Autumn continues to settle into Napa Valley, bringing brisk northern winds, cooler temperatures and a continued yearning to explore warming hearty red wines.    To continue the Location Series with Cabernet Sauvignon, this week there is no area better to feature than Rutherford Bench.   Rutherford Bench, which sits on the western central floor of Napa Valley, […]

Diamond Mountain, located on the western northern end of Napa Valley on the Mayacamas Range, is one of the taller peaks bordering Napa Valley and is home to famed Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.   Diamond Mountain is a highly regarded American Viticultural Area (“AVA”) and is recognized for producing deep, expressive fruit that can hypnotize your palate […]

Cabernet Sauvignon, a small and thick-skinned grape, packs quite a punch in Napa Valley wines.   As discussed earlier this week, depending on the fruit’s origin, the components found in the wine can vary greatly allowing Napa Valley to produce a collection of Cabernet Sauvignon wines boasting unique characteristics.   Some areas produce grapes with cherry flavors, […]

Why is it that Cabernet Sauvignon wine in Napa Valley can taste so different?    Where the grapes are planted influences wine greatly.   It is often said that “location” is everything and that is particularly true with wine.   In Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon is king due to its ease of growth and adaptability to the region’s […]

Yes!   A thousand resounding times, “Yes!   Red wine and Fish!”   Typically when you are sitting in a restaurant and you ask your server for suggestions about what wine to pair with what food, the drill is simple:  (i) white wine with fish and chicken and (ii) red wine with meat and pork.   While this is […]