Napa and Sonoma (Hamel, Jewell, Reeve, Enriquez, Wren Hop, Phifer Pavitt, Gamble, Markham, Amulet, Pride Mountain, Pahlmeyer, Arrow&Branch, Fait-Main)

Sonoma and Napa
Tasted Monday, July 10, 2023 - Friday, July 14, 2023 by HeavyPourWine with 292 views

Introduction

Another week in wine country! This time my wife and I are with a group form the Atlanta High Museum Auction committee for the annual cultivation trip!

Flight 1 - First day in Sonoma (7 Notes)

We visited Hamel Family Wines (beautiful property and faclities) and then did a tasting in the vineyard with Joseph Jewell wines. The Jewell "Old Girls" was my favorite of the day

  • 2020 Hamel Family Wines Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    (7/10/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. Blend that is 75% sav blanc. Tastes more like a white burg than a California sav blanc. Buttery lots of minerality and structure.

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  • 2019 Hamel Family Wines Grenache 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

    (7/10/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. From Mag. Was opened that morning prior to our arrival with no decanting. Bright floral nose. Very tannic and a bit bitter. Color is ruby red. Scored it 88 at the winery and wasn't feeling it. However, had it later with dessert at dinner (and with more air) and it was very nice so upped my score to 90.

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  • 2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    (7/10/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. Bottle opened that morning with no decant. This is their bordeaux (Cab Sav dominant) blend. Purple color. Herbaceous and macadamia nut nose. Lots of tannin. Bitter on the palate. I'm a bordeaux blend fan and this was atypical / not in my wheelhouse.

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  • 2017 Hamel Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Nuns Canyon 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District

    (7/10/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. Bottle opened that morning before our arrival with no decanting. 100% cab. Deep purple color. Balanced with light tannin. More elegant than power. 15 months in oak. The best red served at the tasting IMO.

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  • 2021 Joseph Jewell Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (7/10/2023)

    Coravin tasting with the winemaker at Starscape Vineyard. Good Minerality. 1st year for this wine. color is light gold. 120 cases made. Aged in concrete. Nice refreshing Chard on a really hot day!

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  • 2019 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Rubies 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (7/10/2023)

    Coravin tasting with the winemaker at Starscape Vineyard. 75 cases made and currently sold out. Prop blend barrel selection. Aged 18 months in oak. Fruity, fresh and balanced. Light ruby color. Earthy.

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  • 2019 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Martini Clone Old Girls Starscape Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (7/10/2023)

    Coravin tasting with the winemaker at Starscape Vineyard.. Not as fruity as the Rubies tasted before it. This is a single block pinot. Good Minerality. Ruby red color. Red fruit. I liked it so bought one and our group drank it with dinner that night at Valette in Healdsburg.

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Flight 2 - Second day in Sonoma (14 Notes)

Three tastings on Tuesday. Reeve (really nice tasting room plus they have an awesome guest house with pool!), Enriquez (at the estate in the Russian River Valley) and Wrens Hop (in their tasting room - incredible view and super nice people!). The wren hop "Crushed and Broken" pinot was my favorite of the day

Flight 3 - First day in Napa (8 Notes)

Two tastings: Phifer Pavitt and then Gamble. The Gamble "Heart Block" Sav Blanc was my favorite of the day. Glad to see Georgia people (Phifer Pavitt) making great wine in Napa!

  • 2019 Phifer Pavitt Date Night 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the estate with Darlyne and Suzanne. Light bronze color. Tastes like melon to me.

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  • 2018 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the estate with Darlyne and Suzanne. Opened yesterday. Color is dark ruby purple. Strong black fruit nose. Aged in French oak. Mosty Cab with a small amount of petit verdot. Moderate tannins but balanced. This wine was the most open and ready to drink that the other two we tasted. More fruit.

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  • 2017 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the estate with Darlyne and Suzanne. Opened yesterday. Color is dark ruby purple. Black fruit nose. Aged in French oak. Mosty Cab with a small amount of petit verdot. More tannic than than the 2018 next to it. Also less fruity than the 2018.

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  • 2017 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon XROADS 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the estate with Darlyne and Suzanne. Opened yesterday. Color is dark ruby purple. This was very very similar to the 2017 Date Night I tasted right before it. Same notes and score.

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  • 2018 Gamble Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Heart Block 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. This comes from vines near the family's home Sav blanc. Color is light yellow. Lemon nose. Sweet and light on palate. Good acid. This was my favorite wine of the tasting so I purchased some.

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  • 2017 Gamble Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Family Home 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. Comes from vines that are close to screaming eagle vineyard. Opened the day before. Dark ruby color. Very fragrant black fruit nose. Earthy. Dry. Somewhat tannic but balanced.

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  • 2017 Gamble Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cairo 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. This comes from vines near the estate's tasting room. Opened the day before. Nose (blackberries) not as pronounced as the "Family Home" cab but otherwise very similar nose. More black fruit on the palate. My favorite of the reds poured.

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  • 2018 Gamble Family Vineyards Mary Ann Red 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    (7/12/2023)

    Tasted at the winery. This wine is named after Tom Gamble's mother. Opened the day before. Cab franc dominant blend.Very dark ruby color. More black fruit than the other two cabs poured that day. Medium tannins. Nice.

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Flight 4 - Second day in Napa (19 Notes)

Three stops today: Markham, Amulet and Pride Mountain. The best California wine of the day was the 2018 Amulet Estate "Mockingbird" cab blend. Let's see if someone can top it on Friday! Not reflected in my tasting notes is that at Amulet we were invited to taste the 3 finalists (A, B & C) for their new upcoming blend. I picked A and Shawn is going to let us know what they end up picking. I hope it's "A" and I've got dibs on that one :) All were outstanding so they can't go wrong!

  • 2021 Markham Pinot Noir Rosé 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. Fruit is from oak knoll. Oak'd Rose.
    Light peach color. Dryish medium fruit, not acidic. Light peach nose. A little tannic.

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  • 2020 Markham Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. Fruit from oak knoll. This wine sees some oak (8.5 months). French style. Color transparent yellow/pear. Watermelon on nose. Taste is slightly bitter but good acidity. Lemongrass.

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  • 2020 Markham Chardonnay 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. Aged in new French oak for 10.5 months. Fruit from Oak knoll. Light yellow color. Light lemon nose. A bit sour. Light tannin. Light chard with no butter. Tangy. This isn't my style of chardonnay.

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  • 2018 Markham Petite Sirah St. Helena 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. PNP. Dark ruby color. Raisin on the nose. Acidic. Very dry. Blue/black fruit on palate. Fine tannins. Really nice wine - best wine of the Markham tasting.

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  • 2018 Markham Merlot Yountville Estate 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. PNP. Tasted alongside the 2018 Markham Merlot Little Cannon Vineyard. Ruby color. Nose is dark colored rose. On the palate very tannic and wine covers entire mouth. Mouth drying. A bit sour. Definitely a food wine at this stage.

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  • 2018 Markham Merlot Little Cannon Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. PNP. Tasted alongside the 2018 Markham Merlot Yountville Estate. Darker ruby purple color than the other wine. Nose is lighter raspberry bright. Palate is red fruit and light tannin. More balanced than the other merlot.

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  • 2021 Markham Frenchman's Blend 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. Light gold color. Intense melon nose Intense and tangy palate.

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  • 2017 Markham Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Ranch 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the St. Helena tasting room. Brownish red color. Nose is pleasant black fruit. Medium tannins and a bit dry. Good cab.

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  • 2020 Amulet Estate Chardonnay Platt Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted in the cave with Shawn. White light bronze color. Green melon nose. Sonoma coast fruit. Sees Oak. Tangy acid citrus mouth. Lemony.

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  • 2019 Amulet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Bale Mill Creek 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted in the cave with Shawn. Opened the day before. Single vineyard cab. Organic dark purple color. Dark red fruit nose. Dry and tannic. Mouth drying.

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  • 2019 Amulet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Ranch 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted in the cave with Shawn. Opened the day before. Single vineyard cab. Brighter nose than the Bale Mill Creek before it. Also a bit darker color. Mixed dark berries. More acidic than 1st. 3.5ph according the Shawn. Also mouth drying but not as much a first. Would be great with food at this stage.

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  • 2019 Amulet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted in the cave with Shawn. 28 months in Oak. This was opened prior to our arrival but not sure for how long. Seemed like it had seen a good amount of air. Color is dark ruby red. Blueberry and Cherry on the nose. Palate is herb and small amount of green pepper. Good balanced tannins.

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  • 2018 Amulet Estate Mockingbird Blue 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted in the cave with Shawn. The fruit in this blend is mostly from Oakville Ranch. 20 months in oak. Opened sometime prior to our arrival. Color is dark ruby red. This blend was very different than the three single vineyard cabs we tasted before it. Nose is very fragrant cinnamon green striped candy cane. Palate is Balanced; black cherry. The best wine I've had so far this trip. Bought some for my cellar to lay down.

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  • 2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Napa Carneros fruit. Light amber color. Green apple nose. Ripe pear apple palate with good acid. Tangy/sour.

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  • 2020 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Their "flagship merlot blend". 20 months in oak. Opened before we arrived. Ruby color. Medium tannin. Easy to drink.

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  • 2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Syrah 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Syrah with a small of amount of vigne. 18 months in oak. Brownish red color. Blue fruit nose and mouth. Medium tannin. This is a crowd pleaser. Nice wine and I bought some.

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  • 2020 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. 13% petit verdot. Brownish red color. Brighter nose. Raspberries. Low tannin.

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  • 2019 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/13/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. 20 months oak. CabSav with 1% petit verdot. Brownish red color. Dark fruit nose. Med tannin.

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  • 2003 Château Cos d'Estournel 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    (7/13/2023)

    Shared with our tasting group at dinner at Charter Oak in St. Helena after a 4th day of tastings in Sonoma/Napa. Decanted by somm for sediment. Cork in great shape still tons of fruit. Evolved nicely in the glass over the next hour. Tons of life ahead; glad I have one more bottle. This was a nice change from all the Cali wines that week! Everyone in our group enjoyed it too. Brad - heavypourwine.com

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Flight 5 - Third day in Napa (13 Notes)

Pahlmeyer, Arrow & Branch and Fait-Main. The Arrow & Branch Dr. Crane was the best California wine of the day and of the trip. Grabbed a good bit of this one for the cellar! Also loving trying the '21 LP from FM (probs my fav Napa Cab from vintage to vintage) and the inaugural Tierra Roja. Also, so glad I learned how to pronounce Fait-Main correctly "Fay Maah" (or just "Fat Man" as they have lovingly nicknamed it since almost everyone pronounces it incorrectly!). Great last day in Wine Country!

  • 2021 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at Stagecoach vineyard (wow - that view!). 100% new oak. Light yellow color. Ripe pear nose. Fragrant. Very acidic. Some butter. Mouth coating. Very tangy. More structure than most Chardonnays that I've had.

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  • 2019 Pahlmeyer Merlot 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at Stagecoach vineyard (wow - that view!). Dark brownish red color. Dark fruit nose. Velvety mouthfeel. Thick. Minerality earthy. They were sold out (they were pre-selling the 2021) or I would have bought some '19. I'm a big merlot fan and really liked this!

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  • 2019 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at Stagecoach vineyard (wow - that view!). Bordeaux blend - 78% cab. A bit darker color than the 2019 merlot tasted before it. Bell pepper and dark fruit nose.. Taste: thick layers and layers and layers! Dark blue fruit. Also earthy mushroom. Somewhat tannic. Very good wine!

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  • 2022 Arrow & Branch Rosé 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Light peach color. Orange nose. Some tang on palate.

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  • 2022 Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Sees stainless and oak. Light yellow color. Light pear nose. Melon and grapefruit on nose. Acidic and citrusy on the palate.

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  • 2019 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. 95% Cab / 5% merlot. Decanted and poured an hour before we arrived. Medium ruby color. fresh dark fruit nose. Med tannins. Dark red palate.

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  • 2019 Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Mostly Cab Franc in this blend. Decanted and poured an hour before we arrived. Brighter and lighter nose than the black label. I prefer this one to the two. Palate is relatively smooth. Med high tannins.

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  • 2019 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Decanted and poured an hour before we arrived. Med ruby color. Nose: Wow - so fragrant. Layers of flavor. Tannins really well integrated. Best wine of the flight, day and week! I bought a good amount of this!

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  • 2019 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted at the estate. Decanted and poured an hour before we arrived. Dark ruby color. Darker cooler fruit nose than the dr crane. So balanced. Fine tannins. Elegant.

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  • 2021 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted with Nikita in St. Helena. From Coravin pour prior to my arrival. Round dark ruby color. Nose fragrant. Blue fruit. Med tannins. Light fruit.

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  • 2021 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted with Nikita in St. Helena. From Coravin pour prior to my arrival. Dark ruby color. Deeper dark nose than the FM cabernet. Also more refined tannins than blend. Dark cherry on the palate.

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  • 2021 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted with Nikita in St. Helena. From Coravin pour prior to my arrival. What a treat to try this wine before it's released next week :) Dark ruby red. Bright red fruit. Tons of minerality. More masculine than the MH tasted before it. Super balanced. Integrated tannins. Great juice. Bought several to lay down. 94+ with tons of upside! My favorite of the 4 that were poured that day.

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  • 2021 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (7/14/2023)

    Tasted with Nikita in St. Helena. From Coravin pour prior to my arrival. It's possible I was the first CT'er to try this brand new wine from FM before it was released? How cool! Nikita mentioned that this wine was more masculine than the LP next to it. I wouldn't have called that out but it was super powerful indeed. Color was almost identical to LP (dark ruby red) Red fruit. Good minerality. Balanced with great tannin stucture (a bit more tannic that the LP IMO) Really great cab. My second favorite of the 4 that were poured that day (If any wine was going to surpass the LP, it would be this one at some point, but the FM LP is still my favorite Napa Cab). I grabbed some for my cellar.

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Closing

Man what a variety of wines and experiences! Enjoyable trip for this old world guy. The funniest thing I heard from my tasting group is "you brought your own wine with you to wine country? wth?" Yep... nothing like an aged Bordeaux after drinking a ton of young Cali cabs!

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