Epic Napa Trip - Day 2
Tasted Monday, December 6, 2021 by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine with 221 views
Introduction
Day two was awesome! I must say the wineries really go all out to accommodate their guests, or at least to accommodate our party....what a treat! We started at one of the most scenic wineries, Bond....visited one of the most colorful personalities in Napa, Brad Grimes....and ended with awesome dining experience at French Laundry! What a whirlwind day!
Flight 1 - Bond (8 Notes)
This was by far the most beautiful winery to date. When we arrived, everything was fogged in, but by the time we left, most of the fog had cleared up and you could see the surrounding mountains/hills. Absolutely stunning property. Also, we were fortunate enough to get to try a couple barrel samples of the 2019 vintage and the real treat of getting to taste all five of their estate wines side by side in the very approachable 2014 vintage. One of the best tasting of the trip!
Flight 2 - Abreu (1 Note)
Brad Grimes was awesome! I felt like we interrupted him when we first arrived, but he seemed to warm up to us pretty quickly! For those who have never met Mr. Grimes, he is a person who just wants to make wine and pretty much that's it! He is also a refreshing personality who speaks his mind. If you are ever fortunate enough to meet him, ask him about his encounter with Alex MacDonald (especially if you will be fortunate enough to also meet Mr. MacDonald!). It's a friendly feud that has been going on for seven years...and quite entertaining!
Mr. Grimes was also nice enough to give us many, many barrel samples from the 2021 vintage and 2019 vintage....it was quite the experience! Of course, this was followed up with a tasting of Abreu's 2013 Madrona Ranch....a real treat! I hope I get on their list!
Flight 3 - Opus (5 Notes)
Yes, it is very opulent and very commercial! Upon visiting the winery, you immediately tell where a substantial part of their profits are going, i.e., into the tasting facility!
We were very fortunate to get taste multiple vintages of Opus, including some older vintages (well, relatively old....2008). Are these wines overpriced? Probably, but so are most wines these days. The wines are definitely good, and they do enjoy name recognition and status when serving to guests, so I think they are definitely good to have on hand. Are they the first bottle I will reach for when enjoying with dinner or my wine drinking friends? Probably not, but they are wines I will definitely enjoy if I am pouring for someone else!
Flight 4 - French Laundry (1 Note)
This was also a highlight of the trip....the food, not the wine (although the wine was exceptional!) Probably the one question I have been asked the most since my return home; "Was it worth it?"
French Laundry is expensive, no doubt. We dropped well over $2000 for four of us. But my response is always this: First, you need to really appreciate cooking and understand the ingredients and time to prepare any of the ten courses is pretty much prohibitive, much less preparing all 10 courses. Also, the presentation and medley of flavors are second to none. I would say it is like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, it is awe-inspiring and gives you a feeling that cannot be duplicated. Now, having seen the Grand Canyon, is it the same the second time? No. That original feeling and sensation cannot be replicated no matter how many times you go there.
So, was it worth it? Yes, if you have never been there fore and appreciate good food and a great presentation, with an attentive staff. Would I go there again? Probably not, unless I was taking someone I liked who had never been there, and then only to see their reaction.
As a side note, we went to Press the following night, and the food was just slightly behind French Laundry (of course French Laundry had a much better presentation too) at about 1/4 the price.
Closing
The day was awesome! Had such a good time so far, and we are still at the beginning of the week! So glad I made this trip! Great wine, great friends and a great experience! Also, a great ending of the day at French Laundry was a special treat!
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 95 Points
France, Champagne
Tasted at Bond Winery - Nothing like a glass of Krug to start off your day! Our first stop was Bond, and we were greeted with this Champagne...you could already sense this was going to be a special day!
TN - Well, it's Krug! Not sure which edition, but I suspect a latter one as I am sure they go through bottles pretty quick! Plenty of citrus, brioche, apple and pear. Nice tight bubbles and a creamy mouthfeel....one of my favorite Champagnes and for sure my favorite NV Champagne! 95 points today!
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2019 BOND Quella
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - Barrel sample - Not sure how to score barrel samples, so I won't! We tried this wine and the 2019 Vecina from barrel...I can say this wine had the better nose (more flowery and sweet fruit) than the Vecina, which came across the nose as more austere. However, I preferred the palate on the Vecina, which came across as more structured and deeper fruit. Overall impression is that 2019 will be pretty darn good!
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2019 BOND Vecina
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - Barrel sample - Not sure how to score barrel samples, so I won't! We tried this wine and the 2019 Vecina from barrel...I can say this wine had the better nose (more flowery and sweet fruit) than the Vecina, which came across the nose as more austere. However, I preferred the palate on the Vecina, which came across as more structured and deeper fruit. Overall impression is that 2019 will be pretty darn good!
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2014 BOND Melbury 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - We were fortunate to be able to try all their single vineyard cabernets side by side...what a treat! These wines took a little time to open up, but like most 2014 wines, these were very approachable even at this young age. Personally, I would hold all these wines a few years to further develop some additional nuances.
TN: This wine was drinking quite well. Fruit forward with fine grained tannins, some bramble character with notes of tobacco and earth as well as cedar notes with a nice floral nose. This wine continued to improve in the glass. 94+ to 95 for me.
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2014 BOND Quella 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - We were fortunate to be able to try all their single vineyard cabernets side by side...what a treat! These wines took a little time to open up, but like most 2014 wines, these were very approachable even at this young age. Personally, I would hold all these wines a few years to further develop some additional nuances.
TN - This wine was the most floral of all the wines, with red and blue fruit, purple flowers and damp earth with a bit of spice and oak. On the palate, mostly red fruit with slight hints of blue fruit, some tar and hints of anise, with a little sweet toasted oak. There was plenty of fruit, but it seemed slightly lacking when compared to the other wines (younger vines, maybe?) Still, an awesome wine and easy 94 points. This wine also kept improving throughout the tasting.
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2014 BOND St. Eden 96 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - We were fortunate to be able to try all their single vineyard cabernets side by side...what a treat! These wines took a little time to open up, but like most 2014 wines, these were very approachable even at this young age. Personally, I would hold all these wines a few years to further develop some additional nuances.
TN - This wine was my second favorite (Vecina was my number 1). This had the plushest mouthfeel with layers of dark fruit, some chocolate and some earthy notes. Totally in my wheelhouse, even at this young age! 95+ to 96. This wine also kept improving throughout the tasting.
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2014 BOND Vecina 96 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - We were fortunate to be able to try all their single vineyard cabernets side by side...what a treat! These wines took a little time to open up, but like most 2014 wines, these were very approachable even at this young age. Personally, I would hold all these wines a few years to further develop some additional nuances.
TN - The most structured and densest of the wines tasted. Lots of black and red fruit, dusty cocoa and lots of bramble, earth and spice, with some sweet tobacco and toasted oak notes. My favorite of all the Bond wines tasted....not too surprised to learn later that these come from VHR fruit. 96+ with no problems.
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2014 BOND Pluribus 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at Bond Winery - We were fortunate to be able to try all their single vineyard cabernets side by side...what a treat! These wines took a little time to open up, but like most 2014 wines, these were very approachable even at this young age. Personally, I would hold all these wines a few years to further develop some additional nuances.
TN - This wine is another fantastic wine! I love all Harlan wines, and this is no exception. rounded tannins, with gobs of black and purple fruit, also some notes of dark cherry and chocolate. Lots of savory herbs, tobacco and tree bark. Amazing how different these wines taste! I wouldn't kick any. of these wines out of bed, but Vecina and Eden were my favorites, although I would not hesitate to drink any of these wines! A solid 95.
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