Community Tasting Note

• jaxpaj wrote: 98 points

  January 11, 2017 - By far the best effort from Las Piedras. Until this bottle I had been underwhelmed by the vineyard. Excellent.

  3 people found this helpful 3,818 views

30 Comments

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/11/17, 12:50 PM - When I was in Napa in May and did a tasting with Mike he wasn't overly pleased with Parker's 92 to 94 review of the 2014 Quivet LPV. Mike thought it was more or less in line with the 2014 Carter LPV that Parker rated 95 to 97. Sounds like you agree with Mike - good to know. Also good to know about the 2014 Myriad Dr Crane. I'm trying to be patient with that wine as recommended by Mike. By the way, formerly Bluegoose - took a leave but decided to come back.

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/11/17, 12:57 PM - Are you using another system for your cellar now? I saw Mike this weekend and you came up in conversation.

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/11/17, 1:24 PM - No, I'll probably re-enter my cellar in time. I decided to close the account because I found myself popping too many bottles too young in light of other reviews. I decided it was probably best to just listen to the winemakers. In addition, I found myself buying wine that I knew wasn't my preferred style but decided to give it a shot in light of the positive notes. I need to be more selective. I decided to come back after New Years after having some nice wines. Just laying low since. I actually exchanged emails with Mike the other day. As I'm sure he conveyed to you, the 2015 vintages is another good vintage but 2016 is apparently his best vintage yet.

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/11/17, 1:41 PM - Sounds like you need to narrow down your friends list on CT. I now use CT to reference my thoughts, I rarely purchase a new wine based on reviews. Buying wine can become EXTREMELY expensive if you don't set a budget.

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/11/17, 1:55 PM - I hear you - I've more or less reached a similar conclusion. They weren't necessarily bad bottles but I came to a realization that I should have been more selective. Especially in regards to some of the really fruit-forward/over the top cabs which I knew weren't my thing. Thankfully I didn't have that many before reaching the conclusion. Did you barrel taste anything with Mike? I'm hoping to get out there in the Fall. Last May was nice but a lot of the vineyards were just bottling the 2014 vintage. Our visit in the Fall of 2015 seemed like an ideal time to visit - a lot more to taste.

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/11/17, 4:32 PM - This is on-deck for the weekend as i'm dying to try it! LPV is my favorite vineyard. Jaxpaj - i'm curious if you have tried Fait Main from Benoit (Realm). It's really good. Badmonkey (BG), so glad you are back online!!

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/12/17, 5:38 AM - I have some Fait Main sleeping lady '12. I didn't realize there were more than that one. Thanks for the heads up.

• amauryc1 commented:

  1/12/17, 3:50 PM - Badmonkey/BG:. Yackman and I were wondering about you the other day. Good to see you are doing OK. I spent way too much on wine last year, so like you I am stream lining my wish list for 2016.

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/12/17, 5:11 PM - amauryc1 we need to take a look at the calendar and set up a wine dinner. Downtown Ruths chris

• amauryc1 commented:

  1/12/17, 5:28 PM - Hey Ian. Happy New Year! Are you in the office tomorrow? If so, I'll give you a call.

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/12/17, 5:29 PM - Yes, talk to you tomorrow

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/12/17, 6:45 PM - amauryc1, all is well. Money really wasn't the issue but I felt a little preoccupied with wine and thought it was time to take a break. Take care.

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/13/17, 2:17 AM - I spent too much $$$ on wine last year. So this year, I've been selling some of my collection. As tastes change, I'm thinning out some that I know I won't drink so I can purchase more of what I like the best. And Jaxpaj/amauryc1 -- very jealous of your upcoming wine dinner! Rob.

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/13/17, 3:14 AM - #1winelover, I did the same around two years ago - I got rid of around 8 cases through winebid and re-stocked my cellar with some other wines that I prefer. Crazy to me that someone actually bought some of the crap that I unloaded. I'm also jealous of their get together. I would love to visit Florida in the near future to do the same. I'm looking forward to hearing what they end-up drinking.

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/13/17, 4:10 AM - I sell through K&L as I live in PA which until recently, was a big issue. K&L gives me a fair price and they make it very easy. And agreed on their upcoming reviews!

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/13/17, 8:21 AM - LOL, fly down to Jacksonville and join us!

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/13/17, 9:02 AM - I wish I could. My daughters play soccer at a decent level and usually have a showcase tournament in Orlando each year - usually either November or December. I'll definitely hunt you down the next time we're down there. Have a good weekend.

• amauryc1 commented:

  1/13/17, 9:34 AM - Winelover/Badmonkey, I you guys are making your way through North Florida let us know or we can try to plan a Napa reunion. With this group there won't be too many places that we can't get to visit. :)

• Badmonkey commented:

  1/13/17, 9:49 AM - I'm hoping to get to Napa probably in the Fall so if anyone else is interested I would love to get together for some tastings. I wanted to verify with Mike Smith what time of the year he thought was best. I had some great barrel tastings at Myriad/Quivet, Janzen, Alpha Omega, and Lewelling last May for the 2014 vintage that was just getting ready to get bottled. However, it appears to me that a little later in the year (around the Fall) is probably ideal once the cabs are bottled. In addition, I would like to visit Carter before their cabs start to sell-out - especially the OG. You guys probably know what is best but I figured I would throw it out to Mike and get his thoughts.

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/13/17, 11:11 AM - Well, you can count me in! I was there last Sept and had great tastings with: Mike Smith and Mark Carter @ Carter Cellars (and we tasted a few Quivet and Myriad), Larry Fairchild, David Beckstoffer and Benoit Touchette, Turnbull, Venge, and Larkmead. I missed Realm and that would be #1 on my list. I have a long list of wineries that I have yet to try. It would be fun! You can count me in...

• jaxpaj commented:

  1/13/17, 11:28 AM - Y'all are killing me, I need to be careful posting with you 3! I will become more of a wine addict than I already am. No wonder BlueGoose left. I already have plans on being there June 20-23rd. The only problem with a fall visit is trying to meet with winemakers. Harvest wears them out! Even if they meet with you they are exhausted and the extremely busy.
  
  Great list Winelover! Fairchild is one of the wines I resisted purchasing but have remained on the list. I bet meeting with David Beckstoffer was fun and unique!

• amauryc1 commented:

  1/13/17, 12:16 PM - LOL..I have a work trip to NoCal in February that I'm extending into a Napa weekend. I'll look into planning something for next year.
  
  Late winter/early spring is great; no crouds, the wines from previous year have been in Barrell for a few about 5 months so it's fun to taste, and lodging is cheaper. Which means not that I save anything but just buy more wine.
  
  We'll keep the discussion alive..Should be interesting

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/13/17, 12:39 PM - Fairchild is expensive and really excellent. Melka makes great wines for Fairchild, but due to the expense, I buy 3 bottles. You might be right about timing as when I was there in Sept., the winemakers did meet with me and they were exhausted - and rushed. Any time of year is fun to go, though. And going with this crowd would be interesting for sure. The pressure...

• #1Winelover commented:

  1/17/17, 3:02 AM - I tasted this wine 3 nights ago and couldn't decide between 96 or 97. Settled on a 97 rating. After 3 days, the wine was still really good. I didn't notice the burnt ember or earthy notes like Parker described and/or is typical with LPV, but it was the best Quivet in the lineup. Badmonkey, I would agree with Mike (and he should know!) that it's similar to Carter's LPV. All in all, it's a great bottle of wine and deserves a higher rating, which it's getting from CT.

• csimm commented:

  1/20/17, 7:29 AM - I just saw this string... Anytime you guys are in the Napa/Sonoma/SF area, feel free to hit me up. I've been on vacation and trying to lay low a bit too, but I'll blame you guys for keeping me locked in this goofy wine posting world... just kidding!
  
  CT has too much good info from folks such as yourselves that's hard to ignore. I'm always appreciative of that. Like you guys have mentioned, I need to be more selective and true to what I like rather than experiment with everything someone happens to put a decent CT review up on. It can get a little dizzying... and disappointing. Glad you're back Badmonkey/BG.

• jaxpaj commented:

  5/31/17, 4:57 PM - I will be in Napa in a couple of weeks and I am trying to set up tastings. So far looking at Bevan, Jones, Scarlett, Venge, Lewelling and Visiting Mike. Any other suggestions? Sorry for posting this here don't know how to send a private message through CT.

• csimm commented:

  5/31/17, 6:43 PM - I'd say try to hit up Realm for sure. Pott is an off-chance, but worth it if he is available. Outpost, Memento Mori, B-Cellars/Janzen, AO, Lail, Tor, Switchback Ridge, Buccella, and Favia are other options worth checking out in my opinion. Hall and Cliff Lede are more Disneyland Napa, but their wines are decent at least.

• Badmonkey commented:

  5/31/17, 7:21 PM - jaxpaj, I can't argue any of those recommendations, however, I would highly consider Janzen. The tasting that I had with Kyle Janzen last May was really well done - it included the current releases and also barrel tastings of the next couple vintages. The setting in the cellar at B Cellars under the mountain was quite impressive. I obviously can't guarantee the same treatment but I believe they are somewhat under the radar and thus are willing to put in a little extra.

• #1Winelover commented:

  6/1/17, 3:21 AM - Jaxpaj, tough decisions to narrow down. Some should depend on the amount of time you will be there and some on price. CSIMM and Badmonkey have good lists. I think you will really enjoy Lewelling. My tasting there was in the middle of the vineyard! Make sure to visit Mike at Carter's Envy tasting room. You will get a private tasting and you can ask them to bring some of Mike's other labels. Mark Carter is a very nice and humble man! I would also consider O'Shaughnessy and Outpost if you make it to Howell Mountain. On Pritchard Hill, Chappellet and Continuum are excellent. Nine Suns (Houyi Vineyard) is a great place although I'm not their biggest fan of wine especially at $250/bottle. On my next trip, I plan to try Janzen and then focus in St. Helena. Lucky you and keep us posted!

• #1Winelover commented:

  6/1/17, 3:30 AM - Jaxpaj: It is my understanding that there is no way to send a private note to anyone on CT. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Since this thread is a small group of my trusted CT friends, my email is: robdlang@comcast.net. My name is Rob. I would be happy to email any of you and/or continue this dialogue with Jaxpaj in email! Just don't stalk me or anything :)

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