Liparita Napa Valley Merlot 2001
Following the blockbuster 2001 vintage Diamond Creek Napa Cabernet we tasted the other night, I was inspired to pull a 2001 Napa Bordeaux varietal from the cellar to go with chargrilled beef burgers. This Liparita Merlot bears the same name, but I don't believe is any relation to the current Liparita Napa brand that exists today.
We are nearing the end of the cache of Liparita Napa Cabs and Merlots we acquired during this earlier era, when we visited with and conducted barrel tastings with the then winemaker Gove Celio at the Oakville custom crush facility. (I recall pictures of this tasting event but cant find them - challenges of days before digital photography, and journaling.) Records show that at one point we had a half dozen (seven) vintages of L:iparita Napa and Howell Mountain Cabs and Merlots. Research shows Gove moved on to Neal Family Vineyards thereafter but I must admit, while having acquired and drinken Neal Family Cabernet, I did not make the connection.
Looking into this further I see he is director of winemaking there and Neal Family Vineyards is on Liparita Road in Angwin high up on Howell Mountain. Somehow we missed this during our numerous trips to Howell Mountain. We'll definitely explore this further for a future Napa trip.
My how time flies, as my last tasting note for this wine was back in 2011... My review from then - "Dark garnet color, medium full bodied - opened with a floral violet
aroma, ripe red and black raspberry and blackberry fruits predominate
turning to a firm tobacco box with hint of tar on a moderate smooth
tannin finish. 89 points."
While still holding on, this is nearing the end of its drinking window as the floral aroma and the dark fruits are starting to give way to the non-fruit tones expressed above, and a layer of what I might call 'wet musty wood' is starting to set in. Drink up.
RM 86 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=58790
Following the blockbuster 2001 vintage Diamond Creek Napa Cabernet we tasted the other night, I was inspired to pull a 2001 Napa Bordeaux varietal from the cellar to go with chargrilled beef burgers. This Liparita Merlot bears the same name, but I don't believe is any relation to the current Liparita Napa brand that exists today.
We are nearing the end of the cache of Liparita Napa Cabs and Merlots we acquired during this earlier era, when we visited with and conducted barrel tastings with the then winemaker Gove Celio at the Oakville custom crush facility. (I recall pictures of this tasting event but cant find them - challenges of days before digital photography, and journaling.) Records show that at one point we had a half dozen (seven) vintages of L:iparita Napa and Howell Mountain Cabs and Merlots. Research shows Gove moved on to Neal Family Vineyards thereafter but I must admit, while having acquired and drinken Neal Family Cabernet, I did not make the connection.
Looking into this further I see he is director of winemaking there and Neal Family Vineyards is on Liparita Road in Angwin high up on Howell Mountain. Somehow we missed this during our numerous trips to Howell Mountain. We'll definitely explore this further for a future Napa trip.
While still holding on, this is nearing the end of its drinking window as the floral aroma and the dark fruits are starting to give way to the non-fruit tones expressed above, and a layer of what I might call 'wet musty wood' is starting to set in. Drink up.
RM 86 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=58790
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