2015 Napa Trip - Day 2

Tasted Friday, April 10, 2015 by ageverett with 423 views

Introduction

Day 2 was a full schedule in the top of the valley. We managed to snag a late chance to get into French Laundry, and reservation was at 5:30. So no time to waste. Started with Rivers-Marie at 10:00, quick lunch at Solbar, then Mike Smith at 1:00. William Cole rounded out the afternoon before heading to an epic dinner.

Flight 1 - Rivers-Marie, Calistoga (7 Notes)

Really gracious of Will to offer to host us for a tasting at the Rivers-Marie office in Calistoga. We poured through a wide variety of wines, and took our time discussing them. They were all pop and pour, but he did splash decant the Summa Old Vines for just a bit. This was the most educational of any of our stops. Will gave us lots of details on the vineyards; not just those that we tasted, but others where Thomas Brown makes wine in Napa and Sonoma. Overall he indicated that the 2012 pinots can drink now, and 2013 will need to wait. 2013 was just a huge vintage.

Flight 2 - Mike Smith - Envy Cellars, Calistoga (7 Notes)

We met Mike in the private tasting room at Envy. This is where Mike makes almost all of his wines (Myriad; Quivet; Becklyn; 12c). He was also hosting a couple that won a charity auction for a tasting, as well as a couple of friends of his. All wines were accessed with a Coravin. We swirled and drank - no real air time (other than whatever it may have been exposed to in bottle).

Mike also gave us a cool tour of the winery. He owns his own tanks, which gives him more freedom in decision making for his wines. Mike is an incredibly down-to-earth guy that we enjoyed immensely. We stuck around after the other guests departed and chatted with Mike about wine for quite a while. Really nice to see Mike getting some publicity and recognition for his wines. I only hope that he can keep the price at current levels - I think basically all of his wines are bargains. He noted that his pricing is driven by fruit costs, and particularly Beckstoffer vineyards continue to ramp up prices.

Flight 3 - William Cole - St. Helena (3 Notes)

Really a neat old property just West of highway 29. Lots of history - the main structure has been there for a very long time. Cellar is compact, but very presentable. The wood box for the Ten wine is pretty cool, and I couldn't help buy buy a bottle. This is a "luxury" brand, and everything about it is top notch. Packaging, presentation, etc.

We had our tasting up on the patio outside of the residence. Such a gorgeous day. Had a bit of cheese as well.

  • 2012 William Cole Vineyards Chardonnay Cuvée Jane Marie 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    At William Cole winery. Have been offered this wine in the past, but balked at the $90 price tag. This was our first time tasting, and have now decided it was worth the price. Easily the best white we had on our Napa trip. White Burgundy style. Big, full white wine with minimal oak. White flowers and honeysuckle. Great finish.

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  • 2006 William Cole Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Claire 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    At William Cole winery. Drank next to the 2011, and this was a completely different animal. Where 2011 was smooth and purple, this was big and red. More iron in the flavors. A little bit of bricking on the edges. Some smokey game notes. Stick with you; big finish. Lovely wine. Can still lay down for a while.

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  • 2011 William Cole Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Claire 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    At William Cole winery. Maybe the best 2011 I've had from Napa. Deep purple with a deep, layered nose. Didn't really pick up any of the "green" notes that show up in a lot of 2011s. Medium body and medium-long finish. Very smooth. Can access this wine soon with proper air time.

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Flight 4 - French Laundry (2 Notes)

Such an incredible meal. My wife ranks as her favorite of all time. I am not far behind her - I would still give Alinea a slight edge.

The wine list is impressive. But the early dishes have a lot of seafood, and I just wasn't sure that a big red wine would go well across the board. They don't do "pairings," but the somm helped steer us towards doing two half bottles, which was just right. The red was decanted for about an hour.

  • 2010 Arietta On the White Keys 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

    From 500 ml split at French Laundry. This is a full bodied white, but no oak or butter tones. Maybe a hint of oak on the finish, but nothing obtrusive. Golden pears. Touch of chalk. Very nice, round white.

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  • 2010 Realm Cellars The Tempest 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    From a split at the French Laundry. Opened and decanted about an hour before we get into it. Really a great wine with the "carnivore" dishes. Smooth tannins and red and purple fruits; cocoa and cherries; touch of black tea. Well balanced. Medium-long finish.

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Closing

Incredible day. Much more pinot than I have ever had in Napa in one day, but really fun to learn about it and get a "shift" from cab for a bit. Was nice to end the eveening relatively early to recharge for Day 3.

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