Wine

Vibrant notes of cherry, plum, and blackberry mark a brisk entry, after which the wine rolls out copious amounts of juicy, chewy, supple fruit, seasoned with a deft touch of vanilla and spice from partial aging in new oak barrels. The palate impression is succulent and graceful, with plenty of verve and lift. Ready to drink now, but has the potential for short-term aging of 18 months to 2 years. 

Poggio Verrano's flagship wine, Dromos, opens with an expressive bouquet of dark raspberries, grilled herbs, and vanilla oak. On the palate, it shows formidable density and richness, with a warmth that captures the best qualities of Maremma. Clearly intended for the cellar, this impressive wine will continue to evolve gracefully for an additional 5-7 years.

New Zealand has a gift for making Pinot Noir, but never have its delights been available at a price this low before. Ponga is produced by the Scott Family Group, a totally family owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Blenheim wine growing region of Marlborough. Blenheim's free-draining, gravelly subsoils, together with the region's abundant sunshine, cool nights, and long growing season, are tailor-made for producing elegant, Burgundy styled Pinot Noir. As good if not better than many $18-$20 range Pinot Noirs, the 2010 Ponga Marlborough Pinot Noir is a total charmer, offering vibrant, pure, strawberry/black cherry-accented Pinot Noir fruit at an eminently affordable price.

Reflecting - in comparison with Ponzis? ?Tavola? bottling - older vines from Laurelwood soils including two estate sites, their 2010 Pinot Noir displays purple plum and sour cherry with an undertone of marrow-rich beef stock. There is a slight, almost horseradish-like bite in the finish that adds to the stimulation and saliva-inducement of a Pinot apt to give renewed pleasure over at least the next 4-5 years.

Medium bodied, with nice spice notes of white pepper, anise and violet. Perfect with sausages, ham and salami, pizzas and pasta with simple sauces, spicy food.

Why do we call our "port" Starboard?
Because it is not port. Genuine port comes from a region in Portugal, the Douro River Valley. Starboard - the nautical term for right (as opposed to port - left) is unique to our place.


How is Starboard different?
We use the same grape varieties and similar methods as in the Douro, but our climate is warmer and the soils different. Instead of 140 proof fortifying brandy, we use a neutral grape spirit, 190 proof, for fortifying. We use 60 gallon barrels instead of 140 gallon pipes used in Portugal. Starboard matures earlier and has a riper more voluptuous flavor.


Starboard Batch 88 - The grapes in Batch 88 are primarily Tinta Roriz from the Madera area. The vineyard is managed to give loose bunches and a small crop. The blend is smooth and soft with a chocolate raisin character. Several different vintages are used in the blend which has an average age of about 5 years. In the port business this type of blend is called "Vintage Character."