Palmaz Vineyards is one of those small, family owned wineries in the heart of Napa that should be on your “to do-visit list, if visiting Napa Valley. The winery is situated within Mount George, consisting of an underground maze of engineered tunnels and caves equivalent to being housed in an 18 story building. The elaborate construction of the vineyard permits the family to manufacture wine via gravity flow; treating their wines like new borns without the violent agitation of pumping that can destroy wine’s molecular structure. This so called process allows Palmaz to practice “gentle wine making practices” thereby treating their wines with kid gloves resulting in elegant wines with great finesse and structure.
The Wilshire Hote, NJ, recently showcased Palmaz wines where Amalia and Christian Palmaz treated guests to a fine showing of their wines and family wine making history. Christian Palmaz manages the vineyard and described in detail the family’s passion for wine and its pride in practicing true gentle wine making. Amalia Palmaz, born in Argentina, continued by describing the wines, including their Amalia Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008, produced sur lie, without the heavy oak aging that many Napa Chardonnay’s resort to. The resulting Amalia Chardonnay displays typical ripe fruits of pineapple and melon without the heavy oak; a true expression of the wine’s terrior. The 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a display of 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French Oak; smooth tannins, ripe black cherry with hints of chocolate. The Cedar Knolls 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is an interesting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot; light tannins with a hint of spice.
Wines Showcased:
Amalia Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008
Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Cheers! -Adrienne
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