The Gifted Palate

1992 – Chateau Montelena vs Opus One I have been lucky enough to have shared both bottles with good friends that also stored them identically. Each one had a 100 plus bottle wine refrigerator and have been the sole owner of these wines from a retailer for their entire life. However, their was one difference. […]

Cost versus Price of Napa Valley Cabernet You always here the argument that Napa Valley cabernets are getting to expensive. They are made for the wealthy and Top 1%. It is true. However, do you know the formula for pricing? The price of a bottle is based on the cost of a ton of grapes.

Why Do You Like Bourbon Barrel Aging? Is it because you like bourbon or want to like it? Is it the little sweet whiskey taste on the back end? Is it because you really want to drink wine out of whiskey glasses? Is it because you want your wine to be oaky? While this may

What Kind of Cabernet Drinker Are You? The Napa Valley cabernet is one of the most coveted grapes and wine in the world. However, I fear that it could become like chardonnay. Follow me for a moment. The argument here is about “style” or “terrior”. The responses from some winemakers is that I make the

What is in a Vintage? Everything! How can you expect the same results from year to year? What about rain fall, low temperatures and high temperatures, sun light, etc. Look, good wine is not cheap. I will not let you buy poor vintages. I did not buy one Napa Valley cabernet from 2011. One of

Napa Valley vs Bordeaux This is not an argument. They are both great! They are two different styles. Napa usually has 80 – 100% cabernet grape. Bordeaux (Left Bank) usually has 70% or less cabernet. Napa will offer more diversity in complexity because of the geography. Napa has more elevation. Bordeaux is more blended. Napa

Wine Labels Do you really know what your drinking? I do. If it is not on the label, I go to the website of the vineyard and download a tasting sheet. If I don’t get the information I want, I send them an email. Don’t you want to know what grapes are used and how

Constellation – Not a Good Model for Wine Industry I wanted to take a moment and discuss my dissatisfaction with large wine companies. It is interesting to me how customers follow brands of wine without understanding what is in the bottle, how much is produced and where it comes from. Constellation will take a wine