Parallel is a Napa Valley wine that represents the collaboration of eight close friends and renowned winemaker, Philippe Melka. Melka is among Napa Valley’s most sought-after consultants and was named the 2005 Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine. Melka has been crafting two extraordinary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and a Chardonnay from Russian River Valley for Parallel since their first vintage in 2003.
This weekend we were lucky enough to taste the wines at Parallel’s hospitality home, Brasswood Estate. With our friend Adrienne Capps, now Parallel’s Director of Hospitality and Marketing, the tasting was interesting, multi-layered and refreshing. She shared how the wine brand embraces a skiing lifestyle, requiring skill and focus for the adventurous. Just like wine, skiing celebrates those who have a passion for living, exploration and the good life.
We were able to experience 2013 Russian River Chardonnay paired with a Rosemary Hazelnut Cookie and Petit Basque Sheep’s Milk Cheese. So savory and a bit sweet, it made me love white wine all over again.
Up next was the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is fruit driven with loads of blackberry and black cherry—beautiful to enjoy now and sure to still be drinking well in 15-20 years. Next up on the tasting list (modeled after ski runs, this was our “black diamond”) was the 2013 Black Diamond “Outer Limits” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon in 100% French Oak that has received 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. Adrienne cleverly paired it with Candied Walnuts and Beemster Aged Gouda. It was delicious, highlighting red fruit and structured tannins backed by notes of tobacco.
The final taste was a special pour from the Parallel Library Collection – their 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon matched with Kunik Triple Cream Cheese –truly special with notes of caramel and berry, it will drink beautifully for the next number of years. If you love older vintages, I recommend picking up some soon – they have just a few cases of this treasured wine left.
The brand is the culmination of parallel lives and friendships that have coalesced over the past 30 years, beginning with a meeting of the partners – all passionate skiers – in the mountains of Park City, Utah. Their love of the sport is reflected in the intersecting ski tracks of the Parallel label. All successful entrepreneurs in their own right, the Parallel partners love a challenge and relish hands-on participation. They have been fully involved in every aspect of the wine’s production, from the planting of the first estate vines to sampling the first sips of each vintage—and it shows—we can’t wait for our next tasting experience! If you’d like to enjoy a tasting experience of Parallel wines hosted by Adrienne, go to their website for more information and to request an appointment: http://www.parallelwines.com/Visit-Us.
