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Much too often we are side tracked with work, and trying to stay on top of
things. It is much too easy to forget why we are all here. The love of wine!
With that said, I was able to break away from work for a weekend and visit
Napa. Tasting wine is great and everything, but tasting wine were it is
actually coming from is another story. Being out in the vineyards, speaking
to wine makers, and drinking with winery owners is something I wish for
everyone to experience. With only three days available for a trip, I tried
packing as much fun into a weekend trip to Napa as possible. So many
vineyards, so little time. I was fortunate enough to have the right group of
people to go with, who have much more Napa experience then I. My trip had
many variations. From a small production vineyard such as Robinson Family,
to a huge state of the art facility like Pahl Maz, and even one of the most
well thought out gardens at Rudd. I got a little bit of everything. The
other vineyards which I visited include Larkmead, Paradigm, Forman,
Consentino, Spottswoode, Barnette, Terraces, Neal, and Franciscan. So much
good wine, so much good food. It reminds me why I do what it is that I do. I
wish I could have spent more then three days in Napa, but honestly, it took
its toll. I could only take so much of Gilwood’s breakfast. Three days in a
row was enough. I met many new faces, and tried many new wines. It is
something that I believe is important to bring the consumer the right
product, for the right price.
Danny
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2005 Larkmead Cab
$54.95
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit
Verdot) is a fun and exciting blend from an excellent vineyard in the
heart of Napa. A deep ruby/purple color, sweet nose of black currants
and cherries, toasty oak, smoke and graphite notes, outstanding density,
ripeness, and overall harmony. Well extracted fruit allows this juice to
finish well and linger on the palate. This would be a perfect Cab to
enjoy now or lay down for years to come. This is one of my favorite Cabs
in this price point. It continues to evolve in the glass, and will take
you from zero to enjoying life in three seconds. Enjoy this winter with
a well structured blend.
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2006 Morgante Nero d'Avola
$16.44
Italy creates such unique and complex wine for an affordable wine. For
that reason this Nero d'Avola is one of my favorite wines in the twenty
and under price point. Morgante’s deeply-colored 2006 Nero d’Avola is an
opulent wine packed with blackberry liqueur, cassis, minerals and
toasted oak. The fruit is well balanced with earthy characteristics,
great acidity and the oak lets its flow through into a lengthy enjoyable
finish. This is an excellent wine to drink now and over the next few
years. A perfect food wine to take to a dinner without breaking the
bank.
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200 Robert Craig Affinity
$45
Several factors are involved to create such a complex well balanced blend.
It begins with Tulocay estate Cabernet, blended with Merlot, Cab Franc
and Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by sweet cassis,
toasty oak, graphite, and spice notes offered in a medium-bodied,
elegant, Margaux-like stylish, graceful wine. Maybe im a little biased
towards blends, but i think this wine will rock even the most spoiled
palates. Great acidity, and planty of Oak, this wine will age gracefully
and should bring much excitement to those who are patient enough to let
it sit, but do not be fooled, it is very approachable young, and with a
dash of decanting, a croud pleaser.
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