My tasting group (15 strong) wasn’t shy to bring out the Napa “big guns” for this blind tasting “taste-off.” All of the candidates with scores in the mid to upper 90′s and some definite heavy-hitters in the mix. Even so, it wasn’t a big surprise to see which wine was the winner as much as [...]
Kirk Venge has been crafting wines since his childhood with his “famous” dad Nils Venge (first 100 Point winemaker in the Napa Valley, 1985 Groth Reserve). Nils told me some years ago that Kirk is a better winemaker than he’ll ever be – big statement! Kirk also makes the wines for Macauley, Venge, Honeycut, Jax, [...]
In a blind tasting of big name Cabernet Francs, the little Trespass winery (yes only 150 cases produced of this vintage) blew away a lot more expensive and highly rated wines, including: Hourglass ($150.00), Cadence, Andrew Will ($75.00), Derencourt ($140.00), Realm ($90.00), Pride ($75.00), Cayuse ($85.00), Del Dotto ($90.00), Crocker Starr ($70.00), Reverie ($60.00) and [...]
In its third year of production, this is a complex red for lovers of Right Bank Bordeaux. The interaction of Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc shimmers with excellent dark ruby color. The nose is vivacious with aromatics from the Cabernet Franc coming through first of rhubarb, cinnamon, clove vanilla and undertones of pine forest and [...]
An incredible follow-up to the stunning 2006 vintage. Kirk Venge, yes Nils’ son does not skip a beat with this latest release. It is beyond awesome. I would almost say that this is the best Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley, but who am I to say. This wine has an amazing dense purple hue [...]
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© Frank Melis. Golden Gate Wine Cellars. Vineyard theme adapted from Patagonia