Napa Valley

• Atlas Peak
• Best of Napa
• Calistoga
• Conn Valley
• Diamond Mountain
• Howell Mountain
• Mt. Veeder
• Oak Knoll
• Oakville
• Pope Valley
• Rutherford
• Spring Mountain
• St. Helena
• Stags Leap
• Yountville

This is showing to be the equal of the 2007 and the best wine ever made by Thomas Rivers Brown which is no faint praise.  An exceptional bottle of wine that while young now is incredible and may still improve.  It will certainly evolve.  One can debate if a 100 point wine can get better on a philosophical basis.  There is no question that this is a 100 point wine now, so what happens if it does improve?  In any event, this is a shimmering, bright, opaque purple in color.  The nose has cassis, graphite, blueberries, cedar and starting to show a charred earth note.  On the palate, this is sea

Bevan Cellars makes some of the best wines anywhere but his Napa Cabs are very expensive.  So is this one, but it is half the price of the others and that makes this a great value in the rarefied air of top Napa Cabs.  On release, this was $95.  This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Conn Valley is slightly out of the way in the Napa Valley, but this winery continues to make great wines at fair prices.  It was nice to be able to try one with a bit of age on it.  I had last tried this wine on release and from Magnum when it was more about potential.  That potential has been (mostly) realized.  There will be further development but it is close to maturity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight black raspberries, a bit of cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Not a fruit bomb, but certainly of Napa.  Lots of cassis and black raspberries over

This is just starting to get where it is going but should easily have two decades left.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is great with cassis, tobacco, dark chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy cassis flavors intertwined with a slight earthiness a char.  It unwinds in the glass.  Pop and pour, it would be better served with a slow ox or decant.  It will go well with a wide range of food.  

My first time trying this wine.  It is made by Philippe Melka.  93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot.   2010 was a hit or miss vintage but this is quite good.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, and coffee.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Plenty of black raspberries and blueberries.  Lush texture.  Not a lot of acidity but enough to work with food.  Good finish.  This is not a fruit bomb and its not intense, more middle of the road in style.  Very enjoyable.  It should probably be consumed in the next five to seven years though it undoubtedly will still be d

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (44%), Chardonnay (41%), Malvasia (10%), and Pinot Gris(5%).  The name comes from a proprietary clone of Sauvignon Blanc that Flora Springs utilizes in the Crossroads vineyard.   It is an interesting white that really needs some air when opening.  Silvery/green in color with pale yellow/gold.  On opening the oak is dominant and that did not work well.  Of course, this is just being released and that will cure itself.  In any event, patience is rewarded.  After about an hour of breathing the tropical fruit came out.  A slight bit of grassiness, in a good wa

 This is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc.  This is a very nice value in Napa Cabernet.  They also make a Reserve which is a bit better but a lot more expensive.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose shows cassis, a bit of coffee, slight anise, and spice.  On the palate, this is soft but still has enough structure to hang the fruit on.  Good balance.  Cassis with an earthy/tobacco underneath.  Good finish.  This will work well with a wide variety of foods.  It may improve still but certainly should last another seven to ten years.   

This is a red blend that is 48% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.  It is a delicious wine that is drinking well but will likely improve with some cellar time.  Deep ruby in color with some purple at the core.  The nose shows black raspberries, cherries, dark chocolate, spice and cigar box.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Moderate tannins.  Lots of cherries, black cherries and also some plums over char and tobacco.  Nice finish.  This will work well with bigger foods and certainly a burger on the grill would be great.  Drin

This is a nice almost old school California Cabernet.  Thought there is plenty of fruit, I would not call it a fruit bomb.  More of a middle ground style of wine.  It is aged for two years in American oak, 50% new.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cloves, and nutmeg.  On the palate, this has cassis over a dried wood quality.  Good acidity.  Medium to full bodied.  13.8% ABV.  Good finish.  This is still young but is drinking well.  It works a bit better with food though its fine on its own.  Think stews and casseroles.  It should continue to mture for five to seven m

This is a Bordeaux blend with 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc.  It is a bit more understated than the Cabernet from the True Vineyard.  Drinking well now, this improved with a bit of air and really needs a few more years in the cellar.  But it is fantastic right now.  People who prefer Bordeaux will probably prefer this to the Cab and visa-versa.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight blueberries, milk chocolate, cigar box, vanilla and spice.  Yes, there is a lot going on.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Compl