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.