PV365 Winery, co-owned by Pradip Patel and Vinanta Mundra, is capturing attention across the country with their beautifully crafted wines.  The savvy owners, together with skillful winemaker Patrick Saboe (a 2002 UC Davis Viticulture and Enology graduate), have developed a creative, thoughtful approach to successful winery management, and top notch winemaking.  An engaging tasting with this dynamic duo uncovered the extraordinary wines Saboe has crafted here of top quality Napa Valley fruit.  Quite taken with the wines, I asked if they had ever entered a wine competition.  No, they had not, but that would soon change.

This year I invited PV365 to enter their wines into the 2023 American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC).  This prestigious competition is one in which invitees feel honored to participate.  All wines entered here must be vetted and invited by a small acquisition team that deems the wine to be Gold Medal worthy.  Pradip and Vinanta entered three red wines, each of which the professional judges (consisting of Sommeliers, Wine Journalists, Retail buyers, and Wine Educators) awarded high scores.  PV365’s Cabernet Sauvignon scored a Double Gold Medal (all four judges rating it Gold), the Cabernet Franc also earned the winery a Double Gold Medal, and PV365’s Red Blend “Sajana” scored a Gold Medal. 

Here are my impressions of PV365’s winning wines:

2019 Broken Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley:  A compelling aroma of this classy Cabernet Sauvignon wafts from the glass.  The multilayered and complex palate unveils delectable flavors of black cherries, red and black currants, a touch of tobacco,  cassis liqueur, earthiness, and underlying barrel spice (from 22 months in French oak) sitting ideally in the background.  Intense and well defined, with a firm backbone of tannins, and the finish just keeps on delivering well past the final sip.  Decant if drinking now or hold for future enjoyment.  This gem is cellarworthy, promising a long life ahead.   ($118) Double Gold Medal, 94 points

2018 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley: This divine Cabernet Franc has a bit of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cab Sauv giving it added depth and complexity.  Violets and dark berries on the nose engage the senses.  Beautiful purity is showcased on the palate as blackberries, black currants, graphite, hints of roasted red pepper puree, blueberries, well integrated oak (26% new French barrels), and subtle earthiness meld seamlessly. It is varietally spot on and perfectly balanced with refined tannins, and the finish is everlasting.  Approachable now, and ageworthy.  ($108) Double Gold Medal, 93  points

2019 PV 365 “Sajana” Red Blend, Napa Valley:  This velvety smooth blend, composed of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot is compelling at first swirl. Unveiling dark berries and anise seed on the nose, it bursts with flavor upon entry.   A deep, dark, delicious mouthful of cassis, dark plums, tobacco, hints of spice, and fresh leather flows seamlessly across the palate. Balancing acidity, supple tannins, and a nice core of fruit keep it well balanced through the lively finish.  ($90) Gold Medal, 93 points

PV365 wines also include a snappy, lively 2021 Sauvignon Blanc which opens with a citrus blossom aroma leading to flavors of juicy melon, Meyer lemon, crisp pear, hints of pineapple, and lemon verbena that persist through the bright, nervy finish.  I look forward to tasting their 2021 “So Be It” Riesling, too.  And stay tuned for a sparkling wine to be released later this year.  For further information and to order wines for your enjoyment, visit PVC’s website at www.pv365winery.com.

Congratulations to owners Patel and Mundra, and winemaker Patrick for the impressive results at this competition. And I envision their continued success ahead.

This charming family-owned boutique winery located in Healdsburg has a history of multiple generations of dedicated farmers.  I first met President/Owner Dennis De La Montanya several years ago. My recent visit with Dennis, brother Steve, GM Jarod Kline, and the winery’s competent serving staff, including son Dylan De La Montanya, reaffirms my appreciation for what the team accomplishes there. They have 185 acres planted to wine grapes, and all their wines come from their own sustainably farmed vineyards. A visit to the winery offers a relaxing tasting of wines in their delightful tasting room, comfortable patio and surrounding beautiful gardens.  And here is a preview of their well-crafted wines: 

A nice start to any evening is their Sparkling Brut Rosé, composed of classic sparkling grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. It’s an upbeat, lively quaff.  And be on the lookout for their upcoming fresh, vivacious Sauvignon Blanc, and classic Gewurztraminer that brims with a floral aroma, lychee fruit and bright citrus accents on the palate. 

2021 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley:  An engaging aroma awakens the senses with this juicy, pure Chardonnay.  Rich and full bodied, while being precisely balanced with lively acidity.  Honeycrisp apples, a touch of butterscotch, lemon zest, hints of oak and savory spice unfold on the palate.  Creamy in texture, and the finish persists on and on. ($45)

2020 Christine’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast:  The gorgeous fragrance will have you lingering over the glass.  Layers of Bing cherries, raspberries, black tea, anise seed, and exotic spice tantalize the palate, while oak nuances sit nicely in the background.  Elegance in the glass, with savory elements weaving from the bright first sip to the lingering last one. ($60)

2020 Sharli Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley:  Red and black fruits on the nose are compelling with this finely tuned Pinot Noir, made from Pinot Noir clones 115, 667 and Calera. Fresh black raspberries, dark cherries, a touch of earth, pomegranate, Asian spices, cranberry chutney, and cherry-cola notes wrap around silky tannins, and the finish is heavenly. ($55)

2021 Pinot Squared, Russian River Valley/Sonoma County:  This stylish Pinot Noir, crafted from 50% Pinot Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir is highly aromatic. Fruit driven up front, it delivers juicy red cherries, forest raspberries, cranberries, summer strawberries, Sunkist oranges, and a gentle touch of earthiness.  Fresh and delicate with good balancing acidity, and a pop of Rainier cherries on the bright finish. ($45)

2021 Felta Creek Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley:  At first swirl, strolling through a field of fresh blackberries comes to mind.  Deeply flavored with succulent blackberries, red plums, warm baking spices, boysenberries, hints of pink peppercorns, and a suggestion of cocoa melding harmoniously.  Well-structured through the lip-smacking spicy finale.  ($55)

2019 Petit Verdot, Russian River Valley:  A deep hue and expressive aroma of violets and Chinese Five Spice lead you into the glass.  There you’ll find a mighty display of black plums, spiced blueberry compote, a pinch of sage, savory blackberry sauce, and well managed oak nuances.  Intense while remaining lively and juicy all the way through. ($55) 

2019 “5” Bordeaux Style Blend, Sonoma County:  This blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cab Sauvignon and Malbec is intensely expressive as notes of cassis and earthy elements rise from the glass and burst forth upon entry.  Blueberries, aged leather, black plums, and graphite add dimension as the wine builds on the palate, and the finish shows off plenty of strength and length.  ($65)

2018 “Sybil” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley/Sonoma County:  Here’s a powerhouse Cab Sauv that leads with a captivating aromatic.  Sweet Black Splendor plums, blackberries, fresh pipe tobacco, savory mixed berry compote, cassis, and leather entwine seamlessly. Complex and well defined with skillfully managed oak adding depth through the memorable, everlasting finish; approachable now and ageworthy.   ($85)

Barrel Sample 2021 Tiza Colina Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley:  Deep, dark and delicious is this bold, densely flavor-packed wine.  Black currants, black plum jam, new leather, crème de cassis, allspice, and underlying barrel spices fill every nook and cranny of the mouth.  Decant if popping the cork now, or lay it down for a few years if you can wait, this wine is cellarworthy.  ($70)

Barrel Sample 2022 Sharli Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley:  Aromas of dusty earth and warm cherry pie start the party going with the sleek Pinot Noir.  Lively with bright acids supporting wild strawberries, anise seed, rhubarb, and a suggestion of cherry cordial as it traverses the palate, and nice oak integration prevails.  A pinch of dried herbs peeks through on the persistent finish.  ($65)

Barrel Sample 2021 Calandrelli Tempranillo, Russian River Valley:  Dense, black fruit and tobacco leaf on the nose gets the juices flowing with this sophisticated Tempranillo.  Sun-scorched earth, black cherries, saddle leather, black plums, and underlying oak interplay with lively acidity and nicely structured tannins.  Finishes with a touch of clove spice.  ($50)

Barrel Sample 2022 Primitivo, Felta Creek Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley:  A bowlful of berries aroma remains deliciously consistent on the deeply fruited palate.  Blackberry jam, vanilla bean, black licorice, sweet dark red Lambert cherries, a twist of black peppercorns, and roasted figs create a colorful mosaic of flavors in the mouth.  Lush and velvety smooth with a vanilla-scented finish.  ($48)

Barrel Sample 2022  “1776” Felta Creek Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley:  Scents of fresh picked red and black berries waft from the glass at first whiff!  It’s bold and plush while being ideally balanced. Ripe black raspberries, boysenberry jam, and mulberry cobbler flavors accented by clove and cinnamon spice richly coat the palate.  Juicy and sumptuous with spicy red plum liqueur notes on the long  finish.  ($55)

For further info visit their website at www.dlmwine.com.  De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery is open daily from 11 to 4:30 pm.  Reservations are recommended, call them at 707 433-3711 to book your appointment.