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 — 8 months ago

Direct follow up to 2020 vintage. Much more earthy terroir taste than the 2020 fruit bomb. Very enjoyable with more complex hints of flavor — 10 months ago
Black fruit and baking spice. — 2 months ago
Boysenberry, chocolate, cigar with nice finish — 9 months ago
This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Columbia Valley in Washington State.
Very dark in color, and looks very young.
Full-bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and coffee.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 8 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
Smooth and elegant. Rich and extracted, with a great mouth feel.
Good by itself or with food. A great wine to sip on and talk about.
Robert Parker 94 points.
Needs 3 hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle as well.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec. Winemaker is Philippe Melka.
15.4% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$65 (current vintage). — 4 years ago
Legendary winemaker, still crushing it after over 60 harvests! — 4 months ago
A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 5 months ago
‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — 2 years ago
K L
Pleasantly surprised. Still dusty but good. A bit tanic. — a month ago