A recent enjoyable trip to Napa Valley (with wine savvy relatives from Ohio in tow) confirmed once again the quality and consistency of wines that are crafted by winemakers in this premium wine producing region.   Amidst winter rain drenched vineyards and cozy tasting rooms, a host of impressive wines were unveiled:

Joseph Phelps 2006 Insignia:  This 95% Cab Sauv, 5% Petite Verdot blend has an inky dark purple hue with expressive aromas of cassis and tobacco that are ever-so engaging.   This rich blend builds on the palate with opulent, dense dark berry and cassis flavors that are cloaked magnificently in mocha, anise and tobacco notes, and shows off a velvety texture and long finish   Complex with beautifully integrated tannins that suggest long ageability. 

Joseph Phelps 2005 Bacchus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon:  The nose is a bit restrained at the moment, but the dark berry and cassis flavors spring forward on first sip and create an elegantly structured and complex elixir full of dense, dark berry fruit, rich cocoa, pleasing minerality and a subtle hint of oak on mid palate.  Well crafted with plenty of firm tannins to go the distance.

Joseph Phelps 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:  Cassis and toasty oak greet the nose and continue on the palate with layers of red and black berry, tobacco, sweet oak and smoke notes and a hint of black licorice, too.  Nicely balanced with silky smooth tannins and a satisfying finish.

Freestone 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir:  Opens with immense florality and cherry on the nose that simply scream Pinot Noir.  Juicy Bing cherry, white pepper, Asian tea spice and smoky notes mesh together gloriously on the palate.  This is a full bodied, elegantly composed wine.

Freestone 2006 Ovation Chardonnay:   Aromatic poached pears and butter notes rise from the glass and meld deliciously on the palate alongside almond paste and toasty oak notes.   Full bodied, rich yet clean and fresh with its bright acidity, this chardonnay strikes a beautiful balance and a lingering finish.

Patz & Hall 2007 Zio Tony Ranch Russian River Valley Chardonnay:  Stunning aromas of butterscotch and pleasing oak capture your attention and broaden on the palate with crisp green apple, sun drenched peach, candied citrus flavors and a dash of pie spice.   Round and viscous mouth feel with layers that unwind handsomely through the long finish. 

Patz & Hall 2007 Hudson Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay:    Enticing aromas of freshly churned butter, subtle oak and minerality lead to a rich, plush mouth filling wine with Asian pear, ripe apple and lemon zest weaving together seamlessly.   Stunning acidity holds up the rich fruit layers strikingly, and the finish is bright and persistent.

Patz & Hall 2007 Jenkins Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir:   Aromas of spicy cherry compote fill the nose and the cinnamon, clove and allspice notes hold enticingly through the palate alongside succulent red and black raspberries, fresh cherries and a generous level of acidity.  Silky and ethereal with a magnificent flavor profile from the beginning through the memorable aftertaste.

Patz & Hall 2007 Freestone Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir:  Cherry cola and anise aromas lead to a burst of juicy tart cherry at the core, and layers of mushroom, anise and exotic spice notes add complexity and simply explode in the mouth.   Bright and lifted on the palate, this PN is well constructed and irresistible.

Patz & Hall 2007 Burnside Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir:   Here is a deeply hued Pinot Noir with floral and wild cherry on the nose that lead to a full bodied, complex wine on the palate.  Provocative earthy, forest floor and anise notes accent wild berry and dried cherry flavors that take center stage on mid palate.    Well structured with good depth of flavors and stays nicely focused through the everlasting finish. 

Honig Vineyard & Winery 2008 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc:   Lush tropical fruit aromas promise a juicy mouthful and this Sauv. Blanc delivers!   Grapefruit and lime peel notes meld harmoniously with the ripe tropical mango flavors on the palate; the vibrant acidity enlivens the juicy fruit.   What a perfect spring and summer sipper!

Honig 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:  Take a big whiff and capture the generous dark berry, herbs and allspice in the nose.   Blackberry and plum laced with spice fill the palate nicely with a dollop of vanilla and coconut weaving throughout.  This Cab Sauv is nicely balanced with soft tannins, and finishes delightfully. 

Honig 2005 Bartolucci Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon:    Inviting  plummy notes rise from the glass and open up to dense black cherry, luscious plum and black raspberry flavors enhanced by licorice, herbs and earth notes.  Complex and tightly woven, this is a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon that should last for several years.

Dalla Valle 2004 ($150) - 97 pts
Inviting aromatics, earthy and spicy with just the right suggestion of fruit, beautiful saturation, gorgeous silky, supple texture, full and mouth filling on the palate, complex with perfectly integrated tannins and a forever finish.

Gargiulo 2005 OVX ($200) - 95 pts
Intense coffee bean on the nose, opens with tobacco and dark berry on the palate, plenty to enjoy on mid palate with spiciness, and perfectly balanced fruit and acidity. Firm tannins to carry this gem through the years.

Fruto 2005 ($200) – 94 pts
Enticing earthy aromas lead to well balanced dark fruit, cassis and earthy notes on mid palate, intense, rich and full bodied with tannins galore, memorable finish.

Harlan Estate 2004 ($495) - 94 pts
Tart cherry nose, exceedingly earthy, plenty of cassis and spicy flavors upon entry that persist broadly and expansively on the palate, complex with firm tannins, very nicely balanced.

Bond 2004 St Eden ($190) - 92 pts
Deep dark fruity aromas, currant and cassis focused on palate, lively, spicy, powerful and balanced, plenty of tannins to go the distance.

Hoopes Vineyard 2005 (~$65) - 92 pts
Dense, dark and elegant all at the same time; new French oak was ever so evident. Pretty oak notes from start to finish, earth forward with dark cherry and spice notes.

Far Niente 2005 ($125) – 92 pts
Licorice and restrained dark berry in nose, beautifully structured, licorice and tobacco thread through the palate with black currant at the core, beautifully structured.

Gargiulo 2005 Money Road Ranch Cab ($85) - 92 pts
Minty notes on the nose, bright black and red fruit surrounded by toasty oak, lifted on the palate, drinking beautifully now.

Rudd 2005 Proprietary Red ($125) - 91 pts
Brooding dark fruit aromas, deep and chewy currant/cassis on the palate, nice saturation, toasty accents and a lingering finish.

Kelleher 2004 Brix Vineyard ($75) - 91 pts
Expressive earthy, wild berry aromas, ever so smooth on the palate, plenty of tannins, lots of weight without feeling heavy on the palate; pleasing finish.

Mondavi 2005 Oakville Reserve (~$125) - 91 pts
Inviting notes of tobacco and dried fruit in the nose, big and rich dense plum on the palate, mouth-filling with well integrated tannins.

I recently went to a wine dinner focused on Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak 2003 Cabernet Sauvingons they produce from various appellations. I thought I’d share my wine notes.

2003 Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
Round, lush and full on the palate, incredibly balanced wine with beautiful acidity; nice tannins too. Drinking beautifully now!

2003 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Gorgeous spicy aromas lead to a mouthful of ripe pretty berry fruit laced with spice throughout the lingering finish. Plenty of rich tannins suggest good longevity.

2003 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Intriguing earthy aromas, with dense, dark berry and juicy plum flavors bursting on the palate. A mouthful of huge concentrated flavors laced with vanilla notes continue through the memorable finish.

2003 Claret
A nicely crafted blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. Pretty aromatics lead to blueberry and wild berry flavors filling the palate. Recognizable dose of Petite Verdot adds complexity; lovely velvety tannins persist.

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season!

Dave and wife Emily at Miner have been producing wines under their family label for many years, and they’ve got a beautiful portfolio of wines:

2003 Viognier
Oh baby, THIS is what Viognier is all about! This wine was made with no ML (Malolactic fermentation) and very little oak treatment. The result is a wine brimming with florality on the nose, ripe succulent peaches and a splash of citrus on the palate and bright acidity that lifts it heavenly.

2002 Wild Yeast Chardonnay
Scents of oak and rich, creamy butter pull you invitingly into this exotic multi-dimensional Chardonnay. Focused mango and tropical fruit flavors and a touch of nuttiness weave through the palate, and finish with lingering vanilla oak.

2002 Garys Vineyard Pinot Noir
A powerfully structured Pinot Noir from the highly acclaimed Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation, this is a complex yet elegant wine. Dark cherry flavors and a pungent earthiness create a beautiful, silky mouth feel that is nicely accentuated by subtle oak integration; and the finish goes on forever.

2002 Petite Sirah
Aromas heat you right up before the wine ever reaches your lips – mmm! On the palate this luscious wine delivers a huge punch of blackberry jam and berry cordial flavors, outlined by persistent spice notes, finishing rich and oh so smooth.

2001 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
From low yielding vineyards planted in rocky volcanic soils comes this full bodied Cabernet, dominated by juicy red and black fruits with attractive leather and herbal notes that kick in on the mid palate. Nicely structured with firm tannins and plenty of complexity.

Through talented winemaker David Gozignato we gained a new appreciation for the wines and winemaking practices at Charles Krug, where the family has owned and operated the facility since 1943. The Redwood Cellar facility, where Peter Mondavi Sr. used to make wine, still stands. The Charles Krug label consists of only Napa fruit which is hand picked and hand sorted, and the wines show the care and dedication.

2004 Sauvignon Blanc
David crafted a winner from grapes harvested early, in August 2004. It’s no surprise this wine took the top White Sweepstake honors at a recent San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Having seen no oak, it captures the gorgeous varietal fruit characteristics that scream Sauvignon Blanc. Expressive aromatics lead to gobs of juicy kiwi and lively grapefruit that fill the mouth. It is perfectly balanced with racy mouth-watering acidity – what a BEAUTY! It may be tough to find this vintage (sold out at the winery), but I’m betting the 2005 vintage will be as good!!

2002 Generations
Another beauty, this one a blend of 60% Cab Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Petite Verdot, 5% Cab Franc and l% Syrah, Tons of complexity wrapped around a solid core of juicy berries. Peppery notes and beautiful oak integration complete the tasty package. Finishes with elegance!

2003 Generations
From the barrel, the 2003 Generations is developing nicely with focused spice and dense berry flavors and a dollop of cinnamon and plenty of tannin structure. Should be another winner!

Vintage Select 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Here’s a powerhouse Cab!! Deep dark fruited aromas introduce what’s to follow – tons of black and red berry fruit and cassis at the core, framed deliciously by black pepper and cinnamon spices that linger delectably through the finish.

A recent visit to Honig revealed a few special gems:

2004 Sauvignon Blanc
From the first whiff, the varietal expression leaps from the glass. A melodious composition of melon, kiwi and tangy citrus on the palate and a lively finish convinces even a novice that this is Sauvignon Blanc. It is a lovely sipping wine, an extremely versatile food wine and a great value at about $14.

2001 Bartolucci Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
From vineyards at the foot of Spring Mountain, this Cabernet opens up invitingly with berry and full blown cinnamon aromas. Unveiled on the palate are deep, juicy berry and plum flavors that hold the pretty cinnamon accent, ending pleasantly with lingering spices and nice oak integration.

2002 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Opens with pleasing herbal and earth notes that suggest a dose of Cab Franc is present (and it is, along with a bit of petite verdot and malbec). Full cassis and ripe wild berries grab center stage on the palate, and display a rich velvety texture with firm tannins. A nicely crafted wine.

Another “don’t miss” winery is Provenance. If you haven’t been here yet, I suggest you add it to your must visit list.

2002 Mt. Veeder Merlot
Whoa!!! Here is as decadent a Merlot as you can imagine! Deeply hued, with dense, concentrated blackberry and boysenberry flavors laced with cinnamon and dark chocolate, nicely topped off with oak nuances from start to finish. A full throttle yet polished merlot with firm tannins – WOW!

2000 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
From the To-Kalon Vineyard, this Cab opens with a hint of violets and rich berry pie spices filling nose, leading to juicy berry and ripe dark plums, exotic spices and licorice. The tantalizing flavors meld together seamlessly, and the sweet fruit allows for drinking now, yet firm tannins suggest it will benefit from cellaring as well.

Limited Release 2002 Syrah
Smokey bacon and meaty aromas promise a blockbuster wine, which it surely delivers on the palate. Dark blackberries and vanilla blend harmoniously, and a dash of orange peel adds drama. This is a big, chewy incredibly well structured wine. Hats off to Tom Rinaldi, winemaker extraordinaire!