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Cellar Favorite: Seven for Seven – A Brief Tour of Napa Valley

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Jul 2023

I was delighted to curate this small, intimate tasting for one of our private corporate clients. The objective was to taste representative wines from reference-point producers in top vintages across several appellations. I picked the first six wines, while our host added the seventh. As much as I enjoy tasting new releases in Napa Valley, sitting down and focusing on a smaller group of wines years after release is every bit as instructive. I would like to thank the team at the Press Club in San Francisco for handling all aspects of wine service with extreme care. It was a tremendous evening all around.

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Cellar Favorite: 2013 Screaming Eagle

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California, napa

Antonio Galloni, Jun 2023

The 2013 Screaming Eagle remains a very young wine. Dark, brooding and quite potent, the 2013 possesses tremendous depth backed by equally serious tannins.

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Paso Robles: Boundless Diversity

featured, United States: California

Eric Guido, May 2023

There’s real momentum and energy that can be felt in Paso Robles. Even through the struggles of drought, heat and smoke, the best producers have found a way to prevail. Paso is a region geared to surpass consumer expectations, with a broad range of varieties, world-class wines and a welcoming atmosphere for tourists and wine lovers alike.

Napa 2001 final cover

The 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Stepping Back in Time

Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Apr 2023

Two thousand-one is one of the most important vintages in Napa Valley of the last 25 years or so. Highly regarded at the time, 2001 continues to impress with dark, potent wines, many of which are in the sweet spot for current drinking.

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Cellar Favorite: Two from Mayacamas

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2023

It’s always a pleasure to spend time at Mayacamas. As much as I enjoy tasting today’s current releases, it is also a great deal of fun to go back and revisit wines made by Bob Travers before he sold the winery. These two Cabernets will delight Mayacamas fans.

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Vinous Table: Napa in the City 2022: The BYOB Gala Dinner

Vinous Table, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2023

Napa in the City is an event we have wanted to do for many years. The logistics of hosting such large events are pretty daunting, so the moment never seemed right. But, in 2022, as we emerged from the COVID-19 lockdown, the time finally did seem right to bring together a number of reference-point Napa Valley winemakers, our readers and the city’s top sommeliers for a weekend of great wine, food and conviviality for the inaugural edition of Napa in the City.

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Vinous Table: Private Dinner at Wheeler Farms, Saint Helena, CA

Vinous Table, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2023

This was a fabulous dinner that I will remember for a very long time. Many thanks to our guests for the spirited discussion and the Wheeler Farms team for a magical night.

Forman

Napa Valley: The Frantic 2020s & Stunning 2021s

featured, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2023

With the first 2020 Napa Valley Cabernets starting to appear, readers will encounter one of the most controversial vintages in the history of Napa Valley. Before we take a look at the year and the wines, allow me to get one thing out of the way first. Two thousand twenty is by far the hardest and most complicated vintage I have ever tasted anywhere in the world. This report focuses on 2020 and 2021, along with some late releases from 2019.

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Cellar Favorite: 1992 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2023

The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate remains an epic wine for the Togni family.

Diamond creek 1974

Cellar Favorite: 1974 Diamond Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California

Neal Martin, Jan 2023

I have always had a soft spot for Diamond Creek Vineyards, charmed by Al and Boots Brounstein, who would regularly pour their wines in London in the early days of my career.