Miner Emily’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

What We’re Drinking – Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

What We’re Drinking – Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon

What We’re Drinking – Grgich Hills Estate Merlot

What We’re Drinking – Shafer Merlot

Vine Day’s Work: Behind the Scenes at Auction Napa Valley 2014