Napa Valley Tour

• NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siecle 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  (4/11/2014)

  By the glass at the BA Lounge.
  Light yeasty nose, shy on the nose to start but it develops nicely, showing ripe fruit notes. On the palate though I kicks into another dimension. Elegant, complex and full of depth. Vigorous, vibrant wine and great way for a celebration, or to kick off a beautiful holiday! 94+

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We visited Dominus expecting a corporate cold face and we got maybe the best wine visit ever! Guided by the super passionate Tod Mostero we walked from the vineyards to the cellars. Away from the cliches he took the time to explain the adaptations the have made in the vineyard, like the double double guyot to provide shade from the Gruelling Napa Sun and thus maintain freshness, to the optical sorter, to the design and functionality of their " invisible" building. A great visit for the lovers of winemaking. 2013 is The Vintage according to Tod.

• 2010 Dominus Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2014)

  Tasted at the Estate following our visit. Decanted for 3 hours and needs its time as the wine kept evolving. From a very difficult vintage, where the sun burned a lot of the crop and this is almost 95% Cab Sauv. Dark inky red in colour. Very young of course but not corse in any way. Mocha notes , light pepper, light herby at times. On the palate it is fresh and rich and vigorous sorting has kept away the cooked, stewed fruit this vintage should have had. Pretty solid wine but needs time.

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The great institution that is the FL did not fail us and is truly worth the effort to secure a lunch table.

• 2012 Kongsgaard Viorous 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2014)

  Pale yellow in colour, glossy. On the nose the Viognier shines through, much like a condrieu, with light exotic notes, melon, lychee and banana.good ripe fruit. On the palate the roussanne adds the extra level, the structure and acidity that usually lacks from condrieu and gives the wine a backbone to carry the rich fruit. 14.1% Alc. Pure and beautiful wine. 93

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• 1999 Sine Qua Non Syrah The Marauder 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  (4/12/2014)

  The wine needs decanting as it is really on the young side and it's probably 2 hours post opening that it developed into the stunning Syrah it promised it us to be. Still quite dark in colour. Peppery, cardamon spicy nose with good dark fruit in the background. The nose developed more and more complexity as the time went on. No oak to talk about at this stage. On the palate it has a good solid core of fruit, power yet balance and feels a lot like the Rhone wine he hoped to make but a notch above in power & concentration. Maintains the balance though . A bit of stargazing here? Trying to justify the price we paid? Well given the time to develop this wine does disappoint. 97 and just entering its drinking window. Easily another 10yrs ahead of it.

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• 1994 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2014)

  Dark dense and product of a hot year which shows across the wine.
  The nose had some VA to start and then although relaxed had notes of cooked fruit, stewed fruit at times. Shame really because in the palate it was true to form, full on juicy, ripe wine , big and lush and carried the 14.5% alc well . Pity the nose was as such. 89 at best

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• 1968 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal Reserva 91 Points

  Portugal, Madeira

  (4/12/2014)

  Tasted single blind as part of a challenge/game with the sommelier at the FL.
  Very distinctive although the big muscular, sharp profile of it let us to believe this was much younger wine and definitely not a Boal. Needs a lot of decanting as here even after been open for a week it did not make a dent to the sharp character of it. Pretty solid Madeira with looots of life ahead.91 now but full of potential for higher scores.

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• 2004 Topaz Wines Special Select Late Harvest 89 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  (4/12/2014)

  Tasted single blind as part of a challenge/game with the sommelier at the FL.
  We guessed South African straw wine. Impressively high alcohol for a desert wine at 14.6% although it carries it well and in a way helps balance the wine. Lacks a bit of depth we felt but not bad at all. 89

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• 1997 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  (4/12/2014)

  Tasted single blind as part of a challenge/game with the sommelier at the FL.
  Guessed tokaji. Medium yet balanced and pure sweet. Google acidity and freshness, apricots, light on the noble rot aromatics. Not the most complex Sauternes but still pretty solid. 89

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• 2005 Oremus Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 91 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  (4/12/2014)

  Tasted single blind as part of a challenge/game with the sommelier at the FL.
  Quite a lot of depth here that led us believe this was Sauternes from a light year. Good, elegant and balanced, good ripe fruits, light botrytis and overall a solid desert wine. We should have gotten this one right! 91

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The other 3 Star Michellin place in Napa and to be honest we liked it more than the French Laundry. The Kitchen Table is a must!

• 1997 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/12/2014)

  Dark dense red in colour and across the experience the wine felt very young and closed offering little but power at this stage.tight on the nose with just a hint of pepper. On the palate it is big, ripe and tight and felt to be stronger than the 13.5% indicated on the label. Rich, powerful, juicy wine, solid but very young and hopefully will develop with time. One needs the palate for such big wines to enjoy it at this stage. Unlike other big wines we have come across during this trip this was very heavy and at times difficult due to its overripe character. For us a 90 and we would suggest wait 5yrs minimum and hope .

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Got the full tour of the property and especially the winery where the Harlan team make the wine. An amazing and privileged place! The wines are solid and well made Napa Cabs. Given the winery is 12 years old they are all on the young side, yet very approachable, and as with the 08 and the 05 and in effect the Kend 06 show limited vintage variation . We hope our paths cross again in the future with these wines as we would love to see their evolution.

Followed by Lunch for friends 25th Anniversary

• 2008 The Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/13/2014)

  Made by the Harlan team as Bill Harlan co-owns the winery/club. Fermentation is done a third in stainless steel! a third in new oak barriques and the rest in larger oak barrels.Dark, youthful and glossy and colour. Light touch of oak on the nose, ripe dark fruits , pepper hint of a herby edge. On the palate on feels the youth however thanks to its ripe core of fruit and balance has a forward, approachable side. This is not a wine made for instant gratification though and it would definitely benefit from further bottle ageing to add more complexity. We hope our paths cross again with this wine. A very well made wine, balanced and full of promise and potential.

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• NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 95 Points

  France, Champagne

  (4/13/2014)

  We believe this is a Q3 2012 discorgement.
  Dark yellow, honey colour, glossy, almost shining. Full on ripe, yeasty, rich and just simply magnificent wine. On the palate it carries that rich feel and is has a mature champagne side to it. Simply beautiful way to start any function. 94-95

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• 2010 Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

  (4/13/2014)

  Light almost pale in colour. We joked that this was almost a Riesling Cabinet. Mineral wine, a touch of residual sugar, good acidity and with a serious yet balanced fruit core. Pretty wine. 91-92

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• 2009 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Morey-Saint-Denis En la Rue de Vergy 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey-Saint-Denis

  (4/13/2014)

  The 2009. Intake shines in this wine and is now showing a very nice side to it. Juicy, ripe, full on Pinot aromatics, open and very giving. Good tannin and structure , could use some more length. Not sure if this will go into shutdown mode any time soon but at this stage is pretty solid. 91

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• 2006 The Napa Valley Reserve Kend Family Reserve 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/13/2014)

  From magnum. This privately bottled and labeled at the Napa Valley Reserve club and made by the Harlan team. Young but accessible and full of promise. Ripe fruit core, balanced wine, juicy, round and big wine with solid (not harsh or dry though) tannin , light oaky notes but again all balanced and not overdone. This is a serious wine and it will definitely benefit from further ageing. For our old school palate this is a 92 for now but full of promise and the mark can only go higher.

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• 2005 The Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/13/2014)

  Made by the Harlan team as Bill Harlan co-owns the winery/club. Fermentation is done a third in stainless steel! a third in new oak barriques and the rest in larger oak barrels. Classic well made and balanced Napa Cabernet. The oak is still there but does not hide the wine. Very energetic and vibrant wine, young of course for our palate but with a proper ripe core of fruit and solid structure of acidity and tannin. Round and rich, no sharp edges and just starting to develop more and more. We hope our paths cross again. 93 for now but can only get better with time.

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Probably the finest and best priced list in the valley with respect to mature vintages of Californian wines. The list extends way into the 60s and is priced to be consumed not a trophy.Our Guide was Scott Brenner, who along with his Fiancée Kelly White run the wine program at Press. He is a character straight out the a Drops of God manga comics, fill of energy and passion. With him on the wheel we took a journey into old vintages of Napa Cab and even set a challenge for a Californian Pinot.. A must for any wine lover who visits the Valley.

• 2012 HLR Cellars Chardonnay Houndstooth

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/13/2014)

  Served blind. This is a Chablieque wine in style. Bottled recently and still with evident SO2 lingering we only got a glimpse of what this could be. We loved the purity of fruit, the minerality and frankly the absence of oak. The Wine is Made by the team who run the wine program at Press Restaurant in Napa. fly the flag guys.

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• 1992 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  (4/13/2014)

  Sourced from The winery some time ago and proudly boats a sticker that it was aged for 10 yrs in the chateau. Decanted and served.
  This is a Chateau Palmer 95 :) not a Napa Cab... Open well developed nose, minty, herby side, pepper, leather and full of secondary characteristics. Very elegant on the palate, very much alive, good silky tannin, round and exceptionally balanced .has easily 10yrs of life ahead of it. This is 1st growth status and a magnificent and elegant wine. 97 and among the best wines we have come across from this part of the world

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• 1975 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/13/2014)

  Our first reaction in trying this is to check again the bottle. This feels more like a 95 than a 75, still very much alive with lots of fruit. Needs some decanting and took its time to develop in the glass but once it hits its stride this was superb. Was eclipsed a little bit by the 92 Togni we had side by side with it but this wine is a testament of the longevity of old school Napa Cabs. Effortlessly balanced, alive and so complex. The nose was a bit shy and needed some more length but a solid 94-95 from us

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• 1986 Calera Pinot Noir Selleck Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan

  (4/13/2014)

  The head sommelier at Press in Napa Valley rose to the challenge of a great California Pinot and dragged this beauty out of some far corner of the cellar. Probably our first great Pinot from this part of the world. Benefits from decanting.
  Strawberry, light rose feel on the nose, lush ripe fruit akin to a 99 burgundy let alone an 86!! Vibrant and alive, fresh, still singing , lush fruit core, great balance and very pure. We would say this is still a young wine and easily has another 10yrs ahead of it. 94 and can easily develop more!

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A fantasy land for any wine lover,a magnificent Tuscan style villa on top of the mountain, full of Art and wine.

• 2010 Colgin IX Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Tasted at the estate.
  Dark red, purple , dense colour. Starts with a smoky side, dark fruits, pepper, and adds more of a herby, sage side while maintaining a ripe fruit base. Big wine but not heavy and although very very young still approachable and lacks hash edges.balanced , fresh and vibrant ,carries the alcohol well and with a light herbaceous side, full of fruit and has a cooler vintage feel. Very solid and eclipsed the 2008 we had side by side. Too young to rate but full of promise.

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• 2008 Colgin IX Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Tasted at the Estate
  Followed but could not much the 2010 and probably this youngster is going into a closed phase, relatively that is, as this is clearly a wine to aged for many years. Riper, more evident alcohol and oak, rich yet more savoury , austere and with a shy nose. A few sharp edges too. We wish this a long sleeping time.

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A solid easy going restaurant in the middle of St Helena. Relaxed lunch, Very good wine list.

• 2006 Turley Zinfandel Moore "Earthquake" Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Open, forward yet serious wine, good fruit, light on the oak and went very well with our lunch. Not the most memorable wine but will not disappoint . 89, drink now

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Under the gaze of a freshly arrived Frederic Engerer who like a queen Bee was everywhere, the team somehow managed to show us round the estate and especially the iconic Eisele vineyard. We got to try the latest wines too, the last ones made by the Araujos.

• 2012 Araujo Estate Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Tasted at the Estate.
  Young wine yet so aromatic and reminded us if the Assyrtiko/Malagouzia blends to the point that we asked if the addd a splash of muscadelle here.. But no 100% SB albeit from a slightly different clone. Sees 30% new oak but that just adds to the structure. The fruit is pure and firm, good acidity but it's that lovely aromatic nose that will stay with us. Solid as expected.

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• 2011 Araujo Estate Altagracia

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  A touch of caramel on the nose to start, dark fruits. A more drinkable more forward version of the grand vin, and although young still it was very approachable. Needs 3yrs in bottle in our view but full of promise.

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• 2011 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Tasted at the Estate
  Shy nose, buttoned down and austere but not harsh at all. Dense, powerful, but not heavy, rich and full of ripe dark fruits but maintains the balance. Very fresh of course. Needs a good 15 years more but full of promise

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• 2011 Araujo Estate Syrah Eisele Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Tasted at the Estate.
  Co-fermented with some Viognier ( in big Viognier volume years they even bottle 30-40 bottles of Viognier too) . Sweet core here, a touch too sweet to be honest , not unpleasant but felt a bit out of place at times. Rich fruit, young and fresh a lot more approachable than the cab Sauv of course but still needs its 10yrs in bottle.

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• 2012 Kongsgaard Albariño 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  No new oak here and a shorter growing season creates a fruitier , aromatic and fresh wine. Light and very versatile with food. Good citrus notes, good acidity. Very good alternative to heavy Chardonnays to be honest. Granted it does not have the weight or the depth of Chardonnays but its a delicious wine. 92

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• 1995 Peter Michael Les Pavots 95 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Having the option of 94,95,96 we chose the cooler vintage of 95 to avoid an over powering wine ( like the Étude 97) .Dark and dense and shows no signs ageing.light oak still on the nose, full of rich fruit, dark fruits, light herby side at times and a light touch of pepper. Still very primary and with no secondary side to it. Big wine but not heavy or difficult and to us is the right style of these wines, which although will not have the delicate, earthy side (at this stage that is) still has an elegance and a lightness to it. Very very good style of wine.94-95

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• 2007 The Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  (4/14/2014)

  Over the last few days we have tried a few vintages of this wine ( made by the Harlan team who co owners the winery & club) . This is definitely the hotter on and has a lot of oak on the forefront which in a way hides the wine. Judging by the 05 &06 this will need a lot more time to assimilate the oak (maybe overdone in this vintage?). Palate wise is approachable and well round, good ripe fruit, big tannin, powerful wine and must be close to 15%. Savoury finish. 90 for now and patience is needed here..

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A beautiful property on the Hills just north of yountville. spectacular setting and wines. the setting actually is of a Piedmontese estate.

• 2012 Harlan Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/15/2014)

  Tasted at the estate. Barrel sample of the final blend, blended about a month ago.
  Impressively approachable wine, with a good ripe core, juicy and balanced. shy nose as expected and light on the oak. This has another year or so in oak, but we wonder if it really needs it. Very good and in no way overdone or overripe

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• 2009 Harlan Estate

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  (4/15/2014)

  Tasted at the estate. Decanted for 1 hour. Purple red, dark and glossy youthful colour. Open on the nose, rich fruit in good harmony ( don't expect raisins or burnt fruit here) lots of layers, light herbaceous. Carries the alcohol very well and ripeness too, good freshness and although young and firm the tannin is well integrated and barring a touch of dry tannin at the end this is a beautiful bottle. We expected a lot of noticeable oak but on the contrary the oak even at this age was complementary to the wine.. And we are the people who hate oak. An eye opener we might say. Impressive elegance too. Too young to rate but this would be a 95+ given the time to age.

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A dream come true. Key Take away points:
We do drink Napa Cabs too early
We do drink Napa Cabs too early
We do drink Napa Cabs too early