Grapeolicious Napa Tasting Trip – January 2024
The first wine trip of 2024 for GRAPEOLICIOUS finds us beginning in Napa Valley. Though cold and a bit rainy at times, it was cool and crisp, and glorious
when the sun would shine with spectacular rainbows. It was a great trip to kick off the season and get those wine “juices” flowing to enhance your palettes and find great examples to enjoy. It is an interesting time of year to see the dormant vines, yet they offer such beautiful scenery. Here is an example of a fairly high-end itinerary:
Arriving Tuesday to Napa Valley, we immediately stopped at Ghost Block Winery. We met with Luis who was fantastic as usual. Had a wonderful tasting of their reds. However, we began with their exceptional Sauvignon Blanc to warm up our palettes. The 2020 vintage was unique with their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon as they did two run-throughs on the vineyard during harvest and added a third run-through from their single vineyard Ghost Block Vineyard. Out of concern from the fires, they felt that adding the third run from the single vineyard would protect and help the Estate vintage. The Estate was more full-bodied with solid structure with deep blackberry fruit and balanced tannins. The Ghost Block Single Vineyard did their three run-throughs during harvest and is a most exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Both fantastic values. Being lower in the valley, this vineyard was well protected from smoke influences. So, for those who are concerned about the 2020 vintage from Napa Valley, Ghost Block Winery has taken an unprecedented step by insuring their 2020 vintage Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a classy, long lasting, and well-balanced wine.
Next, we went across the street to the Oakville Grocery delicatessen to pick up sandwiches which is a moral imperative and eat outside in the beautifully clear day. Though it was cold, the views were spectacular.
Our next stop was to the 2023 Winery of the Year in Black Stallion Winery. Darrell met us there and presented us with some absolutely wonderful juice. We tasted two 2021 full bodied Pinot Noirs, an opulent 2021 Syrah, a 2021 terrific and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, and their trademark 2019 Transcendent Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
Darrell proceeded to be a treasure trove of invaluable wine information having studied in the WSET and individual certificate programs from around the world. As a former educator, he knew how to present the wines and information without overwhelming us. The wines were truly great examples of the lower Napa Valley, including Oak Knoll and Carneros AVA’s, and the surprise at the end of the tasting was the great values, and we highly recommend Black Stallion Winery. On Wednesday, we began our normal tradition of a visit to Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for croissants and pain du chocolate with a hot chocolate or tea every morning is also required. In the warmer months there will be lines outside so plan on getting there early. So worth it!
Today was a special day visiting two very special wineries, with a fantastic lunch mixed in between. We began at Cardinale Winery, part of Spire Collection from Jackson Family Wines. Leah Fitch, the Director of Hospitality, greeted us with their outstanding Sauvignon Blanc called Intrada. Bold, refreshing fruit with beautiful structure and length. Then, we were ushered into our tasting room and presented with five surprise reds. The first two were 2019 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon’s with different aromatics. The first one was from Spring Mountain and the second was from Diamond Mountain. Both were excellent selections. The next three selections were all from Cardinale, 2019, 2018 and 2013. All the wines maintained their own uniqueness with the younger offerings showing their exciting freshness and stability with 2013 expressing its more mature fruit and classic structure. They presented as very intriguing selections at the same time showing liveliness while proving their strength to last. Indeed, incredible representations of the Spire Collection.
Then, lunch at the iconic Mustards Grill in Oakville. We enjoyed inspired homestyle cooking along with some champagne (always a good idea) to prepare
for our next visit.
And the “piece de resistance” of the day, we visited Rudd Oakville Winery. Surrounded by so many iconic labels (Screaming Eagle, Bond, Plumpjack, Dalla
Valle, Silver Oak, etc.) and positioned perfectly at the base of an alluvial fan in Oakville on the Silverado Trail, Rudd maintains the highest standards of classic elegance and impeccable style.
With muted ego, extreme friendliness, beautiful gardens, and natural atmosphere, the calm and classy staff at Rudd are a humble bunch showing off their incredibly powerful line-up of historic proportions. Their dedicated staff are determined to carry on the extraordinary work ethic of Leslie Rudd to develop the very best the terroir provides and produce only the very best offerings from Napa Valley. Samantha Rudd now maintains this fabulous winery and line-up of Sauvignon Blanc, Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon, the always incredible Rudd Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon blend, and Leslie’s Blend red. Thanks to Monica for presenting the wonderful selections in their boathouse, yes boathouse! In the gardens, a pond is exposed with a simple punt tied to a small dock showcasing the beauty of the area, and yet another example of their classy presentation. Recently, they brought back their Crossroads label, a comfortable and luscious cabernet sauvignon from Natalie Bath, to introduce younger enthusiasts to the elegant and pleasurable world of fine wines. To exclaim these wines are a must-have is the ultimate understatement. Tasting here is just too much fun! Dinner at the acclaimed, Michelin-starred Press restaurant serves to reinforce your desire to learn how the culinary world intertwines with the overwhelming world of wines. The atmosphere, friendliness, and incredible selections make Press a requirement to visit when in Napa Valley.
After light evening rain, waking up to a beautiful, crisp, and bright sunny Thursday morning in Napa Valley, specifically in the small, humble community of Yountville, is one of the best experiences to enjoy. With the air balloons powering
up to carry early risers over the valley and San Pablo Bay showcasing the extraordinary beauty they have to offer. Remember, it is January, and it will be cold but well worth the experience.
In the morning, we traveled up to the top of Spring Mountain above the town of St. Helena to visit one of the most underrated winery gems, Behrens Family Winery. Les Behrens, a self-taught winemaker with a novel gift for developing wines exhibiting class and style, is hidden on the top of the ridge overlooking the northern half of Napa Valley. Les, and his wife Lisa Drinkward, are intent on producing only high quality, small lots of 6-8 offerings each year. Balanced Bordeaux-style wines and enjoyable single varietal offerings, build to their bold, classic Estate Cabernet Sauvignon all highlighted with meaningful artist-inspired labels. Robin Cooper was kind enough to present for us wonderful examples with amazing stories of their history into winemaking.
Dropping back down to the valley, the beautiful setting at Larkmead Vineyards has 140 acres across, nearly covering the expanse of the northern Napa Valley area from Highway 29 in the west, to the Silverado Trail to the east. We had a very comfortable tasting with Max providing the exciting back history of Larkmead. The tasting covered both right bank and left bank Bordeaux-styles along with their subtle and balanced 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Finally, the day of tasting was finished at Handwritten Wines, the top label of Jessup Wines, with Vi. She was a whirlwind of energy and wine knowledge. We started with their luscious Sauvignon Blanc and the balanced fruit and more classic oaky Chardonnay. Then, we ran through the medium-bodied Carneros Pinot Noir, and their medium-to-full bodied 2019, 2018, and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon’s. We highly recommend this tasting experience with the wonderfully presented creative charcuterie with prosciutto, cheese, and three types of butter and bread from Bouchon Bakery.
Dinner at the iconic Bistro Jeanty in Yountville is the French families’ French restaurant. A taste of home with incredibly tasty selections at every course. The coq-au-vin with the required noodles is a staple favorite as well as their beef bourguignon. Absolutely delicious! We enjoyed our playful “Lucy, I’m Home!” Red from Behrens Family Winery to complement our meal. Bistro Jeanty is required dining whenever visiting the valley.
Trip Summary One of the concerns we saw revolved around the tasting costs. Sure, some seem exorbitant, and others only offer a larger priced pairing experience. Almost all the wineries have eliminated the party bus, bar-style “taste all you want” arrangements in favor of the current “wine experience.” This new education-first approach leads to more appreciation of the wines and the enthusiast leaves with more knowledge about the processes and the style intent of the winemakers, and a stronger appreciation and memory of the wine. This is more in-line with what wineries want to provide.
With wine prices elevating into higher price-points, the challenge becomes the development of new and younger enthusiasts into the world of wine despite the price ranges. But, enjoying these tasting experiences only serves to educate the enthusiast further in finding their own palette and pathway to their preferred styles, gaining a true appreciation of the wines, and a better understanding of what goes into making great wine, and which wines they will look for in the wine aisles of the store.
Napa Valley is the top echelon of American wines, and the expense is understandable. Just remember, no matter how you begin in wines, or enjoy wines, WINE IS GRAPE FUN! Enjoy it!
WINE IS GRAPE FUN
