Napa Winery Tour

Larkmead, Cliff Lede, Neal, Ladera, Etude & more
Tasted Tuesday, August 7, 2007 by vinole with 2,549 views

Introduction

Spent two days visiting eight wineries whose wines I have enjoyed or whom I have read good things about and get to decide for myself.

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Flight 1 - Ladera - Howell Mountain (Angwin) (4 Notes)

A beautiful winery that was bottling their 05 cabs via mobile trailer the day we were there. A one on one tasting (no fee) by appointment conducted in their wine cave.

Flight 2 - Neal Family Vineyards - Howell Mountain (Angwin) (4 Notes)

Another beautiful winery that was also bottling its 05 cab the day we were there on their own line. A one on one tasting (no fee) by appointment. Had a chance to speak with Mark Neal who came by during the tasting.

Flight 3 - Larkmead Vineyards - Calistoga (5 Notes)

The site and winery buildings were not as attractive as the first two, but the wines, from top to bottom, were some of the best I tasted. Tasting by appointment ($15 fee) conducted in their tasting room.

Flight 4 - Frank Family Vineyards - Calistoga (5 Notes)

The winery is currently undergoing an addition, but continues to use its older, rustic tasting room. No appointment necessary and no fee. It sells most of its wine at the winery (as opposed to lists or retail), and only V. Sattui outsells it in direct winery sales.

  • 2005 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Certainly in the buttery and oaky model of full bodied chardonnay, which is not a style I favor, though this is a good example of that style. Similar to the Beringer Reserve Chardonnay. It has just enough acidity to keep it from becoming flabby.

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  • 2003 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Nice ripe dark fruit flavors, but with some drying tannins to provide balance and yield a wine of structure and some elegance. A very nice wine at its price point, but not quite up to the 02.

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  • 2004 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    I expected this to be better, given how the 03 estate cab performed. However, I found it to be too ripe and plummy for my taste, without the balance found in the 03 estate bottling. If you like a big, extracted fruit bomb, this may be more to your liking, and time in the cellar may see the fruit settle down and allow other components to emerge.

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  • 2005 Frank Family Vineyards Sangiovese 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    I have never tasted a compelling CA Sangiovese, and this certainly did not change that. None of the earthiness or leather that you would find from Tuscan sangiovese, but enough acidity and cherry flavors to let you know it is not a Bordeaux varietal.

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  • 2005 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Big fruit flavors of plum and blackberry, with little spiciness that has a little heat on the finish. A well made, if unexciting, Zinfandel.

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Flight 5 - Pine Ridge Winery - Stag's Leap (Yountville) (6 Notes)

Group tastings by appointment. I chose the tour and tasting for a $25 fee. One of the most informative and educational tours, though I was less excited by the wines.

Flight 6 - Cliff Lede - Stag's Leap (Yountville) (6 Notes)

No appointment necessary at its rather large and relatively new tasting room that also features an art collection and a nice sculpture garden. A $20 fee to taste which is refundable with a purchase of 3 or more bottles. $40 for a tour (by appt.), which I did not do.

  • 2006 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    One of the better Napa SB's out there, emphasizing citrus notes and crisp acidity on the finish as opposed to creaminess. Good fruit concentration, perhaps obscuring any mineral or stone notes hiding underneath that may emerge a few months down the line.

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  • 2004 Cliff Lede Pinot Noir Carneros 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Winery said that this is the last Pinot from Cliff Lede as they purchased the fruit and will now concentrate on their cabs. Good move. Dominant flavor of cherries, but not the intensity or earthiness I find in other well made pinots.

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  • 2003 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Big dark fruit flavors, with black cherry and plum the most prominent, with a long 40 second finish highlighted by vanilla from its oak treatment. Very well done.

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  • 2003 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

    Wonderful floral nose, then a palate of blackberry and raspberry, with higher tannin and acidity levels than valley cabs, and a little lighter in body. This should be aged for 2-3 years to allow its components to integrate more which should result in a higher score and a complex, food friendly wine.

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  • 2004 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Had at the winery prior to official release. Not as full bodied or rich as the Stagecoach, allowing the oak to be more noticeable on the medium length finish as the fruit intensity is lower. Still a very nice wine that I expect to improve in the next 1-2 years as the oak integrates more.

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Flight 7 - Baldacci Family Vineyards - Stag's Leap (Yountville) (3 Notes)

No appointments or fees required. They will also give you a tour of their facility and wine cave.

Flight 8 - Etude - Carneros (Napa) (9 Notes)

Appointments and a $25 fee required. By far the most detail given in terms of information on the specific wines. No tour given, but for sheer quantity and quality, this was hands down the best money I spent to taste.

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