ARTICLES - Editorial Commentary
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Travel + Leisure GOLF "Every few years a flock of new, would-be cult wines appears in Napa Valley. Most of them are turkeys; a few soar like eagles. One of the more impressive newcomers has been a merlot-dominated blend from Blackbird Vineyards..." |
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Robb Report - "Best of the Best" "While some critics have argues that Merlot is too fleshy, too fruity, and lacks structure and complexity necessary for extended aging in the cellars, other have (rightly) notes that several of the most coveted and long-lived wines of Bordeaux—Chateau Petrus and Chateau Le Pin, for instance—are Merlot-based. Michael Polenske, entrepreneur and proprietor of Blackbird Vineyards, is among these Merlot admirers, and his releases stand among Napa's most beautifully articulated boutique wines..." |
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Vanity Fair Blackbird Vineyards released its acclaimed 2005 Napa Valley Proprietary Red at a V.I.P. dinner, hosted by Chanel, honoring the Host Committee of the charity P.S. Arts. The gala event was held at Cut, Wolfgang Puck's ultra-chic Beverly Hills steak house, and the exclusive wine poured was the Proprietary Red. |
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Town & Country The 2005 Blackbird Vineyards "Paramour" Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine is endorsed by Town & Country as their "Perfect Gift for the Home." |
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Robb Report "Winemaker Sarah Gott has shown once again she is a virtuoso in handling this (Merlot) grape...The 2004 tempers powerful fruit with earth elements of roasted coffee, cocoa, and ginger, all of which are wrapped up in a texture like royal red velvet." |
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Stratos Merlot has fallen out of favor with some, but enophiles know it is the grape that powers Chateau Petrus, among the most sought after wines in the world. |
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Food and Wine Ask Michael Polenske, 45, why he decided to give up an extraordinarily successful career in finance to start Blackbird Vineyards, his Napa Valley winery, and he'll say wryly, "Why take a vow of poverty, you mean?" |
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In Style Magazine The Perfect Gift...For The Proud Homeowner |
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C Magazine Gourmet Gifts "Never mind those cruel jokes in Sideways. Merlot can be marvelous, and the limited-production release of winemaker Sarah Gott's Blackbird Vineyards 2004 Merlot ($80; six bottle allocation) shows the subtle finesse of Napa's other red wine." |
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Distinctive Living Sing a Song of Blackbird, Antiques, and Find Food "Funnily enough, it all started at Chico State, the place investment advisor and entrepreneur Michael Polenske calls "the very prestigious university in Northern California that was rated the Number One party school in 'Playboy' magazine two out of the three years that I was there." He must have learned something in those formative years, however, for Polenske has certainly figured out how to both make money and keep that party spirit alive in the process." |
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San Francisco Bay Club Michael Polenske "Bay Club member Michael Polenske does more than just enjoy the good life-he creates it. This full-time investment advisor and part-time entrepreneur has fashioned a collection of lifestyle-based ventures that reflect his passion for great food and wine, and the little things that make life sweeter. For more than 20 years, Michael has found much success by helping his clients find investments that reflect their personal interests. He tells us, 'By choosing investments that have some special significance, my clients ground altogether. And by offering its gourmet ingredients for the home cook, Boulettes has made slow food a little more accessible to those just outside "the know".'" |
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7x7 Cult Leader "You've heard it before: Wealthy guy buys expensive vineyard in Napa Valley, produces small amount of expensive wine. It's the tale of Michael Polenske, the owner of Blackbird Vineyards, who was finally able to make his vinous dreams come true in 2003, after years of long hours in a lucrative financial business. "Not to say that Polenske's Merlot isn't good. In fact, if you can get hold of it, you're likely to find it delicious. But what makes a wine go from being another costly, elusive bottle to becoming a cult sensation? Blackbird is just one of a handful of wines vying for this position, but unlike, say, Hourglass and Amuse Bouche, it's a relative newcomer, which can help. If a wine has been around for a few years and hasn't made it, chances are it never will." |
