The Winemaker Dinner: Francoise Peschon
5 WINES FROM HER NAPA PORTFOLIO:
2023 Accendo Laurea Sav Blanc
2021 Baker & Hamilton cab
2019 Cornell cab
2019 Heimark cab
2019 Vine Hill cab
FOOD:
Blufin tuna Tostada
Pepper crusted Elk tartare
Venison smash
Braised wild Boar leg
Bison NY strip steak
Mocha passionfruit opera cake — 4 months ago

Unusual to be drinking a wine this young. Decanted 45min to begin. Nose somewhat muted, though dark fruit and oak are there. Inky purple. Great ripe black and blue fruit. Could still use more time in the air to blend together, but the minerality and earthiness is definitely there to match the fruit. Nice med-long finish. Decanting 2+ hours recommended. — 5 years ago
A blend of Zinfandel, Grenache, Mataro (among others) combine to bring a deep, lush, and leggy ruby hue to what’s already a stunner as it’s just begun to breathe. It’s a full-bodied, rich wine without a doubt. The nose is pronounced and reveals oodles of macerated raspberries. The quick decant has really helped to soften the acidity and without a doubt has helped to reveal both the texture and depth. This is a big, bold wine that has received massive scores from top critics, but I feel I may be missing something here in the translation. While the depth of the wine is clear, it really required the steak we had with it in order to lighten the sheer intensity of the wine. It needed to be paired to unveil its complexity, at least to me. Could be the wine’s youth as the Old Hill Ranch will undoubtedly become more and more accessible with some bottle aging. The famed critic Antonio Galloni gave this wine a 98 point score, so who am I to argue with it. Could be this one just flew over my head. I’ll be happy to revisit this puppy in a decade though ;). — 11 days ago
15.3% ABV Dark red color, legs, black & red fruit. Nice long finish. — 2 years ago
Nice California Chardonnay with layers of oak and vanilla. Cream and fruit. Great value under $25. — a month ago
This is a delicious Petit Verdot from Napa Valley.
Tasty right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours in the decanter.
Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, chocolates, tobacco leaf, spices, tar, peppercorn, dark coffee, earth and licorice.
Full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry and fruity on the palate.
Loved the nose here.
14.7% alcohol by volume.
93 points. — 4 years ago
Adam Kincaid
2021 is drinking really nicely now. Dark ruby/purple and a big bold nose of plum, vanilla, blueberry and blackberry - in that order. Not too tight or big, but medium acidity and medium large tannins. Long finish with some tobacco and leather once it has opened up a bit. Definitely not a fast sipper, the flavors linger for a good while after each sip. — 12 days ago