Napa Trip - Trying new wines and meeting new people

Got the opportunity to join LiteItOnFire on a 2 day trip he had set up to try new wine and meet some new friends. HUGE shout outs and a big thank you to Lite for setting things up! Was so honored to even be invited.

Amazing trip with tasty new wine, new friends and tons of laughs. I also don't know how some of you seasoned tasters can do stories like this.. this felt like doing homework! However, reliving the experience through writing the notes makes it worth while though!

Tasting with Christopher Tynan in the Cliff Lede caves (it's a huge f'in network in there).

Such a nice and cool guy and so generous in letting us taste this many wines. This was definitely one of the top, if not the best, tasting I've ever had. What an eye-opening experience.

• 2021 Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Barrel sample.
  Floral on the nose with flowers and red fruits. On the palate was fresh and youthful red fruits, amazing acidity and good minerality. I learned on this trip that Tynan's wines are good with some age but will flourish with around 10 years of bottle age. Even then it will still taste like the wine is only beginning to show off its goods.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2021 Christopher Tynan Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Barrel sample.
  Nose of bright and fresh red fruits with a bit of cayenne pepper (blows off with some time) and earth. On the palate you get the same pepper, something like grilled steak, forest floor and red fruits. The notes of cayenne pepper (which initially I picked up as Sriracha sauce) and grilled steak could've just been me as no one else seemed to have gotten them. It's kinda amazing how these were all still good now and how it will be even better with time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside blocks C. Corbett Family Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Tasting these wines side by side can be an eye-opener. This definitely tastes as if it were from a different location compared to the MG for example. Nose of slightly darker red fruits and a deeper showing of earth. Flavors of bright red fruits, clean juiciness and similar earth. Sure, similar notes as the others so far but the character of this one stood out a little bit different to me. Whether it is due to where the grapes are grown or me talking out of my ass, I couldn't tell ya.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  This is surprisingly good now with just a little bit of time in the glass. It was as if this wine was from the future where it was already aged but technology has enabled it to develop further. Aromas of darker red fruits and deep earth. Palate matches the nose completely but with some dark tree bark and steeped tea. Loved how integrated the acidity seemed to be already but somehow maintain such nice energy. I can only assume it will only get better still.

  Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2012 Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo 99 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  This wine showcases the skill and talent of Christopher Tynan and how well his wines age. Such an amazing example of how good balance and integration should be like. The nose was a melding of deep dark earth, brooding red and black fruits, and a subtle running of dark oak. Palate matches the nose completely but with the addition of well integrated acidity and minerals. Everything was just so beautifully integrated and balanced. There was a lovely weight to this but nothing heavy; a sensual coating on the palate as if the wine wrapped her legs around your tongue, caressing it. The crazy part? This wine seems to have just started showing off its goods. The only reason this did not get 100 points is because it can and will get there with another 4-6 years. Magical elixir level stuff.

  Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2011 Christopher Tynan Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Not bad by any means and definitely worth trying. This could also be the vintage but having this next to the ones we just had is quite unfair. Still held its own, though! Nose of black olives, wet earth, damp leaves and a soft pepperiness. Flavors of a bit of dulled red fruit and something like plums with a bit of funk. Maybe needs more air time or a few more years in the cellar.. almost feel like I shouldn't be rating this but we had it from the bottle so I do want to note the experience. Shout outs to Tynan for starting his inaugural vintage in 2011.. the balls on this man.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2013 Christopher Tynan Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  The development and integration is on track with this one as well. Aromas of damp mulch, dark fruits, dried tree bark and soft pepper. On the palate was a blend of deep blackberry and integrated earth, a touch of bright red fruit like raspberry and a surprisingly refreshing cut of acidity that works quite nicely. The home-cooked steak is there as well but it is quite subtle and plays very well with everything else.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  (4/11/2022)

  This was opened at the end of the tasting. I wanted to spend more time with this one and having this after having all of Tynan's other stuff kinda wasn't fair. Black fruit and earth. It's interesting to taste another wine made by Tynan from another winery as the wine itself had a sense of his style. Give a good amount of air to this if opening now or just wait a few more years. Might be one of those '18 that aren't ready yet and will need some more time.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Hosted by Martin who schooled the few of us, or maybe just me at least, who were new to the wine. This was a nice treat.

• 2020 Accendo Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Aromas of tan/yellow pear skins and river stones. Flavors are fresh, clean yellow and white fleshed fruits, clean minerals, a nice grassiness but had a bit of extra weight that did not seem to fit.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  (4/11/2022)

  New wine for me and what a stunner. Had this next to the '19, which took the lead initially, but this '18 caught up like no other. Flavors of fresh yet dark red fruits, amazing forest floor and graphite. This had an amazing energy to it, so refreshing yet serious with flavors. With just a little bit of time, this turns darker while maintaining swiftness. There was a touch of asphalt that added a nice complexity to the wine. Love the style of this, great tension and flavors now which keeps me curious as how this will develop. The only thing that sucked was being able to try something that you can't buy.. oh, the heartbreak.

  Read 8 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  (4/11/2022)

  Having this next to the '18 was a great comparison. Both very similar but the '19 took the lead initially but fell behind just a bit in the long run. This too had very nice energy and verve, which is a nice change to have in cab blends. This technically didn't "fall behind" but rather the '18 developed a bit more depth and complexity with more time. Therefore, the '18 came out on top for me, not by much though.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Thanks to Patrice and the lovely Samantha for allowing us to taste in their new home. I learned Patrice can look intimidating in his pictures but he is actually really nice in person! They were very generous with this lineup.

• 2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/11/2022)

  What a way to start the lineup. Dark red fruits, nice oak and deep pleasant earth. This was drinking very nicely already with great energy. Fruits were dark but this came off as sunny (as in not exactly bright). Seemed to have developed more than the last time I had it. The decanting probably helped a lot here.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  (4/11/2022)

  It is so nice to have things side-by-side to compare. Dark purple fruits, a bit of milk chocolate, deep earth and steeped tea on the finish. Having this after the '19 To-Kalon was like walking into a dark forest (I mean that in a good way, somehow). I wish I could've spend the night over or something and have more time with this, would've opened up and kicked me in the face with its flavors more. Give this a good decant if opening now or just wait for another 1-3 years. 96+

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Mysterons 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  There were flavors here but seemed a bit dulled, maybe needed more air, possibly closing?.. not too sure here. Did not show as much graphite and minerals when I had it personally at home, so the prep time before our arrival might've had an effect on the wine. Decant and taste along if opening now. 95+

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/11/2022)

  Just so good. Great flavors here but with nice finesse; dark fruit yet swift. You would think putting all these vineyards together in one wine would result in a glob of flavors but it works really well, and it says a lot about the winemaker. Expect tastiness but also expect to do some work in order to prepare it. I might've gotten lucky when I first had it where it was amazing straight out of the bottle.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Vice Versa Beatrix Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/11/2022)

  This was probably the most prettiest on the nose with lots of red and white flowers. Thank goodness I don't really get any bell pepper in here, if at all. Red fruits with a soft bright sheen to it and earth on the palate. I have much experience with cab franc but this was quite nice. This smelled so pretty that this can be used as a perfume.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Amazing food and wine. Met more new friends here.

There were a few wines that I did not mention here.. I didn't have all the information I need and not willing to create a new wine in the database with wrong info. I have listed these few wines at in the conclusion of this tasting story.

• 2018 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  (4/11/2022)

  Black and red fruits with a pleasant steeped tea and minerals on the finish. Not gonna rate this but I think you should play on the safer side and either taste and decant along the way or just wait for more bottle age. 97+ IF I had to score it but again, I'd rather you just wait. It hurts so much to try something so nice only to realize you don't have enough time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2019 Les Cousins Cabernet Sauvignon 97 Points

  USA, California

  (4/11/2022)

  I have to admit my bias that I'm not a fan of Paso but that's largely due to my minimal experience with them.. so this was a pleasant surprise! Great red and black fruits with nice savoriness and minerals to compliment. Wish I had more time with this one, would've been fun to follow throughout the night.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Pierre Gonon St. Joseph 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  (4/11/2022)

  This was a nice change of pace. Pretty aromas of purple flowers, soft pepper, red fruits and something like black olives (usually these are a bit out of balance for me, but this was nicely balanced on the nose). Nice bright red fruit flavors like raspberry where the juiciness keeps it fresh and taught, and nice graphite notes. Almost drinks like a fresher version of a nice cab.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  (4/11/2022)

  Clean, crisp and refreshing. What was missing for me was just a bit more energy; I wish it had a bit more push on the delivery front. That's not to say this was flat, but could've used a bit more liveliness for my palate. I don't have a lot of white Burgundy often so take my score with a handful of salt.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

An amazing morning with the lovely Angela, driving us around the property up in Howell Mt. Beautiful sunny morning, clear skies and a cool weather.

Nothin' but wine talk, a killer meat board and good wine. No one could've said a word the entire time and I would've still enjoyed myself.

• NV Legras & Haas Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Chouilly 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  (4/12/2022)

  Aromas of subtle toastiness and green apple skins on the nose. Good acidity with yellow fruit like pear, some subtle salinity, minerals and medium bubbles (wished they were a bit finer). Very enjoyable.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Impensata Proprietary Red Wine Engelhard Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

  (4/12/2022)

  Aromas of red fruits, light dried oak and earth. The red fruits are much fresher on the palate with similar oak from the nose. It was quite cold during the time of the tasting and I was unable to get this to a warmer temp to really see how this would be. But this drank fresher than the '18 during this tasting.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Impensata Proprietary Red Wine Engelhard Vineyard 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga

  (4/12/2022)

  Compared to the '17, the aromas on this has darker fruit and earth aromas with soft pine cones. Same darker profile on the palate with deep red fruit, savory earth, steeped tea and pleasantly bitter minerals. The acidity and structure on this is so nice and made for the long haul. Approachable now with a decant but that might not be necessary if you enjoy a bit of a bite like I do (just sometimes). Scored this the same when I had it with Angela a few weeks before.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Impensata Merlot 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  More approachable than the '18. Fresh white flowers and red fruit on the nose, stony minerals and soft earth. Palate is similar to the nose but drinks much fresher than the '18 Merlot. Something tells me the '17 vintage is not as bad as some people might think.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2018 Impensata Merlot 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  Aromas of intense flowers like tons of wilted roses, wet earth, bitter minerals and pebbles. Flavors of deep red fruit, savory earth, a touch of subtle minerals and a nice softness to the wine. The Merlot I am familiar with are the ones that are a bit thin and hollow, almost too soft, on the mid-palate. Thank goodness this doesn't show that.

  Read 5 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Impensata Grazie a Voi 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  This one took some time to open up in the glass for me (again, too cold outside) but when it did, this was quite good. The flavors of red fruit seem quite integrated with earth and spice that brings a nice complexity to this. Very enjoyable now, curious to see how this ages. Last half of this was becoming really good.
  
  Shout outs to all the firefighters that helped in the Napa fires <3

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Had an amazing lunch with Alfred Tesseron at the Tesseron estate (aka Robin William's old place). The property is so vast and serene, such an incredible property.

I often feel like I don't belong in a lot of social gatherings so I DEFINITELY felt that at this lunch.. kinda couldn't believe I was there. Alfred has such a warm and kind heart, he treated me like I was his grandson or something.

• 2020 Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Villages

  (4/12/2022)

  I thoroughly enjoyed this. Served chilled at the time of arrival but this was quite clean, fresh and crisp. Pear and green apple aromas. Flavors of yellow fruits and subtle grass. Rather simple, though. I wish it had an injection of acidity to keep it lively and to give it a push on the flavors but the chilled temperature did it just fine.
  
  Last minute edit: I just noticed the price on the right where it shows the Wine-Searcher price and I have to say, this drinks way above its price point to me. I thought this was at least $60+ and even much higher. It's wines like these that are worth trying.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Tesseron Estate Pym Rae

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  Out of the few times I've tried this and the '17, there has been a shiny but deep green leafiness with green stems, very natural and slightly wild aroma to it. There's a sort of wild undergrowth and a dense thicket that gets in the way of the dark red fruits with an almost bright blue fruit. The palate matches the nose completely. What sucks is that every time I feel like my last sip or two are the sips where it starts to get better. I don't think I have had enough time with these to score it fairly. These were decanted beforehand but I feel like they would need even more time for it to fully show itself. I could be missing something, everyone else seemed to really enjoy it much more than I did. Taste and decant along if opening now.

  Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2017 Tesseron Estate Pym Rae 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  Very similar to the '16 but I preferred the '17 more as the fruits were a bit more giving on the nose and on the palate. Seemed to be more accessible now than the '16 at the time. The dense thicket and wild undergrowth gets chopped down a few layers which really allows you to enjoy more of the fruit, earth and minerals more. Something about the '17 vintage.. it's not bad at all and quite tasty now!

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Château Pontet-Canet 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  (4/12/2022)

  What a treat! Dark fruited nose like blackberries, dark red/black cherries, clean oak, subtle forest floor and subtle spice. Flavors of black fruits and blackcurrant, forest floor with a bit of fresh grass, graphite and minerals. There was a bit of subtle plum but did not throw this off one bit. This, for some reason, still feels young as if it can use just a few more years. It was kinda crazy to enjoy this while listening to Alfred tell stories at the table.. and he was so kind (even to a guy like me!)

  Read 4 Comments / Post a Comment / 6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Promontory was the last tasting of the trip. An amazing property overlooking Napa with sweeping mountain views.

Mollie was our host and showed us around the winery. The place is quite fancy, modern and awesome. Had a great time here and what a way to end the trip!

• 2012 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  (4/12/2022)

  As a person who does not enjoy bubbles more often, I enjoyed this very much. Clean yellow fruits, pleasant toastiness and a nice minerality on the nose. The palate is quite similar but with the addition of something like clean honeydew melon (or some sort of melon). The bubbles in the mouth feel pretty fine which was quite nice.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2020 Promontory

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  After hearing a LOT of people, including winemakers, say to not buy any '20s.. it's kinda like, "why did you guys make it anyways???" Yeah, sure this has no faults but it definitely didn't taste like anything other than red fruits and minerals. I know this is young and a barrel sample but man compared to the barrel samples at Christopher Tynan's, this just did not hold up. Excluding the Dom Perignon that was served first, this was literally my first experience with the Promontory wine and wow did it not impress. I might be going kinda hard on this for a noob, so forgive me.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Promontory Penultimate

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  Think my palate might've been shot by now on this trip. This is their second wine and tasting it next to their flagships doesn't really help. It tasted and felt like a lesser clone of their main bottling. The body was just a bit lighter/thinner and so were the flavors. It could've been me though.

  Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2013 Promontory

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  I couldn't get much on the nose on this one. Flavors that I could muster up from my shot palate was black fruits, a nice minerality and black earth. There's a nice elegance to this, though. Might be better with a hefty decant or a few more years in the cellar.

  Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2014 Promontory 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  This one came out swinging, beatin' my dead palate awake. This one stood out most to me, even with a shot palate. Nose was quite pretty with red flowers with dark red and black fruits, soft clean oak and minerals. Palate showed much of the same but with an execution of elegance and nice finesse. My favorite out of the entire line up.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2016 Promontory

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2022)

  This is my second favorite of the line up. Similar aromas and flavors as I got from the '14 but this one was a bit more bold to me, which I really enjoy. I assume that is due to its youth but I imagine this will integrate so well with plenty of time.

  Read 7 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

I tried my best to detail everything to the best of my recollection. Some things I learned on this trip: palate fatigue is real, spitting is a must when you're drinking this much, it hurts like breakups to spit out good wine, and I can't drink for sh!t.

Here are the wines I also tasted but unable to really write notes as I was unable to find it in the database or not willing to create the wine in the database without all the correct information:

'21 Old Game Farm (barrel sample) @ Christopher Tynan
'21 La Paz JH Cabernet (barrel sample) @ Christopher Tynan
'19 RIISE Grenache (at Vice Versa dinner) @ Juan Mercado
'?? Andremily (at Vice Versa dinner)

Grateful AF to be on this trip! Had an incredible time with amazing people who love wine and love to laugh. Thanks to all the hosts and again, big shout outs to LiteItOnFire for putting everything together, thank you so much!