(Contributed by Jane Hofmeister) This week, Palmer Emmitt, CEO of Emmitt-Scorsone Winery, visited SSU to share his beautiful artisan wines with us. Palmer and his partner produce two brands: Judge Palmer and Domenica Amato.
Emmitt-Scorsone Wines
The Judge Palmer Wine Brand
This wine was name for Palmer’s grandfather James Palmer. He served as a judge in El Dorado County, California in the 1960s and 1970s. Palmer said this wine is a favorite of lawyers, and also is a great gift for anyone working in a legal environment. However, the velvety and rich taste of this wine will satisfy people from all walks of life.
Domenica Amato Wine Brand
Domenica Amato is made in remembrance of Michael Scorsone’s grandmother who was born in Sicily and moved to America. Her story represents the essence of these wines as Domenica Amato wines are inspired by old world style wines, but have a new world flare that’s fun, funky and fruity.
Wines We Tasted This Week
Domenica Amato 2015 Grenache Blanc (2% Viognier) – Medium bodied blend with notes of honeydew melon, lemon, stone fruit, and oak. Wine is unfiltered and unfined, grapes grown in volcanic Sonoma soil and stored in both neutral and French oak. Pair with scallops, sea bass, cod, lobster.
Domenica Amato 2015 Chardonnay – Full bodied, Burgundian style Chard with notes of apricot, toasted marshmallow, and lemon custard. Also unfiltered an unfined. Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County. Pair with smoked chicken, seafood linguini, bouillabaisse.
Domenica Amato 2007 Pinot Noir – Medium-bodied, modestly tannic Pinot with notes of mushroom, cherry, pomegranate, cedar, and oak. Grapes are stomped by foot and aged in French oak. Pair with filet minion, mushrooms, duck, rabbit, coq au vin.
Domenica Amato 2015 Syrah – Rich, bold, gamey wine with notes of licorice, wet wood, chocolate and coffee with a fruity finish. Also foot stomped and aged in new and used barrels. Dry Creek Valley. Pair with BBQ: brisket, pulled pork.
WineSense Board with Palmer Emmitt
Favorite Wine of Millennials
At the conclusion of the tasting, participants were asked to vote on their favorite wine, and the Domenica Amato 2015 Grenache Blanc was the clear winner.
If you would like to experience these incredible unique wines, please make an appointment to visit Emmitt-Scorsone’s tasting room in Healdsburg. There you can experience both labels: Judge Palmer with innovative Bordeaux style blends, and Domenica Amato, old world style wines with a new world twist. All wines are limited production. Cheers!