Friday Wine Tasting... Phantom

Wine of the Week
Phantom (Bogle Vineyards)
$15-20/bottle

I have always been a fan of Bogle Vineyards, especially their Cabernet Sauvignon, but their Phantom release has quickly become a new favorite. It is a blend of three unique varietals, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel and Mourvedre... definitely a winning combination!

Surrounded by over 2 ft of snow here in Connecticut this is the perfect wine for a Friday night in front of the fire.
Happy Friday Everyone! Cheers!

Tasting Notes:
Combines lush berry and fierce spice into a wine of complex character. Vivid essence of black pepper, dark fruit and juniper haunts the nose, while brighter flavors of blackberries and blueberries glance off the palate. From the shadows, toasty cinnamon and nutmeg emerge, subtly embracing the deeply luscious and succulent fruit to create a full-bodied, ruby rich wine. Captured in 1, 2 and 3 year old American oak barrels, this wine showcases the best these distinct varietals have to offer. Though the wine is remarkable now, age in the bottle will only integrate the three varietals more.

Friday Wine Tasting... Arrington Vineyards

For New Years this year we hopped on a plane to Nashville! One of my absolute favorite cities! After visiting in May for Libby and Patrick's wedding I was hooked, and it was the perfect place to fly to ring in the new year. During the day on New Years Eve we visited Arrington Vineyards, the winery owned by Kix Brooks. I just love visiting wineries in different states!

Perched on a hill the vineyard is gorgeous, with a wrap around deck, and tons of picnic tables spread throughout the property to sit and enjoy their wines. Inside they invite you to a complimentary tasting of four of the wines in their impressive portfolio. I really enjoyed the Viognier and Chardonnay. But the Red Fox Red and KB308 were two favorites as well. And I can't forget to mention they have some really delicious fruit and dessert wines. I loved the Encore, a rich, sweet, port style desert wine. This is a must visit if you are in Nashville! Or if you are curious and want to have wines shipped visit their website. Happy Friday! Cheers!

Friday Wine Tasting... 2009 Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay

Wine of the Week
2009 Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay
$10.99 (Stew Leonard's Wine Shop)


This weekend is a big holiday party weekend and we are hosting two on Saturday! (I am still hoping Santa will send me a few elves to finish up the list today.)

One of the best places to get great deals on wines is Stew Leonard's and while I was there doing my shopping I decided to pick up a few favorites and to try a couple of new bottles for the weekend. This chardonnay by Toad Hollow is one of my all time favorites and the perfect wine for an afternoon cookie swap or evening cocktail party. Happy Friday Everyone! Cheers!

winemaker's notes:

There is no wood of any kind in this wine! No chips. No sawdust. No planks.
Disclaimer:
No trees were harmed in the making of this bright, clean, crisp and full-flavored Chardonnay.

This beautifully balanced Chardonnay has hints of mango, melon, mineral and incredible acidity. The nose is delicately perfumed with citrus and green apple. This Chardonnay is a treat for your senses with a mouth feel that is rich and creamy while still displaying crisp and clean flavors that we have come to expect from the Mendocino Chardonnay

Friday Wine Tasting... Pretty Red Cocktails

Tis the season for holiday parties and events and tonight we have our first holiday party to attend at our good friends' house. I am still trying to decide what I will wear but know exactly what I will be bringing for all of us to toast with, a pitcher of "Oprah's Pomegranate Martinis." Happy Weekend Everyone! Cheers!

Recipe: Oprah's Pomegranate Martini

• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 2 ounces Absolute Citron vodka or white tequila
• 1 ounce Cointreau liquor
• Cup of ice
• Splash of sparkling water (optional)
• Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Directions

Shake ingredients in a shaker and put in chilled martini glasses. Put pomegranate fruit into glass as garnish.

Friday Wine Tasting... A by Acacia Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008
$14.99


Last night we got together for dinner with two of my favorite people in the industry, Yumiko (Hana Floral Design and Jennie, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and their husbands for our first traveling dinner and I was introduced to a new gem of a wine!! This one is a must try this holiday season if you are looking for a nice bottle to bring as a hostess gift this is one they are sure to LOVE! Definitely a new favorite of mine!


Tasting Notes, from the Winery:
Our 2008 Pinot Noir opens with fragrant rose petal and toasted oak aromas lifted by bright cherry and ripe plum. Across the palate, the tantalizing cherry-berry flavors continue, balanced by good acidity and round, well-integrated tannins. The supple texture and smooth, approachable style pair well with a variety of foods, such as roasted pork tenderloin or stuffed guinea hen.

Friday Wine Tasting... Bear Print Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
Bear Print
$13.99

This weekened we are NYC bound to hang out with sister and her boyfriend for a super fun fall weekend in the city. We had hoped to be running in the NYC marathon this weekend but this year we will cheer on all of the amazing runners from the sidelines, preparing for Philly just a couple of weeks away. For the weekend I wanted to try a new wine that peaked my interest in the store the other day, Bear Print Pinor Noir, 2008, Monterey County. Cheers to a fabulous weekend! If you all try the Bear Print with me this weekend let me know what you think.

Tasting Notes:
Stew Leonard's- Finding moderately priced Pinot Noir that exudes breed and character is a daunting task... but we think we stumbled on a "KILLER" one here. Garnet in color with aromas of black cherry and vanilla. Bright and vivacious upfront, with a silky, satiny texture and the perfect amount of underlying spice

Friday Wine Tasting... Middle Sister Red

Wine of the Week
Middle Sister Red (a wine made for me)
$8-10
Being the middle sister in a family of three sisters, when I saw this wine on the shelf there was no way I could walk by it without picking it up. I am not usually a sucker for wine labels but how adorable is the label?! and so perfectly named Rebel Red. (there are also 8 other adorable "sister wines")

When I got home I poured myself a glass and looked up the wines online, and not only was it a rather enjoyable red table wine (simple and straightforward, but perfect for a casual night at home) but as a company they donate a minimum of $10,000 annually to following organizations dedicated to promoting and supporting sisterhood.
www.dressforsuccess.org
www.winewomenandshoes.com

A wine made for middle sisters, cause lets be honest we deserve one, and even better one that gives back to organizations supporting women. I may be biased but this is a wine you will want to try, or gift to the middle sisters in your lives. Happy Friday! Cheers to another gorgeous fall weekend in New England.


the story
Did you know that birth order is commonly believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development? And that the middle sister has a greater chance of having a special wine named just for her? A sassy blend of our three favorite red varieties perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse.

what’s in it?
38% Zinfandel, 34% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, 2% mixed red varietals.
100% California grapes with 42% from the Lodi appellation.

how was it made?
Warm ferments (70-83ºF) mixed frequently for extraction of deep color and dark fruit characters.

smells like…
...ripe red and dark berry fruits like plum, blueberry and blackberry. Sassy dash of black and white pepper with a dollop of crème de cassis.

tastes like…
...a huge mouthful of ripe summer berries. The fruit goes on and on, ending in a luxurious finish.

yummy with…
Roasts, grilled meats, pizza, pasta, salmon, burgers, burritos, soups and sandwiches.

Organizations they Support:

Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women worldwide. Dress for Success has more than 90 affiliates in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Poland and the West Indies. Each site is an independent, volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to fulfilling the Dress for Success mission of promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women through career development and employment retention.

Wine, Women & Shoes is the brainchild of Napa Valley vintner, Elaine Honig. While chatting with a girlfriend about the growing popularity of wine and food pairing events, they jokingly said "wine and shoe pairings would be a lot more fun!" Wine, Women & Shoes events combine wine tasting and education with shoe fashion and fun in a totally unexpected way. WW&S events are now in 20 cities across the country, with over 15,000 attendees per year, and have raised more than $3,800,000 for women's and children's causes to date.

Friday Wine Tasting... 2009 Sole Beech Sauvignon Blanc

Wine of the Week
2009 Sole Beech Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
$9.99


Balanced and Crisp this is the perfect white wine to enjoy throughout the long holiday weekend. For those of you that love Oyster Bay this is one you will want to try!! We will be at Saltwater Farm Vineyard this weekend for two big weddings with two fabulous couples and it is supposed to be a gorgeous weekend in New England. Summer is going out with a bang with lots of sunshine. Congratulations Tova and Harris and Sam and Artur! Cheers!

Friday Wine Tasting... Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2009

Wine of the Week
Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2009
$10.00


This week I can't help but feature a Rose that I recently discovered, featured in Food & Wine, as we go into the last weekend of August. Where did the summer go?! I started the season drinking Rose and think I will continue to enjoy it as we begin to go into the fall. Anything to hold on to summer! This is a real bargain and one you will definitely want to try!

We have a big weekend of events this weekend in Greenwich at the Round Hill Club. Can't wait to share with you all of the fabulous details from Adrien & Elizabeth's wedding! Happy Friday!

What the Experts are saying...

Wine Curmudgeon - The Mulderbosch has always been one of my favorites, and this year it's even more interesting. Would that all South African wines were this well done. This year's vintage is bone dry, with a mineral finish and just enough berry fruitiness. It's very well made and should get better over the next 10 or 12 months.

Friday Wine Tasting... Oyster Bay

Wine of the Week
Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc
$9.99


I was reminded of an old favorite recently, Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc. After a long super hot day this is the perfect white wine to finish out the week with.

This weekend we will be at the Ocean House in Rhode Island for a wedding I can't wait to be a part of. Abby S. (Style Me Pretty, Life in the Super Burbs, and latest member to join our team) is getting married!! We couldn't be more thrilled and honored to be working with her and Andrew and the most incredible team of vendors as they say "I do." Cheers and Congratulations to a super fabulous couple! And Happy Friday Everyone!

Friday Wine Tasting... Beach Friendly Wine in a Box

Wine of the Week
2006 Boho Vineyards Central Coast Chardonnay
$22.99


Next Week we are heading down for our annual week on the Outerbanks of North Carolina. It is my favorite week of the year. Long runs on the beach, crashing waves, time to read a book, nap in the sun, and happy hours as the sun sets over the dunes. I was reading an article recently that raved about Boho Vineyards wine in a box, which at first made me cringe, thinking about wine coming out of anything but a bottle just seemed cheap. I looked up Boho Vineyards online and review after review said this is one to try and perfect for the beach! Their motivation for the switch from bottle to box was to help consumers reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing the wine quality they expect from premium Central Coast wines. Which makes this wine in a box even more appealing. The 3-liter box is the equivalent of 4 regular bottles, with a price under $24 a box it is a real bargain.

What the Experts are saying...

This well- made chardonnay is the equivalent of four bottles of wine priced at $6 each. It's not an ultra-complex beverage, but it's clean and fresh, with good acidity and fruit-to-oak balance.- Baltimore Sun So how's the wine? Actually, quite pleasant, representing with clarity and balance more the tropical-fruit side of chardonnay than the citric, melon and apple. It isn't a barrel-chested example of California chardonnay. It's more demure, intended to be taken at the table with light spring cuisine. It isn't an oaky, alcoholic monster meant for cocktail-hour sipping, pondering and discussing. It put me in mind of a carafe of the house wine that would be put on the table of a bistro in Burgundy, a small place in a cellar, so casual the dogs wouldn't be leashed. -The Sacramento Bee


I've tried the 2006 Boho Chardonnay, and it's just what I'd expect from a Central Coast chardonnay selling for $10-$12 a bottle. It has a bright, fruity aroma with hints of lemon and pear, full flavors, good structure and a dry finish. No doubt about it: The wine is dry. -The Star-Ledger

Friday Wine Tasting... Wonderful White

Wine of the Week
2009 Clifford Bay Awatere Valley
$10.00


With temperatures well into the 90's for the past what seems like months, even if it only has been a couple weeks, I have officially made the switch to white wines. Which is why I was super excited that Food & Wine this month featured a section on Secret White-Wine Superstars. I will definitely be featuring a few of these in the next couple of weeks as I sample through them for my Friday Wine Tastings. Today I suggest you try this fabulous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zeland, 2009 Clifford Bay Awatere Valley. For $10 this is a must try and perfect bottle to bring along for summer happy hours on the deck!! Happy Friday!

Tasting Notes:
This wine shows blackcurrant, guava and citrus notes. The palate exhibits the same fine fruit flavours with an under lying flinty note typical of Awatere Valley fruit. The finish is long, crisp and dry.

Friday Wine Tasting... Fourth of July Favorites

I have to admit since the start of summer I have been totally addicted to Rose. Recently having a few that were just brilliant and local finds. Last Friday Alicia, one of my brides, surprised me with a bottle of Rose from a local winery, Maugle Sierra Vineryards, here in Connecticut, and it was such a treat as we went into the weekend.
This weekend you must check out the calendar for the local wineries, there are so many spectacular things going on, from music series, to farmer's markets to having a picnic and sipping wine on their beautiful grounds. Thanks to Alica I have discovered a new winery that I must check out on the CT Wine trail. Their Rose was a real treat!

In addition to Rose, Zinfandel is a great wine to pair with food off of the grill. And one of my favorite cheapies is Gnarly Head, Old Vine Zinfandel, $9.99.


Lastly while searching the web for what the experts were saying about Fourth of July wines, I discovered a really interesting suggestion. That will be on my list for the weekend. Happy Fourth Everyone!


I’m going to take a pragmatic view here. Let’s say you are going to start getting ready in the afternoon, for whatever you do, meaning cracking a bottle of wine open and drinking it throughout the day. It’s probably going to be pretty warm out and there is a good chance that you might throw back a few drinks. This lead me to think, low alcohol, after all, heat stroke and dehydration are not very good ways to spend a paid day off.

Quick and dirty, Vino Verde, which means ‘green wine,’ is made in northern Portugal near the Spanish border. There are different styles including a red version but the region is known for its slightly frizzante wine that has 10 – 11% alcohol. It is usually made from one or a combination of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura. You want to get a wine from a recent vintage, preferably 2007, as it should be super fresh. My pick is Muralhas de Moncao Vinho Verde, 2007 ($13). It’s super clean and refreshing, with lime and a slightly salty minerality. Get two bottles as it goes down way to easy." - Pamela Busch, Owner & Wine Director at CAV Wine Bar & Kitchen, San Francisco

Friday Wine Tasting...

Ceretto Blange Arneis
$24.99

LOVE this wine! A grape (Arneis) I was not at all familiar with until a recent trip into NYC. I met up with one of my dearest friends for a glass of wine in Rockefeller Center at Morrell Wine Bar and amongst the many fabulous pages of interesting wines I picked out this one (I love trying new varietals from various regions all over the world). It is perfect for sipping on the deck or with food fresh off the grill you will love it. A must try!

winemaker's tasting notes:

This 100% Arneis blend is aged for 6 months and has a pale gold color with a tropical fruit, pear and apple aroma. A crisp and slightly effervescent palate with good body and ripe tropical, apple and pear fruit concentration.

This wine is made solely from the Arneis grape, which is indigenous to Piemonte. The grape is notoriously difficult to grow, hence the name, which means "the difficult one" in Piemontese dialect. It had fallen out of favor, and was nearly extinct when the Ceretto family began its renaissance in the mid eighties with the development of the Blange estate in the Langhe. This is composed of holdings near Vezza d'Alba and Castellinaldo facing south, southeast and southwest.

Holiday Weekend Friday Wine Tasting... St. Germain Cocktails and Ripe Ritas

I thought it might be fun for the holiday weekend to share two of my favorite new cocktails that I just cant get enough of. These are the perfect drinks to kick off summer with! Enjoy the sunshine!

Recipes

St. Germain-Mojito Parisien

Ingredients

• 10 fresh mint leaves

• 2 shots white light rum/or Vodka
  

• 2 shots St. Germain liqueur

• Spritz of lime
  

Directions

1. Lightly muddle mint in a collins glass. Add other ingredients.
2. Half fill the glass with crushed ice; stir. Fill to the brim with more crushed ice and stir again.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Ripe Margarita (available at Whole Foods)

Ingredients

No sugar. No corn syrup. And absolutely no highly-processed juice from concentrate. We squeeze every drop of juice we use for a taste that is pure freshness. We've done the work, all you do is add Tequila.

Friday Wine Tasting... Wily Jack

Wily Jack Cabernet Sauvignon
$9.99


Recently I attended an event in Woburn, MA hosted by Rentals Unlimited to announce their latest collaboration with AFR furniture rentals (which I must say is extremely exciting!) The collection of furniture is incredible.

At the bar they were featuring Wily Jack Cabernet Sauvignon, which I especially enjoyed. A cheapy red but one you will want to try.

Tasting Notes:
The main characteristic of Wily Jack Cabernet is its bold yet approachable style. The Red Hills region of Lake County offers aromas and flavors blackberry, while the Hames Valley in Monterey County contributes ripe plum and dark cherry. The concentrated fruit flavors are accented by sweet vanilla and toffee from the oak aging and hold up to the well-structured tannins.

Friday Wine Tasting... Destination Sonoma, Viansa Winery

Tasting Room Wine List
Courtyard Fountain

Views from the patio

Outside patio and event tent in the background.

Viansa was the first winery we visited in Sonoma. Recommended by family and friends as a must stop it was absolutely gorgeous. With a large tasting room, filled with gourmet olives, artisan cheeses, bread, olive oil and wine accessories, it felt like we were in an Italian market. We had a really great tasting through some of their favorites, in a huge portfolio of wines, and then bought a bottle with some cheese and bread sticks and sat on the patio as the sun set over the vineyard. The views are incredible up there! I didn't want the moment to end as it was the most relaxed I had been in months. It would be the perfect spot to host a wedding.

The wines:
Viansa is the premiere producer of Italian wine varietals in the United States. Some of our favorites included.

Gionaccia 2009- New proprietary white, a blend of Vernaccia, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscat. (this was the bottle we purchased to enjoy on the patio, it is the perfect spring, summer wine. Light, with great fruit, perfect for warmer weather.

"Farneta" Primitivo 2006- Primitivo is an early-ripening clone of Zinfandel, typically found in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. The grapes in "Farneta" are harvested right there in Carneros.

Cabernet Franc 2004- Rich and intense aromas and flavors. Firm, integrated tannins with a long satisfying finish. Barbera- Not listed on the wine list, a cellar selection, and an absolute favorite.

Friday Wine Tasting... Destination Napa, Provenance and Hewitt Vineyards

Every night this the view on our drive back to the hotel.

As I still continue to recap our trip out to wine country, Napa and Sonoma Valleys, I am excited to share with you Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt Vineyards. We really enjoyed our tasting experience and the wealth of knowledge provided by the sales associates in the tasting room. And thanks to our friend Scott (who works for Diageo), we were able to taste through their entire collection of wines as well as some spectacular wines produced by Hewitt Vineyard, who shares the tasting room at Provenance currently. The tasting room was simple yet striking with wood floors made of old barrels. They don't require an appointment but in busier months it is recommended.

As we were leaving the tasting room at Provenance the most spectacular rainbow stretched across the sky in what was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. A full rainbow arching across the acres of vines as the sun reemerged through it. Truly breathtaking! Being out in California reminded me to enjoy the simple things, which just happen to be all around us.

About the wines:

Provenance Vineyards

Philosophy: Our goal is to showcase the distinctiveness of Napa Valley's best growing areas. Great wines start in the vineyard, so we've selected top vineyards and intervene as little as possible during the winemaking process. We gently guide the grapes into wine, striving to bring out the personality, complexity and uniqueness of each vineyard and vintage. Provenance wines offer a balance of elegance and substance with deep, intense flavors that reflect the vineyards where the grapes were grown. We craft these age-worthy wines to be approachable upon release to the public.

My favorite and one that came back with us in our case was the 2005 Beckstoffer Las Amigas Merlot. It is a fantastic wine! And what we loved is that we can drink it now and don't have to wait for it to age another 5 years.

Hewitt Vineyards

Philosophy: Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard, limited-edition wine that highlights the character of our estate without overwhelming it. We harvest the grapes at peak maturity, ferment them for optimal extraction, age them slowly in new French oak and bottle without filtration. The resulting wine has deep black cherry and currant fruit complemented by classic Rutherford expression of cocoa, cedar and black olive. Impressive and elegant, Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon may be enjoyed in its youth or savored after years in the cellar.

Their current vintage is the 2006 Rutherford, Napa Valley Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a really special bottle of wine.

92 Points
Intense and full-blown, rich and concentrated, with a rustic, earthy edge to the dried currant, sage and underbrush notes. The depth and dimension of the flavors are cloaked in chewy tannins, requiring time to unfold. Best from 2010 through 2016.
Wine Spectator - August 5, 2009

Friday Wine Tasting... Destination Napa Far Niente

Far Niente Winery

Absolutely gorgeous grounds! The color of the tulips was amazing!Welcome Sign that greeted us on arrival

The Wine Cellar all French Oak The Owners' fun toys, A garage full of cars!My Dream Ride! Personal Wine Tasting to End the Tour

Sorry for the delay in getting up this week's Friday Wine Tasting. Wedding Season is definitely here and we have been super busy working on a number of exciting projects, upcoming photo shoots, and getting ready for the first wedding of the season next Saturday with Karyn and Paul at Saltwater Farm Vineyard. Can't wait to share their details with you!

Today's Wine Tasting takes us back to Napa Valley to one of my favorites Far Niente. Far Niente was definitely a highlight on the wine tour out in Calinfornia. From the minute we arrived at the gates we were greeted by Peggy, who took us on a very special tour of the winery, a behind the scenes look at what I think are some of the best wines we tried while out there. After an extensive tour of the winery and private look at the Owner's personal garage full of the most amazing cars we headed back inside for a tasting of absolutely delicious artisan cheeses and wines from their portfolio.

Husband and I were so fortunate to be joined on the tour with a really great couple, that happened to also be from Connecticut. We really enjoyed learning about their wine travels, and food experiences in Napa and around the world. They bike while visiting different wineries and restaurants in places that Adam and I dream of visiting. Next on our list thanks to our new friends is Quebec City, and we will also be bringing our bikes.

Far Niente:
"Since our first vintage of Chardonnay in 1979 and the introduction of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, Far Niente has held true to its philosophy of producing estate wines with a consistent house style.

While many wineries make wine at several different quality levels, Far Niente produces one Chardonnay and one Cabernet Sauvignon of the highest quality possible from our estate vineyards; if the wine doesn’t meet expectations, it doesn’t make the final blend."

Wines: We tasted a fantastic estate Chardonnay, true Burgundian style, crisp and clean really delicious, two different years of their Cabernet Sauvignon, fantastic, and also had the opportunity to taste their late harvest Dolce, phenomenal! It was the kind of dessert wine that you just want to savor on your lips. It was a real treat to get to taste something that special! It was one of the wines we brought back with us, and they say we should wait another 5 years to drink it, which for me will be so difficult knowing how delicious it is! This is a must see on your trip to Napa, but you must call the winery to schedule an appointment in advance. Tell Peggy we say hello if you get there for a visit!

Dolce: "With a classic blend of late harvest Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, Dolce is the only American winery dedicated to producing a single late harvest wine. Dolce has brought forth a wine in every vintage, yet in small, unpredictable quantities; witness to the incredible difficulties presented every year in the effort to make Dolce.

Dolce is an extraordinary wine bred from a combination of sunshine, soil, fog, expertise and dedication; a wondrous luxury, limited by nature to always being a gift of absurd rarity."

Friday Wine Tasting... Destination Napa Valley, Paraduxx

Love at first sight, the entrance to Paraduxx, a yellow house!

I just love the design of their tasting room, would be the perfect spot to host a private event.

During the tasting you have a chance to sit at your own private table and to enjoy at your own pace.

Want to clone that chandelier on a smaller scale for our house, so fabulous!

Napa River runs through their propertyJeff our new friend at Paraduxx gave us a personal tour of the property (and he is originally from CT)
Inside the tank room

Paraduxx was one of my favorite stops on the tour, from the entrance into the yellow house, to the interior design, welcoming staff and warmth of the tasting room, I probably could have stayed there all day sipping wine. During the tasting you have your own private table and can enjoy their portfolio of wines at your own pace paired with artisan cheeses and crackers. It was a really nice change of pace from some of the other tastings where you are standing at the bar surrounded by groups of other people doing the same thing. If you plan to visit be sure to call ahead it is by appointment only. This is a must see!

The wines:
Paraduxx is a unique Napa Valley Red Wine in the tradition of the world's great blends. From the Super Tuscan wines of Italy to the Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blends of Australia, each great winegrowing region has created its own authentic varietal pairings. Paraduxx's goal is to craft a world-class blend with a distinctly Californian personality by using Zinfandel, a grape synonymous with California, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. From the first vintage, Paraduxx has dedicated itself to finding the optimum blend, using combinations of Merlot and Cabernet Franc to enhance the core pairing of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Noting the jammy quality of valley Zinfandel, versus the tannic spiciness of mountain grown grapes, Paraduxx also experiments with blending fruit from distinct vineyard lots at differing elevations.

Duckhorn Wine Company originally created Paraduxx to allow its winemakers the opportunity to explore other styles without detracting from Duckhorn Vineyards' focus on Bordeaux varietals.

Our Favorite:
In the land where Cab is King and the focus is on Bordeaux varietals, I love that the winemaker at Paraduxx is doing something different. Mastering the art of blending Zinfandel with Cab Suavignon, Cab Franc, and Merlot he is crafting some incredible wines. As the winemaker for Paraduxx, David Marchesi is committed to the simple, yet bold idea that the Napa Valley-one of the great winegrowing regions of the world-is capable of producing a truly exceptional blend, with a uniquely Californian personality.

We selected the 2006 Canvasback Napa Valley Red, as the wine to travel back with us to CT. It is absolutely fabulous!

2006 Canvasback

Comments from the Winemaker

Crafted around a core of Syrah and Grenache, this wine offers a broad, beautifully balanced palate, fresh fruit notes and a silky texture. The Syrah dominates the aromatics with layers of blackberry, black pepper, licorice, currant and subtle earth. The mid-palate reveals juicy Grenache elements complemented by soft, integrated tannins with oak-inspired hints of cherry cola and vanilla. Ripe and intense, this layered blend also reveals sophisticated touches of black tea, orange peel, cinnamon and sage, leading to a savory finish.

Varietal Content

56% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 2% Carignane, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon