Crazy about Cab Franc

Of the Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Franc has always been a favorite of mine. Usually a tad bit lighter in body compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc generally offers supple tannins; a ripe, fruit-forward palate; and a hint of exotic spice. I have blogged about Cab Franc from boutique producers such as Titus, Crocker & Starr and David Arthur; now I can add Cornerstone Cellars to that list.

The 2010 Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Cabernet Franc is an approachable Napa Valley red with distinction. With savory aromas of red pepper and dried herbs, it is quite different than its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart. This Franc offers super-smooth tannins, bright acidity, and luscious red berry flavors. Blended with 8% Merlot, this wine is aged in 100% French oak (50% new). It is youthful and bright; enjoy it now or hold on to it for a couple years.

Cabernet Franc is a unique wine because less than 3% of Napa Valley vineyards are planted to this varietal.  Cornerstone produces less than 800 cases of Cab Franc and sources the fruit from vineyards in St. Helena and Carneros. It was a great match for the homemade spaghetti Bolognese with sautéed mushrooms and fresh basil I cooked for dinner last week. At $35/bottle, this wine offers value and food-pairing flexibility. Find it in their Yountville Tasting Room, which is mentioned in my debut novel Where I Want to Be: A Wine Country Novel, or order it directly from their website. Cheers!

So many delicious Mt. Veeder wines!

This past Saturday was the 14^th Annual Mt. Veeder Appellation tasting at The Hess Collection in Napa. Surprisingly, it was also the first rainfall of the season. Despite a little wetness, about thirty wineries poured their Mt. Veeder-grown wines and there was a great consumer turn out!

At the last Mt. Veeder Appellation tasting that I attended in April I enjoyed some fantastic wines, but there were many new wines for me to try on Saturday. I was particularly impressed with the 2007 Renteria Tambor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($50/bottle; renteriawines.com). The 2005 and the 2008 vintages were also very good and it was great to compare the three distinct bottlings, but the 2007 really stood out. This single-vineyard Cab is luscious and provocative with a medium-plus weight. The palate is very fruit-forward with rich, ripe flavors of boysenberry, black cherry and blueberry. It ends with a long, lingering finish of juicy red fruits with a kiss of oak spice. Blended with 3% Syrah, there were only 220 cases produced!

The 2010 Rubissow Mt. Veeder Merlot ($38/bottle, rubissowwines.com) was also very impressive. One-hundred percent Merlot, this recent release offers the hallmark super-smooth tannins of this variety with the depth and concentration expected from a mountain-grown wine. It is full-bodied and lush with forward flavors of mocha, sweet black plum and ripe raspberry. This Merlot spent 20 months in 35% new French oak barrels and will age well, but it is incredibly drinkable now; 289 barrels made. I am also a big fan of the Rubissow Trompettes, a Bordeaux-blend of predominantly Cab Franc. Contact the winery directly for purchase info.

The 2009 Mount Veeder Winery Elevation 1550 Cabernet Sauvignon ($60/bottle; mtveeder.com) was another amazing quaff. The fruit for this particular bottling is sourced from estate vineyards that average at 1550 feet elevation. Powerful yet refined, this limited offering has flavors of crushed dark berries and spice with velvety tannins.

According to the Mayacamas website, the 2008 Maycamas Cabernet Sauvignon has yet to be released, but this is definitely the vintage that I tasted at the event (I have the picture to prove it!). The assistant winemaker was present to explain the lengthy and unique aging process, which begins with fermentation in concrete. Before bottling, the wine spends up to eighteen months in large American (neutral) oak casks and at least one year in French oak barrels, only 10% of which were new. This barrel regimen keeps the tannins restrained and produces a wine medium in body (especially compared to other mountain-grown Napa Valley Cabernets). But what it lacks in weight, it makes up for in complexity and approachability. The 2008 Cab offers cassis, blueberry and blackberry complemented with savory and spice notes. Find more info about this upcoming release at mayacamas.com.

Our last stop in the lovely outdoor courtyard where the tasting was held was the Hess Collection table. The 2012 Small Block Series Albariño was an absolute stunner ($28/bottle.com; hesscollection.com)! It has aromas of tropical fruit and a palate bursting with white peach, pear, citrus, minerals, slate and zippy acidity. Bright and balanced, this round and complex white wine would be incredible with shellfish and salads. When I opened a bottle on Sunday night, I learned it's a great wine for Mexican fare too. And it's pretty darn tasty on it’s own. The 2009 19 Block Cuvée ($40/bottle) and 2010 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($55/bottle) were spectacular. See more notes on these wines in my previous Mt. Veeder blog post. I also enjoyed tasting the 2010 Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($30/bottle) in the tasting room.

If you’ve never been to the Hess Collection Winery, I strongly recommend a visit. This secluded property features an historic stone winery constructed in 1903, a contemporary art collection, and a broad portfolio of wines available for tasting. A special thank you to the winery for hosting the tasting. What a great experience!

Notes from the Mount Veeder Spring Tasting

Set at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio, with a beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge on a crystal-clear afternoon, the Mount Veeder AVA Spring Tasting was a very civilized event. I appreciated the small, intimate nature of the venue (compared to the overwhelming vastness of Fort Mason). It wasn’t crowded and most of the winery representatives were the owners and winemakers (which is not usually the case at some of the bigger tastings).

 

Mount Veeder Summit

 Most of the producers at this event were teeny-tiny, some only produce a few hundred cases, many of which were new to my taste buds.  I was impressed by almost everything I tried. What can I say…I’ve always been a fan of mountain fruit.

I started in one corner of the room with Chateau Potelle. I really enjoyed the 2009 Illegitimate ($37) from the Explorer collection. A crazy blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 17% Zinfandel, and 11% Syrah, this wine is aromatic and full-bodied with bright fruit flavors and terrific food pairing potential. I can’t wait to check out their new tasting room in St. Helena!

I really enjoyed the two selections from Hess Collection. The 2009 19 Block Cuvee ($38) is a blend of mostly Cabernet (63%) and Malbec (20%) with a little Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. It is plush and powerful with velvety tannins and delicious dark berry notes. Although I can see how the 2009 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)—82% Cab, 14% Malbec, 2% Merlot, 2% PV—could be cellared for many years to come, it’s already very approachable with all the ripe red fruit and concentration I expect from a mountain-grown wine. Both of these wines will only get better with time.

I was also charmed by the 2009 Y Rousseau Cabernet Sauvignon “Le Roi Soleil” ($65). This is a small producer that has recently doubled its production. Yannick Rousseau, founder and winemaker, also makes Russian River Valley Tannat, Mount Veeder Chardonnay, Sonoma Cab, and Colombard. The new tasting room will open in Napa soon. Check out their website for more info.

If you’re a Cab Franc fan like me, you’ll love the 2009 Yates Cheval ($48)! Delicious and dark and 100% Cab Franc, this beauty offers black cherry, plum, and spice. The Yates Family Vineyard is a family affair—Michael and Lynn Yates own the vineyards and the winery is staffed by their daughters Whitney (assistant winemaker) and Mary (CFO) and son-in-law Todd (sales and marketing). They also produce Merlot, Cab, and the super tasty Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend, the 2009 Alden Perry Reserve ($65).

Lampyridae Vineyards is another itty-bitty producer on the mountain with a well-known winemaker, Aaron Pott. The 2010 Communication Block Cabernet Sauvignon is very tasty. It’s a wine project that supports a local charity which promotes academic achievement for children who have severe communication needs. Awwww!

Wow, normally I don’t have this many wines to rave about from a single tasting, but I also have to mention the Foyt and Meadowcroft Cabernets. These delicious wines are showcased at Corner Stone in Sonoma.

 

Last but not least, the three wines (Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon) from Mt. Brave Winery are all gorgeous. The Malbec ($75) was particularly appealing; this dark-purple beauty is concentrated with raspberry and cassis flavors with a full and luxurious palate.

A special thank you to the Mount Veeder Council for putting this awesome tasting together. More info about Mount Veeder AVA wines can be found on their website. Cheers! 

Bordeaux Matchmaking

The following statement was said to me the other night: “You, young lady, have a California palate.”

No, really?

You, loyal reader, know just how much I embrace my California wines, so I would never dream of denying such an astute observation, but I was encouraged to tell this person that I have been enjoying quite a few French wines recently, including the Cornin Mâcon-Chaintré.

I don’t think of it as cheating on my locally fermented options; it’s more like playing the field.

However, “playing the field” is an analogy that can’t really be applied to the wine tasting event I attended last week. Unlike the Rhone Rangers event, where I randomly approached various wineries of my choosing and was free to taste as many wines as I wanted to, at the Bordeaux Matchmaking event at the Clift Hotel on March 27^th, I was provided with a table assignment and drink tickets upon check-in.

Before the event, I filled out a short questionnaire with simple questions about my wine preferences and based on my answers, I was matched up with the four wines poured at Table 7.

My friend Laura and I located our table and were presented with a glass of 2011 Château Reynier, Entre-Deux-Mers, a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon. It was crisp and refreshing with tropical fruit notes and lively acidity.

Although we were off to a great start, we were dying to know what was being poured at the other tables. Why is it we always want what we can’t have?

As we worked our way around the Velvet Room to the beats of DJ Antiks, it was too dark to see what other wines were available. We got away with tasting the 2009 Château Beaumont Haut-Médoc at Table 6 (shh, don’t tell); it was quite tasty.

We returned to our assigned table where we socialized and conspired to switch tables. We met a guy whose nametag read “Sexy” and he was suave enough to convince the staff at Table 4 to let us taste the 2009 Château Guibeau Saint-Emilion—which was my favorite wine of the night. Rich blackberry and cassis with dry cocoa notes and sweet oak…it was soft but powerful, and one small taste was not enough of this delicious wine.

The last wine we tasted was the 2006 Château De Cruzeau, Pessac-Léognan. This blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc was starting to show some age; the palate was dominated with masculine notes of cedar and tobacco. It wasn’t the fruit-forward style of wine I’m used to drinking, but it was worth trying, and with the right meal—like mushroom risotto or duck breast—it would be incredible.

At that point, I was out of drink tickets. I only tried four wines that night; but three of them I would happily drink again (these are pretty good odds). There are more terrific (and affordable) Bordeaux suggestions at Bordeaux.com, the major sponsor of the event. This was a really fun event, even if it had a different format from what I’m used to. Because going to a wine tasting is all about trying new things, right?

Buccella Merlot, a wine fit for the holidays

If a bottle of Buccella Merlot went to a party solo, let’s just say that it would be the most revered guest. Everyone would be clamoring for an introduction! With its simple oval-shaped label, dark red wax seal, and broad shoulders, it’s a very handsome bottle. No one would dismiss this wine for being a Merlot and it would certainly leave a lasting impression on the other guests.     

With an elegant, gift-wrapped appeal, the 2009 Buccella Merlot ($90/bottle) has special occasion written all over it. And thus, perfectly appropriate for this time of year...whether you take it to a party or enjoy it at home!

 This wine opens with an attractive perfume of violets, plum, and dark berry fruit. The dark hue and concentration in the glass are telltale signs of its firm tannins and rich texture. Sure enough, the mouthfeel is powerful and complex, with layers of ripe fruit, spicy oak, and cocoa. Cherry cola, cassis, and a hint of blueberry harmonize on the palate, supported by a tight tannins and good acidity.

Yes, you read that right. It’s a Merlot that drinks like a Cabernet Sauvignon (in fact, 4% of the final blend is Cab from Yountville vineyards). I enjoyed it with friends and a perfectly prepared steak; it would also be terrific with pork roast, seared duck breast, or lamb. The Merlot grapes are sourced from Hyde Vineyard in Carneros and its aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak (no wonder!). Just over 300 cases produced.

Delicious wine. Super sexy packaging. Too good to pass up!

Available online at Stash Wines. The 2010 vintage is available from the Buccella website. Cheers!

Thanksgiving wines and "The One"

I love the holidays. More specifically, I love holiday dinners because they provide the perfect occasion to bust out some very special wines. Some very big special wines.

For Thanksgiving dinner last night at a friend’s house, I showed up with a magnum of 2002 Hartwell Merlot as well as (750 mL size) bottles of 2006 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Failla Pinot Noir, and 2005 J Brut (more on that wine next week!). We started with the biggest bottle on the table—a 3L that another guest brought.

As the cork was pulled from the Jeroboam (the equivalent of four 750 mL bottles) of 2007 Hartford Family Winery “Hailey’s Block” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, I grabbed a glass. But not just any glass.

That’s when I was introduced to “The One.”

I thought it was a Burgundy glass until I inspected it more closely. It turned out to be Andrea Robinson’s design that she debuted a few years ago, a glass that she created to showcase all types of wine equally as well. She dubbed it “The One”, making the case that varietal-specific stemware is unnecessary.

The Hartford Pinot Noir was absolutely scrumptious—and The One wine glass showed it well. It offered mouthwatering aromas of bright cherry and sweet earth. The palate was rich, vibrant, and smooth with black cherry, vanilla, and pepper. The finish was long and clean with lingering notes of red fruit and spice. It paired particularly well with the semi-firm cheeses we nibbled on while waiting for the turkey to finish cooking.

When the 3L bottle was empty, we opened the 2002 Hartwell Stags Leap District Merlot. I was pleasantly surprised by this tasty wine; it was certainly in its prime. It packed a powerful punch with bold flavors of black plum, mixed berries, and cocoa. The black plum dominated the back-palate and the wine finished on a sweet, chocolatey note. Tannins were smooth but persistent, probably from the addition of a little Cabernet Sauvignon. This Merlot was a nice complement to the dark-meat turkey and although it was a very different wine from the Hartford Pinot Noir, it also showed very well from The One glass.

I have to admit that having one type of wine glass would make things easier--especially for entertaining purposes. Maybe I'll put The One wine glasses on my Christmas wish list...

This holiday season, I am thankful for friends and family, my readers, and my fellow wine lovers. I hope all of you had a terrific Thanksgiving dinner. What wines did you open? I’d love to hear what you paired with the turkey. Please post a comment below or on my Facebook page. Cheers!

Columbia Crest: nice wines, nice prices

A couple weeks ago, I received wine from Columbia Crest for a Twitter Tasting organized by Thirsty Girl. I received three bottles of the Horse Heaven Hills label for sampling purposes, including the 2010 Chardonnay, the 2010 Les Cheveux Red Blend, and the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2010 Columbia Crest H3 Chardonnay is a very attractive wine. Offering a perfume of gardenia, citrus zest, Granny Smith apple, baking spice, and sweet vanilla extract, it is a pale golden hue in the glass. Oak spice is apparent on the entry, but the prevailing flavor is fresh pineapple, which is complemented by bright acidity and minerals. This wine finishes round and full, with lingering notes of sweet cream and nutmeg. Fermented in a combination of both new and used French and American oak barrels (65%) as well as stainless steel (25%), this wine does an excellent job of walking the tightrope between cougar juice and White Burgundy styles. I noticed that a few people participating in the Twitter chat said it was too oaky, but I found it was balanced and the oak qualities were quite nuanced. It had a lovely creamy mouthfeel, without the butteriness (blah!) that can accompany the malolactic fermentation process.  I enjoyed this wine with a fresh chicken pot pie. It was, on all accounts, a perfect pairing. It would also be great with rich seafood dishes, creamy pastas, and risotto. For $15/bottle, this wine has a very attractive price, too!

I shared the 2010 Columbia Crest H3 Les Cheveux with friends at a dinner party last weekend and it was enjoyed by all. I arrived to the party a little late, but it didn’t matter because this wine was very easy to drink without food. The nose had American oak written all over it; the caramel, burnt cedar, and coconut notes gave it away—although these qualities were apparent to me, they were subtle and overall very pleasant. There were also scents of dark fruits, which were more pronounced on the palate. This wine, although not very concentrated in the glass, was rich and full-flavored with notes of raspberry, black cherry, pomegranate, cola, tar, and vanilla. It had a long savory finish. Because it was such a light hue and had superfine tannins, I wasn’t surprised to see that it was mostly Merlot (80%) with 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Syrah; this wine, Les Cheveux, is named for the wild horses that used to roam the area. 

Columbia Crest produces four different tiers of wine. The Horse Heaven Hills Collection is just below the Reserve tier in terms of quality and affordability. Horse Heaven Hills is the appellation in which the original winery is located.

I haven’t gotten around to opening the 2010 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, but rest assured, I will keep you posted when I do. From the posts I saw during the Twitter Tasting (#TGTaste), this Cab needs to be decanted. Perhaps a few months in the bottle will loosen it up a little...

Happy Wine Wednesday and I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Stepping Stone...these wines totally rock!

Earlier this week, a friend of mine posted the following question on Facebook: “What is your favorite tasting room and why?” She has received 18 comments so far…

One response was Schramsberg because of its “historical and haunting” beauty; another said Buena Vista because the outdoor area there is “beautiful and quaint”; and a few people supplied the name of a room in their own house (maybe they don’t live near a bunch of terrific tasting rooms?). I noticed how these answers had more to do with the location and setting of the tasting room, and there was no mention of the wine. Hmm.

There are many variables to consider when answering this question, including wine selection, price (tasting fees and the cost of the wines), ambiance and setting, timing (do you have to make an appointment or go for a tour?), and location. I have a different “favorite” for each of these criteria!

Although I love destination wineries with beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere (like Terra Valentine or Pride Mountain), my favorite tasting rooms are the ones that are easy to get to, don’t require an appointment, and offer a good mix of wines (both in price and style). If this is what you’re looking for in a tasting room, then Cornerstone Cellars is the correct answer!

Cornerstone Cellars is on the main drag in Yountville, centrally located in the Napa Valley. There’s no need to make an appointment; you’re not forced to take a 90-minute tour; the staff is super-friendly; and the wines (which range in price from $18-$125) are fantastic. Plus, when you’re done, you can hop across the street to the Hope & Grace tasting room (another one of my favorites) or go for a bite to eat at one of Yountville’s award-winning restaurants (without even having to get back into the car!). There are actually 6 different tasting venues along Washington Street—you could easily spend a few days wine tasting [on foot] in Yountville alone. (How’s that for minimizing your carbon footprint on your next trip to Napa?!)

Since my first introduction to Cornerstone Cellars at the Pinot Days event in SF, I have loved every single Cornerstone wine I’ve tasted including the Corallina Rosé, the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, and The Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon.

Most recently, I enjoyed the Stepping Stone Rocks! White and Red wines. For $18 a bottle, these wines are incredible! Designed as “house” wines, the blend is different each year, and the exact composition is kept secret. In fact, I did not read the tasting notes prior to writing this post, so I was curious to see what varietals were used in each wine.

When I sampled the 2011 North Coast White Rocks! over the weekend, the fragrant perfume of this wine was suggestive of an aromatic variety that you don’t see that often in California. This particular vintage is a blend of Gewurtraminer and Chardonnay (a blend that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before). The Chardonnay brings depth and tropical fruit flavors while the Gewurz adds crisp acidity, melon, and spice notes. This is an awesome wine to sip with spicy appetizers (it would also be great with Mexican dishes).

The 2010 North Coast Red Rocks! drinks like a Super Tuscan-style blend twice its price. So I was surprised to read just now that it’s a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Merlot (so much for my blind-wine tasting skills, ha). Syrah is very pronounced in the nose, which offers savory aromas of roasted meat, spice, and berry compote. The palate is full and luscious; black cherry, vanilla, red currant and white pepper components intertwine seamlessly. With smooth tannin and good acidity, this wine was the perfect match last night for ratatouille and it would be an ideal wine for pizza.

All of the Stepping Stone by Cornerstone wines offer great value ($18-$35/bottle). I received mine as samples from the winery, but they are available to taste and purchase [alongside the eponymous wines] at the Cornerstone Cellars tasting room. They’re open 10-7 everyday, so go visit them and tell them I sent you.

Maybe it will become one of your favorite tasting rooms, too!

It's all good on the Westside

Forgive me if you’ve heard me say this before. When I lived in the Napa Valley, I was conditioned to think that [good] wineries in Sonoma were few and far between. The resistance that Napa has for Sonoma reminds me of the rivalry between Northern and Southern California. As a Bay Area native who went to USC, I received flak from my friends about moving to Southern California. And while I lived in Los Angeles, I was constantly having to defend the upper half of the state. 

(So it seems the NorCal-SoCal antagonism is similar to the competition between Napa and Sonoma.)

Alas, this is not a blog post about East and West. This is about two fantastic wineries I recently visited on Westside Road in Healdsburg.

Westside Road is home to many wineries; although I wouldn’t recommend a walking tour, there are many tasting rooms within a very short distance of each other (and a quick jaunt from the Healdsburg Square). The selection of wineries located along this road is vast, featuring older establishments as well as some newer wineries.

Hop Kiln Winery is an historic landmark located about 6 miles from the 101. The winery has an old-world feel to it and beautifully appointed grounds, including a colorful rose garden and serene duck pond. Inside, you’ll find the tasting room has a kitschy feel to it; there are gourmet mustards and vinegars, wine knick-knacks, T-shirts and coffee table books. There is also a selection of cheese and salami. This is a great place to buy a bottle and some snacks and sit at one of the outside picnic tables to enjoy the pretty scenery.

The staff at Hop Kiln is super-friendly and accommodating. The atmosphere is inviting and relaxed with nice music playing in the background. You have the option of sitting at a high-top table or standing at the tasting bar. For $7, you taste your choice of five estate-grown wines (this is cheap compared to Napa tasting standards!).

I would recommend starting with the 2010 HKG Chardonnay ($28/bottle). It is light and crisp with nuances of green apple and lemon zest.

The 2010 HKG Chardonnay, North Bridge Selection ($34/bottle) is a richer style of Chardonnay with more new oak. Although you can quickly identify the vanilla and baking spice notes, this wine is very balanced and good acid.

Don’t miss the 2011 HKG Rosé of Pinot Noir ($24/bottle). With aromas and flavors of guava and sweet strawberry, this pink refresher is dry and delicious! The perfect summer wine. There’s also a Pinot Grigio available.

Like most wineries in Sonoma County, Hop Kiln offers a few vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs. Tasting these beauties side-by-side illustrates the diversity that different vineyard sites provide.

The 2010 HKG Pinot Noir ($34/bottle) is soft and supple. With juicy blackberry and black cherry flavors, it is very easy to drink. Good value for Russian River Pinot Noir and would pair great with everything from pizza to paella.

The 2010 HKG Pinot Noir, Twin Corners Selection ($42/bottle) is a little darker in the glass with ripe fruit flavors, lively acidity, and a touch of baking spice.

The 2010 HKG Pinot Noir, North Bridge Selection ($42/bottle) is firm and full-bodied. Great intensity and concentration with robust fruit flavors and a long-lasting finish. This would be a great match for duck breast or tri-tip. Yum!

For a completely different experience, check out TwomeyCellars (from the Silver Oak family). The tasting room is very modern; all smooth concrete and shiny surfaces. The wall behind the tasting counter is clear glass, so you can admire the sweeping vineyards views as you taste.

For $10, you taste all five of the Twomey current releases, starting with the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($25/bottle). Bright and zesty, this white is a great palate cleanser and would be nice with oysters.

I tasted two vintages of the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. The 2009 ($51/bottle) has red fruit flavors with notes of caramel and lots of spice. I preferred the 2010 vintage ($46/bottle), which has bright acidity and tastes of ripe strawberry. Medium-bodied with a dry finish, I would pair the 2010 Anderson Valley Pinot with pork tenderloin.

The 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($50/bottle) blew me away! It has attractive aromas of violets and rose petal with gobs of black cherry and red currant on the palate. The finish is huge, leaving your mouth begging for more!

The 2007 Napa Valley Merlot ($50/bottle) seemed a bit out of place in what I think of as Pinotland, but it was a wonderful wine to finish with. This Merlot is blended with 5% Cab Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is dense and broad-shouldered with bold flavors of cherry cola, blueberry, blackberry, and dark chocolate. You could easily pair this wine with a filet mignon or rib-eye.

Other wineries on Westside Road include John Tyler Wines, Matrix Winery, Armida Winery, Mill Creek Vineyards, and VML Winery. With so many to choose from and the town of Healdsburg just a few miles away (with such fabulous restaurants and luxurious hotels), this is a great avenue for back-to-back wine-tasting. Cheers!

A vertical tasting with Alexis

Dinner this past Friday night was a very special occasion—I finally got to open a vertical of proprietary red wines from a well-known winery in Oakville.

Swanson Vineyards has been one of my favorite wineries for sometime, both for the wines and for the unique artwork on display in the salon. Since 1985, they have grown Merlot between the vineyards of Opus One and Silver Oak along Oakville Crossroad and they have garnered a reputation for making some of the best Merlot in the Napa Valley. In addition to Merlot, they also make a delightful Pinot Grigio, a Cabernet Sauvignon dubbed “Alexis” (more on that in a moment), and limited production offerings (like Sangiovese and Chardonnay) to members. 

The Alexis wine, named after the Swanson’s eldest daughter who is also the winery’s Creative Director, is a Bordeaux-style proprietary blend. Less than 2000 cases of this wine are made each year, and the blend varies from year to year (the exact percentages are not published on the label). At $75/bottle, the Alexis is designed to be aged. But I’ve heard from numerous sources that Napa Cabernet should generally be opened within 10 years of the vintage date (unfortunately, aging wine is not an exact science). Knowing this, I have been getting anxious to open my 2002 Alexis.

So that’s exactly what I did this past Friday night. We were invited to dinner at a friend’s house and because one bottle doesn’t go very far for four people, I also brought along the 2003 Alexis, the 2004 Alexis, and the 2008 Merlot (for comparison’s sake).

The 2002 Alexis Red Wine smelled like a mix of star anise, hot tar, asphalt and black tea. Black olive and green bean dominated the palate with undertones of sour cherry and blackberry. It was an interesting mix of mostly savory notes, albeit past its prime.

The 2003 Alexis Red Wine tasted better than the first. The bouquet offered aromas of cherry liqueur, currant and orange zest. Flavors of black cherry and tart cranberry were supported by dry tannins. If I had had a magic ball, I probably would have opened this bottle 2-3 years ago.

2004 Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon was definitely our favorite of the four. The current winemaker, Chris Phelps, took over in late 2003; the difference between the 2003 and 2004 vintages was huge. Even the labels had been updated and a foil topper was added in 2004. In this case, change was a very good thing indeed. The ’04 smelled like burnt orange and spice. The palate expressed more fruity notes of black cherry and raspberry while the finish imparted notes of orange zest and red fruit.

We also decided to open the 2008 Swanson Merlot, the current release ($38/bottle). The Merlot seemed simple in contrast to the Alexis wines. It was robust and jammy, with flavors of black cherry, plum, sweet oak, and mocha. This is an easy-drinking wine and would pair well with many dishes, but I would not hold onto for more than a year after purchase.

I have visited the Swanson tasting room in Oakville on many occasions. They offer a beautifully appointed, sit-down salon tasting with food pairings (which, at $65 per person, is one of the most expensive experiences offered in the Napa Valley) or a more casual tasting in the Sip Shoppe (with flights starting at $20 per). Although pricey, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Inventory Time with Pride

With all of the winery visits and tasting adventures we had in 2009, Matt and I have accumulated quite a collection. We're in the midst of taking inventory of our wines and organizing them; in doing so, I've discovered that we have quite a few bottles of Pride Mountain wines.

Our visit to Pride Mountain Vineyards over the summer was an exceptional experience, one that prompted Matt to return a few days later and stock up on the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Vintner's Select Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Pride Merlot and 2007 Viognier.

To get there, you take a very windy road up Spring Mountain almost to Sonoma. I suggest planning a visit on a clear, sunny day and taking a picnic--there is a great vista with a picnic table a few yards from the Tasting Room. Once you've made it all the way up to Pride, you'll want to take your time and stay awhile.

When we arrived for our tasting appointment, Russ was kind enough to take us for a tour of the property. He led us through the library (which with oversize plush leather chairs and dim lighting felt like a very cozy cigar lounge) and through the caves (where we tasted young wines and wines still in barrel). He also took us to the edge of the property which offered brilliant views of the mountain terrain and terraced vineyards.

The wines were all delicious (it was hard to pick a favorite). All Pride wines are estate grown, and the mountain fruit lends an earthy, robust quality to the red wines. The Chardonnay and Viognier are surprisingly fruit-forward with great minerality.

The 2006 Cab delivers rich dark fruit flavors supported on a frame of sturdy tannins and good acidity. Surprisingly, it's ready to drink now, but for those who are patient, this wines will only get better with age.

Enjoying an afternoon at Ehlers Estate

Armed with a recent copy of the Preiser Key magazine and a cooler carefully packed with snacks, bottled water, and plenty of room for wine purchases, we headed north on Highway 29 with a number of wineries in mind to visit. According to the "Key", which lists the contact information for wineries and restaurants in the Napa Valley, Ehler's Estate Winery had a tasting room that permitted walk-ins. We headed there first.

As we stepped inside the cavernous tasting room, we were welcomed by two members of the Ehlers staff, but they quickly corrected us about being able to just stroll in for a tasting. (We learned the hard way that the Key was wrong about a lot of tasting rooms; more than you think are by appointment only.)

So we made an appointment right then and there, and as embarrassing as it was to show up unannounced, I was relieved they were able to squeeze us in only an hour later.

With a glass of the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc in hand, we stepped into the soil of the vineyards just 20 feet from the front door of the tasting room's grand entrance. Bocce ball courts, outdoor tables, antique wooden benches, and large olive trees are just 20 feet from the front door in the opposite direction (and a great place to picnic!).

Our tour guide, Maurice ("Mo" for short), led us up to the barrel room next, where a bottle of the 2006 Merlot eagerly awaited us. As Mo shared a bit of information about the barrel regimen used by Ehler's winemaker, I was pulled in by the richness and complexity of the Merlot. Its layers of cherry cola, ripe plum, and smokey oak were accented by smooth tannins and a long lingering finish.

Back in the tasting room, at a table big enough to accommodate a sit-down tasting for 12, we settled down in front of 3 glasses and 3 small plates. From left to right, we tasted the 2006 Cab Franc, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and their flagship Cab, the 1886. These were beautiful, highly concentrated wines with solid structure, prominent fruit character, and velvety tannins--and great with food.

In order for the crew at Ehlers to prepare this terrific tour and tasting, they need to know you're coming. Don't forget to call ahead!

Sipping in the Swanson Salon

A few years back, I went for a sit-down tasting at Swanson Vineyards with my mother, who was then a Wine Club member. Their "salon" is in a large Tuscan-inspired building that used to be home to the Swansons. My memories of that experience centered around the tasty pairings and the artwork on the walls; the wine was not as memorable.

But Swanson has recently taken on a new winemaker, Chris Phelps, who uses a different barrel regimen than the previous winemaker. I thought it wouldn't hurt to re-visit the Swanson Salon, and wow--I am so pleased we did!

When I called to make the appointment, I had been specifically told that the gates open 5 minutes before the appointment time and close 10 minutes later (if you miss that window, you miss your tasting appointment). Although punctuality is not one of my strengths, I made sure to be prompt.

For once it wasn't me who was running late--Brian, our wine educator, greeted us in the artfully adorned courtyard (I meant to ask about meaning behind the full-size teepee) and offered us a stemless glass of pink Rosato while he finished up with the previous group. We gratefully sipped the chilled Rosato (Italian for "Rose"), which was creamy and tasted faintly of strawberries soaked in brandy.

Once inside the octagonal shaped salon, the 10 visitors got situated at the custom-made, sea shell studded, octagonal shaped table. In front of each of us, there was a small plate of orange and white cheese with an edible flower, and a chocolate truffle poised on an upside-down sea shell at 12 o'clock. And of course, there were wine glasses: one white wine glass and two for red wine. In addition to this magnificent presentation, the room itself was worth noting--high ceilings displayed large paintings with whimsical themes (contrasted by farm animals) done by the local artist Ira Yaeger. In addition to table, the chandelier was also custom made and the fireplace was flown in from Paris (don't ask me how).

Brian slowly walked around the table, pouring the 2008 Pinot Grigio and telling us a bit of history about Swanson. The wine was bright with almost effervescent acidity and faint citrus notes; it was refreshing and would pair perfectly with oysters.

Next, we tasted the 2005 Merlot, which is really what Swanson is known for. I recently opened an older vintage of their Merlot that was vegetal with copper penny flavors (not really a flavor profile that I can enjoy), so I was blown away by how delicious the 2005 was. It was rich and ripe, with plum, black cherry, and velvety tannins. As I savored the last few drops of it, Brian poured a bottle of the 2005 Alexis and poured it into the elegant "Cornetto" Riedel decanter.

The Alexis is the Swanson's flagship Cab and named after their daughter, Alexis (she also runs the winery's marketing department). Up until the 2004 vintage, the Alexis was blended with Syrah, but the 2005 is predominantly Cab with small portions of Merlot and Cab Franc blended in. It tasted a little darker and a little tighter than the 2005 Merlot, and would definitely benefit from a little bottle aging. That being said, the Alexis is a very distinctive and impressive wine.

One benefit of having the last scheduled tasting of the day is that you're not rushed out. Brian insisted on pouring one more wine for us and gave us the choice between a sweet dessert wine (Eiswein) and the 2005 Petite Sirah. Not being a huge fan of dessert wines, I opted for the Petite Sirah, which was characteristically big and fleshy, but with a core of blueberry fruit and long pleasant finish.

After all of our glasses were empty, I was still most attracted to the Merlot, for its drinkability and because they offer it in half-bottles, which is sometimes just the right amount.