Search results for: 'first born red white'

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92 Points! Offers a juicy, exuberant mix of blueberry preserves, fresh black cherry and cherry cola that's smooth and seamless. This complex red seamlessly integrates details of masala chai, bittersweet chocolate, violet, fresh earth, toasted cumin and white pepper on the firming finish. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

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The 2011 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc is a rare and distinctive wine within the Palazzo portfolio, reflecting Scott Palazzo’s long-standing inspiration from the great white blends of Bordeaux. Crafted in very limited quantities, the wine is built around Sauvignon Blanc, supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, selected for their ability to bring texture, balance, and age-worthiness rather than overt aromatic intensity. As with the estate’s red wines, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed for graceful evolution.

Tasting Note:
With more than a decade of bottle age, the wine opens with layered aromatics of preserved citrus, white peach, and subtle floral notes, accented by hints of almond, honey, and gentle spice. On the palate, it is textured and refined, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by lively acidity and a creamy, integrated mouthfeel. Subtle mineral and savory notes add complexity, while the finish is long, poised, and quietly powerful. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable freshness and cohesion, highlighting both its aging potential and its unique place within the Palazzo lineup.

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The nose on this “Specially Limited” sake is an amazing array of rose water, peach, papaya, sweet rice, nougat, and sugar aromas. It’s not fair! I’m sure when brewery owners taste sake that is not of their own making, they become jealous if they taste a sake like this. It’s simply not fair! How can rice and water taste like the best flavors in your life? Smooth, round, and velvety, this masterpiece is lush and sumptuous. So expressively smooth and layered, that flavors start counting themselves 1. Honey 2. Papaya 3. Maple syrup 4. Mango 5. Lemon sorbet. And on and on. This is more of an experience than a libation, as you feel your way to the soul of this brew. The take away from this sake is that there is a big difference between balance and perfect balance. This sake is a great lesson in rice umami goodness that rests on a seamless fluid which excels in a wine glass.

Region: Fukui Prefecture

Quality Grade: Junmai Daiginjo

Seimaibuai: 35%

Nihonshu-Do: +4.0

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 16%

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The 2013 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a highly regarded Napa Valley vintage known for structure, clarity, and balance. Continuing Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine, the blend is built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, chosen for their ability to add texture, depth, and age-worthiness. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white crafted for long-term evolution.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with focused aromatics of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, layered with hints of almond and gentle spice. On the palate, it is precise and energetic, showing bright citrus and stone fruit flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy texture. Subtle mineral and savory nuances add complexity, while the finish is long, clean, and poised. In magnum, the wine retains impressive freshness and tension, highlighting both the strength of the vintage and the longevity of the blend.w

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The 2014 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a warm, consistent Napa Valley vintage and reflects a confident expression of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend emphasizes texture, balance, and long-term aging potential. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed to evolve with grace and depth.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with expressive aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is generous yet composed, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by bright acidity and a smooth, rounded texture. Notes of almond, soft spice, and gentle mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, polished, and harmonious, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and structure to unfold seamlessly.

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The 2012 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a warmer, more generous Napa Valley vintage and represents a richer yet still finely balanced expression of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine philosophy. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend emphasizes texture, harmony, and the ability to evolve gracefully with age. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed with longevity in mind.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with inviting aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is broader and more generous than the 2011, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by bright acidity and a smooth, rounded texture. Gentle notes of almond, soft spice, and mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, balanced, and polished, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and depth to unfold seamlessly.

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92+ Points! The white 2022 Terroir Històric Blanc is the regional wine that blends grapes from nine different villages, 75% Garnacha Blanca and 25% Macabeo from different soils, slate, clay, granite and alluvial. The bunches fermented for three to five days in stainless steel, and the wine matured in stainless steel for six months. It has 13% alcohol and mellow acidity, 4.5 grams. It has a spectacular nose that is very expressive, aromatic, clean and open with pungent notes of pollen and beeswax. It's juicy, round and clean with persistent and pungent flavors, not very high in acidity, eminently Mediterranean. Really impressive. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

 

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From the importer: Hombo Shuzo, the company behind Mars Shinshu distillery, opened a second distillery in Tsunuki, the birthplace of the Hombo family enterprise, in November of 2016. The climate at Tsunuki Distillery is drastically different from that of Mars Shinshu, as it sits at sea level and experiences higher humidity and large fluctuations in temperature. The goal of this new location was not necessarily to increase production, but to experiment with terroir. This bottling marks the very first single malt to be distilled at Tsunuki, produced between 2016 and 2017. Aged for just over three years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks, this rich single malt exudes the enticing sweetness of vanilla and maple on the nose, leading to a fruity, pastry palate of banana crepes and apple pie and a finish of citrus, pine nut, and cinnamon. Only 1,122 bottles were produced of this highly anticipated single release, bottled at 59% ABV. Learn More

The 2018 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve comes from a generous and well-balanced Napa Valley vintage and represents a confident continuation of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine program. Drawn from the finest lots of the year, this Reserve bottling emphasizes depth, texture, and precision while maintaining freshness and long-term aging potential. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was produced in very limited quantities and bottled in magnum exclusively for Palazzo’s private members. This marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been offered to the public, providing collectors a rare opportunity to experience a later-era Palazzo white at a compelling stage of evolution.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with expressive aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is generous yet refined, delivering stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a smooth, integrated texture. Gentle notes of almond, soft spice, and mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, polished, and harmonious, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and structure to unfold gracefully.

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The 2017 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve reflects a mature and confident chapter in Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired white wine program. Crafted from the finest lots of the vintage, this Reserve bottling emphasizes precision, structure, and long-term aging potential while maintaining balance and restraint. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was produced in very limited quantities and bottled in magnum exclusively for Palazzo’s private members. This release marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been made available to the public, offering collectors a rare opportunity to experience one of the estate’s most refined white wines in its most age-worthy format.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with focused aromatics of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, layered with hints of almond and gentle spice. On the palate, it is precise and composed, showing bright citrus and stone fruit flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy texture. Subtle mineral and savory nuances add depth and tension, while the finish is long, clean, and poised. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable energy and clarity, underscoring its elegance and long-term aging potential.

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The 2015 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc Reserve represents the most focused and expressive white wine in the Palazzo portfolio. Drawn from the finest lots of the vintage, this Reserve bottling reflects Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach at its most deliberate, emphasizing depth, texture, and long-term aging potential. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend was crafted in very limited quantities with the intention of extended evolution in bottle. As with all Palazzo magnums, this format was reserved exclusively for private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these Reserve magnums have been offered to the public, providing collectors a rare opportunity to experience the pinnacle of Palazzo’s white wine program in its most age-worthy form.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with a layered and confident aromatic profile, showing ripe citrus, white peach, and subtle tropical notes, accented by hints of almond, honey, and gentle spice. On the palate, it is richly textured yet precise, delivering stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a creamy, integrated mouthfeel. Savory mineral undertones add complexity and length, while the finish is long, polished, and quietly powerful. In magnum, the wine retains remarkable freshness and balance, signaling a long and graceful evolution ahead.

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From the producer: In the early Spring tasting of 2022, after six years in barrels, our masterpiece was born with a complex body and lavish layers of floral, dried fruit, citrus, baking spices, chocolate and salty caramel flavors balanced with mineral and cask notes. A first sip awakens the palate with citrus notes, a second sip warms the soul with rounded heat and luscious flavors, and a third sip settles the mind with a long lasting elegant finish steeped in terroir.

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100 Points! The 2019 Le Désir is just as stunning as the first time I tasted it from bottle. It's pure and layered, with alluring scents of Morello cherries, dried mushrooms, cigars, sage and aniseed wafting from the glass. The palate strikes a fine balance of concentrated fruit, loads of powdery tannins, and energetic bursts of fresh acidity. It has a deep core of concentrated, perfumed fruit with the first faint touches of umami character and a long finish driven by floral and iron tones. I can't get enough of this wine. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

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94 Points! The 2024 Red Wine Evangelho Vineyard is bold, juicy and wonderfully expressive right out of the gate. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, rose petal and pomegranate makes a strong first impression. Carignane is front and center in this gorgeous, engaging Contra Costa red. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off of this. What a gem. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Own-rooted, 1890s-planted vines in over thirty feet of pure sand...

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91 Points! A dense and toothsome mix of blueberry preserves, wild blackberry and cassis lies at the core. Offers details of cumin, rosemary and sage, with dusty tannins, plus violet and black pepper accents. There's a whiff of eucalyptus on the long finish. Drink now through 2036. - Wine Spectator

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92 Points! So vivid, bright and light-bodied, offering fragrant aromas and brilliant citrus flavors at quite low alcohol. Fresh and almost steely, strong in acidity, mouthwatering and detailed. Minerals, flint, chalk, lemons and lime zest on the palate. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

From the winery:

Ribolla Gialla 42%, Tocai Friulano 35%, Chardonnay 23%, Pinot Bianco 6%. Our flagship white wine blend is sourced from small vineyards around Napa and Sonoma. The four grape varietals, Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco, are harvested separately and fermented independently in French oak and stainless steel tanks until blending six weeks before bottling. The Tocai, Ribolla, and Pinot Bianco build the aroma and flavor profile of the wine, while the Chardonnay adds to the wine’s structure. Annia is subtle, elegant, and fresh and fulfills the promise set forth years ago to bottle memorable white wines unique among the wines of California.

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Two Stacks was created by three longtime friends at the forefront of reinvigorating and reimagining the historically calcified Irish beverage industry. Taking their name from the twin smokestacks of historic Old Dundalk Distillery—stacks so tall they used to act as landmarks guiding ships to port—Two Stacks aims to guide modern consumers to the welcoming waters of Ireland’s best whiskies with an emphasis on transparency and integrity in sourcing. Reinvesting in the blending process as artisanal rather than industrial, every step of their production is done traditionally: by hand, by taste, and by smell. Learn More

The Sorgente project was born out of the mutual desire for importer The Source and a special undisclosed estate (sorry!) to work together with only their Prosecco wines.

Sorgente Prosecco comes from a six hectare parcel of Glera vines located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and a solid golf shot away from the Veneto border to the west, the vineyards sit only a few hundred meters from the natural spring (called sorgente in Italian) at the nascita of the Livenza River. 

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96 Points! This is from hearty Barossa soil, offering rich blackberries, blueberries and licorice, as well as sarsaparilla and a coal smoke. The palate is saturated with ripe dark plums and blackberries and smooth tannins stack up nicely, delivering such intensity of flesh and flavor into the long, fresh finish. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! Dense and concentrated, this red showcases clove, chai tea and bittersweet chocolate aromatics that mingle with a note of hot cast iron minerality, which adds an appealing high tone. Delivers dense, thick tannins and toasted herb flavors, which leave an appealing impression on the finish. Drink now through 2036. - Wine Spectator

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