Napa Visit 2016
Tasted Sunday, July 10, 2016 - Wednesday, July 13, 2016 by Geaux Tigers with 709 views
Introduction
Annual jaunt to Napa...some really great visits with some really great people---and tasted some really great wines
Flight 1 - Day 1 (8 Notes)
Visited Seavey. Dorie was a gracious host and made us feel welcome. It's a long trek up to the winery but well worth it. After seeing the vineyards, I understand now why Seavey struggles with tannins. Stopped by Silver Trident on a whim before dinner.
Flight 2 - Day 2 - Howell Mountain focus + Merus (8 Notes)
Outpost
Brent hosted us on a great tour and tasting. The front seating area has some of the best views on Howell Mountain. Interesting to see all that is happening up at Outpost, and the different wines made there.
2014 Grenache - not in my wheelhouse but good for what it was. No score
2014 Zinfadel - early acids still need resolution, but good anyway. Zin lovers will like this. No score
O'Shaughnessy
Nice newer facility, great cave, was able to tour private tasting area for Betty and her private collection. Tasted on the front patio with nice views and great weather.
2014 Chardonnay--not a Chardonnay fan, but this was good. No score.
Merus
Great facility, fun tour of the cave and well appointed tasting area. Fun host. Altvs is one the most underrated second wines in Napa. Foley seems to be missing out in that price range and could make a killing with more marketing--but don't tell everyone!
Flight 3 - Day 3 - A little bit of all over (12 Notes)
B R A N D
Sierra hosted us on a quick tour of the relatively newer facilities. Tasting room and views are outstanding and have a relaxing feel.
Realm
Visited with Juan Mercado at the new site (formerly Hartwell). Juan filled us in on the plans for Realm going forward. Exciting things are coming. Juan is an engaging host and was willing to share his thoughts on a number of topics. We spent an hour shooting the bull, and we never felt rushed until we realized we were running late for lunch.
2015 Falstaff (barrel sample) - chocolate, toasty oak, tannic but smooth. After we tasted this, we were told it was a barrel sample. What promise. Can't wait to get my hands on this when it's released. 94+ pts.
MACDONALD
Alex does a great tour, and the story is just fascinating. Give yourself 90 min to hear the story, walk the vines and sip the juice. Honeybee is a fun addition to the overall experience.
Gargiulo
Sue was a gracious host. Gargiulo has a great site and some wonderful views. After a quick tour and discussion about some its neighbors, we tasted on the back patio with some wonderful views on a pleasant & breezy afternoon. It was good to taste the difference between the estate fruit and the Money Road Ranch fruit just a short distance away.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Stopped here to fill time before dinner. Apart from the view out of the back of the facility, not much to see here. Move on. Was disappointed in the wines below. I've had the Artemis on a number of occasions and thought it was better than anything below.
2014 Arcadia Chradonnay - sweet and sugary notes, overly so. 86 pts
2013 Fay - subtle fruit, some mineral notes-90 pts
2013 SLV - very earthy, minimal fruit - 87 points
2013 CASK 23 - combination of Fay and SLV. 89 points.
Girard Tasting Room - Yountville - no notes, had late reservation.
2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet - 91 pts, was much better than the...
2013 Oakville Cabernet - 88 pts.
Flight 4 - Day 4 - By happenstance, Andy Erickson focused in the morning (8 Notes)
Arietta
Jessica was a gracious host at Chateau Boswell. After a quick tour, we were led back to the Arietta tasting area, which was simple, yet beautifully appointed.
2010 Variation One - I didn't like this, but two others loved it. Green coffee notes. Dark in the glass with clear edges. Smoky, olives, bacon, Italian meats, saline. Not fair for me to score.
Favia
Tasted in Central Napa while the new facility is finished. Kimberly is a great host, knowledgeable about the wines, and was a hoot to visit with. We started with the Amador wines. They were good but not for me. I didn't write formal notes for the Cabs, only the scoreboard. Kimberly introduced me to the Linea, and I'm glad she did.
Lewis Cellars
Nice to visit and hear the history and sourcing for the cabs. Tasted 2 Chards which were smoky and buttery. Tasted the '13 Mason's and the 13 Cabernet Reserve with 60 min of air. Both show promise but were served a bit too warm so it was hard to really gauge. No notes written for this reason and no scores. The '12s were smooth and luscious, and the '13s seem to swing to the other side. The '13s need significant time or a ton of air. Have both and will visit in a few years at the proper temperature. Look forward to other perspectives while I wait on these.
Closing
Bodies and palates are tired, ready to go home
2012 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon William and Mary Founders' Reserve 95 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
Most structure in what we tasted @ Seavey. Deep, deep layers of black and some red fruit hiding under a smoothing tannic structure. A monster if left to age. I can see what Parker likes here, but price is a big factor. 95+ for now.
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2013 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
Tannins here, tannins there, tannins everywhere. Not much showing yet. Has potential
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2012 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
A promising prospect in the minors right now, will take time to get called up to the big leagues. Fruit hiding now, but structure is there for this to blossom very nicely. Hold 7-10 yrs.
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2010 Seavey Vineyard Merlot 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
lovely aromatics, floral,perfume, good mouthfeel, tannins starting to relent.
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2012 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
graphite, minerals, hints of dark fruit. Lots of baby fat left to resolve.
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2012 Silver Trident Cabernet Sauvignon Twenty Seven Fathoms 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(7/10/2016)
-still some tannins to resolve, bright red in color. Red /black fruit on subtle earthy palate. Worth buying 1-2 and seeing where this goes. Need 3-5 years in the cellar.
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2014 Silver Trident Sauvignon Blanc Symphony No. 9 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(7/10/2016)
Peaches and tropical fruit without the typical grapefruitiness. Very simple.
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2012 Silver Trident Playing with Fire 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(7/10/2016)
not my thing, but smooth up front with a sharp piercing back end that I didn't like. Nice fruit profile on the nose. Others loved this wine.
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