Napa in Philly - Benefiting CureDuchenne
Fitler Club
Tasted April 22, 2022 by sean7711 with 201 views
Introduction
Fun night offering a "preview" of a few wineries that have a larger event at the Bellevue in Philadelphia on 4/23. Hosted at the Fitler Club, where I am a member, it was a good chance to drink a few labels I have heard of but not pulled the trigger on buying (like my credit card needs it!). Didn't find any duds but obviously some stood out more than others.
Full list of wines sampled below but will only be offering a few notes given the number sampled and not taking detailed notes.
2015 Mondavi Sisters Dark Matter Limitless
2018 Lerner Project RMS
2018 Lerner Project Houyi
2018 Lerner Project Armstrong Ranch
2018 Brion Moon Mountain
2018 Brion Caldwell
2017 Brion Oakville Ranch
2019 Gemstone Heritage Selection
2019 Gemstone Alluvial Selection
2018 Covert Estate Cabernet
2018 Covert Estate Sage Ridge Cabernet
2019 Julien Fayard Sleeping Lady
2019 Simon Family Estate (note not on CT yet, just the reserve bottling but this was very solid! Maayan Koschitzky is winemaker here)
2018 Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend
2018 Arrow & Branch Black Label
2019 Arrow & Branch Vine Hill Ranch
2018 Amulet Platt Vineyard Pinot / Chardonnay
20xx Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
2018 Macauley Cabernet
Flight 1 (5 notes)
Red
2019 Julien Fayard Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville
Wow, up there with the A&B Vine Hill as wine of the night among the 15+ samples I had. Inky, but precise, pure fruit. Boldest of the Covert offerings, I also thought the '18 Covert Sage Ridge served next to it was good, but needs more time. The '18 Covert Estate was lighter body, more cool climate Coombsville. May need to seek out JF's own label after this tasting.
Red
2019 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
About to be released, I was able to get a sample of this poured from none other than Steve the founder of A&B who was present for this event. This has all the hallmark characteristics of Vine Hill. I vaguely remember block 4 (Clone 4) and Block 3A (or 3B) which is clone 337 is where A&B got their fruit. Will be locking up a 3 bottle order shortly. I was also impressed with the 2018 A&B Right Bank Blend (95-96) which was very accessible, with a good chunk of Cab Franc leading the way (47%). Worth considering at $150, and the 2018 Black Label at $125 was solid value.
Will need a 2019 Vine Hill showdown with Memento and VHR in the near future.
Red
2019 Gemstone Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Selection
USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville
New label for me. TRB wine based in Yountville with all wine coming from the family estate. I preferred the Heritage to the Alluvial by a hair. Both are 100% cab pulled from different parts of their vineyard. TRB wine for sure - dark purple fruit, accessible early on. Was impressed.
Red
2018 Lerner Project Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
My favorite of the 3 Lerners sampled (RMS and Armstrong being the others). Chalky, a bit grippy tannins, but reminded me of the 2018 VV Houyi I had a few months ago. I think the Armstrong will age the longest (Diamond Mountain) but this has Bevan written all over these wines. Unabashed, high alcohol, but damn delicious. At the $275 SVD price I struggle with it, but worth watching. RMS was solid, more BDX blend and from Oakville.
Red
2017 Brion Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Ranch Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Really nice wine, I think the only 2017 being poured at the event. It deserved to be recognized as a very very solid wine despite all the "better vintage" 2018/2019s being poured. Tasted next to the 2018 Moon Mountain and the 2018 Caldwell, both of those were a bit more classic in nature, where this was a bit more bold, brash, and delightfully tasty. Will need to look into Brion more.
Closing
Lots of wine tasted, if anyone has any other questions on the wine without a tasting note, let me know and I can give brief impressions.
© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC.
