Index of Tasting Notes - California C-D

 Index of Tasting Notes - California Wine Producers C-D

Alphabetical by Producer Name, Label, Vintage, Tasting Date/Link

A-B C-D E-I J-L M-P Q-S T-Z

C-D

Cade Napa Valley Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - March 17, 2010

Cain Cuvee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon NV3 - March 15, 2006

Cain Cuvee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon NV1 - Jan 19, 2004

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select 2014 - July 16, 2018

Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - July 16, 2018

Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - July 16, 2018

Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - March 4, 2009

Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1999 - Mar 31, 2003

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve 2016 -  July 16, 2018

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015 - April 15, 2018, June 19, 2018

Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014 - January 11, 2019

Cakebread Cellars Vaca, Red Wine Blend 2014 - July 16, 2018

Cakebread Cellars 1998 Napa Valley Rubaiyat - Aug 21, 2002 Cakebread Cellars Vaca, Red Wine Blend 2014

Calera Mt Harlan Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - September 10, 2011

Calera Mt Harlan Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 - January 7, 2009, February 6, 2009

Calera Mt Harlan Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 1993 - Feb 18, 2005

Calera Mt Harlan Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 - November 19, 2016 November 12, 2016

Calera Mt Harlan Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 - November 26, 2015, April 1, 2020

Calera Mt Harlan Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 - January 7, 2008, October 18, 2008, December 25, 2019

Calera Mt Harlan Selleck Vineyard Pinot Noir 1993 - Jan 18, 2003, May 3, 2005, January 31, 2009, June 13, 2010, July 12, 2013

Calera Mt Harlan Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 1994 - January 31, 2009

Calera Mt Harlan Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 1992 - Nov 1, 2004

Cambria Santa Maria Valley BenchBreak Chardonnay 2014  - March 17, 2018

Cambria "Julia's Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2008 - January 23, 2011

Cambria "Julia’s Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2002 - Sept 23, 2005

Cameron Hughes Lot 500 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - February 14, 2014

Cameron Hughes Lot 674 Mendocino Field Blend Syrah Petit Syrah 2017 -  June 6, 2020

Camiana Blue Hall Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - June 6, 2020, November 15, 2020

Caparone Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - August 20, 2013

Caparone Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - June 15, 2013

Caravan Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - August 15, 2015

Caravan Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - November 2, 2010

Caravan Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - November 23, 2009

Cardinale Napa/Sonoma 2001 - Nov 12, 2004

Carlisle Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 - November 28, 2019

Carmel Road Central Coast Monterey Arroyo Seco Vineyard Chardonnay 2004  - August 31, 2013

Carmenet Moon Mountain Reserve Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - October 2, 2011

Carmenet Sonoma Valley Moon Mountain Estate Meritage Reserve 1995- Sept 4, 2004, Feb 23, 2006, May 3, 2009 October 2, 2011, January 5, 2015, March 29, 2015

Carmenet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - Feb 15, 2003, Feb 25, 2000, January 5, 2015

Joseph Carr Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - January 8, 2014

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - October 20, 2012

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - September 7, 2010

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - October 5, 2008,

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Merlot 2008 - October 29, 2010

Caymus

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2015 - Sept 9, 2017

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2014 - July 17, 2018

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2012 - June 7, 2014, July 12, 2014, August 2,2014, November 7, 2014

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2010 - May 03, 2013

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2008 - May 12, 2011

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2007 - March 09, 2010

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 2006 - May 14, 2009  May 12, 2011

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 1998 - Feb 22, 2003

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 1991 - September 26, 2020

Caymus Napa Valley Special Select 1990 - September 26, 2020

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - October 10, 2020

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - July 17, 2018

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - Sept 9, 2017

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - October 1, 2016

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 -

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - 40th Anniversary Bottle - June 7, 2014, July 12, 2014, August 2,2014, August 16, 2014, November 8, 2014, December 13, 2014, August 1, 2015, September 7, 2019

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - September 23, 2010,  December 10, 2011

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - February 25, 2009, July 1, 2009

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - Feb 28, 2004

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - June 19, 2002

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - March 17, 2000, April 21, 2007, October 1, 2011, February 25, 2012, February 29, 2020

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - October 1, 2011

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1991 - Oct 18, 2003, April 9, 2006

Caymus Conundrum California Red Blend 2011 -  June 20, 2014

Mer Soleil Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2015 - July 17, 2018

Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 - July 17, 2018

Caymus Emmolo Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - July 17, 2018

Caymus Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel 2016 - July 17, 2018

cc: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Feb 25, 2011,  March 27, 2011

Ceago Camp Lema Menocino County Merlot 2000 - April 30, 2005

Chalk Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - Feb 28, 2004

Chalone Vineyards County Pinot Noir 2005 - December 19, 2009

Chandon Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine 2000 - Dec 30, 2006

Chandon Brut Classic Sparkling Wine - March 16, 2007

Chappellet Vineyards Winery Feature Page

Chappellet Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay 2007 - September 11, 2009

Chappellet Napa Valley Mountain Cuvee 2007 - September 30, 2010

Chappellet Napa Valley Mountain Cuvee 2006 - September 16, 2009

Chappellet Napa Valley Mountain Cuvee 2004 - July 16, 2007

Chappellet Napa Valley Chenin Blanc 2003 - December 21, 2006

Chappellet Napa Valley Pritchard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - May 20, 2005, May 22, 2017

Chappellet Napa Valley Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - 10/24/03

Chappellet Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sam's Cuvee 2005 - June 21, 2008

Chappellet Vineyards Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - September 11, 2009, September 16, 2009, December 22, 2011

Chappellet Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - October 19, 2007

Chappellet Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - Dec 28, 2003

Chappellet Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - Oct 24, 2002, June 4, 2002

Chappellet Chenin Blanc 2001 - Jan 28, 2004

Chappellet Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2006 - September 11, 2009

Chappellet Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2005 - September 24, 2009

Charles Creek Alexander Valley Soda Rock Vineyard Malbec 2007 - September 10, 2009

Château Boswell Napa Valley Estate Reserve Red Wine 2016 - October 10, 2020

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2011 - May 27, 2016

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006 - October 5, 2008, August 10, 2008

Chateau St. Jean is here in the California Producers 'S' Section.

Chiarello Family Vineyard Roux Petit Syrah 2003 - March 14, 2008, April 2, 2008, April 7, 2020

Chimney Rock Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - December 15, 2011

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - December 31, 2016

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - October 16, 2010, January 7, 2011, January 9, 2012, October 2, 2013, April 17, 2014, October 17, 2014, January 20, 2015, December 12, 2015, May 6, 2016, December 31, 2016

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - November 30, 2007, December 27, 2016

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - January 8-9, 2010, May 28, 2010

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - April 09, 2010, June 19, 2005, Sept 21, 2002; April 25, 2020 Nov 7, 2000, June12, 2010, March 28, 2014

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - July 6, 1999, September 3, 2020

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - July 6, 1999

Cliff Lede Vineyard & Winery Visit

Cliff Lede Diamond Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - December 31, 2020

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Howell Mtn. Chardonnay 2004 - February 26, 2011

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Mt. Veeder Chardonnay 2003 - August 10, 2010

Cliff Lede Landslide Fire Red Wine 2010 - May 24, 2019

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2017 - May 23, 2019, June 14, 2019

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - March 17, 2018, December 22, 2018, April 13, 2020, October 17, 2020

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2011 -  October 11, 2012, December 24, 2015 March 17, 2018

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2009 -  October 13, 2016

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - September 11, 2009, November 21, 2009

Cliff Lede Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - October 31, 2009, October 2, 2013

Cliff Lede Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - July 26, 2014

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - August 27, 2018

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - October 4, 2014, April 20, 2019

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - February 28, 2020

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - September 11, 2009,  April 21, 2012, July 26, 2014, April 20, 2019 February 28, 2020

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - August 13, 2009

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - August 23, 2014

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Claret 2017 - July 17, 2020

Cliff Lede Rock Block Series 'Cinamon Rhapsody' Vineyard Designated Cabernet Sauvignon 2009  - February 29, 2020

Cliff Lede Rock Block Series 'Moon Symphony' Vineyard Designated Cabernet Sauvignon 2006  - September 11, 2009

Cliff Lede Rock Block Series Stags Leap District "Scarlet Love" 2014 - June 13, 2020

Cliff Lede 'Poetry' Cabernet Sauvignon 2010  - May 03, 2013

Cliff Lede 'Poetry' Cabernet Sauvignon 2007  - May 12, 2011

Cliff Lede 'Poetry' Cabernet Sauvignon 2005  - September 11, 2009,  May 12, 2011

Cliff Lede 'Poetry' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004  - September 12, 2020

Cline Cellars Contra Costa County Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2005 - Oct 1, 2005

Cline Cellars Sonoma County Viognier 2000 - Feb 17, 2004

Cloud View Napa Valley Pritchard Hill Red Wine 2004 - February 21, 2018

Cloud View Napa Valley Pritchard Hill Red Wine 2002 - November 6. 2006

Cloud View Napa Valley Pritchard Hill Red Wine 2001 - March 19, 2010

Clos du Bois Marlstone Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - September 18, 2010

Clos du Bois Marlstone Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 - June 3, 2004

Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - November 15, 2015

Clos du Val Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - October 25, 2008

Clos du Val Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - October 5, 2008

Coniglio Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - March 2, 2013

Conn Creek Anthology Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - August 17, 2012

Conn Creek Napa Valley Limited release Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - June 28, 2009

Conn Creek Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - February 27, 2008

Conn Creek Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1983 - March 10, 2012

Conn Creek Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1980 - May 4, 2004

Conn Valley Vineyards Reserve Cabernet 2005 - February 23, 2008

Conn Valley Vineyards Anthology 2010 - September 23, 2014

Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2001- Sept 25, 2004

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Franc 2007 - November 21, 2014, November 19, 2016

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Franc 2006 - March 6, 2011, April 9, 2011

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - March 6, 2011

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - April 9, 2020. December 4, 2020

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - October 27, 2012, October 29, 2016

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - March 6, 2011 May 23, 2015

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - October 12, 2013

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - March 6, 2011, October 12, 2013

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - September 14, 2012, August 31, 2013, October 12, 2013, November 11, 2018

Constant Diamond Mountain Syrah 2010 - May 9, 2015

Constant Diamond Mountain Syrah 2006 - March 6, 2011,  March 3, 2012. March 15, 2014. May 9, 2015, August 26, 2017 August 2, 2017

Conway Family Wines - See Deep Sea

Corison Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - July 16, 2005, January 27, 2012

Cornerstone Napa Valley Howell Mountain Beatty Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - May 9, 2001, July 19, 2008, June12, 2010

Cornerstone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 - Jan 24, 2004

Cornerstone Cellars Cornerstone Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - February 21, 2012, December 31, 2015

Cosentino CE2V Napa Valley Meritage 1999 - Feb 18, 2006

Cosentino M. Coz Napa Valley Meritage 1997 - March 13, 2018

Cottonwood Canyon Merlot 1995 - Dec, 15, 2002

Robert Craig Wines

Crocker & Starr Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - Dec 30, 2005

CrossBarn Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012 - August 15, 2015

CrossBarn Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2014 - December 9, 2015

CrossBarn Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Alexander Valley 2012 - December 9, 2015

CrossBarn Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2012 - December 9, 2015

Culler Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - December 18, 2013

Culler La Pallette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - October 3, 2008, March 22, 2020

Cuvaison Napa Valley Merlot 2000 - Apr 10, 2004

Cuvaison Napa Valley Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - February 9, 2017

Cuvaison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1988 - Sept 1, 2003,  Feb 9, 2003, Apr 10, 2004 February 9, 2017

Cyprus Sonoma County Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - December 27, 2015

Dalle Valle Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - Aug 23, 2002

Dalle Valle Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989 - Jan 15, 2003

Darioush

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - August 2, 2017

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - September 23, 2010, May 3, 2011

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - February 12, 2009

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Sept 19, 2005

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - June 20, 2004. January 12, 2008, January 26, 2013

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - March 13, 2010, May 22, 2017

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - October 25, 2002, Dec 17, 2002 March 21, 2015

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Chardonnay 2015 - August 2, 2017

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Chardonnay 2008 - March 21, 2015

Darioush Napa Valley Signature Chardonnay 2002 -  June 20, 2004

Darioush "Duel" Napa Valley Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - August 2, 2017, August 20, 2019

Darioush Napa Valley Merlot 2005 - November 11, 2008

Darioush Napa Valley Merlot 1999 - September 3, 2009

Darioush Napa Valley Shiraz 2014 - August 2, 2017

Darioush Napa Valley Shiraz 2013 - July 17, 2020

Darioush Napa Valley Shiraz 2003 - February 3, 2012 August 2, 2017

Darioush Napa Valley Voigner 2002 - June 20, 2004 Darioush Shaptar Late Harvest Riesling 2001  - June 20, 2004

Davis Estate Hungry Blonde Carneros Chardonnay 2016 - September 3, 2019, June 23, 2020

Davis Estate Hungry Blonde Carneros Chardonnay 2015 - July 7, 2019

Davis Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - September 18, 2011

Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Old Vines Zinfandel 2003 April 25, 2007

Deep Sea Central Coast Red Wine 2008 - April 27, 2014

Deep Sea Central Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - October 11, 2014,  June 5, 2014, March 4, 2015, December 10, 2015, October 26, 2020

Deep Sea Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2009 - July 3, 2014, November 27, 2014

Deep Sea White Hawk Vineyard Santa Barbara Syrah 2008 - February 18, 2014, March 15, 2014, January 13, 2015, July 3, 2015, May 27, 2017

Deep Sea Paso Robles Merlot 2009 - November 11, 2015

Del Dotto Vineyards Producer Profile

Del Dotto Cinghiale Vineyard Fort Ross Seaview Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2017 - February 28, 2020

Del Dotto Cinghiale Vineyard Fort Ross Seaview Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto Cinghiale Vineyard Fort Ross Seaview Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto Cinghiale Vineyard Fort Ross Seaview Vineyard Sonoma Coast Syrah 2014 - July 15, 2018, May 18, 2019

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2002 - November 25, 2017

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2001 - November 26, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1999 - Aug 24, 2002

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1998 - March 9, 2008

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 1997 - Jan 1, 2001, 11 Dec 99, July 4, 1999, May 11, 2013, November 27, 2009, April 9, 2011, April 17, 2014, January 4, 2015, May 18, 2016, December 24, 2016, December 24, 2017, December 21, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - March 17, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - Jan 29, 2005, October 14, 2008, - January 30, 2010, May 1, 2011, April 21, 2012, December 20, 2015, October 30, 2016, August 15, 2018, December 8, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - Jan 14, 2005

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - May 30, 2008, Dec 25, 2003, April 2, 2003, Dec 25, 2002, Aug 24, 2002, October 19, 2012, August 10, 2013, January 31, 2015, December 20, 2015

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - December 20, 2008, July 1, 2008, April 30, 2008, October 16, 2005, Mar 20, 2005, September 9, 2004, June 17, 2004, Feb 6, 2000, December 17, 2016, February 24, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - March 30, 2014, June 20, 2009, Sept 27, 2003, 22 Jan 2000, February 24, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - August 18, 2011, Aug 27, 2002, July 4, 1999, October 1, 2011

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - July 1, 2010, October 1, 2011, August 31, 2013

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 - December 23, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1993 - December 31, 2012

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley St Helena 887 Vineyard Alan Foquet Connoisseurs Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Connoisseurs Series Allier French Oak Cooperage - January 30, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Connoisseurs Series Colbert French Oak Cooperage - January 30, 2010, December 8, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Connoisseurs Series Colbert French Oak Cooperage - Aug 27, 2002

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Connoisseurs Series Marsannay French Oak Cooperage - January 30, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Connoisseurs Series Marsannay French Oak Cooperage - Aug 27, 2002

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Connoisseurs Series Minnesota American Oak Cooperage - January 30, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Connoisseurs Series Troncas  French Oak Cooperage - January 30, 2010

Del Dotto Napa Valley 'Cave Blend' Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - August 2, 2017, February 25, 2020, July 23, 2020

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cave Blend 2000 - March 2, 2007, April 2, 2015

Del Dotto Napa Valley 'The David' Howell Mountain (Cabernet Sauvignon) Proprietary Blend 2015 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley 'The David' Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley 'The David' Howell Mountain (Cabernet Sauvignon) Proprietary Blend 2015

Del Dotto Vineyards "The David" Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Proprietary Red 2002 - October 4, 2014, November 25, 2017

Del Dotto Vineyards "The David" Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Proprietary Red 2000 - April 11, 2009

Del Dotto Vineyards "The David" Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Proprietary Red 1999 - Aug 27, 2002, Aug 24, 2002

Del Dotto Napa Valley St. Helena Mountain Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley St. Helena Mountain Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Seven Rows Cabernet Franc 2015 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto 'Delores' Red Dessert Wine - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 2014 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 2002 - November 25, 2014, November 25, 2018

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1999 - June 1, 2009, Jan 25, 2006 April 13, 2019

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1998 - June 29, 2005, Aug 31, 2001

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1997 - May 28, 2009, Jan 24, 2006, July 4, 1999, September 3, 2010, November 21, 2013 ,  December 29, 2014, February 7, 2015, September 6, 2015, January 6, 2015, December 24, 2017

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1996 - July 4, 1999

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 1995 - Dec 20, 1999, December 11, 2010

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 1999 - Aug 24, 2002

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 1998 - January 6, 2007

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 1997 - July 25 2020

Villa Del Lago Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Napa Valley 'Vineyard 887' Connoisseurs' Series St Helena Cabernet Sauvignon Colbert French Oak North/Front 2015 - August 2, 2017, October 15, 2020, November 13, 2020

Del Dotto Cinghiale Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016  - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley American Oak Cabernet Sauvignon - 2014 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto Piazza Estate Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon - 2015 - July 15, 2018

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Petit Verdot - 2015 - December 21, 2018,

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Petit Verdot - 2014 - July 15, 2018, February 16, 2020, June 18, 2020, August 12, 2020

Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese - 1999 - Aug 24, 2002

Del Dotto Napa Valley Sangiovese - 1998 - November 25, 2018, March 22, 2009, February 15, 2009, November 21, 2008, February 10, 2008, April 22, 2007, Aug 27, 2003, Nov 3, 2001 , Mar 11, 2000

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Sangiovese - 2015 - August 18, 2018, August 16, 2019

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Sangiovese - 2016 - July 15, 2018, November 24, 2018, December 14, 2018, February 10, 2019, June 8, 2019, June 22, 2019

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2017 - August 2, 2017

Del Dotto Piazza Napa Valley Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - August 2, 2017

De Lorimier Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest Lace 2002 - May 27, 2016

De Rose Cienega Valley Miller Family Vineyard Negrette - 11/29/03

Desparada "Sackcloth & Ashes" Central Coast Proprietary Red 2013 - April 25, 2015

Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989 - July 9, 2016

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Nov 12, 2004

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - May 23, 2019

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 -  July 29, 2017

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Nov 12, 2004

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - May 23, 2019

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 - March 23, 2013

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 - May 29, 2010

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - July 29, 2017

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - March 6, 2011

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - March 6, 2011

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Nov 12, 2004

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989 - October 18, 2008

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984 - July 11, 2015

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1983 - October 17, 2008

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 - July 29, 2017

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007  - March 6, 2011, November 21, 2015 July 29, 2017

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006  - February 29, 2020

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - - Nov 12, 2004

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989  - October 18, 2008

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987 - Sept 21, 2002 October 18, 2008

Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984 - July 11, 2015

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - March 6, 2011

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - May 2, 2015

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989 - October 18, 2008

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987 - Sept 21, 2002

C. G. Di Arie Amador County Syrah 2003 - January 21, 2007

Distant Bay Monterey County Central Coast Pinot Noir 2002 - Oct 17, 2005

Domaine Carneros Brut Sparkling Wine 2010 - August 23, 2014

Domaine Chandon NV Blanc de Blanc - Dec 25, 2008 August 23, 2014

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2010 -  May 31, 2014

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2006 - November 19, 2016

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2005 - October 30, 2008

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2003 - July 28, 2008

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2002 - Dec 8, 2005

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2001 - Dec 8, 2005, August 27, 2016

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2000 - Dec 8, 2005, Oct 6, 2018

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1999 - Feb 22, 2003, Dec 8, 2005, August 11, 2012

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1998 - Dec 8, 2005

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1997 - February 28, 2015

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1996 - Dec 8, 2005

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1988 - Earlier

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 1986 - December 16, 2007, Sept 21, 2002, Earlier, November 19, 2016

Dominus Napanook Napa Valley Red Wine - October 7, 2008

Dowdell Napa Valley Soda Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - Janurary 30, 2021

Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - September 30, 2010

Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - July 26, 2010

Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984 - May 2, 2015

Duckhorn Vineyards Decoy Napa Valley Red Wine 2007 - October 07, 2009

Duckhorn Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine 2008 - July18, 2012

Duckhorn Vineyards Parraduxx 2000 - Aug 19, 2003

Duckhorn Napa Valley Parraduxx 1999 - Jan 9, 2003

Duckhorn Howell Mountain 1990 - Aug 21, 2004, May 8, 2010

Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2006 - February 13, 2010

Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2005 - July 01, 2009

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - August 6, 2011

Dunn  - Napa Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008.

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - August 15,2008

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - August 15,2008

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - August 15,2008

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997  - Feb 18, 2005 January 17, 2015

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1995- July 3, 1999

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1991- May, 1993

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1987 - January 17, 2015, September 3, 2020

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - November 21, 2015

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - September 04, 2010, December 25, 2012

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - September 1, 2020

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - July 23, 2016

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - February 29, 2020

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990 - October 2, 2020

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989 - Jan 27, 2003 October 2, 2020

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1988 - Dec, 17, 2002

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987 - Sept 21, 2002, January 17, 2015

Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 - June 11, 2017

Dunn Howell Mountain Trailer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (from barrel) - August 15,2008 Dunn Howell Mountain JK Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (from barrel) - August 15,2008

A-B C-D E-I J-L M-P Q-S T-Z

Other Wines and Producers Featured on Rick's WineSite Journal

Wines from Australia California France Italy   New York & Washington State Other

Viader Napa Valley Syrah 2002

Viader Napa Valley Syrah 2002

Winter Sunday of FA Cup Soccer, Bulls - Heat NBA and IU Big Ten b-ball with this Napa Syrah, artisan cheese plate, fresh berry fruit and smoked salmon, caper cream cheese. Cheeses included five year old Fair Oaks Farm aged cheddar, aged white cheddar, blue and parmigiana - all nice accompaniments to the big Syrah.

I was drawn to taste this Napa Valley Syrah from our cellar after tasting the spectacular Kongsgaard Napa Valley Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2007 last week at Grange Restaurant in Sacramento.

We tasted this wine with winemaker and producer Delia Viader during her visit to Chicago at a Binny's tasting - see An evening with Delia Viader. We then tasted later vintages of this wine at the winery during our Napa Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008 - Viader.

Tasting at the Viader Vineyards
on Howell Mtn

The Viader Syrah is a unique clone of old world French Rhone River Valley Syrah and new world Australian Shiraz. The Viader property sits high up above Silverado Trail on mid-level Howell Mountain at 1300 foot elevation which is the demarcation line between the Napa and Howell Mountain appellations since it is the highest level reached by the night-time and early morning fog.

This wine showed better than earlier tastings when it was still tight and closed. It exhibited dark garnet colored and medium body with mushroom scents and flavors, musty leather, white pepper, and spicy cedar overpowering the black berry fruit. This wine was closed and unapproachable for a while and has probably opened to give as much as its going to - better than it was earlier. Tasted w/ L.

RM 88 points

Reopened the next day and the wine had awakened to display more complexity with more vibrant fruit and more polish for easier and more enjoyable drinking. Needs time to open and reveal its true potential so open it early in the day for an evening tasting, or even the night before!

RM 90 points the next day.

.https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=70506

 http://www.viader.com/

Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2007

Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Merlot 2007

Dark garnet color, medium bodied. Initial dark cherry tartness wears off and gives way to black berry and black cherry fruits with subdued layer of tea and leather and hint of mocha, a bit of spice, oak and smoke with a moderate finish. Often producers of high achieving good value wines, there is decent value in this soft easy drinking Merlot, selected as a Top Ten of 2011 by BevMo's Wilfred Wong and if you believe the pundits, the 2008 is even better for a greater value. Nice selection to go with varied entree selections from Salmon to steak to pasta at 800 West in Western Springs - family birthday dinner with L, Johnny and Erin with Lucy, and Ryan - celebrating Erin and L b-days. Nice atmosphere, so-so food, the Merlot was one of the few bright spots on a rather sparse and un-inspiring wine-list with no chance of redemption for lack of BYOB.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1097494

 http://www.markhamvineyards.com/

Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Dark inky purple and garnet color. Full bodied, full forward flavor of  blackberry, and black cherry with a layer of cassis and licorice, with hints of  leather, cedar, and smoke. Nicely balanced and smooth tannins on the lingering finish.Still life left in this thirteen year old that shows its maturity but is not past its prime.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=111675

http://www.corison.com/

The grey barnlike structure of the Corison winery sits right on the west side of Rt 29 just past Zinfandel Lane as one enters St Helena from the south, just past Del Dotto Vineyards and Winery.

Tasted at home w/ L with Beef Filet dinner.

Snowden 'Ranch' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Snowden 'The Ranch' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Andy brought this wine to dinner at Aria Restaurant in Cupertino. As posted in earlier notes, we first met Randy Snowden at one of our winemaker dinners at Brix Restaurant in Napa back in 1998 and have been collecting Snowden Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ever since. "The Ranch" label has been added in recent years. Randy and his brother Scott, both attorneys, preside over the property that sits 450 to 850 feet above the Silverado Trail. The property was acquired by their parents back in the fifties. My recollection from that meeting was that their father Wayne Snowden was a professor at UC Berkeley when he acquired the property in 1955. After he passed away in 1977 the brothers took over in 1981. They produced their first Snowden label vintage in 1993. Most of their production is sold to Silver Oak, Frank Family Vineyards, Viader and in recent years, David Ramey. 

During these Napa Wine Experience visits of 1997 through 2000 we hosted gala tasting dinners with the 'Undisccovered Dozen' "emerging new wine producers to watch", featured in an article in Wine Spectator Magazine. Many of these producers released their inaugural vintage releases in or about the 1994 vintage.  Those producers and winery visits included Plumpjack, David Arthur, Clark-Claudon, Robert Craig, Del Dotto, Elan,  Paradigm, Pride Vineyards, Snowden, Nils Venge and White Cottage. They are featured on my winesite http://www.unwindwine.com. A complete index of my tasting notes of these wines over the years is on the site at this link to California Producers Index. These producers make up a foundation of our wine cellar collection even today. In many of these wines, we still have vertical selections of these wines, some dating back to those early release vintages.Another of these tasting events is featured in my unwindwine blog http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2011/07/plumpjack-napa-valley-oakville-estate.html.

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is dark purple colored and medium to full bodied. It boasts complex flavors of berry, dark red fruit with a layer of tea and tobacco, with hints of licorice and cassis. This represents good value at $40 for a blend of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Cabernet Franc 18.2%, and Petit Verdot 6.8%.

RM 91 points.

http://www.snowdenvineyards.com/

Cal Cab Classics - Karl Lawrence Reserve Morisoli Vineyard 2005 - Spring Mtn Elivette 2003

Cal Cab Classics - Karl Lawrence Reserve Morisoli Vineyard 2005 - Spring Mtn Elivette 2003

With AJ and Lori, Saturday afternoon at Vintages on Santana Row in San Jose, bought and poured two class premium California Cabernet Sauvignons with cheese, olives and pasta salad from the neighborhood gourmet deli.It doesn't get much better.

Karl Lawrence Reserve Gary Morisoli Vineyard 2005 - Dark purple color - medium-full bodied. Complex, polished and smooth but somewhat subdued nose and fruit flavors of black currant, black berry and black cherry fruits with hints of tobacco and anise on a well balanced lingering finish. Perhaps needs more time to open and fully reveal itself.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=341570


Spring Mountain Elivette Napa Valley Red Wine 2003

A Bordeaux style blend. Dark purple color, full-bodied - complex and polished but a bit closed and tight with subdued full forward flavors of black berry and black cherry fruit with hints of spice, cedar, and touch of coffee flavors, This one too will evolve for a few more years to further reveal itself.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=794181

Kongsgaard Napa Valley Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2007

Kongsgaard Napa Valley Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2007 

Tasted with Allan B over dinner at Grange Restaurant in Sacramento. This wine is from the Hudson Ranch Vineyard down in the Carneros Appellation in Napa Valley, my second such wine in as many weeks after just tasting the Ramey Hudson Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay at a gala dinner recently and posted on this blog - Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons flight and Carneros Chardonnay. The area with its cooler weather from fog rolling in from the nearby San Pablo Bay, the north end of San Francisco Bay is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. What a remarkable find in this Syrah from the Hudson Ranch property just north of the Napa Sonoma Road above Domaine Chandon.  

Kongsgaard Napa Valley Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2007 -
This is the most memorable and extraordinary Syrah I can recall ever having. While not as big or forward as some of the powerful, concentrated, forward fruit filled South Australian Shiraz' I have had, this cousin Syrah was the most complex and and polished.  While Robert Parker describes the 2007 as “a huge, massive force, which combines chocolate, crème de cassis, blackberries", I get lost in his references to "soy, beef jerky, smoked game, and Peking duck". I agree with his characterization of "thick, juicy personality - full-bodied with amazing purity and a stunning finish.” I also concur and relate to Stephen Tanzer' comments, “Knockout aromas and flavors of black raspberry, mocha, animal fur, licorice and pepper. Suave on entry, then almost shockingly energetic in the middle, combining superb density with an almost magically light touch. This very pure wine delivers outstanding syrah character." Did he say animal fur? Okay, I don't get that either, but the rest is spot on.

While this is the most extraordinary Syrah I've ever had, certainly so for any from California, or the French Rhone River Valley for that matter, which includes Chateauneuf du Pape and surrounding appellations, it is also one of the most expensive I've had. At $150 per bottle retail price, its listed on the Grange Wine-list for $275, only a very select few Syrah or Shiraz wines are found at that price-point. Its an adventure and a memorable wine and is worth trying if you can find it, and afford it. It should be available since at that price and with 450 cases produced it should be around.

I concur with the above mentioned reviews and ratings of the others:

RM 94, RP 94 -96 points, ST 94 WA 94 WA 94-96 

http://www.kongsgaard-wine.com/

Fifty-Row and Franciscan Estate Napa Cabs

Fifty-Row and Franciscan Estate Napa Cabs

Pair of Napa Cabs provided by AJ to accompany steak dinner at Forbes Mill Steak house in Los Gatos, CA w/ Mike L, David H and Allan B.

Fifty-Row Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

The second vintage of a wine from proprietor Paul Johnson made by winemaker Gary Galleron of former winemaking efforts at Grace Family, Vineyard 29 and Winehall Lane, Del Dotto, Hartwell and Seavey. The grapes are sourced 50% each from two well-known Napa vineyards from which Gary made great wine with in the past, the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Lewelling Vineyard in the St Helena foothills.


This wine exhibits dark purple color, medium-full bodied; firm tight concentrated blackberry and black cherry with a layer of tea, tobacco, subtle mocha and mineral on a lingering tannin finish.

RM 90 points.

http://fiftyrow.com/

Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Dark purple color, full bodied, firm silky tannins with forward concentrated dark black cherry, black berry with a layer of cassis, hint of tobacco and touch of spicy vanilla and toasty oak.

RM 91 points.

http://www.forbesmillsteakhouse.com/

St. Hallett Faith South Australia Barossa Shiraz 2006

St. Hallett Faith South Australia Barossa Shiraz 2006 

Dark inky black purple color - dense full bodied and chewy; initially tart cherry quickly burns off and gives way to black berry, tar, spicy cedar, hints of tobacco, white pepper, anise, charcoal and smoke on a lingering moderate tannin oaky berry finish. Slightly obtuse and lacking polish but an amazing value at $12.99.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=431862

http://www.sthallett.com.au/

Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons flight and Carneros Chardonnay

Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons flight and Carneros Chardonnay

For a gala dinner to celebrate Beth's birthday, we opened a flight of Napa Valley Howell Mountain big Cabernet Sauvignons to go with NY Strip steaks from the farm. Starting with caprese salad, lobster medallions were featured with a Napa Valley Carneros Chardonnay and Champagne. Artisan cheeses included Fair Oaks Farms aged cheddar cheeses - 2, 3 and 5 years old.We finished with Linda's fabulous flowerless dark chocolate cake and Eiswein.

Main course big cabs flight ... 

Clark Claudon Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

This was the consensus favorite of the tasting.

Deep dark purple - full bodied - big mouth-full of forward complex but polished spicy black and edge of red berry fruits, violets, layers of mocha and oak with a long lingering tannin finish.

The 2004 Napa growing season was condensed with early bud break, warm days, cool nights and one challenging heat spike. The result was a small harvest of intense, flavor packed fruit from an unusual, but exceptional year that is showing and drinking well and should last another decade.

RM 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=229261

We first met Tom Clark and Laurie Claudon-Clark during our Napa Wine Experience 1999 when we hosted them at our wine dinner at Pinot Blanc in St Helena (see picture left). We tasted Clark Claudon 1995-96 against ten year 1989 Bordeaux. Our vertical collection of  Clark Claudon continues to this day.

http://http://www.clarkclaudon.com



O'Shaughnessy Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Dark inky color, full bodied, the black berry, black currant and black raspberry fruit predominate but are a bit flabby lacking the more typical depth and concentration of greater vintages, a layer of lead pencil and a slight herbaceous tone, hints of tobacco and charcoal linger on the firm tight tannins indicative of Howell Mountain terroir. 

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=15897


http://oshaughnessywinery.com/

La Jota Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Dark inky purple, full bodied, notes of blackberry, black raspberry and black currant, turning to cedar,  leather, then oak and silky smooth tannins on the finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=14319

Legendary winery on Howell Mountain since the turn of the last century released wines as early as the late 1890's.

http://www.lajotavineyardco.com/

Blue Hall Vineyards Camiana Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007


Blue Hall Vineyard sits 1700 feet above the valley floor atop Howell Mountain. Its three acres are planted in Cabernet Sauvignon and is the used to produce one Estate bottled single vineyard wine, Camiana, named for Juliane and Camille, the two daughters of Vintner and owner, Dr. Andrew Zolopa, is a world-renowned researcher and the director of Stanford University's HIV/AIDS program. Zolopa spends most of his time researching HIV, but his second passion is wine; and his spare time is dedicated to fine-tuning Blue Hall Vineyard.Cabernet Sauvignon. They built a get-away weekend retreat high up on Howell Mountain and eventually planted three acres of Cabernet vines. The first limited vintage was in 2004, increasing production with the subsequent releases. 


The wine is full bodied and dark inky purple color, the nose is perfumed with violets, cedar box and dusty earth, The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon flavors are complex, tight and dry, with big firm tannins masking the intense concentrated black berry and black cherry fruit accented with tobacco, hints of cassis and sweet oak. This wine is great now but should be laid down for five to 10 years.



RM 91 points.


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1268057



http://www.bluehallvineyard.net/

 Before dinner, with the artisan cheeses ...    


FogDog Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006 

Medium bodied, ruby colored, bing cherries, raspberries, cedar, spice box, and hints of anise and mocha.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1141912

A Joseph Phelps project, Freestone Vineyards are a 100-acre, cool climate site on the Sonoma Coast now coming into production, with a selection of  Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs under the Freestone and this FogDog labels.

http://www.freestonevineyards.com/

Ramey Napa Valley Carneros Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay 2005

This was highly praised by everyone. Medium bodied with  golden yellow color; full forward creamy flavors of pear, lychee and baked apple with hints of nut, caramel, and touch of citrus - nice structure and depth with a well balanced clean and crisp lingering aftertaste. 

RM 91 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=384077

 

 Situated in the rolling hills of Carneros in the southern Napa Valley on the road to Sonoma sits Hudson Ranch whose Hudson Vineyards source grapes to over 32 wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma counties.Carneros is one of the nations finest grape growing regions where the cool breezes off north San Francisco Bay allow the grapes a longer hang time in which to develop flavor and intensity, without sacrificing acidity and balance. The Hudson site was originally known as Talcoa Vineyards, an Indian name meaning ‘laughing land.’ It was on these lands in the 1880’s that the first American successful scientific experiments were carried out to overcome phylloxera, which was devastating the vineyards of Europe.

Hudson Vineyards produces 10 different grape varietals in the Los Carneros AVA of Napa, California on 160 acres.Only a select few producers that source their grapes from Hudson produce wines that bear the ‘Hudson Vineyards’ designation. These producers are those whom Hudson Vineyards has established long term contracts to for specific blocks of the vineyards. Those wines are of great importance and interest as those are sites of intense, interesting, varietal distinctiveness.to the grower and the winemakers.

The vineyards north of the Carneros Highway, but further west, have terrain that is more rolling with lighter more  friable soil. This year’s bottling is the second to come entirely from B-block, planted in 2001 to a Wente selection from the Hyde Vineyard, so the vines were eight years old this vintage and further developing their maturity resulting in Hudson Vineyard wines being more muscular and masculine broad-shouldered character.

http://www.rameywine.com/

Finis w/ flowerless dark chocolate cake and fresh berries ... 

Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Eisrebe 2010

100% estate-grown Scheurebe from a Spring Valley Vineyards outside of St. Helena. The Scheurebe grapes are picked late in the season and then frozen, thereby concentrating their already high sugar levels resulting in a wine viscous and smooth, with good acidity levels to balance the sweetness, and luscious flavors of citrus and apricot.The grapes are left to shrivel on the vines. They must reach the same level of sugar concentration
as Beerenauslese.

Pale gold, full  bodied. Predominant full concentrated Peach flavor with hints of apricot, orange oil and clove on the luscious long lingering finish and aftertaste.

Sangiovese - Venge Vineyards Napa Valley Oakville Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve 2002

Venge Vineyards Napa Valley Oakville Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 2002

Wow, this is a totally different, much better wine than earlier tasting last year. Similar to the 2000 vintage journal review with its dark garnet color and medium bodied, this was bursting with full forward flavors of dark berry, hints of red berry fruits, with subtle tones of herb and anise notes and touch of leather and tobacco.on a moderate tannin lingering finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=147885

Nils Venge was one of the pioneers and champions of the Italian Sangiovese varietal in Napa Valley. He was winemaker for Del Dotto when they planted the front acre at the estate on Hwy 29 at Zinfandel and released the Del Dotto Sangiovese back around 1998 which we featured in our tasting journal from that era. We first tried and then purchased this Venge Family Vineyards Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese at the winery during our Napa Wine Experience 2002  - Venge Vineyards, Rossini Ranch (picture below). See our Venge Wines Tasting Journal of Venge wines. Contrary to our most previous tasting notes for this vintage release which were lackluster, this time the wine burst with berry fruit aromas and flavors.

Rick & AJ tasting with Nils at Tra Vigne in St Helena

The Sangiovese grape varietal hails from Italy and is best known blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to craft the popular Italian wines known as "Super Tuscans." Sangiovese is a fairly delicate variety in terms of the fragrances and flavors it offers. In the hotter, drier parts of Southern Tuscany it produces bigger fleshier wines than those made in Chianti and other cooler, higher areas. Sangiovese can produce highly aromatic, fragrant wines with nicely integrated tannic structure.

If you are looking for wines that are 100% Sangiovese, you'll find it in Italian wines from Montalcino, where wines are made from the Brunello grape, also known as Sangiovese. Grosso, an especially high quality clone of the Sangiovese grape produces full-bodied and powerful wines labeled Brunello di Montalcino which rank with Barolo as Italy's most-ageworthy wines. Rosso di Montalcino, grown in the same area is also 100% Brunello, but results in a softer, fruitier wine that requires much less aging. Popular producers for both Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino include Altesino, Caparzo, and Val di Suga.

Sangiovese remains rare in Napa Valley where Cabernet Sauvignon is king. Look for Del Dotto and Venge Sangiovese and you'll be rewarded with a the perfect natural complement to Italian fare. As in our previous tasting journal on Venge Penny Lane Family Reserve Sangiovese, we took this to our favorite local Italian bistro Angelis Italian in Naperville.

Lobster Tail dinner and Catherine & Pascal Rollet Domaine de la Chapelle Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes 2007 and Liparita Napa Valley Yountville Chardonnay 2006.

Catherine & Pascal Rollet Domaine de la Chapelle Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes 2007 and Liparita Napa Valley Yountville 2006 and Liparita Napa Valley Yountville 2006.

For our lobster tail dinner we served Catherine & Pascal Rollet Domaine de la Chapelle 2007 from Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes Burgundy and Liparita Napa Valley Yountville Chardonnay 2006. 

Linda preferred the lighter, citrus forward, non-oaked French Burgundian Chardonnay while I preferred the fuller, sweet oak, caramel and nut laced Napa Chardonnay. 

Pouilly-Fuissé is the appellation in the Maconnais region in southern Burgundy known for most renowned  white wines produced exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the communes of Chaintre, Fuisse, Solutre-Pouilly and Vergisson.

The Pouilly-Fuissé appellation officially dates back to 1936 although the boundaries were drawn up as early as 1922. It covers around 2000 acres (800ha) of hillside vineyards, planted on limestone-rich clay soil atop a granitic base. The 1600 foot (500-m) limestone escarpment known as the Roche de Solutre is located at the heart of the appellation's vine-growing area and towers over the vineyards below.

The Pouilly-Fuissé title on a wine label may be completed by the name of the specific vineyard where the grapes were grown. The most commonly cited are La Roche, Les Vignes Blanches, Aux Chailloux and Les Crays. There is no Premier Cru system within the appellation, so quality is indicated through the reputations of producers and their vineyards.

Pouilly-Fuissé wines are typically full-bodied, ripe and relatively elegant, with the best examples rivaling the finer wines of the Cote de Beaune.

Light-medium bodied, straw colored, the nose is full and forward with lemon and grapefruit;.flavors of toasty pear and tropical fruits are accented with hints of caramel apple and toffee, with a mineral-driven long, lemon-scented finish.

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=688118

Liparita Napa Valley Yountville Chardonnay 2006

Butter colored, medium bodied, sweet oak, sweet nut and pear flavors laced with a layer of caramel and hint of vanilla on a tangy finish.  


RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=769185

Beef Wellington Red Wine Dinner

Festive Beef Wellington Bordeaux - Meritage Proprietary Blends Wine-Dinner

For our gala family Christmas dinner Linda prepared classic Beef Wellington featuring tenderloin of beef, foie gras, medley of mushrooms, topped in an incredible port wine syrup sauce, baked in a puff pastry shell to lock in and harmonize the flavors. Starting with Caprese salad, side dishes included au-gratin potatoes, peas, brussel sprouts and crescent rolls.

Our dinner wine selections included a right bank Bordeaux Pomerol, proprietary Meritage blends from Napa and Yakima Valleys, and a duo of Burgundies, young and old. None of these are causal easy drinking wines, rather they were chosen to complement and highlight the complex flavors of the beef dinner preparation. The port wine sauce featured Warre's Warrior Oporto NV (and some HazyBlur Baroota South Australian Shiraz 2006 left over from the other evening).


Wines shown below, left to right:
Domaine Tortochot, Champerrier, Vieilles Vignes, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, 2005
Matthews Cellars Yakima Valley Proprietary Red 1999
Melka Metisse Napa Valley Proprietary Red 1999
Château du Domaine de l'Eglise Pomerol Bordeaux 1996
Albert Morot Beaune Bressandes, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru, Burgundy 1992



The Beef Wellington

Trimming Beef Tenderloin

Mushroom Medley

Foie Gras Hash

Grilled Mushroom Medley

Beef Wellington Preparation

Beef Wellington
Puffed Pastry Shell

Slicing Beef Wellington

The Holiday Dinner Wine Course:

Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru N.V. 

Light gold color - Bright vibrant expressive, smooth silky polished nice drinking - touch of sweetness,crisp acidity, tangy lengthy finish.

RM  90 points. 


http://cellartracker.com/w?389638


 

Melka Metisse Proprietary Red Wine 1999

Flagshp namesake wine from legendary winemaker Phillip Melka, this wine comes entirely from hillside Napa Valley vineyards.

Full bodied, deep dark inky color - dense concentrated complex layers of black berry fruits, hints of black tea, silky clove and spice with a long ripe smooth refined tannin finish.

Drank from magnum.

RM 91 points.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc 100% Napa Valley 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=10051

Château du Domaine de l'Eglise Pomerol Bordeaux 1996

Surprisingly light, medium bodied, opaque garnet color, vibrant cedar and floral aromas and flavors predominate with bing cherry, black cherry and black berry flavors with layers of leather, tea and tobacco on the lingering moderate tannin finish.

Drank from magnum.


RM 89 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=333874

Matthews Cellars Yakima Valley Proprietary Red 1999

Surprising over-achiever for our gala Christmas beef wellington dinner - this was more polished than earlier tastings, full bodied, complex, vibrant and expressive with layers of blackberry, black currants and cherry fruits, a layer of spice, with hints of black tea, tar, leather and tobacco on the lingering moderate tannin finish.

52% Cabernet Sauvignon 37% Merlot 11% Cabernet Franc

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=79548

 
Domaine Tortochot, Champerrier, Vieilles Vignes, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, 2005


Very open and expressive - bright berry, strawberry, mulberry, spice and wood with long moderate tannin finish.

RM 89 points,  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=537162

Albert Morot Beaune - Bressandes, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru, Burgundy

I thought this had given up the ghost a while back but it remarkably still had life in it - light bodied, opaque garnet purple color - initial funky barnyard aromas thankfully burned off - the black cherry and olive tapenade gave way to earthy leather, tea and wood.

RM 86 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=605439

Christmas Movie Wine Night In - Merlot and Shiraz

 Christmas Movie Wine Night In

Fun festive relaxing night in front of the fire with L and Mary Lou watching Christmas movies and sipping some tasty juice with sliced pears, blueberry infused goat cheese, ementheler and brie. Mary Lou likes Merlot while Linda prefers big rich ripe Shiraz. 

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2001

Medium bodied and soft, this ten year old is showing its age a bit as the dark purple color is taking on a slight brownish rust color and the black berry and black cherry fruit flavors are giving way to leather and an olive tapenade tone.


RM 87 points.


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=25832

HazyBlur The Baroota Shiraz 2006

Dark inky color, big, firm and full bodied, rich thick tongue coating, super ripe raisin fig fruits, hints of cedar, pepper, violets, and blueberry. This is too ripe and raisiny for my tastes but the bride likes it this way - and so does Wine Advocate who gives it a 91.

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=730925