Author: gusclemens

Once upon a time Napa Valley was a place of pastoral legend. Blessed with the bucolic beauties of wooded knolls, forested slopes, springtime fields dappled with mustard flowers, summertime’s lush greenery, the valley aflame in reds and yellows come fall. The human presence was a smattering of vineyards and family-owned wineries, dairies, cattle ranches, walnut groves, plum-tree orchards. Continue reading →

Medium ruby color; black cherry, plum, blackberry on the nose; blackberry, black cherry, black plum, pomegranate, chocolate on the palate. Continue reading →

Deep ruby color; black cherry, blueberry, oak on the nose; black cherry, raspberry, redcurrant, plum, blackberry, pomegranate, chocolate, coffee on the palate. Continue reading →

The pandemic shook the wine world—as it did everything in the world. More to the point, it accelerated trends forever changing the wine landscape. Examples: Continue reading →

Deep ruby color; black cherry, tobacco, leather, chocolate on the nose; dark cherry, plum, dark fruit, vanilla, licorice, oak spice, tea on the palate. Continue reading →

Medium ruby color; cherry, raspberry, oak on the nose; cherry, raspberry, strawberry, smoke on the palate. Continue reading →

Pale amber color; almonds, hazelnut, apricot, saline, yeast on the nose; almonds, minerality, orange peel, saline and hints a slight bitterness on the palate. Continue reading →

When you think quality California wine, Napa and Sonoma leap to mind. Today, a sound argument can be made to include Paso Robles in the conversation. Continue reading →

Albert Bichot Horizon de Bichot Chardonnay 2020: Medium gold color; yellow apple, pear, citrus, white flowers on the nose; yellow apple, pear, grapefruit, vanilla, almonds on the palate. Continue reading →

Deep ruby color; cherry, plum, dried herbs, smoke on the nose; charry, plum, blackberry, raspberry, cedar, chocolate, vanilla on the palate. Continue reading →