Elizabeth Spencer – October 20, 2014

www.elizabethspencerwines.com

We ended our trip to Napa Valley at Elizabeth Spencer’s tasting room in Rutherford.  I wanted to finish our trip relaxing in the late afternoon sun on the patio there enjoying their lovely reds.  And, since Elizabeth Spencer makes a broad selection of whites, my travel companions were quite pleased too.  The patio is very relaxing in comfortable weather such as we were enjoying, and it was just warm enough for my guests to enjoy their white wines, yet cool enough for my reds.  This turned out to be a lovely way to wrap up our winery visits.

The bottle I bought is near the upper left on the racks at Elizabeth Spencer.

I began my flight with a taste of the GPS blend, which is a (secret) mixture of red grapes grown along the northern California coast.  Next I tried the 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which I have thoroughly enjoyed every time I have tasted it.  I followed that with the 2010 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, which was my favorite of this flight.  (During my last visit, the Rutherford Cabernet was my favorite.)  I decided that I enjoyed the Rutherford Cabernet enough to warrant bringing home a bottle for a special occasion sometime in the next five to ten years.

A full review was written already about Elizabeth Spencer Wines during my visit on November 2^nd, 2012.

October 24, 2014 – Wine: 2005 Bell Cellars Talianna Red Wine

This wine is an unusual blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah (rather than your typical Bordeaux-style blend).  It also happens to be the flagship red blend of Bell Cellars.  I first discovered the 2002 vintage of this wine shortly after joining the Bell Cellars wine club during a tasting visit at the winery.  This wine stood out for its remarkable depth, balance, and flavor.  I bought a bottle of the 2002, and later a bottle of the 2004 after tasting each.  When the 2005 was released, I bought a bottle of it too (without tasting it first) and held onto it until tonight.  This wine seems to enter a special drinking window that starts about eight to ten years after harvest.  Tonight, I decided it was time to open this bottle of 2005, and even though it was one of my more expensive bottles, I felt it was time to give up on waiting for a reason to pull the cork.  The wine offers a fantastic nose, a nearly rich palette, wonderful depth and balance, and terrific complexity, weaving red fruits will all kinds of other sensations.  This bottle is one of my top ten favorite Cabernets from the 2005 vintage.

2005 Bell Cellars Talianna blend

Provenance Vineyards – October 20, 2014

www.provenancevineyards.com

I like to take people to Provenance Vineyards to show off the quality of their wines.  Folks who enjoy white wines often take a liking to one of the three Sauvignon Blanc wines they make there.  And for those that enjoy red wines, there is a good variety, including some outstanding Merlots.  Lately I have found myself encouraging people to try the 2010 Three Palms Merlot because I was so impressed by it.  More often than not, the folks I encourage end up taking a liking to this wine too.  I also stopped by to pick up my September wine club shipment.  But after learning what was being shipped, I opted to replace my shipment (too many Malbecs) with other wines, which required that I contact the wine-club representative (who had already left for the day because of illness).  I guess I’ll just have to come back again to get my wines.

The completed tasting patio at Provenance Vineyards

I worked my way through the new releases of some of my favorite Cabernets that Provenance offers.  I started with the 2010 Three Palms Cabernet Sauvignon, which is still young and a little reserved (but showing promise).  I next tasted one of my favorites, the 2010 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select, followed by the 2010 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon 2 (aka TK2), and the 2012 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.  Of these, the TK2 Cabernet was my favorite, but the Barrel Select Cabernet is the best value.

A full review was written already about Provenance Vineyards during my visit on February 8^th, 2012.

October 13, 2014 – Wine: 2005 Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml + 375ml)

Last month, during my travels in Seattle, a dear friend who moved there invited my mom and me to dinner.  My friend would be cooking salmon, and he gave me the task of bringing the wine (which I gladly accepted).  (Later it would turn out that I would be grilling the fish, too, but that is my pleasure.)  I know that the fashionable pairing with fish is a white wine, and Salmon would have demanded a full bodied Chardonnay with higher acids.  But my favorite wine to pair with salmon is Napa Valley Cabernet.  Of course, my friend’s first comment was that I, a typical Californian, had so predictably picked a Napa Valley Cabernet over all the terrific wines made in Washington.  But this was a 2005 Ramey that I had tasted when younger, so I confidently ignored my friend's comment and simply popped the cork.   That shut my friend up, who ended up fighting with my mom and me over the last few ounces in the bottle.  The wine went perfectly with the gorgeous fillet of salmon I was grilling up too.  The wine was still plush like a younger 2005, with all of its fruit intact, but with ideal balance and showing some of the best red fruits that 2005 had to offer.  I had to reveal the store where I purchased the wine so my friend could pick up another bottle.

The big bottle of 2005 Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Of course, that Seattle bottle got me thinking about the 375ml bottle of the same wine that I had slumbering in my basement (for six years now).  So, I relented and popped the cork tonight on this bottle.  The similarities between the two wines were not surprising, but the subtle differences were remarkable.  Whereas the 750ml bottle featured a palette of beautiful red fruits, including cranberry, currants, blackberry, as well as subtle minerals and leather, the 375ml was actually more complex.  In the half-bottle, I noticed much of the same flavors, but also noted more prominent black fruit flavors which were more subtle in the 750ml bottle.  Usually, I prefer the performance of the half-bottle to the full-bottle of the same wine because it has developed more character, but this time I was enamored with the lush red fruits of the larger bottle.

Saint Clement Vineyards, October 20, 2014

www.stclement.com

Next stop on the agenda was Saint Clement, after stopping to pick up some sandwiches at Ranch Market Too in Yountville.  My hope was to sit under the oaks on the patio and enjoy our lunch as we tasted wine in this glorious weather we were enjoying.  But, when we arrived at Saint Clement, they directed us to the next level above the patio, set out a red table cloth across the picnic table, and gave us a private, sunny tasting experience overlooking Napa Valley.  My guests really enjoyed picnicking with our delicious sandwiches, our spectacular view, and our wine tasting selections.  It was during this visit that I learned that the tasting room at Saint Clement will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning November 1, 2014.  This will impact when I can come to pick up my wine club shipments as I prefer mid-week visits.

The fine picnic tables at Saint Clement Vineyards

Before taking our wines out to the picnic table, I was poured a taste of one of the wines in my wine-club shipment, the 2011 Johanna red blend.  Then, at the table, I tasted the 2009 Napa Valley Merlot, the 2011 Oroppas, the 2010 Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2010 Armstrong Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.  Of all these wines, the Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon stood out as my favorite.  The interesting thing is that during my last visit, this same wine was less impressive, a little thinner, and shorter finishing.  It is amazing how much a wine can develop in just a month or two.  My guests enjoyed the 2012 Abbott’s Vineyard Chardonnay so I bought a bottle to take home with us.

A full review was written already about Saint Clement Vineyards during my visit on May 12^th, 2012.

November 24, 2014 – Fall color is fleeting

I spent the day in Napa Valley and was fortunate to find that much of the brilliant foliage was still clinging to the vines, but not all of it.  Most of the vines lost up to half of their leaves in last Thursday’s rain and wind event, suggesting that the fall-color peak was last Wednesday.  With the brilliant sunny weather we are enjoying this week, now is your last opportunity to take in this spectacle of color.  Many of the younger vineyards were already stripped of their leaves, but those that still had leaves were shimmering in the low afternoon sunshine.  Grab a camera and head up there.

The view from the deck at Miner Family Vineyards



Half-naked vines bask in the autumn sun at Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards

October 11, 2014 – Wine: 2009 Savannah-Chanelle Russian River Pinot Noir

While tasting recently at the Savannah-Chanelle winery (and hoping they had some good stuff on sale), I noticed a case of the 2009 Russian River Pinot Noir marked down about 30%.  I was able to taste the wine and decided that, at just over $20 a bottle, this wine would be great to bring to parties.  The 2009 vintage was highly praised for its Pinot Noir wines, and Savannah-Chanelle consistently releases quality wines that improve with some time in the cellar, so I felt safe making this purchase.  Besides, the 2009 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir was performing grandly right now (and I have just one bottle remaining now).  Now, ten months later, I opened a bottle and was quite pleased.  The wine is taking on many of the fruit qualities in the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, but retaining more of the classic Pinot Noir characteristics of being a controlled, balanced, and thought-provoking wine.  I am looking forward to opening my next bottle.

2009 Savannah-Chanelle Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Hess Collection Winery, October 20, 2014

www.hesscollection.com

Whenever I am entertaining new visitors to Napa Valley, I like to start off my visit at Hess Collection.  Visually, this winery has so much to offer.  Starting with the long walk past the coy pond, into the three-story modern addition to the original stone winery building housing the tasting room, to the two floors of quality art work occupying the top two floors of the addition, this winery is an eyeful of treats.  Today I was entertaining a special guest from Mexico, so we started here.  Unfortunately, the stylish tasting room in the old stone winery was cordoned off, and we were directed to the third floor to taste in the art gallery.  It would seem that Hess’ stonework was one of the victims of the earthquake last August.  I was told that the masonry had shifted and was in need of engineering work, but the winery expected to be able to repair the damage.  (I also heard that Trefethen’s operations building had suffered damage in the same earthquake.)

One of my favorite pieces on display at Hess Collection

The good news about the wine is that the majority of it survived the earthquake.  Because there were four of us tasting today, we decided each to choose our own wines from the lengthy tasting menu and share our favorites.  (That’s why I have more than four wines listed.)  I started off with the 2012 Artezin Zinfandel Esola, and moved onto the 2011 Petite Syrah, the 2010 Auction Lot 11 blend, the 2010 Block 19 blend, and the 2012 Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon.  But my favorite wine was the sip I had of the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, which was the nicest of the white wines we would taste this day.

A full review was written already about Hess Collection during my visit on May 12^th, 2012.

October 1, 2014 – Wine: 2005 Meyer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine has yet to disappoint me, especially when considering the price.  In the past I have compared it to big wines like the 2002 Rubicon Estate Red or the 2005 Miner Family Oracle which cost many times more, and while you can measure the difference in substance between the bigger wines and this wine, there is no arguing that this wine offers a superior flavor profile.  When I first discovered this wine, it was plush with delicious red fruits.  After having tasted many young 2005 Napa Cabernets, I pointed to this wine as typifying the best of the vintage.  Tonight, the tannins have mellowed nearly to perfection.  The balance is great, and the body boarders on elegant.  But the real treat is the array of flavors delivered.  I sensed boysenberry, cranberry, maple syrup (the real kind), leather, and minerals.  I still have half a case remaining of these delightful half-bottles.  As it appears they are nearing their peak, I should pick of the pace of enjoying them.

 

Novelty Hill & Januik, September 12, 2014

Tasting Room - 7 / Wines - 6
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Native American art displayed in modern setting.  Bordeaux varietals.
www.noveltyhilljanuik.com
 
After doing some research, I wanted to taste at both Novelty Hill and at Januik.  Much to my surprise, one visit would be enough to experience both labels, as they are both made side-by-side using the same facilities.  And, they are poured side-by-side.  It would turn out that the main difference between the two labels is the sourcing of the grapes, with each label using its own estate grapes.  (An “estate” wine consists of grapes grown entirely on property owned by the winery.)  Also on the Woodinville winery trail along Woodinville-Redmond Road, the Novelty Hill winery and tasting room is fairly easy to find and well worth the visit.  Of the three tasting rooms I visited this day, the Novelty Hill offered the nicest tasting room and the nicest wines (and a great value too).  Had I been a resident of the Seattle area, this is a wine club I would have joined.

Native American art inside the Novelty Hill tasting room

In stark contrast to the other places I visited, the Novelty Hill facility features a modern take on style, finished primarily in smooth concrete and accented by beautiful redwood.  This style follows you inside to a two-story atrium-like tasting area in the middle of the facility.  Surrounding the tasting area are conference rooms and offices along opposing walls, and a floor-to-ceiling view along another wall into the operations room, which is one floor below.  The forth wall is mostly glass facing the outdoor patio (to the south), letting in ample natural light.  While there is no direct glare, plenty of light filters into the tasting area from numerous light portals.  The tasting room itself features tall concrete walls fitted with some dramatic Native American art along one length, and rich woodwork supporting wine racks along the other length.  A tasting bar is set up running the middle of the room, with ample space to enjoy your tasting.  There are also a few barrels and tables where you can carry your pours away from the bar, or you can brave the weather outdoors (which today’s weather made very tempting).

Enjoy your tastings as you watch the Novelty Hill operations floor below.

One thing my tasting experience here in Washington has taught me is that Washington’s king varietal is Merlot (unlike California’s Cabernet).  We were able to taste both the Novelty Hill and Januik wines side-by-side, where you get more of a sense of the soil and climate where the grapes are grown (due to consistent winemaking practices).  We started with the 2010 Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Merlot, followed by the 2012 Januik Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2011 Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 Januik Cabernet Franc, and the 2011 Januik Klipsun Merlot.  Of these, the 2010 Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Merlot was my favorite, followed closely by the 2012 Januik Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Again, had I not be flying, I would have bought a few bottles.
 
Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a 7 and the wines poured a 6.

September 22, 2014 – Wine: 2006 Ridge Geyserville

When I tasted this wine young (at release), I thought it showed potential to become something nice.  So, I bought a case of half-bottles.  At that time in 2008, it was tannic, showing red fruits, metals and minerals, and only the suggestion of some of the faults that 2006 brought to many California wines.  (You can thank the 115F degree July heat for that.)  So, I let it rest for a few years as I worked through the last of my 2004’s and 2005’s, and even opened a couple of 2008’s.  When I opened one in 2011, it was elegant and medium bodied, but still rather tannic with youthful fruits.  In 2013, the wine’s tannins dominated the fruits, as the wine took on more body.  Tonight, the wine has woven itself into peak performance, with an elegant, utterly smooth, medium body that sports only the suggestion of tannins.  The palette is very nicely integrated with red fruits dominating, especially the red cherry and raspberry.  I am looking forward to opening the next half bottle.

 

DeLille Cellars, September 12, 2014

Tasting Room - 4 / Wines - 5
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Ideal outdoor tasting for good weather.  Rhone and Bordeaux style wines.
www.delillecellars.com

My first stop today was supposed to be DeLille Cellars.  According to my research on the web, the tasting room was at the northern end of “winery row” in Woodinville, and the satellite photos suggested the operations were in a warehouse building.  When I arrived, I had to hunt a little for the winery’s office, which had not yet opened.  (It was 10:50am.)  I peeked in through a window and saw a disappointing tasting bar set up inside.  So, I decided to go on to the second stop and come back later in the day.  While trying to park at lunchtime, I made a wrong turn and ended up in the parking lot of the actual DeLille tasting room, which was much nicer than the shabby warehouse office.  So, after lunch, I knew precisely where to go.  After all, I had been told good things about this place and was reluctant to omit it from my trip, so I was happy to have found it.

The entrance to DeLille Cellars' tasting room

The DeLille tasting room is modest, both from the street and from within.  The outside resembles a tidy ranch home that has been well kept, with nice landscaping surrounding the butter-yellow exterior of the home.  A double door welcomes visitors inside, where a long, narrow salon has been set up for tasting and sales.  The floor is done in a darker hardwood with rich variations in color, while the walls carry the exterior butter color inside.  A small tasting bar on the left of the room serves customers during disagreeable weather.  In contrast to the simple tasting room is the ample patio area where they pour wine in the good weather.  This being Seattle, I don’t image the patio gets used nearly as much as it would in Northern California.  But, we were in luck because some of the season’s best weather was taking place during our visit.  There are some covers for the patio area, suggesting it can continue to be used during light rain.

Inside the DeLille tasting room

Visiting DeLille during mid-September means we missed out on some of their wines which have already sold out and the next vintages were not yet available.  Because of this, our tasting flight was limited to three wines.  We started our tasting with the 2012 Doyenne Métier (a Rhone-style blend).  This was followed by the 2011 DeLille Four Flags (a Meritage blend).  The flight ended with the 2013 DeLille Chaleur Estate Blanc.  Of these three wines, I enjoyed the 2012 Métier better than the other two, but I found the style of all the wines to be fruit-restrained and very dry.  I wonder if the wines that were sold out tasted better than these three.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a 4 and the wines poured a 5.

September 18, 2014 – Two Shafer Reds

On two adjacent nights, I opened two Shafer half-bottles: a Cabernet and a Merlot.  One of these two surprised me.  The other lives in the shadows of superior vintages, like the younger brother of an over-achiever going through the same schooling.

2006 Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine was the surprise, and for two reasons.  First, I thought that I was buying the last three half-bottles of the 2007 vintage of this wine.  I even recorded it that way.  Two years later I was looking for one of my last 2005 Merlots and discovered this bottle of 2006.  I scrambled to count the 2007’s and found only two.  So, it would seem I grabbed the last two 2007’s and the last 2006.  Ordinarily I would not have bought a 2006 vintage Cabernet without tasting it first, so I was shocked to find this bottle.  Upon opening the bottle, I was both relieved and impressed with the wine.  While lacking the depth and body of many 2007’s, this 2006 has become silky and very well balanced, with delicious flavors of red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, subtle tobacco and minerals.

2008 Shafer Merlot

This wine is nice in its own right, but pales in comparison to the 2004, 2005, and 2007 vintages.  That is the problem with over-achieving older siblings.  (Except for in sports, I was fortunate to be more scholastically inclined than my older siblings ... but my poor younger brother.)  This wine is medium bodied and fairly smooth, featuring darker fruit and complexities, but probably a year or two off from its potential.  I noted flavors of pomegranate, dark cherry, tea, graphite, and leather.  Luckily, I still have three half-bottles of the 2007 vintage waiting to mature.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, September 12, 2014

Tasting Room - 7 / Wines - 5
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Gorgeous sprawling estate with room for concerts and weddings.  Most grape varietals vinted.
www.ste-michelle.com

I was in Seattle with my mom for a few days so she could explore glass-blowing and Native American art.  So that there was something in it for me, we dedicated part of Friday to wine-tasting.  Lacking the time to travel to the Columbia Valley, we visited the main winery neighborhood just to the north-east of Seattle called “Woodinville”.  Here, you will find winery operations condensed into a short two or three mile stretch of road, with Chateau Ste. Michelle anchoring the end of the main road.  I decided to start off my visit here for a few reasons.  First off, since we would be tasting just before lunch, I wanted a place close to dining so we would be just a short drive away from lunch.  Secondly, Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the larger producers in Washington, much like Beringer Wines in Napa Valley.  The spectacular grounds were simply a happy bonus that I had not planned for.  Unlike most winery operations, Chateau Ste. Michelle is set up for much more than just wine tasting.  The grounds include an outdoor amphitheater for concerts as well as a few buildings large enough to hold corporate meetings, receptions, holiday parties, and so forth.  If you could schedule nice weather like I had during my visit, you might even consider an outdoor wedding at this beautiful campus.

The entrance to the Ste. Michelle tasting room

Just like the biggest wineries in Napa Valley, Chateau Ste. Michelle attracts visitors by the bus-load.  And, while the tasting room was built to accommodate a great many people, they had to scale back the “shine” to do so.  The exteriors of all the buildings have a definite European (French) architectural influence.  The walls are off-white with taupe shutters and steep rooflines.  The tasting room is rather inconveniently located toward the back of the campus, so you walk past a number of offices and reception halls along the way.  Inside, the tasting room is done in an industrial-strength rustic feel, again with a nod toward Europe, though for some reason it felt a little more Italian than French.  The walls are a creamy off-white, the floors are simply polished concrete, and the tasting counter and ceiling are finished in a warm-toned wood.  What caught me off guard was the amount of merchandise for sale in the large tasting room.  You really get the feeling that you are in a tourist mecca here.

Inside the Ste. Michelle tasting room

I opted for a red tasting flight at the stand-up wine bar.  (There is also a tour and tasting option, as well as the Col Solare sit-down option.)  Our flight consisted of four red wines, starting with the 2011 Austral Red Wine (a Rhone-style blend), followed by the 2009 Canoe Ridge Syrah and the 2011 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.  But I quickly learned that Washington is best for making Merlots, as the Canoe Ridge Merlot was my favorite of the flight.  The fellow tending to us then offered us a pour of the (off-the-menu) 2010 Artist Series Meritage, which showed not only that 2010 was a better vintage, but that there is a big difference in the winemaking style of their Artist Series wines.  This wine was my favorite from this visit.  As I was flying home the next day, buying wine at the winery was not a convenient option for me.

My favorite curiosity for sale inside Ste. Michelle's tasting room

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a 7 and the wines poured a 5.

September 6, 2014 – Block Party wines

Each year, toward the end of summer, the neighbors on my block organize a block party, where we bring an offering of food to share and enjoy each other’s company.  I brought freshly-baked chocolate-chip cookies, and of course, wine.  It was the perfect opportunity to rid myself of a Rose Malbec that I never wanted, and to share a few of my better wine values from the cellar.  Here is what I opened:

2013 Provenance Malbec Rose
2010 Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Angel’s Secret Petite Sirah
2010 Artezin Mendocino Zinfandel

The Angel’s Secret was everyone’s favorite, and the least expensive of the bunch.  And I found some people who adored the Rose.

October 7, 2014 – Fall color will arrive early this year

Today I spent the day in Napa Valley.  Everything I have been reading in the vintners’ blog posts says this is an early harvest season, with great quality in the grapes.  And from what I have seen, the fall color will likely arrive similarly early.  In late vintages, the fall color will peak around the week of Thanksgiving, which suggests that the usual peak arrives around November 10^th.  If the harvest is two weeks early, then I think it would be fair to guess that the autumn color peak will come two weeks earlier as well.  Today’s trip supports that theory as a number of fields have already begun to develop a golden cast to their foliage.  I noticed this driving in along the newly widened Highway 29 through American Canyon all the way up to northern Saint Helena.  Of course, if I can enjoy beautiful fall colors with today’s excellent weather, then I must be in paradise (or very close to it).

The 2014 fall color arrives early; seen from Saint Clement Vineyards

Elizabeth Spencer Wines, August 11, 2014

www.elizabethspencerwines.com

My second stop of the day was Elizabeth Spencer.  The main reason for my visit here was to pick up my friend’s wine club shipment.  Luckily, they checked the status of his account first and determined that his credit card information needed to be updated.  My friend was tied up for the next thirty minutes, so I decided to take advantage of the fact that Elizabeth Spencer stays open until 6:00pm during the summer months and rescheduled my stop here.  Off I flew to my next winery so I could return later, allowing my friend to make arrangements for his billing in the meantime.  I returned after visiting the next two wineries on my agenda and enjoyed a relaxing tasting here.  Aside from the wines and the charming architecture of this place, the late hours are another big reason I like Elizabeth Spencer.  When something goes wrong with your timetable, it’s nice to have the flexibility to rearrange a few visits.

The wine-rack wall inside Elizabeth Spencer's tasting room

After the generosity of pours at the previous two wineries I visited, I needed to scale back my wine tasting at Elizabeth Spencer.  I opted for just two pours, but ended up with three.  I started with the 2011 Russian River Chardonnay, which has a nice minerality to it.  Next, I asked for two red recommendations and was poured their top two Cabernets:  the 2010 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2010 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.  Of these three wines, the Rutherford Cabernet was my favorite, but even with the wine-club discount, it is just beyond my financial reach.  (Maybe I’ll try to get an invite when my friend opens his bottle.)

A full review was written already about Elizabeth Spencer Wines during my visit on November 2^nd, 2012.

August 22, 2014 – Wine: 2004 Merryvale Profile

I have always said that if an expensive wine fails to impress you when young, lock it away in your cellar and forget about it for a while.  Such is the case with this wine.  I was absolutely spellbound by the 2001 Profile in its youth.  I sought out nine half-bottles in an auction and began working my way through them.  But, like most 2001’s, the Profiles gradually lost what made them special and settled in to become merely nice wine.  By contrast, the young 2004 Profile could not hold a candle to the 2001’s, and having bought six half bottles, I set them in a remote spot in the cellar wine collection and forgot about them.  When I opened bottles in 2010 and 2011, the wine was medium bodied and nicely balanced, but it lacked any kind of wow! factor.  Now, three years later, I open the next bottle and was pleasantly surprised.  The wine has put on weight and developed incredible complexity, both on the nose and the palette.  I noted primarily flavors of pencil lead, black plums, dark currants, minerals, and baking spices.  Now I have to wait a little while longer to open the one remaining bottle, knowing that this wine has begun overachieving.

2004 Merryvale Profile

Provenance Vineyards, August 11, 2014

www.provenancevineyards.com

Here is one nice feature about buying wine from a winery …  Provenance put one of the single-vineyard Merlots (a 2007) on sale for 50% off, making it the perfect wine for entertaining.  The first bottle I uncork failed to please my guests, and only a few sips were ever taken.  Sure enough, the wine had developed badly.  The wine was not corked, but it had a certain bitter quality that made it undrinkable.  (In fact, the ounce that I tried ended up giving me a headache the next day.)  After all the bottles I have opened from Provenance, this was the first off bottle.  So, I called the winery, they brought in a replacement bottle from the warehouse, and held it for me to pick up at my convenience.  (That’s the nice feature.)  So, today I was picking up that bottle.  I had another opportunity to check out the garden reconfiguration going on, and it looks like it will be nice when it’s done.

The new front yard at Provenance Vineyards is well underway.

For my tasting flight, I decided to start with the 2013 Rose of Malbec, since it was included in my last shipment.  Next I moved onto the 2011 Winemaker’s Reserve and the 2010 Three Palms Merlot, which is showing very nicely right now.  Following that I was able to compare the 2009 Three Palms Cabernet Sauvignon to the 2009 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon.  Finally, I could not resist an opportunity to try the now rare 2004 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon, which was special.  Of these, the 2009 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon was my favorite, followed closely by the 2010 Three Palms Merlot.

A full review was written already about Provenance Vineyards during my visit on February 8^th, 2012.

August 8, 2014 – Wine: 2002 Macauley Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

I first discovered this wine in a grocery store in Napa back in 2009 and opened it a few months afterward.  Regrettably, the wine was delicious and the store had sold out of the half-bottles that I fell for so strongly.  The wine was flashy and young, a great specimen of the 2002 vintage from Napa Valley.  Three years later, while visiting the new Macauley tasting room just outside of Saint Helena, the winemaker indicated that they still had a handful of half-bottles of this 2002 vintage remaining, so my friend and I snapped up a few of them.  Of the four bottles I brought home and opened, this last bottle was far ahead of the others.  The balance was nearly perfect, with good structure remaining.  Not quite rich, the palette can only be described as delicious, with great red fruit flavors including cranberry, pomegranate, red currants, pencil lead, baking spices, and minerals.  Check out my notes from September 22, 2013 for a comparison.

2002 Macauley Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

September 21, 2014 – A New World Record

I have been drawn to electric vehicles since I first encountered a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle in a downtown Los Gatos store one Sunday morning in 2007.  I did some research and found that the car lacked enough capability for my daily needs.  But it kept me interested.  Then, I learned of Mitsubishi’s plans to build a capable electric vehicle, which I followed until the 2012 Mitsubishi i‑MiEV landed in my driveway.  I have remained fascinated by these cars and thoroughly enjoy driving electric. 

Each September, the Electric Automobile Association of Silicon Valley holds and electric car rally, which I have attended faithfully since 2012.  This year, I learned (on Wednesday) of an attempt to assemble the largest parade of electric vehicles the world has yet seen.  Naturally, I could not pass on the opportunity to occupy a spot in the record books, however briefly.  The last record was 481 EV’s set in May in Germany.  This time, we sped past that record to 507.  I later celebrated with a half-bottle of 2006 Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon.  Read about it on my other blog:  http://livingwithmiev.blogspot.com.

The official world-record certificate on display at the event

Saint Clement Vineyards, August 11, 2014

www.stclement.com

Saint Clement was patiently holding onto my July wine-club shipment, so the primary motivation for my trip today was to relieve them of my shipment.  (I had until the 23^rd before they would ship it and charge me extra.)  When I arrived at the winery, it seemed as though I was the only guest.  Even so, I was directed up to the winemaker’s studio to conduct my club-member tasting, which was great for me because it meant another tasting under the oaks that gently shade the patio there.  There is an indoor tasting option at the studio for when Goldilocks would be unhappy (“too hot” or “too cold”), but Goldilocks was nowhere to be found on this beautiful summer afternoon.  Always looking for creative ways to make use of old wine barrels, a small display had been set up with some summer flowers in a small vase on the old barrel to soften the atmosphere there.

The late afternoon view from the Saint Clement patio

My club pickup included the 2011 Napa Valley Merlot and the 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, so I was eager to try these wines.  I was convinced to start with a sample of the 2012 Abbott’s Vineyard Chardonnay.  I followed this by the 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (which I won’t be giving away) and the 2011 Oroppas blend.  Then I tried the two mountain Cabernets, the 2010 Steinhauer Ranch (Howell Mountain) and the 2010 Armstrong Ranch (Diamond Mountain).  I have long been a fan of the Howell Mountain Cabernet from here and this was again my favorite wine of the lineup.  (Of course, I went home with a bottle of the 2010 Rutherford Cabernet, which is drinking wonderfully now.)  I guess I’ll have to try the 2011 Merlot on my next visit.

A full review was written already about Saint Clement Vineyards during my visit on May 12^th, 2012.

August 2, 2014 – Wine: 2010 Neal Family Zinfandel

When guests show up on short notice after dinner, Zinfandel is my go-to wine for pop-and-pour performance.  I had seen the name Neal Family Vineyards and suggested to my friend that we visit the winery while on Howell Mountain.  I knew they made a noteworthy Cabernet, but I was surprised by the Zinfandel they sell.  (My friend bought a bottle of the 2011 after tasting it.)  After my visit, I found a few bottles of the 2010 Zinfandel and snatched some up.  I really wanted to hold onto this wine for two more years before opening it, but then I remembered I bought this wine to “sacrifice” while the bigger Cabernets lay in rest.  Tonight, the wine performed remarkably, with flavors of dark cherries, dark chocolate, earth tones, and subtle minerals all woven together nicely.  This is a more elegant style of Zinfandel that is still full of body.

Cuvaison Winery, August 11, 2014

Winery - 8 / Wines - 7
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Exceptional autumn views.  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet.
www.cuvaison.com

My sister was the one who first convinced me to visit Cuvaison winery.  As a fan of bubbly wines, she had been visiting Domain Carneros and spotted the entrance to Cuvaison while leaving.  She immediately joined Cuvaison’s wine club and invited me to come along.  I ended up bringing home a number of her wine-club shipments for her during my visits to Napa Valley.  Then, her finances changed and she dropped her wine club membership.  Years have elapsed since then, so I decided it was time for a return visit.  Being in Carneros, Cuvaison’s vineyards tend to cling to the last of the morning’s fog, and today the skies were just beginning to clear as I arrived at noon.  The weather and the setting combined to give me a glorious experience there, with spectacular views, very agreeable weather, beautiful architecture, and tasty wines.

The Cuvaison Winery Carneros tasting room

To get to Cuvaison from Napa, you will drive west on Highway 121 and then turn left onto Duhig Road.  (Domain Carneros should be visible before the turn.)  The driveway entrance to Cuvaison is well marked, directly across from Domain Carnero’s entrance.  You will drive about ¼ mile up a driveway to get to the tasting room.  The tasting room and operations buildings are done in a modern style with redwood integrated into the sides, large windows overlooking the vineyards below, and exposed metalwork.  Inside, the modern elegance continues the woodwork throughout the interior of the tasting room.  A number of tasting tables have been set up around a large rack of wine bottles in the center of the room.  Most of the room’s floor-to-ceiling window panels swivel 90-degrees to bring the beautiful weather indoors (or shut out the bad stuff).  Tasters are welcome to sit outdoors under the extended roof or exposed to the afternoon sun.  I chose to sit indoors as there were already a number of guests outside.

Inside the tasting room at Cuvaison Winery

My tasting flight started out with small plans but grew as I talked with the sales associate.  I started off with the 2012 Kite Tail Vineyard Chardonnay, and followed that by the 2012 Estate Pinot Noir.  Next, the sales associate convinced me to try the 2011 Mariafeld Pinot Noir.  Next on the tasting menu was a Syrah that I never got to.  Upon learning that I enjoy elegant Zinfandels, she poured for me the two Zinfandels from their Brandlin label, the 2012 Estate Zinfandel and the 2012 Bald Mountain Zinfandel.  I finished with the 2011 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  I ended up bringing home a bottle of the 2012 Estate Zinfandel.

The vineyard view from the Cuvaison Winery tasting room

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery an 8 and the wines a 7.  This is consistent with my prior visits.

 

Clos LaChance Winery, August 3, 2014

Winery - 8 / Wines - 6
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Rolling hills and golf course vistas.  Variety of reds and whites.  Good place for events.
clos.com

Clos LaChance was another of the local wineries that my sister introduced me to.  Nestled into the western San Martin foothills, this winery is well suited for hosting events.  The winery is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, and a golf course.  When the weather is agreeable, it makes a terrific location for outdoor activities.  In fact, this place is nearly impossible to get to on Mothers’ Day because of the crowd it attracts.  The patio offers a number of tables where you can enjoy a light snack along with your wine tasting.  And, the grounds are ample enough to accommodate a smaller outdoor wedding.  Clos LaChance also hosts a number of their own events on-site, so be sure to check their web site often to see what’s coming up next.

The Clos LaChance Winery courtyard entrance

The folks who designed the Clos LaChance winery had a sense of Tuscan elegance in mind when they created this winery.  The exterior features a vine-covered stucco exterior, much slate stone-work, tiles for the approach to the winery, and lush gardens.  Even the tile roof echoes the same theme.  Inside, painted walls are done in a light cream color, while rich woodwork abounds inside the main tasting room.  A tiled floor continues the Tuscan theme.  The mahogany counter with anodized steel countertop lends an interesting visual contrast.  Racks of wine bottles are housed above the bar.  The tasting room opens onto a larger room where they often hold indoor events (such as wine clearance sales).  Just outside the tasting room is the large patio area, surrounded by lawns, and looking out over the golf course below and the rolling hills just beyond the driveway.  The patio is the ideal setting for enjoying your wine tasting in the warmth of the valley’s afternoon sun.

Inside the Clos LaChance tasting room

There were two wine tasting options, and I opted for the reserve tasting.  I started with the 2012 Harmon Chardonnay, followed by the 2010 Murphy’s Pinot Noir.  Next I enjoyed 2011 Cabernet Franc, which surprised me.  The flight ended with the 2010 Reserve Syrah and the 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which was my favorite of the flight.  Finally, I was convinced to try the 2011 Whitestone Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a remarkable wine and was my favorite overall. 

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a n8 and the wines a 6.  This is consistent with my prior visits.