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The Palace Thief #2
Most of the Napa OGs have been bought out or at least changed hands numerous times. The winery behind Palace Thief Napa, starting in 1969, has remained owned and run by the same family. Now, it’s a third-generation project but the critical piece, the vineyards, is really what has allowed this family to achieve such demonstrated excellence. The Cabs are firm, powerful and very classically Napa-esque.
Type, Body & Flavor
The Palace Thief Cabernet Sauvignon
The vast Columbia Valley encompasses 12 AVA’s; it even leaks over from Washington State into Oregon. So, it’s difficult to say exactly what Cabernet Sauvignon is going to be like when it’s labeled as Columbia Valley. For now, we can focus upon the fact that there is more Cabernet grown in the Columbia Valley than any other grape, by a significant measure. There’s a reason for that: virtually all the AVA’s within it make great Cabernet.
Type, Body & Flavor
The Pessimist
When the Daou Brothers took their tech dollars a-shopping in Paso Robles they only bought the best: the old Hoffman Mountain Ranch. Founded by Dr. Stanley Hoffman in 1964, this was the site of some legendary wine. I can tell you about the 1976 and 1977 HMR Cabernet, but then that would be rude bragging. Let’s just say that Daou wines have an excellent and established pedigree; this one is a powerful Syrah blend.
Type, Body & Flavor
Vajra Langhe Rosso
In some ways, winemaking isn’t complicated at all: you squish grapes and then you let them ferment. They could be fermented in barrels, or in stainless steel, or in cement tanks, if you like. Here, Vajra has let the grapes ferment in stainless steel and left them to age in the same tanks for a few more months. Then they bottle it. If that sounds too simple, just know that in this wine the grapes being fermented are Nebbiolo (Vajra makes Barolo after all), Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Albarosso, Chatus and Slarina. Haven’t heard of the last few? Neither has anyone else outside of folks who’ve been making wine in Piemonte for generations. That's where your complexity comes from.
Type, Body & Flavor
Venge Silencieux Cabernet
If the name Nils Venge doesn’t mean anything to you, let us throw you this tip. The first U.S. wine that ever scored 100 points was Groth Vineyards 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon made by, you guessed it, Nils Venge. Nils’ son, Kirk, has learned at his father’s footsteps, and fourth generation wine professional that he is (father and son both raised in Napa), they know how to put together a remarkable blend.
Type, Body & Flavor
Vieux Chateau Renaissance
Most Bordeaux never make it to the U.S. because there are a surprisingly small number of importers who have range and reach to get the wines into the hands of America’s small and powerful wholesalers. So it’s fun to subvert the system and bring in some things direct, letting the little guys bring you wines that aren’t part of some faceless distribution conglomerate. And this is from the heralded 2020 vintage!
Type, Body & Flavor
Z/N Zinfandel
I know, I know, Zinfandel is the same grape as Italy’s Primitivo. But is it? Even the best Primitivo doesn’t have the fruitiness, the power, the sheer intensity of California’s best Zins. And how do we describe that fruitiness? I always find that it has something like more red fruits than black fruits, with a little hint of red currant jelly right at the end that is part of the easy friendliness of the grape.
Type, Body & Flavor
The Palace Thief #2
Most of the Napa OGs have been bought out or at least changed hands numerous times. The winery behind Palace Thief Napa, starting in 1969, has remained owned and run by the same family. Now, it’s a third-generation project but the critical piece, the vineyards, is really what has allowed this family to achieve such demonstrated excellence. The Cabs are firm, powerful and very classically Napa-esque.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
The Palace Thief Cabernet Sauvignon
The vast Columbia Valley encompasses 12 AVA’s; it even leaks over from Washington State into Oregon. So, it’s difficult to say exactly what Cabernet Sauvignon is going to be like when it’s labeled as Columbia Valley. For now, we can focus upon the fact that there is more Cabernet grown in the Columbia Valley than any other grape, by a significant measure. There’s a reason for that: virtually all the AVA’s within it make great Cabernet.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
The Pessimist
When the Daou Brothers took their tech dollars a-shopping in Paso Robles they only bought the best: the old Hoffman Mountain Ranch. Founded by Dr. Stanley Hoffman in 1964, this was the site of some legendary wine. I can tell you about the 1976 and 1977 HMR Cabernet, but then that would be rude bragging. Let’s just say that Daou wines have an excellent and established pedigree; this one is a powerful Syrah blend.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Vajra Langhe Rosso
In some ways, winemaking isn’t complicated at all: you squish grapes and then you let them ferment. They could be fermented in barrels, or in stainless steel, or in cement tanks, if you like. Here, Vajra has let the grapes ferment in stainless steel and left them to age in the same tanks for a few more months. Then they bottle it. If that sounds too simple, just know that in this wine the grapes being fermented are Nebbiolo (Vajra makes Barolo after all), Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Albarosso, Chatus and Slarina. Haven’t heard of the last few? Neither has anyone else outside of folks who’ve been making wine in Piemonte for generations. That's where your complexity comes from.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Venge Silencieux Cabernet
If the name Nils Venge doesn’t mean anything to you, let us throw you this tip. The first U.S. wine that ever scored 100 points was Groth Vineyards 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon made by, you guessed it, Nils Venge. Nils’ son, Kirk, has learned at his father’s footsteps, and fourth generation wine professional that he is (father and son both raised in Napa), they know how to put together a remarkable blend.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Vieux Chateau Renaissance
Most Bordeaux never make it to the U.S. because there are a surprisingly small number of importers who have range and reach to get the wines into the hands of America’s small and powerful wholesalers. So it’s fun to subvert the system and bring in some things direct, letting the little guys bring you wines that aren’t part of some faceless distribution conglomerate. And this is from the heralded 2020 vintage!
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Z/N Zinfandel
I know, I know, Zinfandel is the same grape as Italy’s Primitivo. But is it? Even the best Primitivo doesn’t have the fruitiness, the power, the sheer intensity of California’s best Zins. And how do we describe that fruitiness? I always find that it has something like more red fruits than black fruits, with a little hint of red currant jelly right at the end that is part of the easy friendliness of the grape.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions