Tasted Monday, February 12, 2024 by rnjbond with 69 views
Celebrated our new home with a long weekend in Sonoma and Napa, going to some incredible wineries for the first time in our lives.
Started the day with Gundlach and Buena Vista. While lovely places, most of those wines weren't really worth writing about.
Hamel was on a different level, with much better wines, better service (the tasting was conducted by a certified sommelier), and even the experience was better, with tastings served out of Zalto glasses. Plus the price of the tasting was more than fair considering we got to do two verticals and there was a snack paired with it.
In contrast, Gundlach wines were generally okay and some I had to struggle to finish.
Buena Vista wines were better and the setting was nice and cozy. But the service was oddly snobby. I commented to my server that I recognized the label on one bottle (just making polite conversation) and she said "you think you do, but this is actually xx."
Incredible day. After a rainy day one in Sonoma, was treated to lovely sunny weather the rest of the weekend.
Did three wineries this day:
1) Schrader tasting experience at a private room at Arch and Tower in downtown Napa. Incredible service and experience. Wines were amazing and we got to try six different wines, which was amazing. Ended up buying two bottles from here because the prices were reasonable (plus it was a better deal buying bottles here versus online).
2) Opus One. As a kid who grew up in the Bay Area, Opus One was always the "luxury" winery that was almost aspirational. Opus One wines are fantastic, even if they're mass-produced. The tasting experience leaves a little to be desired, however. It felt very transactional and the tastings were miniscule. Even the cellar tour made it feel like we were waiting for our turn at Disneyland.
3) Quintessa. Really great experience. Wines were great and the tour was nice, getting to take a golf cart around the property. Tried a number of different wines and really enjoyed them. Definitely will be buying Quintessa in the future.
Since this was a long weekend, decided to try more wineries before heading back home (to San Francisco).
This was an interesting day, because we started at Promontory and ended at Artesa and it was such a night and day difference, almost a poetic representation of my wine journey over the past two years.
Promontory was hands-down the best winery experience of my life. Private tour with a certified sommelier, very personalized attention. The weather was perfect and the views were stunning. We were greeted with a glass of 2013 Dom Perignon, which was lovely (no notes, but probably 90 points).
Then we toured the cellars and learned the history. Got to try a barrel sample of 2021 Promontory, which was a fun experience. Then had full glasses of 2019 Penultimate and 2017 Promontory, which were both excellent. My only gripe is I wish we could have tried more vintages. Our guide raved about the 2018 Promontory, but we sadly didn't get to try it.
Going to Artesa after was whiplash. I've always loved Artesa because it's such a beautiful place and the sunsets are great. But, for the first time, the Artesa wines just didn't sit with me and I ended up dumping a few of them, since we were just going home after.
There is a clear difference between the top wineries and the entry-level ones I used to enjoy going to (e.g. Artesa). It's going to be hard to go back! Promontory wins best winery experience of the trip, while Schrader was probably the best tasting experience. Hamel and Quintessa were both fantastic and highly recommend them.
2017 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Tasted at winery. Part of a vertical tasting 2017-2019. Medium bodied, notes of fuji and green apple, dark cherry skin, rosemary. Lovely wine.
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2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Tasted at winery. Part of a vertical tasting 2017-2019. Notes of green pear and unsweet cherry. A bit heavier than the 2017 and felt higher alcohol.
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2019 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Tasted at winery. Part of a vertical tasting 2017-2019. Notes of dark red plum, clove, some blueberry, as well as other spice. On the palette, orange skin, nectarine, plum.
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2018 Hamel Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Nuns Canyon 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District
Tasted at winery. Notes of red cherry, pine, and rock, feel some cherry skin on the palette.
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2013 Hamel Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Nuns Canyon 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District
Tasted at winery. Deep red color, notes of raw mango, pomegranate, hibiscus.
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