Merry Edwards

Most of my time is spent walking the vine rows - measuring, evaluating, tasting & planning - Merry Edwards

This really comes through in her wines. Merry is very hands on. We had the privilege of a private wine tasting at their new facility. While we thoroughly enjoyed the wines, I think we caught our host on an off day... as we received a very basic run-through of the wine without much enthusiasm. Learning more about the wine, vineyards and winemaker herself would have left a stronger impression.

Merry Edwards was our third and final stop on "Pinot Noir Day".



Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
Russian River Valley, California - $42
Slightly brown color; dark black cherry and plum flavors.

Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006
Sonoma County, California - $36
Too tannic, needs a few years. Nice black cherry finish.

Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2005
Russian River Valley, California - $54
Loved it, very fruity and smooth. Rated 90 pts from WS. From the winemaker: Generous aromas of blackberry, raspberry, anise w/hint of cardamom. Supple, rich flavors, firm tannins, lush palate. Powerful & well structured.



More at Merry Edwards.com

Arista

Primarily focusing in Pinot Noir, Arista believes in sustainable farming and minimal interference in the vineyards. The grounds feature a breathtaking setting of mountain and vineyard vistas and Japanese water gardens - designed by renowned landscape architect Harry Sumigawa. It is an amazing place for a picnic lunch. (The vista below was designed to mirror views of Mt. Fuji.) The kind folks at Gary Farrell recommended Arista as a good picnic spot where they just happen to make great wine! (Arista was our second winery visit during "Pinot Noir Day".)



Arista Gewurztraminer 2007
Sonoma County, California - $25
Jasmine and honeysuckle aromas. Clean, crisp. Green & yellow pear flavors.

Arista Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
Sonoma County, California
A three vineyard blend and a wonderful example of RRV terrior - slightly sweet, slightly bitter and silky.

Arista Longbow Pinot Noir 2006
Sonoma County, California
Very berry, dry. Smoky, earthy and more toasty as it opens. Young, so put down for as long as 10 years but at least 2 years. We'll open the first bottle sometime in 2010 to decide when to open the second bottle. The 2004 vintage was available for tasting and had the benefit of 4 years of bottling. From that sampling, I decided the 2006 had much more potential as it ages. Looking forward to opening this one in a year.



More at Arista Winery.com

Gary Farrell

A winemaker renowned for beautifully crafted Pinot Noirs, Gary Farrell Winery is an iconic name. The dramatic architecture of the hilltop tasting room enhances the amazing vistas of the Russian River Valley. It was a hike, but well worth it. This was our first stop on "Pinot Noir Day".



Gary Farrell Rochioli Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Drink now-2012. Clean, flinty, melon and touch of oak with harmony and balance. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Drink now-2011. Floral aromas, lots of depth and complexity. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Westside Farms Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Slightly tart, long finish with butter and oak. Brian likes this one. Drink now-2011. Fresh, snappy, elegant with long finish. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Cresta Ridge Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
This Chardonnay was my favorite. Picked up minerality immediately. More crispness and minerality than Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc (below). From the winemaker: Bursts with aromas of orange blossom, citrus zest and hints of toffee. Luscious, fresh cut green melon, spiced pear, interesting mineral components.

Gary Farrell Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Sonoma County, California - $25
new French oak, very citrusy, not grassy. "Bright, forward aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, lime and melon. Generous flavors, richness on mid-palate, never strays from crisp refreshing acidity. Rated 91 points in WS.



Gary Farrell Sonoma County Merlot 2003
RRV, California - $32
Picked up the mint and cedar aromas. Very interesting. From the winemaker: Complex aromas of blackberry, chocolate-cherry, mint and cedar. Juicy expressions of wild berry fruit, cassis and green peppercorn.

Gary Farrell Collins Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
RRV, California - $40
Notable nose. Cranberry, very tart, really needs decanting for a few hours. Will be prime in 2011-2013.

Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
RRV, California 2005
Very good, but needs more time to develop in bottle.

Gary Farrell Carneros Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
RRV, California - $50
Very good. Beautiful now, but can age up to 12 years for greatness.

Gary Farrell Santa Barbara Bien Nacido Pinot Noir 2005
Santa Barbara County, California - $50
Favorite Pinot from the tasting. Pretty aromas & silky, elegant tannins. Nose of raspberry, black cherry with hint of spice. Fine, rich and voluptuous textures. Decant, cellar up to 10 years. Rated 87 points in WS.



More at Gary Farrell wines.com

Clos Pegase

It was only a matter of happenstance that we visited Clos Pegase. Had we not been vacationing in Mexico two months prior, we wouldn't have met another wine-loving couple who gave Clos Pegase rave reviews for the wine, architecture and art collection. I'm never sure if someone else's glowing recommendation from memory will live up to expectations and assessments from our group, so I was hesitant to lobby for its inclusion on the winery tour. I can now say I was very relieved when our group was impressed with the quality of their wines and amazed at all the art.


Architect Michael Graves was commissioned to build a "temple to wine and art" and created a fantastic palette for the many art installations, large-scale paintings and sculpture. Everyone takes a picture of The Thumb sculpture. I don't know it's real name, but it's all over Flickr (go look, I'll wait) so I'll spare the internet the repetition of my photo.

Their Sauvignon Blanc blew us away, especially for the red drinkers who couldn't find a white to impress them. This one did it. I wish we would have bought more bottles of it and the sleeper-hit Cabernet Sauvignon.



Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $20
A great find and top value for 2008. One of our favorites that represents my favorite expression of Sauvignon Blanc: supple & bright with tropical & citrus aromas & flavors. Bright straw color. Juicy nose of pineapple & pear, brightness of lemon. Herbal & grassy. Very complex aroma. Spicy pear, gooseberry, pineapple flavors. Well balanced acidity, medium-heavy body. Holds its own against garlic! a buy again and again. Almost 2,000 cases produced. Rated 88 in WS, 90 in Wine Enthusiast. 5/5


Clos Pegase Pegase Circle Claret 2005
Napa Valley, California - $26
Every day food wine, but complex enough to keep your interest. From the winemaker: Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Rich fruit tones, black currant, plums & cherries. Only available at the winery.

Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $35
Very tannic, needs food and time to open. A fantastic value and sleeper-hit. From the winemaker: Ripe & luscious with density & elegance. Production is just under 5,000 cases. Rated 87 ("sweet black plum and mocha flavors... ends on a note of pencil lead... honeyed red for brisket").

Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Merlot 2004
Napa Valley, California - $25
Plum, pomegranate, cherries, good, very dark purple. From the winemaker: Well composed with structure, balance, and vibrant fruit tones; soft, elegant and balanced. Only available at the winery.


More at Clos Pegase.com

Pride

Pride was one of the best wineries we visited during our weeklong stay in Napa an Sonoma. Their Cabernets and Merlot were well-crafted expressions of the beautiful mountaintop location. The tasting room experience made an impression... not only because Scott Stooker, the man pouring our wine, knew his stuff and loves the wines, but because he is a former Delawarean. After playing the "Who do you know?" game, we discovered he worked at the same small company and had several mutual friends in common. You always find people from Delaware wherever you travel!

It's best to save this winding drive for after lunch! An even better reason to wait for lunch is the incredible views from the picnic area atop Spring Mountain. The winery straddles the Napa and Sonoma County line and, on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada range.

Pride Napa Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $37
Crisp. Toasty nut flavors thanks to a cool fermentation in French oak barrels.

Pride Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $66
Cellar til 2018. Very dark color. Slight pepper, very tannic & powerful. Grown on volcanic soils at elevation of 2,000+ feet. Another 90+ wine.

Pride Merlot 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $56
Merlot with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dry, bolder style. Long finish, cellar until 2016. Everyone really liked this one. (The 2001 vintage received rave reviews and scored 90+ points in several industry publications.)



Pride Vintner Select Merlot 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $75
Lush, hedonistic. Single vineyard bottling. Production: 490 cases (sold out). This vintage was rated 93 points by Tanzer and 91 points from WS.

Pride Sangiovese 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $55
Very vanilla. Currently only sold at the winery. Rated 88 in Wine Advocate.

Pride Cabernet Franc 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $60
Really good. Nice tannins; juicy, fruity, soft. Very good example of Cabernet Franc. The best expression of this varietal on the entire trip. Rated 89 in WS and 91 in Wine Advocate.


More at Pride Wines.com

Rombauer

We stopped at Oakville Grocery for picnic provisions before headed up the road for our AM tasting at Rombauer. This was the first stop on day two. This winery made it on the list because a group member loves their Chardonnays. Rombauer has an excellent picnic site with valley views.

Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $29
Up to quality of previous vintages, excellent, toasty, vanilla and oaky. Had with picnic lunch. From the winemaker: Rich wine with layers of tropical fruit, peaches, & pears. Creamy textres of apples, pears. Hint of citrus & light oak, lingering finish.

Rombauer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California - $38
Okay, weak. From the winemaker: Aromas of violet, black currant, cherry, plum, wild berry backed by spice. Flavor burst lingers, adds complexity.



Rombauer Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California - $60
Earthy on nose, very drying tannins. From the winemaker: Rich, ripe plum & blackberry, vibrant & intense without overpowering. Finesse and polish on finish with ripe, integrated tannins.

Rombauer Napa Valley Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $28
Sweet, jammy. From the winemaker: Ripe & luscious w/vivid aromas of boysenberry & wild berry, layered flavors of raspberry, blackberry & boysenberry. Fruit explosion, berry flavors linger on palate. Hint of oak, spice on finish.

Rombauer Zinfandel Port
Napa Valley, California - $45
Not raisin-y for a port. Vanilla, hint of pepper on aftertaste. From the winemaker: Chocolate, plum berry aroma. Long lingering finish of fruit & vanilla.


More at Rombauer.com

Peju

Peju was the second winery we visited our first day in Napa. The grounds makes quite an impression as you drive up. The long driveway is lined by skinny sycamores being trained to bend over the drive (but they are still young so it is more of a lean). And the buildings are a mix of French provencal and Dr. Seuss. The rear tasting room, with granite floors and counters and stained glass windows, is the more beautiful of the tasting rooms. Tasting menu was extensive, highlighted by unique red/white blends and dry rose wines. We did not encounter so many dry, light reds at any other winery.

It is definitely worth a visit for the grounds and architecture. Since it's right off the main drag in Napa, it is easy to find and stop in.

Peju Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Napa Valley, California - $18
Grapefruit, "cat pee" on nose. From the winemaker: Pale straw yellow color. Tropical fruit mixed with fresh citrus, lychee & passion fruit. Crisp, fresh & lively on the palate. Long finish.

Peju Provence
Napa Valley, California - $22
Provence: California red & white blend. Very interesting and unique; slightly sweet, summer sipper. Like a white Zinfadel or rose. From the winemaker: Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and French Colombard. Pleasing impression with refreshing finish.

Peju Rose of Syrah
Napa Valley, California - $25
(This wine was not available during our visit but we have since sampled several bottles.) Aromas of light cherry and other berries, dusty & melon. Dry rose style with light body. Brilliant red-orange color. Same light flavors as aromas. Paired well with smoked salmon, pickled red onion & goat cheese boursin. From the winemaker: The color is vibrant rouge with fragrant aromas of pear, fresh raspberries and ripe strawberries as well as a hint of spicy gumdrop. Delicate flavors of red berries, citrus notes with a whisper of Seville orange creamsicle. This wine is enticing and smooth on the palate with a creamy finish. It is an interesting wine for a summer event; surprising and refreshing. Rarity increases appeal. 3.5/5

Peju Estate Fifty/Fifty 2005
Napa Valley, California - $85
Red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cherry color, coats glass thickly, dry finish. From the winemaker: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright red berry fruit, ripe plum, dark dried cherry and currant aromas. Deep and rich.

Peju Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $40
Brian liked, better than Cakebread's Estate Cab. Watermelon, slightly bitter. From the winemaker: Aroma of bing cherry, vanilla, clove, blackberry, black pepper, cassis, toast, roasted coffee, fresh herbs and green olive. Palate is big, rich and round. Lengthy finish, soft supple texture and nicely integrated tannins.



Peju Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $105
Hold until 2013-2014 to reach prime. Vanilla, dry. From the winemaker: Concentrated plum, blackberry nose and hint of cocoa aromas. Rich and powerful, layers of concentrated flavors with nice roundness. Rich and lengthy finish; complex and well developed tannins.

Peju Estate Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $28
Very jammy, heavily coated glass. From the winemaker: Dark purple & garnet in color. Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, dried cherry and clove. Bright blackberry jam, round spicy flavor. Big bold tannins, long lingering finish.

Peju Estate Cabernet Franc 2005
Napa Valley, California - $45
Not a blend - 100% Cabernet Franc. Good minerality; powerful, puckering tannins. From the winemaker: Aromas of concentrated plum, mingled with spice, red currant, vanilla and violet. Full body, flavor of plum blackberry pie, espresso bean and hints of anise, fresh herbs and white pepper. Soft, luxurious mouthfeel.

More at Peju.com

Cakebread

First stop on the first day. Expectations were high, but reigned in. After all, I didn't know what to expect. The folks at Cakebread gave us a guided tour of the grounds and some of the winery facilities. They had just finished bottling the week prior so things were a lot quieter. We had our tasting in the cellar room, which was quite atmospheric (and chilly). Their French style Chardonnay made quite an impression as did the Syrah.



Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $38
French style of Chardonnay. Loved minerality and flavor. My favorite white of the tasting. 5/5

Cakebread Reserve Chardonnay 2005
Napa Valley, California - $54
Disliked, too oaky. American style. 3/5

Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $40
Unoaked, french style.



Cakebrea Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $23
Typical, nothing outstanding. From the winemaker: Crisp, full body; complex. Added small amounts of Sauvignon Musque to contribute lovely floral aromas & Semillon to soften acidity, add citrus tone and enrich mid-plate.

Cakebread Napa Valley Syrah 2005
Napa Valley, California - $50
Loved syrupy, very ripe fruit flavor. My style of syrah. From the winemaker: Seductive, varietally expressive aroma of ripe black fruit, violets, white pepper, roasted coffee and sweet vanilla. Full body; lush blackberry, plum and fig; savory spice. Supple tannins and long toasty finish. Best flavor 2011-2013.




More at Cakebread.com