GEMS of Napa Valley Tasting
Golden Valley Country Club, MN
Tasted Saturday, May 18, 2013 by rocknroller with 559 views
Introduction
This event featured a group of family owned Napa wineries that offer some extra reciprocal perks when belonging to one of the respective wine clubs.
2010 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red-purple color. PNP. This had a really nice up front nose right off the bat with cassis, vanilla, chocolate, espresso. The palate shows nice cassis, vanilla, espresso, good depth, spice on the finish. The tannins are firm and grippy at this point and there were some herbal/green elements on the finish. Very good, still young. Needs a good decant to approach now.
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2009 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red purple color. PNP. Blend of 75% CS/15% PV/10% Malbec. This was pretty tight on pouring, but with some coxing and about 10-15 minutes the nose really exploded. Beautiful ripe cassis, blackberry, lots of vanilla, spice, oak, graphite. The palate certainly needs time to integrate but this is a beauty. Give it another 3+ years. 94(+)pts.
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2011 Chappellet Chenin Blanc 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
This was very good with a nice mix of tropical fruit, apricot, and citrus. Light and very refreshening. 90+pts.
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2011 Silverado Vineyards Chardonnay Vineburg Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
This was a very fine Chardonnay, minimal oak and malo.Elegant, light body, crisp with citrus and apple, light minerals. Medium plus finish. Well balanced.
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2009 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red color. PNP, Round, lush fruit, cassis, berry, spice, fine tannins. This was approachable now and should benefit from a couple years of bottle age.
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2009 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Solo 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Deep and full bodied, cassis, black cherry, dried herbs. Firm tannins.
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2011 Terra Valentine Riesling 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
This was pleasant enough, but really compelling, nose was pretty with florals, grapefruit, apricot, adding mango on the finish. Not much in the way of minerality.
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2010 Terra Valentine Amore 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I can't say that this had me very interested. It came off for me as an inexpensive super tuscan.
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2008 Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon Yverdon 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
No notes. I thought this was quite good. Defintely disappointed they didn't pour a mix of their cabs.
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2012 Ladera Sauvignon Blanc Howell Mountain 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
This is always one of the best domestic Sauvignon Blancs around. I don't find many that compete with the Loire, but this always holds it own. Pale gold color. Gooseberry, citrus, aromatic. Nicely tart, citrus, gooseberry, minerals. 90+pts,
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2010 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Stile Blocks
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Didn't manange to get any notes on this one. It was good, younger vines all on Howell Mtn. Probably showed its youth too. Completely overshadowed by the Howell Mtn bottling. Impression is 88-89pts.
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2009 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
This was steller right out of the gate. Gorgeous lush black fruit, creme de cassis, mulberry, deep and layered, really nice earthiness, velvety tannins. Always one of my favorite Napa wines, this did not disappoint, and I was susrprised at how approachable it was now. 93+(+)pts.
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2010 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
This was the best chard of the tasting. Classy, elegant, flroal, lithe, lemon, pineapple, perfectly integrated, lightly oaked and just a hint of butter and richness. Balanced. Long finish with good minerality. Wow, this is a beauty.
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2010 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Chenoweth Ranch 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Fruit forward, vanilla, cherry, berry. spiced, moderate tannins.
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2010 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Burnside Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Cherry, spicy, rather sharp on the palate, oaky. May improve somewhat.
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2011 Hunnicutt Chardonnay 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tart citrus, some oak, good body.
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2010 Hunnicutt Cutt Fearless Red 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Deep garnet stained purplish color. Interesting blend of 58% PV/26% Zin/10% CS/6%CF. Great nose on this one with bright dark fruit of cassis, blackberry, plum, earth. The palate however can't quite compare, lacks some mid , a bit oaky, and there is some heat as well, glycerin, liqueur like.
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2010 Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Earth, menthol, black cherry, .The palate shows cassis, black cherry, menthol, seems a bit stemmy with some sharp tannins.
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2010 Hall Sauvignon Blanc T-Bar-T Ranch 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Somewhat heavy on the palate, dominant grapefruit, citrus, cloudy, woody. Not what I'm looking for in SB.
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2010 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I found this and the Jack's Masterpiece in need of lots of air and time. IMO, PNP for a tasting like this with a relatively small pour and a short time to make an impression does not serve anyone very well. There is plenty of fruit in there, it is wrapped up in very oaky, tannic package that really does not divulge much of what this wine will be when it grows up. Impression is 91(?)pts.
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2010 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A step up in depth and complexity, but....I found this and the regular Napa Cab in need of lots of air and time. IMO, PNP for a tasting like this with very young wines, a small pour, and a short time to make an impression does not serve anyone very well. The fruit is there, but it is wrapped up in very oaky, tannic package that really does not divulge much of what this wine will be when it grows up. Impression is 92(+)(?)pts.
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2011 Robert Craig Chardonnay Durell Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Last group of the night, no ML, low oak. No details.
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2010 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Earth, tar, black cherry, blackberry, licorice.
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2010 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
Big, full bodied, lush and palate coating, inky, black fruits, anise, tar, thick, grippy tannins currently. Give it 2+ years. 92(+)pts.
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