Napa & Sonoma Trip (Dunn, O'Shaughnessy, Conn Valley, Seavey, TOR, Jemrose, Hansel)
Tasted Monday, July 23, 2012 - Thursday, July 26, 2012 by vinole with 1,258 views
Introduction
After a couple of days in San Francisco, my wife and I rode up to Wine Country for 4 days of tasting and culinary delights. We dined at excellent restaurants every evening such as Gary Danko in SF, and Redd, Bottega, and Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. The wineries were chosen because I currently own wines from these producers and wanted to visit them and meet the people who make the wines. Everyone at the wineries was incredibly generous and friendly and made for the most enjoyable trip we have had, surpassing our three previous visits.
Flight 1 - Walter Hansel Winery located in the Russian River Valley, west of Santa Rosa (4 Notes)
No fee to taste, no formal tasting room. These wines were very nice, but was a little disappointed that the North Slope and Cahill Lane pinots were not available that I have had regularly.
Flight 2 - Jemrose Winery located in Bennett Valley, southeast of Santa Rosa (6 Notes)
No fee to taste. Met with owner Jim Mack at his personal residence and tasted through his lineup as well as a cabernet made by his winemaker, Russell Bevan. An extremely friendly, generous and knowledgeable person, and the wines were top notch and very reasonably priced. My HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION to visit if you enjoy Rhone varietals.
Flight 3 - Dunn Vineyards located on Howell Mtn. near Angwin (3 Notes)
No fee to taste, with library wines available to purchase. Hosted by Kristina Dunn, who gave the most complete description and tour of how they make their wine of any winery I have visited. Very interesting and got my wife more interested in wine and how it's made. You could not ask for a more friendly and informative hostess. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Flight 4 - O'Shaughnessy Winery located on Howell Mtn. near Angwin (4 Notes)
A $25 fee to taste that was waived with a purchase of wine. A fairly new absolutely gorgeous facility and tasting room. Make sure to use directions from the winery as it is not on any maps or GPS.
Flight 5 - Seavey Vineyards located south of Howell Mtn, east of Silverado Trail (4 Notes)
No fee to taste, with library wines available to purchase. A very personal tour given by the founder's daughter, who has recently relocated from the east coast. A very homey and comfortable place that is quite enjoyable to visit.
Flight 6 - Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards located south of Howell Mtn, east of Silverado Trail (9 Notes)
$25 fee for regular tasting, and $45 for the cave tasting. As the fee is applied to purchases, I would highly recommend the cave tasting. We were hosted by Travis, who is fairly new to the winery, and is a great host. We were fortunate to be offered two of the Ghost Horse wines to taste, which is a high end side project of Todd Anderson's. Also got to taste the very limited Black Label series. Try to get the later 3PM tasting and you increase your chances of getting to taste these. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Flight 7 - TOR tasting at Ma(i)sonry in Yountville (4 Notes)
$25 tasting fee (not applied to purchases) in a very comfortable outdoor setting that also displays and sells artwork that offers a number of different wineries to taste.
2011 Walter Hansel Winery Sauvignon Blanc Gaddy Lane Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Lake County
(7/23/2012)
Grapefruit and lemon, with medium to high acidity, and light to medium body. Nice balance in a crisper, less ripe style than many CA SB's.
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2010 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(7/23/2012)
This had higher acidity (medium), and less oak than the Carneros. The fruit veered more towards apple than pear, and had a bit of tanginess on the finish that hurt the score a little.
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2010 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay 90 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
(7/23/2012)
Mostly pear with ripe apple fruit flavors and a fair amount of oak. Medium to full body, and low to medium acidity. Good balance in a classic CA style, but without being buttery or too full bodied.
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2010 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Hansel Family Vineyards 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(7/23/2012)
A fairly big profile, with bing cherry fruit and medium acidity. A little heat and no earthiness on the finish. Tasted outdoors at the winery and may have been a bit warmer than ideal.
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