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Cellar Favorite: Seven for Seven – A Brief Tour of Napa Valley
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
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.
Cellar Favorite: 2013 Screaming Eagle
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California, napa
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.
Paso Robles: Boundless Diversity
featured, United States: California
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.
The 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Stepping Back in Time
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, United States: California
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.
Cellar Favorite: Two from Mayacamas
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
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.
Vinous Table: Napa in the City 2022: The BYOB Gala Dinner
Vinous Table, United States: California
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.
Vinous Table: Private Dinner at Wheeler Farms, Saint Helena, CA
Vinous Table, United States: California
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.
Napa Valley: The Frantic 2020s & Stunning 2021s
featured, United States: California
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.
Cellar Favorite: 1992 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
Feb 2023
,The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate remains an epic wine for the Togni family.
Cellar Favorite: 1974 Diamond Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
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.