GEMS on Tour 2014-Austin

GEMS of Napa is a consortium of ten Napa Valley Wineries who collaborate on joint marketing events and have reciprocal agreements extend members wine club privileges at sponsored tasting events. They collectively tour various large cities around the US to allow various wine club members the ability to taste the wines of the member wineries. In April, the organization made a trip through Texas: Dallas, Houston, and Austin

• 2012 Walt Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Very nicely crafted big and buttery Napa Chardonnay. One I will look for in the future

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• 2012 Walt Pinot Noir Rita's Crown 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Smooth and classy with plenty of dark red fruits. Bigger CA style

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• 2012 Walt Pinot Noir La Brisa 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Very Russian River in style: big and juicy.

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• 2012 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

  Big, rich and smokey, well balanced.

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• 2012 Robert Biale Petite Sirah Royal Punishers 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Big, tannic, and briary. Very good if you enjoy an "in your face" wine

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• 2012 Robert Biale Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Seemed a bit green, good but not very memorable

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• 2012 Robert Craig Chardonnay Durell Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Non-ML fermentation. A bit oaky initially, but air will help.

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• 2011 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  They did well in spite of the very cool vintage. Big, smokey, with lots of black fruit. Given the high composition of mountain fruit, I was expecting some greenness, but it was solid.

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• 2011 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  93% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Big concentrated mouthfeel with plenty of black fruits and cassis. Long smooth finish.

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• 2010 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Initially oaky, but it settled down with air. Deep and rich with apple, and peach flavors. Solid finish.

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• 2012 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Jenkins Ranch 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Big Pinot with lots of strawberries, raspberries, and spice.

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• 2012 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Moses-Hall Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Discernible Carneros fruit: pepper and spice, smoke, and raspberry and strawberry fruit. Very nice.

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• 2011 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Solid, in spite of the poor vintage. Not a very good QPR in the low to mid $40s

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• 2011 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Definitely a cut above the standard Napa bottling. Very good.

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• 2012 Hall Sauvignon Blanc T-Bar-T Ranch 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  This was excellent, very good, and one I'll look for in the future.

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• 2012 Hunnicutt Chardonnay 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Made primarily from Coombsville fruit. Very nice, and balanced

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• 2010 Hunnicutt Cabernet Franc 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Kirk Venge winemaker. An excellent wine with a great mix of red fruits, earth, and tobacco. Lots of upside potential with some additional age.

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• 2011 Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very nice, lots of black fruit and cassis. Balanced.

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• 2012 Chappellet Chardonnay 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Big, and buttery with a great mix of stone fruits and citrus. Nice mouthfeel and a strong finish.

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• 2011 Chappellet Merlot 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I really liked this. I was expecting a significant amount of earthiness and greeness given the cool wet vintage; instead this drank like a Cabernet. Great mix of red and blue fruits with a smooth finish. A real surprise.

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• 2010 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  WOTN for me. Excellent, full bodied, and a nice mix of dark fruits. Balanced mouth, and a long, long finish

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• 2010 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  I thought it was good, but I liked the standard Napa Cab better

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• 2011 Vineyard 29 Sauvignon Blanc Estate 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Very good, but way overpriced

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• 2011 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Similar to my tasting note from April 20th. Solid.

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• 2013 Silverado Vineyards Sangiovese Rosato 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A bit too fruity for my palate

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• 2010 Silverado Vineyards Fantasia 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Okay, but for the money, I can find a far superior SuperTuscan from Italy. Nice try though.

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• 2010 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Solo 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This what these guys do best. Great Stag's Leap fruit. Excellent.

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• 2012 Ladera Sauvignon Blanc 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nice grassy aromas with grapefruit, stone fruit and passion fruit. Nicely done.

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• 2010 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Big, powerful, all mountain fruit. Still young and should be decanted for the immediate future. Lay this one down for another 5 years and you will be greatly rewarded.

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• 2010 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon High Plateau Napa Valley 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Ladera always makes a consistent high quality cabernet, I agree they never disappoint. Very well done!

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Definitely a worthwhile event attended by 150 people, and a great opportunity to sample premium wines that you would normally only get to taste at the winery