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.