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Napa Valley Tastings
Tasted February 3, 2018 - February 4, 2018 by GoBlue2002 with 310 views
Introduction
2 days of tastings in Napa Valley.
For a few of the tastings we were joined by Bobby, Lisa, and Jill.
Flight 1 - Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley (8 notes)
A tasting collective. We sat outside on their back patio and really enjoyed ourselves, even making friends with a neighborhood cat. They have an art gallery upstairs but we never made it.
Yay for bonus pours, great wine.
$35-$55 tasting fee, waived with purchases.
A recommended stop.
Rosé
2016 Juslyn Vineyards Rosé
91 points
Tasted at Ma(I)sonry Napa Valley.
Welcome wine. Quite nice! A fruit bomb of a rose... which hit the spot today.
Welcome wine. Quite nice! A fruit bomb of a rose... which hit the spot today.
White
2015 Coup de Foudre Sauvignon Blanc
92 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
Crisp, mineral, tropical fruit, melon, mushroom. Long finish. High quality sauv blanc, although pricey.
Me - 91, Wife - 93/94
Crisp, mineral, tropical fruit, melon, mushroom. Long finish. High quality sauv blanc, although pricey.
Me - 91, Wife - 93/94
White
2014 TOR Chardonnay Reserve Cuvée Susan Carneros
92 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
Quite a round chardonnay. Apple, butter/oak. Not for the faint of heart. Lacked the energy of other bottlings at this price point.
Me - 92/93, Wife - 92
Quite a round chardonnay. Apple, butter/oak. Not for the faint of heart. Lacked the energy of other bottlings at this price point.
Me - 92/93, Wife - 92
Red
2014 Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir Jayson
90 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
A cab drinker's pinot. Round, smooth, and fruit forward. Not too exciting.
Me - 91, Wife - 90
A cab drinker's pinot. Round, smooth, and fruit forward. Not too exciting.
Me - 91, Wife - 90
Red
2013 Wayfarer Pinot Noir Mother Rock Wayfarer Vineyard
93 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
Much better than the Pahlmeyer Jayson pinot noir -- far more distinctive. Ruby red fruit, big nose, mocha, elevated notes. Lots of fruit yet still somehow reminded me of a burgundy. Interesting.
Me - 93, Wife - 92/93
Much better than the Pahlmeyer Jayson pinot noir -- far more distinctive. Ruby red fruit, big nose, mocha, elevated notes. Lots of fruit yet still somehow reminded me of a burgundy. Interesting.
Me - 93, Wife - 92/93
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Red
2015 R.A. Harrison Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Zosia Diamond Mountain
94 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
Poured by the winemaker, who told us the story behind the bottling.
Wow. So approachable for a mountain cab so young! Plush, red-fruited. Long finish.
Me - 93, Wife - 95
Poured by the winemaker, who told us the story behind the bottling.
Wow. So approachable for a mountain cab so young! Plush, red-fruited. Long finish.
Me - 93, Wife - 95
Red
2014 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja
93 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
So smooth, long finish, yet plucky tannins. This needs 4+ years.
So smooth, long finish, yet plucky tannins. This needs 4+ years.
Red
2014 TOR Proprietary Red Wine
89 points
Tasted at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley.
A "flipped" Bordeaux blend, with 43%? cab franc and 43% petit verdot, and the remainder cab sauv and merlot I believe.
Great aromatics... but made me think of drinking tannic black tea. Not what I am looking for wine. Just odd. Chewy.
Needs time? Food wine? Pair with steak?
Me - 90, Wife - 88
A "flipped" Bordeaux blend, with 43%? cab franc and 43% petit verdot, and the remainder cab sauv and merlot I believe.
Great aromatics... but made me think of drinking tannic black tea. Not what I am looking for wine. Just odd. Chewy.
Needs time? Food wine? Pair with steak?
Me - 90, Wife - 88
Flight 2 - Mending Wall (6 notes)
Don't trust the Google Maps (it takes you too far) -- but what a nice tasting room! We opted for inside. Wines ranged from ok to wow!
A recommended stop.
White
2015 Mending Wall Stone on Stone
91 points
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
Crisp and quite nice! Well liked by the group.
Crisp and quite nice! Well liked by the group.
Red
2014 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
Tasted alongside the 2015. This is a blend of Howell mountain, Pritchard, Yountville, and Oakville fruit.
A little wild, soft, and thinner than expected. Honestly I expected more from TRB.
Me - 91, Wife - 90/91
Tasted alongside the 2015. This is a blend of Howell mountain, Pritchard, Yountville, and Oakville fruit.
A little wild, soft, and thinner than expected. Honestly I expected more from TRB.
Me - 91, Wife - 90/91
Red
2015 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
Tasted alongside the 2014. This is a blend of Yountville and St. Helena fruit.
Meaty and more approachable than the 2014. Not a standout.
Me - 92, Wife - 90
Tasted alongside the 2014. This is a blend of Yountville and St. Helena fruit.
Meaty and more approachable than the 2014. Not a standout.
Me - 92, Wife - 90
Red
2015 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon Tournahu Vineyard
94 points
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
Redemption!
After bringing my colleagues to this tasting room, I was disappointed in the 2014 & 2015 Napa Valley cabs. This one was a stunner in comparison. Well done TRB.
Smooth, ready to go... just made you sit back and savor each sip.
Me - 93/94, Wife - 95
Redemption!
After bringing my colleagues to this tasting room, I was disappointed in the 2014 & 2015 Napa Valley cabs. This one was a stunner in comparison. Well done TRB.
Smooth, ready to go... just made you sit back and savor each sip.
Me - 93/94, Wife - 95
Red
2014 Mending Wall Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
A beast. Needs 5-10+ years.
A beast. Needs 5-10+ years.
Red
2015 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain
92 points
Tasting pour at the Mending Wall tasting room.
Bonus pour! A brambly mountain cab. Quite nice.
Bonus pour! A brambly mountain cab. Quite nice.
Flight 3 - Heitz (0 notes)
Completely forgettable wine. They even poured Martha's and a $250/bottle cab. Maybe it really is that good in 10 years, but I didn't buy any to find out.
When the best wine is port...
However, one of the few free tasting rooms left in the valley. Unfortunately it was packed.
Not a recommended stop.
Flight 4 - Charles Krug (0 notes)
End of the day stop, and the employees knew it. Very tasty charcuterie and cheese plate and nice environment.
Wines were ok. No notes taken.
Not a recommended stop.
Flight 5 - Phifer Pavitt & Switchback Ridge (5 notes)
Don't trust the Google Maps (it takes you too far) -- but it's worth the drive! Pull up to the gate on the right when you arrive, and the tasting barn is on the left.
The barn is delightful, with reclaimed everything. This is also a great event place. Wines were quite good too, and reasonably priced for the valley. Total production of Phifer Pavitt is ~3,000 cases/year.
$50 tasting fee, waived with minimum purchase.
A recommended stop.
White
2016 Phifer Pavitt Sauvignon Blanc Date Night
92 points
Tasted at the Phifer Pavitt tasting room.
Surprisingly good for Napa sauv blanc!!!
Citrus, quince, sparkle, well-rounded.
Me - 91/92, Wife - 92
Surprisingly good for Napa sauv blanc!!!
Citrus, quince, sparkle, well-rounded.
Me - 91/92, Wife - 92
Red
2013 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night
90 points
Tasted at the Phifer Pavitt tasting room.
Tasted with the 2014, which we both preferred.
Mocha, slightly chewy, brighter red/dark fruits. Needs a few years to round out.
Me - 91, Wife - 90
Tasted with the 2014, which we both preferred.
Mocha, slightly chewy, brighter red/dark fruits. Needs a few years to round out.
Me - 91, Wife - 90
Red
2014 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon Date Night
92 points
Tasted at the Phifer Pavitt tasting room.
Tasted with the 2013. Both of us much preferred this vintage (2014).
More mushroom, earth, power, violet, cocoa.
Smooth, somewhat subdued yet pure fruit, spice on finish.
Me - 92, Wife - 91/92
Tasted with the 2013. Both of us much preferred this vintage (2014).
More mushroom, earth, power, violet, cocoa.
Smooth, somewhat subdued yet pure fruit, spice on finish.
Me - 92, Wife - 91/92
Red
2014 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard
92 points
Tasted at the Phifer Pavitt tasting room.
A decadent merlot.
Super ripe nose, smooth, chocolate, plush.
A decadent merlot.
Super ripe nose, smooth, chocolate, plush.
Red
2014 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard
92 points
Tasted at the Phifer Pavitt tasting room.
Ripe, smooth, long finish, moderate complexity. Spice, dark dried fruit on finish.
This needs time. Drink 2020-2032.
Me - 92, Wife - 91
Ripe, smooth, long finish, moderate complexity. Spice, dark dried fruit on finish.
This needs time. Drink 2020-2032.
Me - 92, Wife - 91
Flight 6 - Carter Cellars (6 notes)
My first Mike Smith tasting, and it won't be the last. Wow.
Tasted at Envy Cellars -- pretty nice.
A recommended stop.
White
2015 Ancillary Cellars Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard
93 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
No malolactic, 40% new French oak, balanced!
Crisp, mineral, citrus, spice. Long finish.
Could age but why wait! Drink 2017-2020.
Me - 92/93, Wife - 94
No malolactic, 40% new French oak, balanced!
Crisp, mineral, citrus, spice. Long finish.
Could age but why wait! Drink 2017-2020.
Me - 92/93, Wife - 94
Red
2015 Ancillary Cellars Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard
94 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
Light in color for a pinot.
Aroma - spice, strawberry, cranberry.
Structured, and may improve with age... but it's great now too. Drink 2018-2023.
Light in color for a pinot.
Aroma - spice, strawberry, cranberry.
Structured, and may improve with age... but it's great now too. Drink 2018-2023.
Red
2014 Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum
92 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
80% merlot, 20% cab.
Red fruited, pepper, spice, plush and velvety.
80% merlot, 20% cab.
Red fruited, pepper, spice, plush and velvety.
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Red
2014 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard
91 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
Pepper, spice, funky earth, dried fruit. Needs 3+ years.
Me - 91/92, Wife - 91
Pepper, spice, funky earth, dried fruit. Needs 3+ years.
Me - 91/92, Wife - 91
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Red
2015 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter
95 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
Opulent. Velvet.
Blew away the 2014 Hossfeld Coliseum and 2014 Fortuna.
So much structure and flavor. This 2015's are open for business.
Me - 95/96. Wife - 95
Opulent. Velvet.
Blew away the 2014 Hossfeld Coliseum and 2014 Fortuna.
So much structure and flavor. This 2015's are open for business.
Me - 95/96. Wife - 95
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Red
2015 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard
96 points
Tasted at the Envy tasting room, in the back (which is where Carter has their tastings).
Absolutely outstanding.
Blew away the 2014 Hossfeld Coliseum and 2014 Fortuna.
These 2015's are open for business.
So complex and delicious. Complex fruit palate (each sip seemed different), spice, balance. Drink 2019-2026?
Absolutely outstanding.
Blew away the 2014 Hossfeld Coliseum and 2014 Fortuna.
These 2015's are open for business.
So complex and delicious. Complex fruit palate (each sip seemed different), spice, balance. Drink 2019-2026?
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Flight 7 - Vintner's Collective (16 notes)
A cool collective where you can try many low production wines (25 cases!), and they just kept pouring them. Fun!
Red
2013 Herson Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Persuasion Napa Valley
92 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Big mountain fruit.
Big mountain fruit.
White
2016 Flanagan Viognier
90 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Peach, popcorn?, long finish.
Me - 90/91, Wife - 90
Peach, popcorn?, long finish.
Me - 90/91, Wife - 90
Red
2014 Flanagan Merlot
92 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Smooth, great nose, fruit + spice, mocha, earth. A little tannic, could use 1-2 years.
Smooth, great nose, fruit + spice, mocha, earth. A little tannic, could use 1-2 years.
Red
2014 Flanagan Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard
90 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Fruit on nose, earth, high acid, simple finish. Good food wine.
Me - 90/91, Wife - 90
Fruit on nose, earth, high acid, simple finish. Good food wine.
Me - 90/91, Wife - 90
Red
2013 Las Bonitas Cabernet Sauvignon The Giant
92 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Smooth yet chewy. Could use some time? 92/93
Smooth yet chewy. Could use some time? 92/93
Red
2014 Longfellow Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
91 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Super ripe, yet flat finish.
Super ripe, yet flat finish.
White
2014 Mi Sueño Chardonnay Pugash
90 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Smooth... not so distinctive.
Smooth... not so distinctive.
Red
Red
2013 Patel Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
92 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Lighter in style, smooth, ripe, just pops. "Yummie"
Me - 92/93, Wife - 92
Lighter in style, smooth, ripe, just pops. "Yummie"
Me - 92/93, Wife - 92
Red
2013 Roy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Chocolate, pops. Needs some time, but this was the best wine tasted here. Should improve with time too.
Chocolate, pops. Needs some time, but this was the best wine tasted here. Should improve with time too.
Red
2012 Tournesol Napa Valley Proprietor's Blend
89 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Big, chewy, and tannic. Not a fan.
Big, chewy, and tannic. Not a fan.
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White
2016 Vinoce Sauvignon Blanc
88 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Soft, citrus, grapefruit, refreshing. Pretty bland, so save for a super hot day.
Soft, citrus, grapefruit, refreshing. Pretty bland, so save for a super hot day.
Red
2013 Vinoce Cabernet Franc Mt. Veeder
92 points
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Aromatic, rich, tight tannins but smooth. Drink 2019-2022; although likely to age longer.
Aromatic, rich, tight tannins but smooth. Drink 2019-2022; although likely to age longer.
Red
2013 Hailstone Cabernet Sauvignon Impact
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Yum! This stood out even when tasted alongside more expensive Napa cabs.
Yum! This stood out even when tasted alongside more expensive Napa cabs.
Red
2013 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Outer Limits
Tasted at Vintner's Collective.
Big, tannic, long finish, has some pop... but needs time. NR.
Big, tannic, long finish, has some pop... but needs time. NR.
Closing
A blast as always. Winner for the wines was Carter and for the tasting room ambiance was Phifer Pavitt, although Ma(I)sonry and Mending Wall were close behind.