Steve Ventrello founded Parador Cellars based on his ‘fantasy’ that three seemingly compatible grape varieties would marry and wined up creating an exceptional wine. He intuited that blending the very best of his favorite varietals – Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, along with the premier grapes of Spain and Italy, Tempranillo and Sangiovese – would yield a singular wine of […]
We are no stranger to this week’s featured wine Purlieu Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, previous vintages have landed the top spots of our annual 100 list and winemaker Julien Fayard was our 2016 winemaker of the year. The name Purlieu means “the edge of the forest” or “an outlying area” and is a reference to their home base in […]
What brought the Signorellos to the Napa Valley was the romantic side of winemaking – growing grapes, working the land, and enjoying the wine country lifestyle of camaraderie, good wine and great meals. While the Valley lifestyle is a very real part of the business, there is a serious commitment required to create a premier […]
Ralph Hertelendy is proving to be a rising star in Napa Valley’s Cult Cab scene. Hertelendy Vineyards made an immediate impression in the wine world with the initial release of the 2013 Hertelendy Cabernet Sauvignon. Praise was instantaneous when the wine received 95 points by Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate. ‘A surprise, big time […]
The cult cab scene in Napa has garnered an almost mythic quality. These wines represent not just a style of wine, but a definition of what a California wine can be. Characterized by richness, power, body and finesse they are renowned for tiny production and four figure price tags. The cult craze can actually be traced […]
Located among 40 acres of historic vineyard in Napa Valley along the Silverado Trail just north of St. Helena, Titus Vineyards is a 2nd generation, family-owned and farmed estate producing high quality grapes for limited production, premium Napa Valley wines. The vineyard Lee and Ruth Titus acquired in 1968 was originally planted to Mondeuce, Burger, and Golden […]
OUR #4 Wine of 2016 2014 Picayune ‘Padlock’ Red Blend | Napa Valley | Wine Spectrum 94 Deep velvety crushed cranberry color, the nose is immidatley complex, hints of spice, chocolate, red berry fruit and a touch of fine oak, on the palate the wine is rich and equally complex, deep and long with fine […]
This is one of those weeks where you have to pinch yourself when you work here. We tasted an Italian superstar, one of the smalled and most exclusive wines produced in California, and a favorite producer of ours (Parador). What a fantastic way to make a living. 🙂 2013 Oakville Winegrowers ‘Oakville Cuvee’ Cabernet […]