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! — 5 years ago

Kaleen Joyce

9.0

Very nice, smooth taste — 6 years ago

Somm 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.
— 7 years ago

Jody Roberts

9.1

Bitter chocolate, black cherry and cassis with hints of cedar spice. Full bodied yet gracefully balanced. Firm and grippy grape tannins. I think this will show well another 10 years — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2009, when Caymus still made wine in their traditional style. Starting with their 12 vintage, they started to let their fruit hang on the vine much longer...just before the grapes begin a shriveled phase. This raises the sugar levels(Brixs) and produces a much sweeter grape/wine. Too sweet for me. This 09 is beginning to see nice evolution but has many years ahead of it before it hits it's peak. The tannins are still very present but beginning to lose their teeth. It's classic in their old style. Dark cassis; of dry and juicy blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, olallieberries, Asian spices, touch of herbs, lots of baking spices; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, caramel, vanilla, black tea, black licorice, dry dark florals, dry crushed volcanic rocks, dark turned soil, stems, leathery, tobacco, nice acidity, strong structure & length, good balance & length. The finish is dry & juicy fruit with loads of spice and baking spices, it sticks on your palate, is round, full bodied and lasts over a minute. Two hours in the decanter and it's still improving. — 9 years ago

Howard White

9.3

£30. Decanted smell of red currents and black currents with blancmange slightly soaked in brandy. This was lovely with beef but also nice on its own. Smooth with lovely Oak smokey aroma. Excellent price.
Grape 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% merlot 10% Cab. Franc. — 10 years ago

Dave Wismer

9.0

Very interesting grape. Great acidity with black cherries. Goes great with Kim's birthday Greek feast. — 10 years ago

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.0

A great example of how this underappreciated grape can be made into an excellent wine. This wine is smoky meaty with black fruits, oak spice and a savory, earthy finish. — 11 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) — 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 — 7 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! — 8 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. — 8 years ago

Bruno De Maria

9.6

This is a very high alcohol wine (15.5%) but extremely balanced nonetheless, trademark of high quality vintage.

This a blend with predominantly Grenache grape. Clear deep ruby colour, garnet on the rim.

Clean on the nose, with black cherry, black plum flavours. A lot of white pepper, some toastiness and quite a bit leathery with liquorice and anise notes.

Dry with medium acidity and tannin on the palate, full body and long finish. Everything well balanced with the high alcohol level.

Very good wine. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

It's just one of the best evening starters unless your are going to bust out; Krug Rosé, vintage Krug & Salon or like's. The fruits are bright, delicious and leaner in style. Black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, cherries, tangerine & watermelon near the rhine. Delicate, powdery chalkiness with a fine and slightly sharp edge that I love, baguette, beautiful saline & minerality. Fresh, crisp acidity and a delightful finish with long staying power. Photos of their beautifully manicured property, A frame racks waiting to be riddled, the grape press after first pressing and the best days in the vineyard...harvesting! Normally, I'm regularly a 9.3, but tonight it's showing me a little more. — 8 years ago

Sindy Wise

9.0

Super ripe blackberry, black grape, and wet wood on the nose. Soft fruit and dry with a Concord grape finish. Complex and lovely. Surprising value! — 9 years ago

Victoria Wilton

9.3

More grape smell and taste with a slight dry after taste — 10 years ago

Paul Weil

9.1

Part of the exciting new movement towards "black wine", this PV delivers what one would expect from "the darkest grape" -- espresso tones set in an inky thick body with a black currant finish. Petit Verdot forever! — 10 years ago

Steve Runner

9.0

Ahhhh, a Provence Rose! It's a very warm night...82F and I'm sitting by my fire...so the perspiration is accumulating and I'm drinking a refreshing Rose that is perfect for a night like this! This Chateau La Moutete Grande Reserve is peach colored, with notes of very light florals, watermelon, and a Sauv Blanc-ness to it that reminds me of grapefruit on the nose. on the palate I get strawberry, black licorice, and a hint of basil. This wine is slightly acidic, especially on the finish (again, reminding me of a soft Sauv Blanc). No tannins, and a grape-fruity finish at the end.   Even though my beloved Red Sox are losing to the Skankees tonight, I'm enjoying this fantastic wine! — 10 years ago

Errol Craig

9.2

I'm a sucker for port, so for what it's worth, very mellow nose , impressive dark grape, jolly rancher grape nose. Mouth - sweet as expected, good fire, solid black fruits, an alcoholic fueled mouthfeel but mitigated by the sugar . Like I said, I'm a sucker for port. Like this stuff. — 11 years ago

with Richard

R b

9.6

Sour Cherry and chocolate notes. Nose: black cherry and slight tobacco — 6 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. — 6 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

From the Ramisco grape in Portugal. Soft silky tannins, dried roses, earth, black plum, evolves a bit sweaty after some time in in the glass. Incredibly unique wine. — 7 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. — 8 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. — 8 years ago

Matt Trader

9.4

This stuff is just divine year to year. Deep concentration, viscous texture, floral aromatics, and just enough acidity to make you keep pouring. Muscat Hamburg, or Black Muscat is the grape used, and Phillip Togni has made it shine on Spring Mountain. Bing cherries, strawberry/rhubarb pie filling, leather, violets, dried dates, nutmeg, fig jam, milk chocolate. 2007, and it drinks like it'll age another 20 years.. This is a must try. If you don't like sweet wine, try it anyway. Pairs with cherry pie, pumpkin pie, and a good brie cheese plate with fruit jam and nuts. — 8 years ago

Zvonko Sokcic

Owner Vinopia Wine and Spiris

9.0

Great summer juice — 8 years ago

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

9.1

Such elegance & harmony! Far from the harsh idea the grape name "acid black" conveys. Black olives, plums & spice. — 9 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Deep opaque purple color almost like Syrah. Nose of leather, menthol, tobaccos, young grassy notes, strong alcohol, a touch of ripe plum and cherries. Taste of sweet apricots, refined brown sugar, herby, vanilla, smooth, a bit mocha, ripe grape fruits, medium tannins, and easy to capture the main flavors. After taste of slight bitterness, grassy and herby, but a bit short of complexity. A good wine to enjoy with friends. — 9 years ago

Chrystal Clifton

9.0

A white wine that comes from a mutated rondinella grape. One day Dark Rodinella grapes & white grapes were discovered growing on one 60yr old vine. Honeyed palate, Aromatic nose. — 10 years ago

Anthony Bradley

9.0

Delicious! Rich and dark Pinot. — 11 years ago