Tag Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

A Second Round of Opus One

Posted on July 18, 2017 by waywardwine

My job has flung me back to Opus One. A year and a half ago my wife and I paired our eighth anniversary with a visit. After three hours, we left impressed but confused. Can a single wine, no matter how good, merit a whole facility and army of employees?

Well, time for the prodigal son to return. Continue reading →

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Revel in the World’s Biggest Wine Bottle Punt

Posted on April 6, 2017 by waywardwine

Now, I am not implying that Krupp Brothers Winery suffers from an inferiority complex, size issue, or that they are over-compensating for anything in particular. But *cough *cough Look at that punt. You could fit a foot in that punt. That … Continue reading →

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A Paso Robles Right Bank Wine-Off Daou vs Justin

Posted on December 19, 2016 by waywardwine

With our house a block of ice, I turn to southern climes for sunnier respite. This manic Monday’s glass travels to Paso Robles AVA: California’s hot hills of heritage Zinfandel vines and huge Syrah wines. Continue reading →

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Thirsty Thursday Wine Review Marco Abella, Mas Mallola, Priorat, Spain 2008

Posted on October 27, 2016 by waywardwine

For tonight’s Halloween entertainment, we chose 1965’s The Creeping Terror:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR0sf8PfAMQ&w=560&h=315%5D

Just imagine, some gaffer forgot to turn on the mic for 80% of the film. Thus, dull narration lays over scenes like a wet blanket, telling us “and then Martin said he was worried and asked to open the door, which he did”, followed by a jump cut shag carpet crawling for hours across a field. Terror.

Drinking is the only answer. Continue reading →

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Stags’ Leap Winery Review Napa Valley

Posted on May 23, 2016 by waywardwine

Back to beginnings this week with one of Napa’s originals: Stags’ Leap Winery (not to be confused with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars).

The Chase family built the stone Manor House in 1890 and planted vineyards in 1893.

Stags Leap PatioOur visit feels part historic home tour, part winery tour. We enter and get a glass of 2014 Viognier (dry, pale, soft pear, white peach, lemon blossom: very good 4 of 5 $32). Stags’ interior oozes Victorian oak and moodiness. I feel like I forgot my top hat, pipe, and misogyny.

Stags Leap Victorian StaircaseIn 1913, widowed Mrs. Frances Grange bought and turned Stags’ into a resort for Hollywood elite. Prohibition halted wine-making but didn’t halt Frances. She sold fruit to other producers and turned Stag’s basement into an underground speakeasy with a trap door.

Stags Leap Prohibition CellarTo absolve patrons’ sins, both lawbreaking and religious, widow Grange built a non-denominational church. Today, church Grange serves as winery: Continue reading →

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