Cade 2007 Napa Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon In 2005, John Conover, Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty founded CADE Estate Winery on Howell Mountain as a complement to the valley floor terroir of PlumpJack Winery. Like PlumpJack, CADE takes its name from Shakespeare, who used the term to refer to the wine casks or cades used to transport wine from Bordeaux to England in Elizabethan times. Deep red with concentrated aromas of black fruit and subtle spice. The palate is focused on dark fruit, mostly blackberry and black cherry, with a light touch of oak, leather and chocolate. Elegant wine with a lingering finish. Nice! Cheers!
-
-
Grgich Hills Estate 2009 Late Harvest Violetta Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, as the finest white wine in the world. Mon Dieu! The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the…
-
Shafer 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select Shafer’s signature wine, Hillside Select, is sourced from the slopes of an amphitheater-like structure of thin soil and rock, where a series of knolls and outcroppings some vineyard blocks receive southeastern sunlight, while others receive southern or western exposures. Each afternoon cool breezes from San Francisco Bay (located about 18 miles to the south) channel into the box canyon. The consistent see-saw of daytime heat and evening chill retains acidity within deeply ripened fruit, resulting in a wine of exquisite balance. On this remote site, Cabernet Sauvignon vines prod their roots through thin volcanic soil before meeting weathered bedrock below. With the hillside’s quick…
-
Rombauer 2012 Chardonnay Carneros Koerner Rombauer was born and raised in Southern California, in the small, agricultural town of Escondido, near San Diego. He attended public schools in Escondido and went to the same high school as Joan Ransome, who would later (in 1959) become his wife. Koerner’s first great career passion was flying, and was a commercial pilot with Braniff and flew as a captain along a South American route until the airline ceased operations in 1972. The Rombauers moved their family, two horses, and five dogs from Dallas to the Napa Valley. They purchased 40 acres of hilltop land on the Silverado Trail, near St. Helana, however without…
-
Heitz 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Recently I reviewed Heitz Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay (see my July 15, 2014 review), not overly complex, but a refreshing Chardonnay. However, Heitz is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, so let’s get to it. I previously mentioned that in 1966, Joe Heitz had the foresight to single vineyard designate the Cabernet grapes from the May’s vineyard and crafted the renowned Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, initiating a concept in Napa Valley. Joe’s winemaking mastermind was evident, and the acclamation for Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which continues for 48 years and counting, helped to usher California onto the world stage. Heitz makes a few different Cabernet Sauvignon’s,…
-
Groth 2012 Napa Sauvignon Blanc In 1981, Dennis and Judy Groth purchased 121 acre parcel in Napa known as the Oakville Vineyards, in the heart of the Oakville Appellation. In fact at that time some of their grapes found their way to Silver Oak and other notable Napa wineries. Between 1999 and 2003, almost 50% of their vineyard was replanted and in 2006 they rebuilt the barrel cellars, crush and fermentation areas. The Groth 2012 Sauvignon Blanc was produced from grapes grown in various microclimates of the Napa Valley, 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Semillon. The warmer Napa Valley microclimates produces grapes that result in wines with a lush, full…
-
Grgich Hills Estate 2010 Napa Chardonnay Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, as the finest white wine in the world. Mon Dieu! The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world.…
-
Stags’ Leap Winery 2012 Napa Chardonnay Stags’ Leap Winery, (note the placement of the apostrophe), produces the Chardonnay I will review today. The use of “Stags Leap” may be confusing. Another nearby winery named, “Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars” produces excellent wines as well, also note the placement of that apostrophe. Lastly, there is the Stags Leap District, which is the name of the appellation where the two aforementioned wineries are located. The Stags Leap District (no apostrophe) is renowned for producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, is located between the Napa River and the Stags Leap Palisades. One of California’s earliest wine estates, a unique terroir and ideal microclimate support…
-
Heitz Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay In 1961, Joe and Alice Heitz purchased their first vineyard, 8 acres just south of St. Helena. Working out of their small California winery attached to the land they purchased, they put in round-the-clock sweat equity to build their business. Heitz Wine Cellars rapidly established a reputation as home base for one of the Napa Valley’s most innovative and brilliant winemakers, and the unassuming winery soon became a prestigious destination for wine connoisseurs. In 1964, Heitz acquired 160-acre parcel in Spring Valley and began sharpening his skills on Cabernet Sauvignon, and in 1965, by chance, acquired a small vineyard in Oakville from Tom and Martha…
-
Cakebread Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay Cakebread Cellars was founded, in 1973, by Jack and Dolores Cakebread, has been famous for its warm, gracious hospitality and unmatched wines. Jack and Delores has an enduring commitment to quality, their belief is that life’s occasions are elevated by good people, good food, and good wine flows through everything they do. Sharing these tenets and their journey not only brings them great joy, but also gives them the motivation to always look to improve and take great pride in sharing their family with your family. In 2013, Cakebread Cellars celebrated their 40th harvest, and the second generation of winemaking, (Cakebreads now running the winery),…