Sinegal Estate - The Real Deal

While out in Napa, I met up with my friend Josh Luhn who has recently been hired to put together the Sales Program and Tasting Room Program for Sinegal Estate. A little back ground on the winery. It is owned by David Sinegal who's father started Costco. I did not get to meet him, but apparently he bought an old Napa (St. Helena) property and moved his family into the historic home on the property. The property dates back to the 1800's, and was owned most famously by the Jager family. Sinegal has put a lot of money into refurbishing the property and hiring top notch people to run the winery. Tony Biagi is the winemaker and Jim Barbour is the vineyard manager, both with impressive resumes in Napa. Despite the construction going on, the winery doesn't officially open to visitors until Fall, Josh was able to show me around a bit. There are new caves being built into the mountains, the historic winery has been gentrified and retrofitted for making wine again and there are plantings everywhere in addition to some older vines still in use. It is gorgeous with gardens everywhere, lots of trees and a lake fed by two different springs.

So, lets get this out of the way. Despite the Costco roots, this is a luxury project aimed at creating some of the best wines in Napa and also to provide a luxury experience as part of the ride. All of their wines are still sitting in barrel although the final blends have been determined and made. Bottling is scheduled for June. The first release is the top wine, the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It is was released to the mailing list last week but won't ship until 1Q2016. After this wine, I think the plan is not to have allocations but go to a wine club model with tiers. In addition to the wines, each tier will have its own benefits with the top tiers getting access to the property for a prepared lunch complete with wine service consisting of not only Sinegal wines, but top wines from their private cellars of other Napa and elsewhere wines and other benefits. No pricing was given to me and it may not be decided yet. Personally, I am sorry to hear this as I am likely to be priced out of the market and would prefer an allocation of the wines that did not require me to make large purchases. There is, however, a luxury market for these things and I suspect they will have no problem selling out. From what I saw, those who can afford that rarefied air, will certainly get their money's worth.

Fwiw, here are my thoughts on the wines:

• 2013 Sinegal Sauvignon Blanc 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was served a bit cold, but I think I was able to get a good handle on it. Pale golden in color. The nose is ok, its a bit grassy in that CA sort of way, but also some nice minerality. Unlike many SB's, this is better on the palate. Very nice and deep mineral streak that is somewhat reminiscent of Sancerre. Also some pear and some limes. I think this saw some oak at some point (I might be wrong about that), but it really doesn't show other than perhaps as a creamier texture. The thing I really liked about it even at this young stage was its depth of complexity and flavor. This is the only vintage that will use these vines as they were replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon. No idea if this is offered for public sale or what the pricing would be.

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• 2013 Sinegal Cabernet Franc 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  This is excellent. I believe when it is offered it will be $150 per bottle. It is a world class Cab Franc but certainly with a CA touch. Purple in color. The nose has lots of dark cherries, cassis, some cigar tobacco (brown not green) and some oak. Medium tannins. There is again a lot of depth here. While it is a big wine, it is Ali not Forman as it is light on its feet. It has nothing green here that I admit to liking in Cab Franc, yet nothing overblow or over ripe either. It straddles that line deftly which is rare in CA. At first taste, I liked it but dismissed it a bit until I found myself really tasting it a few minutes later. Even going back to it after the big Cabs, it cut right through. Accessible now, it won't hit peak for a decade.

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• 2013 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I believe this may be called something else in the future as they bring other vineyards online. I think the plan is for this to sell at $90. It was difficult to get a good read on this as it was the tightest and most shut down of the three. Actually pretty typical of the 2013's I have tasted so far in that regard. The nose has cassis, oak, charred wood, anise and an earthiness to it. On the palate, it seems to have stuffing, but it is monolithic at the moment. A persistent finish. Given the length of the finish, its great texture and nose, I suspect this will need at least another 5 years or lots of decanting but could easily score a couple of points higher.

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• 2013 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a WOW wine. One sip and you know. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, spice, floral notes, dark cherries, dark chocolate and so much going on. The nose soars without being big. On the palate, there is a depth here but this is drinking so well right now. This reminded me of some of Russell Bevan's best Cab's in how well and soft it drinks young but still shows complexity. Layers of cassis and dark cherries with earth and spice. Great balance. Again, its light on its feet and not cumbersome. A long finish. Give it a year or two (or 10) in bottle and this will flirt with perfection I think.
  This is the current offering (and only offering so far). I made sure to put my order in before I posted my tasting note. It sells for $195 and many will complain about a first time wine starting off at that price. Sadly, my guess is this wine will be out of my price range in a few years, so I bought it now.

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Thanks to Josh for giving me a preview. It was a real pleasure. Good luck with the new job!