Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta (85% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! Tried 2nd bottle! — 3 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of bubbly purple mixed with ruby. Nose of tobacco leaves, sweet vanilla, grape jelly, a bit minty, strength of alcohol, and some more tobacco leaves. Taste follows the nose with addition of soft tannins, and burned woody note, just a tiny bit sweet, some more peppery note, black cherry, and a bit minty and zesty. Aftertaste of more peppery taste, some chocolate, ripe grapes, and medium long. Well balanced at this stage. Enjoy her now. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

150+ years ago Giovanni Gaja opened small restaurant in Barbaresco, making wine to complement his food. 1859, he founded the Gaja Winery. Winery has been shaped by that of Angelo Gaja. Under Angelo's direction, the the native Nebbiolo grape was elevated to world-class esteem. Ruby, rich berry fruits aromas, earthy herbs. Palate, juicy cherry and raspberry with tobacco, black pepper, leather, savory tannins, great mouthfeel on rich long finish. Needs Cellaring! Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

R b

9.6

Sour Cherry and chocolate notes. Nose: black cherry and slight tobacco — 4 years ago

Kaleen Joyce

9.0

Very nice, smooth taste — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

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.
— 6 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.3

We’ve been embarrassing slow at exploring the greatness of the noble Aglianico grape in Sweden.
Full bodied and powerful but remains fresh and vibrant with plenty of energy and a mineral nerve. Somewhat unleashed and needs time to breath to unfold. Black Cherries, Currants, red plums with a floral lavendel like lifted followed by baking spice, sweet tobacco and a warm stone mineralogy that brings tension and energy. 
Fresh acidity and mouth coating tannins with a powdery texture that is well integrated in the good fruit concentration and full body with an expansive complexity and long finish. — 3 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 4 years ago

with Elizabeth

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins that needed 45 minutes, long fruit finish. The 15% ABV, slight burn, but ok. Nice! — 4 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.0

Sept 28, 2019. J2’s 5th bonus year celebration. Found this rare grape at our small town local grocery (???). My first Chatus experience. Lovely. Deep red, almost black in color. Tart cherries, nice finish. — 5 years ago

Allison Lyzenga

8.9

Medium ruby with some purple; medium plus intensity aromas of potpourri, purple flowers, grape, ripe berries, green pepper; dry, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium tannins; medium body, medium intensity flavors of ripe black fruit, berries, potpourri, purple flowers, pyrazines; very elegant, aromas riper than flavors, medium finish — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

An incredible story as well a great wine. Back in the early 2000s, The Vineyard team at Feudi di San Gregorio discovered three bush vines in their Anglianico vineyards that were not Anglianico grapes. After DNA research, it was determined the vines were the ancient Sirica grape varietal. FSG propagated these vines and eventually ended up with one and a half hectares of this grape. First release of a Sirica Single varietal was back in 2009. This vintage is a terrific red wine. Aromas of dark berries, leather, herbs and violets. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry, black pepper and cloves. Velvety tannins and fresh tasting. Beautifully balanced. This one is special and will get better with age. I need to find more! — 6 years ago

with John

Ely Cohn

9.1

Fruity and herbal aromas of brambly raspberry, kumquat, rosemary, and black soil. Finesse and elegance from a typically showy grape. Everything Broc does is awesome. Plus they have the best labels. — 6 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.4

Nose has ripe blackberry, fresh black cherry, cherry jam, mashed cherries, toasted anise seed, sweet smokey cedar, cherry liqueur. Rich and beautiful.

Palate has bright black cherry, old milk chocolate, cherry jam reduction, ripe fig, dried fig, black currant jam, moist garden soil, licorice and grape Jolly Rancher candy. Rich palate with mild tannins and long finish. This wine is in an outstanding spot with years ahead of it still, enjoy 2024-26, in proper storage. Decanted 6H.

Paired with pulled pork sandwiches, a Superbowl Sunday tradition for us. A local pork shoulder (Mill River Farm, New Marlborough, MA), dry spice rubbed and rested for 24H, then 10H in the slow cooker; it's just falling apart...so beautiful, our kitchen smells amazing! Garnished with our garden bread & butter pickles, homemade barbeque sauce, pickled red onion and a dash of cilantro, all a worthy combination. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A beautiful balanced bottle, characteristic of the south west of France. Tannat blend with the aromas of the grape variety: Black plum, chocolate, licorice, light smoky touch ... also discreet notes of well-matured aging. Very nice wine for a meal with southern flavors (garlic, herbs, olive oils, duck confit, Italian food too) — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Gavi comes from a small growing area in northwestern Italy located north of Genoa on the steep slopes of the Ligurian Apennines. White label is La Scolca’s everyday wine, an alternative to their “Black Label”. Made from the Cortese di Gavi grape (younger vines), straw yellow with delicate aromas of stone and citrus fruits. On the palate apple, extended lees aging gives rich apple and lemon flavors, some nutty notes, good mouthfeel. Crisp medium finish, vivid acidity ending with a mineral character. Enjoy with a nice Red Snapper! — 5 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

After a spirited tussle between myself and the Durand vs a dry and crumbly cork I was able to double decant this and segregate away the remnants of floating debris. I was immediately struck by the bouquet which was unmistakably borne from Cabernet Franc (and I believe this blend is less than 10%). It was a positive sign. The wine is completely intact and boasts ample fruit albeit waning acidity. Simple Concord grape, bruised black plum and sweet oak flavors are holding on 2 hours in. This has some time left, but not much. This is a testament to Opus One quality in the early days (I believe this was the 3rd or 4th vintage) and while I think the ‘87-‘97 era was their best, this is an profound example of an exemplary wine at age 37! — 6 years ago

Peggy Hadley

9.2

My first Mencia grape. Deep purple color. Black fruits. Nice black cherry. Mint and sage on the finish. Wow. — 6 years ago

with Jim

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

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. — 6 years ago