Palazzo
Napa Valley Red Rises To 94 Parker Score,
The "Next Harlan" Joins California Cult Status
Palazzo
Wine's French Laundry Exclusive Cabernet Franc Scores 93
and Launches to Public
(Napa
Valley, CA, January 22, 2009) -- Former Music Video
Producer / Director Scott Palazzo's four vintage journey from
wine amateur to wine auteur is reaching cult status as the Palazzo
Napa Valley Red is hailed by Roots Cellar as "the next
Harlan," and Robert Parker's annual score on the wine rose
to 94 Points with the upcoming release of the 2006 vintage.
After the personal request of star restaurateur Thomas Keller
for an exclusive Palazzo 2005 Cabernet Franc to place in the
French Laundry and Per Se last year, the 'first vintage' available
for the marketplace was offered to the public in November, with
the of Palazzo 2006 Cabernet Franc scoring 93 Points.
An elegance Right Bank-Styled Bordeaux Blend (St. Emilion /
Pomerol), the Palazzo Napa Valley Red's beautifully understated
fruit and balanced acidity, has not typically received the big
scores from Robert Parker, yet his scores started with the wine's
first vintage in 2003 at 91 and rose to 94. The 93 Points given
to the first vintage of Palazzo's Cabernet Franc is one of the
highest scores Parker has ever granted to that varietal from
the Napa Valley.
In The Wine Advocate's December 31, 2008 issue, Robert Parker
said, "Palazzo's deep ruby/purple-tinged, full bodied 2006
Proprietary Red Wine reveals a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate,
fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, and subtle toasty
oak. Displaying a luscious texture, a broad, savory mid-palate,
and gorgeous length, it should drink nicely for 10 - 15 + years."
"Inspired by time spent in my younger years in the Right
Bank Region of Bordeaux," said Scott Palazzo, "we
make Old World food style wines ... with New World grapes. Our
wines are noted for their combination of beautiful layers of
rich fruit, power, elegance and complexity. I am honored by
the reviews and confidence of influencers such as Robert Parker
and Thomas Keller. We've managed to capture the attention of
the top 100+ restaurants in America in a surprisingly short
time."
Scott Palazzo's transition from wine amateur to wine auteur
has been assisted by veteran winemaker, Peter Franus. As Consultant,
Franus brings his expertise as a "top winemaker" for
25+ years in Napa Valley to the venture. Palazzo says, "not
only is Peter Franus one of the best winemakers in Napa Valley
... He's also one the best people in the Valley ... and I'm
very fortunate to have him involved as the Wine Consultant for
my wine ... as well as my friend!"
Founded in 2003, Palazzo Wine produces Palazzo Napa Valley Red
Wine, an elegant St. Emilion / Pomerol styled Bordeaux blend
and Palazzo Cabernet Franc, originally requested by famed restaurateur,
Thomas Keller as an exclusive for his famous restaurants the
French Laundry and Per Se. A passionate life purpose project
developed to merge the Old World finesse and elegance of France's
Right Bank with New World fruit of Napa Valley, Scott Palazzo
became a vigneron after a career as a Rock 'n Roll Music Video
Producer / Director in Hollywood, California. On the radar of
some of the most famous gourmands today, Palazzo Wines can be
found in the nation's top 100+ restaurants on the menu at the
restaurants of Gary Danko, Michael Mina, Thomas Keller and Pierro
Selvaggio and at Daniel, Grammercy Tavern, Spago, Charlie Palmer
Steak, Mastro's, Emerils, Valentino's, Per Se, Bouchon and many
other legendary restaurants.