Napa Daytrip, July 2024: Stag's Leap. Heitz, Domaine Carneros

Went on a lovely same-day trip to Napa with some friends of ours. We live in San Francisco and don't take enough advantage of our proximity to Napa, so this was a great plan, just getting around via Uber (so we could all enjoy wine tastings).

It was a hot day, so after the first tasting, the rest were indoors, but in wineries with lots of natural sunlight, so we still got to experience the beauty of Napa.

Went to three wineries for the day: Domaine Carneros (famous for their sparkling wine), Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Heitz.

A beautiful property, just as you enter Napa. It's a nice climb up the stairs to get to the winery, but the view is worth it.

The day wasn't super hot, so we sat outdoors, overlooking the vineyards and highway.

I'm personally not the biggest sparkling wine fan. I found their sparklings to be refreshing on a hot day, but in the interest of fairness, only reviewed the red wines I had. I enjoyed them, found them decent, but not wines I would buy for my own cellar.

• 2021 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Le Ciel Serein 85 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Notes of pomegranate and rose.
  
  Somewhat thin on the palate.
  
  85 points.

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• 2021 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir The Famous Gate 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Notes of cranberry and tea leaves.
  
  Light, very drinkable, didn't require too much time to open up.
  
  86 points.

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The world-famous Judgment of Paris winery!

Had their wines many time, but surprisingly, this was my first time visiting and it didn't disappoint. The wines were incredible, the building and vineyards were gorgeous, and service was top-notch.

Enjoyed all the wines they let us taste, reviewed only the reds. Cask 23 was my favorite of the flight and I definitely bought a bottle with some age on it after trying this.

• 2017 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Still very closed off, in spite of the age.
  
  Notes of cherry skins, dark plums, rosemary.
  
  Would love to decant it and see how it opens up.
  
  88 points.

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• 2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Notes of cherry jam, dark plum, grapefruit.
  
  High tannins.
  
  Fruit-forward on the palate with some hints of blackberry.
  
  Lovely wine, would love to revisit in a few years.
  
  90 points.

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• 2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Notes of juicy plum, rosemary, and cranberry.
  
  Highly tannic, needs a lot more time to open up.
  
  89 points, but with upside.

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• 2020 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Really good wine.
  
  Notes of red cherry, red cranberry, slight sand, almost perfumey nose. No smoke taint that I can detect, in spite of a difficult vintage.
  
  91 points.

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Heitz remains one of my favorites in Napa, especially since the tasting isn't ridiculously overpriced. The wines are all fantastic, especially the Howell Mountain Linda Falls. This was my second time going back in the span in a few months and I enjoyed it just as much.

Service was also fantastic and our host was kind enough to pour us a 2010 Martha's Vineyard, which I really enjoyed.

• 2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Second time trying this at Heitz.
  
  Notes of cherry pie, white nectarine, sour cherry.
  
  Needs time to open up, but already drinking well.
  
  90 points.

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• 2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Linda Falls 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Second time tasting it at Heitz.
  
  Tannins have mellowed out a little.
  
  Notes of cherry and dark plum.
  
  Very Howell Mountain nose and palate.
  
  92 points.

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• 2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Second time trying this at Heitz.
  
  Notes of cranberry skins, tart cherry, rosemary.
  
  91 points.

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• 2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Ink Grade Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Notes of cherry, but more earthy profile and nose. Dirt and slight ash notes as well.
  
  91 points.

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• 2010 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Tasted at the winery.
  
  Second time trying at Heitz.
  
  Strong showing here with more mellow tannins.
  
  Notes of cherry pie and cranberry, some slight funk to it.
  
  91 points.

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This was a fantastic trip and loved that we didn't have to worry about driving or finding a hotel (since those can run pricey).

Stayed in Napa for a while after Heitz and had dinner at RH (which was beautiful, but found their food to be only decent), before going back to San Francisco to our favorite wine bar!