Wine Recommendations

Cabernet Franc is not a calling card for Napa Valley. The cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc is often used as a blending partner, and occasionally as a stand-alone wine. But at Ehlers Estate in St. Helena, Cabernet Franc has always been part of the portfolio and was planted prior to the Ehlers securing the property.

P ét-nat’s have become something of a fad lately and many of them, though meant to be lighter in style, are merely a flash in the palate. Pétillant Naturel, known more commonly as pét-nat is, in essence, wine that hasn’t finished fermenting before it’s bottled.

Zinfandel is one of the oldest continuously planted grapes in California, arriving with the influx of immigrants during the California Gold Rush. The Zinfandel vines used in the Tizona stretch back nearly as far, 99 year-old vines to be precise, and like many truly “old vines” in Lodi are own rooted and dry farmed.

Paraduxx started in 2004 with an express purpose to achieve uniform and consistent success with blended wines over stand-alone wines, all made from Napa Valley fruit. Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Zinfandel, this is that rare two-grape blend that allows both grapes to shine in equal measure.

Zinfandel is considered “America’s grape” because it was widely planted when the California wine industry began to grow in the mid to late 1850s, but it is not, however, a truly American grape; it’s an immigrant – it originally came from Europe.

Chardonnay is often seen as a dime a dozen, but when you find an iteration so compelling and complex it can stop you on a dime. Made of 100% Chardonnay from Pahlmeyer’s own Atlas Peak vineyard, the 2014 benefitted from consistent weather throughout the growing season. Using native fermentation in...

It’s that time of year again. Girl Scout cookie time. Of course, for some people, that is a chance to avoid making eye contact with the Moms and Dads who are co-workers of yours. For others, it’s a chance to meet the neighbors as their girls’ tour door to door peddling the sugary wares. And for even others, it’s a chance to go off their diets in the interest of supporting the greater good.

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

The Thanksgiving table screams wine and whereas there is no one particular wine that can accommodate the diverse foods at your table, Pinot Noir is certainly one of the more user-friendly wines. And given that Thanksgiving is time with family and friends, this Benovia Pinot Noir, only the second release from the Martaella Vineyard, is a great way to say thanks to those special people in your life.

Christmas is coming up. While I admit to never really understanding where the idea for 12 days of Christmas came from (Chanukah at 8? Sure), it’s a thing now. So with that in mind, and in an attempt to find some wines to get for the wine lovers in your life, here is a (actually two) list of 12 wines for Christmas. The criterion for wines to make this list was strict: A) I had to think of it, and 2) it had to be reasonably available to obtain. I tried to list current vintages and pricing available although other vintages and different pricing I am sure exists.