Big Friendly Grape
Philippe Alliet
Chinon Cabernet Franc 2018
Seavey Vineyard
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
The nose reveals; dark currants, blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries. Black tea, expresso roast, anise, crushed dry rocks, big vanilla, clove, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, woody notes with dark fresh & withering flower bouquet.
The body is big and lush. The tannins are big, meaty and tarry. Very dark currants. Blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries & strawberries as they open up. Black tea, expresso roast, steeped fruit tea, anise, crushed dry rocks, dry clay, big graphite, big vanilla, dark spice, clove, light dry herbs, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, cedar with violets dark fresh & withering flower bouquet. The acidity is round, fresh and beautiful. The big, long, well balanced finish is excellent and look forward to having this in 15-20 years. This one will be a stunner!
Photos of, the barn where they make wine and hosts tastings, our private tasting area inside William’s old office. William desk and their outside terrace area.
Producer history & notes...Seavey Vineyard is located along Conn Valley Road in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, about 15 minutes from the valley floor.
This historical property was originally a cattle ranch. However, records indicate grapes were planted on some of the hillsides as early as the 1870’s. The stone dairy barn, still in existence, was built in 1881.
William & Mary Seavey purchased this property in 1979. The estate was originally founded by the Franco-Swiss Farming Company in 1881 which, closed down when Phylloxera destroyed their grape vines and the Volstead Act (Prohibition) went into effect. At the time of their purchase, they were a horse and cattle ranch. They quickly planted the slopes with grapes and initially sold their fruit to Raymond Vineyards. They have never purchased grapes, all their wine is made from estate grapes. Their vineyards are separated into 20 plus individual blocks.
Today, the property is about 200 total acres of which, 40 acres are planted to vine. Their hillside vineyards produce low yields of rich concentrated fruit. A small block of Chardonnay grows in a cooler lower part of their property. Besides grapes, they also raise cattle which are used to graze the hillsides. They feed the vineyard with the cattle cuttings. In 2003, they were one of the first Napa wineries to install solar.
Mary passed away in 2008 and William died in 2016. There daughter Dorie returned to the family business and now oversees the winery operations. Her brother Arthur also handles national and some small international sales, primarily to restaurants. However, most of their wine is sold direct to consumers.
Seavey’s first commercial vintage was released in 1990 a year after they renovated the stone dairy barn into a working winery. Today this stone building is the centerpiece of the property and is where tastings are hosted.
Since 2011, Jim Duane has been their day to day Winemaker. He’s worked at Robert Mondavi and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It should also be noted that Philippe Melka Winemaker/Consultant has been with Seavey since 1995...one of Philippe’s two initial wine making jobs in the Napa Valley were with Seavey and Lail Vineyards.
Seavy makes about 3,200 cases annually depending on what mother nature brings. They make around two hundred cases of Chardonnay, slightly more Merlot and the rest is of the production is comprised of their Caravina and Estate Cabernets.
— 7 years ago
Château Cantebau
Château Coucheroy Pessac-Léognan Sauvignon Blanc 2012
It is so interesting to see how differently the same grape tastes based on its location. We regularly drink Kim Crawford Savignon Blanc which is a traditional New Zealand SB but after trying a fantastic White Bordeaux at a restaurant I had to seek out another to see if the region was a big influence (and it is). It's funny because I'm not a fan of red bordeaux though I really like California CS/Merit blends. — 9 years ago
Cantine Lanzavecchia
Cren dell' Ape Piemonte Cortese 2017
This was a really nice wine, food friendly and delicious. You’ve got a core of bright citrus, but around the edges you’ve got ripe stone fruit and red apple. Floral and mineral notes round out the picture. A nice obscure grape from a solid region. — 6 years ago
Tuck Beckstoffer Wines
Est.75 Tuck Beckstoffer California Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
A very good budget California Cabernet Sauvignon. Big cherry fruit, mushroom and cola on the nose. Smells a bit hot. Same basic flavors on the pallet. Light on the oak. Good Summer Red as it can be chilled. QPR friendly. — 7 years ago
Château Villars
Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008
Cassis and black currant fruit, with lots of graphite minerality. The tannins are there, but don’t come across at first. There’s a fair amount of alcohol on the palate, but the finish is nice and lingering. I’m not usually a big fan of Merlot, but this is a good example of a Merlot dominant wine. The second grape in this is Cab Franc, which is one of my favorites. Cab Sauv is less than 10% according to the label. This is a really nice blend. — 7 years ago
Bootleg Wine Works
Napa Valley Red Blend 2012
Heavily extracted. Strong vanilla. Jammy grape aroma. Big. — 8 years ago
Losada Vinos de Finca
Bierzo Mencía
I love this grape. Big plums and black cherrywood with a soft finish. We had to order some for later. — 8 years ago
Dr. Konstantin Frank
Cuvée d'Amour Finger Lakes Red Blend 2012
My big discovery from trip to the Finger Lakes. Bold and elegant. Made from the Amur grape which is grown along the Amur River that forms much of the Russia/China border. So cold hearty. — 9 years ago
Domaine les Grands Bois
Cuvée Marc Rasteau Grenache Blend 2012
Sweet, fresh plums, garrigue, grape candy, laced with limestone minerality. Soft, fresh, dark berries on the mouth feel. Nice acidity. Finishes cool, with dry tannins. A big, bold rhone red. — 9 years ago
Hourglass
Blueline Estate Napa Valley Merlot 2017
I absolutely LOVE this Merlot. Not my usual go to grape varietal, but this one has some big characteristics & depth on it, which gives it the taste of age. — 5 years ago
Four Vines
The Heretic Petite Sirah 2010
Not a wine I would expect to buy, only purchase because because of reviews noting surprising “cool climate characteristics” that intrigued me (and a risk-friendly auction price). I was still surprised and very very impressed.
A deep core of Classic black plum - brighter, redder fruits revealed with air - in what is still a very primary wine.
(Apparently) Cooler climate notes of bay leaf are dominant along with some eucalyptus. In the background some nice leather and spice notes, though more red pepper and hot sauce than the black pepper notes I get from more high octane wines. One of those interesting wines that offers something’s little different with each sip, showing more florality and freshnesss at times, others it veered more fresh blueberry, some a bit of smoke and leather, and still others show a very woodsy side of eucalyptus tree. Still very much a full bodied wine with a full mouthfeel and continues to hold big chewy tannins, but is the rare Paso Robles wine (for me) with suffices acidity to create some really good tension and energy. Surprisingly great lengthleaving the palate energized and morphing with some espresso and bitter amaro elements coming in. Simply fantastic as a grilled steak wine. And honestly I think this guy has many years of development to go. — 6 years ago
Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards
Estate Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Located just east of St. Helena in Napa where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain. Their 26 acres of vineyards are in the heart of this 40-acre grape-growing paradise. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot. A big wine with complex fruit and spice aromas. Juicy black berry fruits, with underlying smooth sweetness combined with smoke, spice and oak. Well structured, tannins still tight, gave in after 90 minutes, ending with earthy pepper character. Enjoyable now but let it sit in cellar. — 7 years ago
Château Haut-Bernat
Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Plum, raspberry tea, cassis, menthol, leather, espresso grounds, clay, cedar, dark chocolate. Rounded acid/chewy smooth velvet tannins, full bodied, lush juicy texture, long red fruit-smoky-earthy bitter finish. Muted aromatics, flavors come out in palate. Texture driven, extremely food friendly, big & smooth. — 7 years ago
Baptiste Cuvelier
Cuvée del Maule Red Bordeaux Blend 2011
The maker of this wine worked for Antoine Luyt, and he's in the same region, Caquenes. Still a naturally made wine, this is more approachable and food-friendly but a bit more tannic than the Luyt I had yesterday. And much less funky. But the 14% alcohol is potent and doesn't work as well. 6 grape blend including #pais. Great steak wine though. Good thing I had steak with it. Very enjoyable. — 9 years ago
Kayra
Single Vineyard Collectible Series #5 Vintage Öküzgözü 2011
What a nice Turkish delight this is.
Beautiful color of dark ruby/inky core with a purplish rim.
The nose is similar to a Napa Cabernet. Lots of vanilla and oak that drown all the fruits. Some chocolates, licorice, cedar, coffee, cola, smoke, blackberries, black currants, black pepper and spices.
Full bodied and bold, Smooth and elegant with medium plus acidity and gorgeous legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with oak, vanilla, blackberries, currants, sweet cherries, dark chocolates, cola, figs, raisins, tobacco, coffee, peppercorn and spices.
Long finish with full, firm tannins and black pepper.
A great Single Vineyard red wine. Big, bold and beautiful. At a Blind tasting I would call a young Napa Cabernet.
Balanced and Enjoyable by itself or with food. I Paired it with a Turkish lamb dish, and it held its own nicely.
This 5 year old needs some additional bottle time and will be even better in 3 years.
Needs 2 hours in a decanter.
Fun fact:
Okuzgozu, the grape varietal, means an ox eye for being the largest among the grape varieties grown in Turkey.
14.5% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago
Romain Fitoussi
My favorite wine merchant pushed me to go to this winemaker .. carefully, I start with this entry-level cuvée around 13-15 €. The color is deep ruby, the nose is discreet. The palate confirm the visual intensity. Aromatic tones typical of Cabernet-Franc grape variety: strawberry, pepper, anise. A medium-bodied wine with a silky texture that testifies the mastery of winemaking. The aging is discreet, putting the fruit in the spotlight, more than the tertiary notes. It’s a friendly, accessible wine. For its price it's really great! it clearly makes you want to explore the rest of the winemaker’s Cuvées. — 5 years ago