Pour me some of that "Steve" wine...

Our buddy Steve loves a good Zin. So much so that I've started calling (red) Zinfandel "Steve" - partly in honor, partly in jest. While I was at Moore Bros. Saturday, I made sure to pick up a bottle. We opened it last night. Yes, Steve was in attendance. It was a hit because the contents disappeared pretty quickly.


Three 2007 Old Vines Zinfandel - California, $18

What I sampled I liked: great berry aromas, full body, decently long finish, fruit-forward flavors, spice (but nothing nearly as spicy as Wilson's Tori) and easy drinking. A buy again. Produced by Cline (Matt Cline). Shhhh.

We also opened a great wine from last October's Finger Lakes trip: Ravines 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. Perfect with guacamole!

Terrain at Styer's birthday dinner

Brian and I dined at Terrain last night for my real birthday dinner. Uncorked a wine from our 2008 California trip: Arista 2006 Longbow Pinot Noir. We were so relieved it was better than we remembered and had yet to peak. After our first sip, we just sat there with eyes closed savoring it and the memory of the trip.

Our second bottle should be beautiful in about six months.

Birthday dinner

Sampled at Dom. Hudson on 9/27/10 at a true "wine with friends" dinner.

Praxis Pinot Noir Monterrey, CA 08
Great nose. Lots of rich berry. Smoky nose. Slow start but stronger mid-palate pulls through to long finish. Bittersweet chocolate flavors barely there. Reserved fruit. Strong aroma was my favorite part of this wine, best of the three here. 7 of 10

Le Cadeau "Red Label" Pinot Noir willamette valley, OR '07
More delicate nose. Restrained. Odd bitter mid-palate but not unpleasant. Fades slowly. Better with food. 5 of 10, 6 of 10 with food

Daniel Rion Bourgogne, Burgundy, FR '08
Vegetal, sweet nose. More vegetal and definitely more tannic than the le cadeau. Sour cherry flavor. Light body. Probably too light for food; nuances disappear.

Food:
1st: Polenta with shirred egg and truffle oil
2nd: Wild mushroom risotto
Dessert: Poached peaches (plus fourth drink - a lovely tawny port)

Rose Month

As the temperature and humidity climbs, we're naturally reaching for something refreshing. To kick off the week-long Italian Festival, we stocked up on a few rose wines (plus a case of Modelo Especial and a Smuttynose summer six pack). The first few bottles of rose have been poured and consensus is in. It is a tad difficult to remember wines in a social setting, so the notes on these bottles are a little spare.


Jaboulet Parallele 45 Rose 2008
Cote du Rhone, $12
Favorite rose wine of the summer - so far! Lovely salmon color. Bright, intense fruit aromas. Fresh, light and easy drinking with pleasantly long finish. Half grenache (plus 40% cinsault; 10% syrah).










Bonny Doon 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare
Santa Cruz, CA, $11
Strawberry aromas dominate. Dry and lean with light body. More grenache in blend than cinsault or roussanne.

Wilson Wine on its way

Placed an order of three of Wilson's 2007 Tori Zinfandel this evening as part of a group order. We've gone through all our bottles of older Tori vintages. Looking forward to opening the first bottle soon after the shipment arrives to assess how long we'll hold the other two.

Tiny Bubbles - Sparkling Wine

Candoni Prosecco Brut
Veneto, Italy - $12
This is a drier style and doesn't have the explosion of flavor of the Riondo. Both were sampled during the 2008 Raft-up with appetizers and the consensus was that the Riondo was a better bottle. 3/5

Riondo Prosecco
Veneto, Italy - $14
Favorite sparkler with light aromas. Green apples flavors and pleasant tartness, good acidity. Flavors burst through, a very unique prosecco. Good summer sipper or apertif. Heard it can be found in NYC for $8 bottle... 5/5

Piper Sonoma Brut
Sonoma County, California - $13
Initial fruitiness opens into apple and citrus flavors. Another 2008 Raft-up wine.

Pinot Noir

In ascending order of price, some recent Pinot Noirs with tasting notes from a Collier's Pinot Noir event below.



Meridian Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
Santa Barbara County, California - $10
Buy several for the excellent value. Our house or party Pinot Noir. Clean berry, a little earth, vanilla. Floral aromas come out with food. Smoke. Flavors of blackberry, plum, interesting mocha with light spice. Light tannins & body. Smoky plum. Bitter finish. Better with food. Character comes out and forms a great complement. 3/5


Concannon Central Coast Pinot Noir Limited Release 2006
Central Coast, California - $15
Good earthiness with smoky sour cherry aromas and flavors. Soft. Not as complex as I'd expected or hoped for.

Erath Pinot Noir 2007
Willamette Valley, Oregon - $18
WS top value for 2008. Shows real class for moderate price. Light dusty rose color. Aromas of sour cherry, hay/straw, earthiness, light floral (rose). Light, but firm tannins. Light body. Flavors of light berry and red delicious apple peel opens to sour cherry and light spice in back of mouth. Elegant. Fruit flavors come out with food. Prefer more dynamic style, but a good summer wine. 3.5/5

Wild Horse Pinot Noir 2006
Central Coast, California - $20
Aromas of soft leather, slight barnyard, violets, red jammy berries & cherry. Soft tannins, low acid. Flavors of sweet red berry with woody aftertaste. Smooth finish. Average wine, not considered great value at price point. Lacks complexity of better Pinots. 3.5/5

Alamos Seleccion Pinot Noir 2006
Mendoza, Argentina
Aromas of sour cherry, red fruit, earthy, light barnyard & florals. Still tight. Dark, deep tannic berry flavors; earthy. Soft but steady tannins, cocoa bitterness. Not intense. Long finish, reserved & elegant. A better Pinot than most, especially if price is low. Lacks flavor alone; better with food when floral and spice notes come out. No strong faults. Less exciting than I prefer. 4/5

The following wines were tasted at Collier's on 4/15/08
Alfred Roco Pinot Noir 2006
Argentina - $12
Really liked. Spicy nose; great mouth feel - lush & soft. Spices in back of mouth almost like Zinfandel. Heavier weight than Cono Sur's Pinot Noir. Medium dark red color.

Picardy Pinot Noir 2004
Australia - $25
Aromas of barnyard, wet straw (interesting & intense), burning matches & smoke. Light body. Smooth on palate with some tannins. Berries come out with food. Style is truer to Burgundian wines.

Wild Hog Sara Lee's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006
RRV, California - $32
Fruity & floral nose knock-out. Sweet aromas open up into herbal notes of menthol/mint. Anise & Spike spice rub aroma. More flavors of blueberry with side of the tongue spice with an overall heat. Not as smooth as previous wines and a thinner mouthfeel. Nose more interesting than flavors.

Stoller Dundee Hills JV Pinot Noir 2006
Dundee Hills, Oregon - $25
Light barnyard; light and elegant nose. Earthy, strawberry sweetness on palate. Most Burgundian of the tasting. Smoky, smooth, long finish. Rated 90 pts in WS. From the winemaker: Juicy raspberry, green tea & earth mingle enticingly.

Highfield Pinot Noir 2005
Wairau Valley, New Zealand - $32
Love it. Nose reminds me of Gary Farrell's Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs. Jam, smoke and spice on palate; fresh ripe fruit with an edge. Smooth, lush and sophisticated.

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2006
South Africa - $33
Earthy aromas with accompanying sour barnyard and peat. Cheese brings out fruit; wine is great with food. Meaty, bacon fat aroma and flavor. Age up to 5 yrs.

Sauvignon Blanc Round-up

This list is an assortment of the Sauvignon Blanc wines I've sampled over the past few months. It's one of my favorite white varietals, simply because it is so food friendly. I have listed the wines with the higher rated ones at the top. The two at the bottom without ratings fall in the middle of the pack, but weren't assigned a value since they were consumed before I started to rate the wines.

Root1 Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Colchagua, Chile - $9
Aromas of zesty citrus fruit: lemon, grapefruit, grassy, clean and fresh. Sparkling acidity. Flavors of lemon & grapefruit. Really interesting as it finishes. Pineapple at end. Grassy. Pairs well with scallops and avocado. Bright & lively citrus flavors & aromas. Strong acidity without food. 4.5/5

Mahi Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, New Zealand - $17
Part 1 of a Sauvignon Blanc flight at Domaine Hudson. Very lush aromas & exotic tropical flavors. Impressive, strong aroma. Juicy vibrant palate with mouth-watering acidity. Better alone; food brings out more acidity and slight bitter finish. Would buy again. Initially overshadowed other wines in flight from CA & France. Delight for the senses. 4.5/5


Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Clarksburg, California - $9
Green apple and floral aromas dominate followed by grapefruit, grassy and light vanilla notes. Pale gold color. Surprising body with acidic citrus with pear and apple on the mid-palate. A little bitey. Balanced with a long finish. The 2006 vintage was rated 86 points by WS. Lovely nose with balanced palate of citrus, sparkling acidity and green tree fruits. Great value and easy to pair with summer food. 4/5

Ricard "Le Petiot" Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Loire Valley, France
Part 2 of a Sauvignon Blanc flight at Domaine Hudson. Light nose dominated by mineral & wet stone. Restrained, sophisticated wine; light body but plush. Good acidity, doesn't overpower. Deeper yellow color. Complex aromas & flavors. Flavors sweeten as wine opens and is paired with food. Very long enjoyable finish. 4/5

Carl Roy Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $14
Part 3 of a Sauvignon Blanc flight at Domaine Hudson. Lots of oak on nose (vanilla & cooking spices) compared to New Zealand and French companions in flight. Pineapple and other lush tropical flavors as it opens up. Balanced acidity, light body and light yellow color. 4/5

Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Napa County, California
Aromas of rich florals, lemon and a hint of melon. Crisp citrus and round fruit flavors. Lime and lemon with pleasant acidity. Not bitey. Melon flavors come out as wine opens. Paired it with Asian marinated beef and rice. Would go really well with sushi. 3.5/5

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
Sonoma Co, California - $12
A Marc freebie; zingy & citrusy. Grapefruit, grass, refreshing and crisp. For the price, a good value party wine.

Domaine Bellevue Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Loire Valley, France
A Marc freebie, very minerally, light & refreshing. Oysters would be an ideal pairing. Would like to find this again or a similar expression as the minerality was unusual.

California trip

The California trip yielded a lot of loot. Several bottles have been polished off. Many others will be ready to drink this fall/winter. As we drink our way through the bottles from the trip, my thoughts naturally turn to restocking with another California trip. So I'm putting a question out there - any recommendations on new CA wineries for next time?

Wilson

By far one of the best wineries on our trip! Wilson is known for their Zinfandels, ranging in style from soft and easygoing to spicy and bold. I love all the iterations of this grape at Wilson. The Tori Vineyard is my personal favorite simply because I've never encountered another Zinfandel that packs in so many spicy flavors balanced by a jammy backbone. The Carl and Sawyer are great as well, but definitely softer than Tori.

The Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County is a great place to start exploring Zinfandel. There are many wineries to visit here, but Wilson is a must. (The wines are affordable, especially if you can get wine club pricing.) Our wine guide was very personable, knowledgeable and helped me understand that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me when I smelled pencil shavings.

I have only one photo of Wilson for you. It is of either the Ellie or Sawyer vineyard. It seems we were too busy sampling the wine and enjoying the picnic overlooking the vineyards to mess with cameras.

Wilson Roger's Fault 2003
Dry Creek Valley, California - $28
Red Bordeaux blend. Very interesting wine because of pencil shavings aroma (due to inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon). Light body, good for food. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, & Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Wilson Diane's Reserve Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $48
Very jammy nose. A bonus pour.

Wilson Reserve Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $40
Aromas of leather, red berry, musty. Flavors of all over black & white pepper, spice. Some cedar after wine opened up. Medium body, soft tannins, long finish with some spice. Simple, unusual and pleasant. 4.5/5 for balance and style, but prefer more complexity and spice in a Dry Creek Zinfandel.

Wilson Ellie's Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Currant & blackberry nose; light and low tannins. Transforms as you drink it. 14% petite syrah, remainder is Zinfandel. Harvested from grapes grown at an elevation of 500 feet.

Wilson Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Not exciting enough when compared to the other Zinfandels. Same elevation as Ellie grapes. (The valley floor vines created rich, jammy wine.) White pepper on the back of the tongue. A very consistent wine sip to sip, year to year. Classic easy entry Zinfandel. Fruit forward nose.

Wilson Carl's Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Jammy nose, spicy. Like more than Sawyer, stronger than Ellie, but just as smooth. Same vines are Sawyer but higher elevation of 2,200 ft.

Wilson Tori Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Dry Creek Valley, California - $32
Aka "Spicy Tori", grown at 2,440' elevation on coastal fog line. Stressing the vines creates a spicy nose. All sorts of spice everywhere. Black & white pepper, green bell pepper; more tannic than others. Cellar until 2009.

More at Wilson Winery.com

Bella

Bella is a little winery tucked into the hills of Dry Creek Valley. It is a winding car ride through the dusty back roads of the valley. The defining feature of Bella is their wine cave and tasting room.



Bella Hillside Cuvee 2005
Sonoma County, California - $28
Love. Not as sweet as it could be because of it is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth, could cellar. Graceful wine with lots of ripe fruit and soft tannins. From the winemaker: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Syrah and 10% Petite Verdot blend from Alexander Valley old vines. Ripe & juicy with excellent structure and finish. Opened bottle in July 2009 and it was just as juicy as I remembered.



Bella Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006
Sonoma County, California - $24
Smooooth. Dessert wine. Higher alcohol content. Great nose, citrus peel, inky black color. Sweet, but not cloyingly obnoxious nor port-like. From the winemaker: 94% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Syrah. Left on the vine two weeks longer than their regular bottling. Only 250 cases produced.



More at Bella Winery.com

Elyse

The last winery of the day is never easy. Especially when the tasting covers 10-12 wines and the tasting room host keeps pulling out bottles from under the bar. Most of these wines were so heavy with tannins, my tongue had shriveled up for want of water or food. Luckily, we had a stash of crackers in the car which were put to good use mid-way through. By the end of the hour plus tasting, we had sampled some two dozen wines - almost all red and powerful. If you're looking for an intimate tasting experience and are a fan of bold Napa Cabernets, give Elyse a try.

Elyse Wild Horse Valley Chardonnay 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
Butter, lemon cream.

Elyse Hudson Vineyard 2004
Napa Valley, California - $42
Red blend: 90% grenache, 10% syrah. Sweet strawberry flavors, no residual sugar.

Elyse Tietjen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
Very cherry, berry. Very smooth. My favorite of the two Cabernets.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
More of a bite than Tietjen. More tannic harshness. Would need time to mellow.



Elyse Korte Ranch Zinfandel 2006
Napa Valley, California - $35
Made from 25-65% old vines, this is a good, but very tannic wine from the St. Helena AVA.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
I liked this one. Jammier, notes of strawberry and young fruit. Interesting that I prefer the Zinfandel from this vineyard but not the Cabernet.

Elyse St. Helena Petite Syrah 2005
St. Helena, California - $37
Rosemary, eucalyptus, huckleberry and spice.

More at Elyse Winery.com


And visit Woodhouse Chocolate if you're ever in the area. It's worth the stop in downtown St. Helena. I highly recommend the quatre epices, thai ginger, toasted coconut & honey truffles. (And since I'm such a packaging/design nut, I couldn't bear to toss the box. It stills smells like chocolate.)

Baldacci

Baldacci sits at the top of the Stags Leap district - home to my favorite expression of Cabernet Sauvignon: deep & intense wine with silky, velvety tannins and powerful fruit. The texture of this wine is key and won't be found elsewhere in Napa or Sonoma Valleys. The Stags Leap district is only 1 mile wide by 3 miles long, but the wineries in this area are well-known for their high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

At Baldacci, we enjoyed an outdoor tasting with views of the vineyards followed by a private tour of the wine cave and facilities. Our guide was very knowledgeable and encouraged questions. I would definitely recommend a visit to this winery or another comparable Stags Leap district winery.

Baldacci Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Stags Leap, California - $55
Rich with deep red hues. Big bold aromas with ripe fruit, vanilla bean, fig & clean dirt. Full, great body; overflows with intense mouth-watering ripe black fruit, dark chocolate mocha, & dried currants. Lingering finish with refined tannins & balanced acid. Rated 95 points in WS.

Baldacci IV Sons Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Stags Leap, California - $35
Lots of flavors; drying (Cab Franc). Good weekend Cab, more tannic than the Estate Cab. From the winemaker: 97% cab, 3% cab franc. Aromas of dried black fruit, cherries, figs, supple & full bodied. Velvet & lingering tannins. Hints of mocha & dusting of oak. Can be aged 2013-2015.

Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir 2005
Carneros, California - $35
Very soft wine. Earthy, mineral and "stinky Pinot" barnyard aromas. From the winemaker: Notes of pomegranate, strawberries, raspberries balance earthy aromas. Rich, velvety structure with complex mineral. Dusting of oak & tannins, lingering finish & robust personality.



More at Baldacci Vineyards.com
More about Stags Leap

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.

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