Napa Valley Greats!!!

Among the benefits of being in the wine business, besides doing what I love is that I get to meet some amazing people who have dedicated their lives to making the best wines they can make and taste some amazing wines. Yesterday was the annual Taste Napa Valley in Westwood, California. The tasting was appropriately at the Napa Grill in Westwood, where close to 100 wineries were represented and pouring their heart and soul through their wines.

Here is my list of the best wines I tasted; some for the first time:

• 2003 Ackerman Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet
• 2007 Ashe Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Entre Nous, Oakville
• 2008 Ashe Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Entre Nous, Oakville
• 2005 Atalon Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Baldacci Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Label, Stags Leap District
• 2005 Beaucanon Estate Cabernet Franc, L Cuvee, Napa Valley
• 2005 Beaucanon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Longwood, Napa Valley
• 2007 Blackbird Vineyards Bordeaux Blend, Arise, Napa Valley
• 2007 Blackbird Vineyards Bordeaux Blend, Contrarian, Napa Valley
• 2004 Broman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2004 Broman Cellars Syrah, Napa Valley
• 2005 Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Harris Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Lakeview Vineyards, Napa Valley
• 2006 La Hota Vineyards Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 La Hota Vineyards Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Heritage Release, Howell Mountain
• 2006 La Hota Vineyards Co Merlot, Howell Mountain
• 2007 Peter Franus Wine Co Zinfandel , Brandlin Vineyard, Mouth Veeder
• 2006 Peter Franus Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

So to all of you who do what you do; thank you and keep up the good work.

Great Wines Steve & Steffanie…

As a wine lover, importer, wholesaler and maker (yes, we are also making wine now - look for upcoming announcements), I don’t pass up an opportunity to taste wines. Two weeks ago we went to Paso Robles on the Central Coast of California for the Harvest Festival and visited some wineries. One of the wineries we visited was the Anglim Winery, our favorite during this trip (http://www.anglimwinery.com/). Steve and Steffanie Anglim are making vineyard specific amazing wines all sourced from Paso Robles. The Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Noir were all amazing.

One of my favorites was the 2005 Cabernet Franc from the Paso Del Sol Vineyards, Paso Robles (btw I opened another bottle last night with roasted chicken, and it was great). This wine has a great nose of cherry and raspberry, a lot of fruit and a big long finish; I am sure the chicken enjoyed it also. Very enjoyable, our guests loved it too. Then again our guests always expect to be served good food and good wine at our home.

Steve and Steffanie are another example of how passion, dedication, hard work and perseverance can produce something that you would be proud of (and very delicious) and make you a success. Keep up the great work Steve and Steffanie…