Daron Watson

9.5

Vintage Lambic “which has matured for three years in oakwood barrels and has been selected for its exceptional colour, taste and flavour.”
“Powerful yet elegant, Bruocsella can be considered the missing link between the worlds of wine and beer. Since there is no secondary fermentation in the bottle Bruocsella is a flat, non-sparkling beer.”
“This aristocratic beer is to our national beer patrimony what Mouton-Rotschild, Petrus or Romanée-Conti are to the wines.”

apples, dried apricot, candied ginger, honey, soft cheese rind

addition of artisanal bread, cantaloupe, apricot marmalade ~ ricola

gritty woody breadth w an intense sour acidic mid palate lift
— 4 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Okay... just off the FedEx truck...red-check-tablecloth spaghetti take-out—-screaming for Cali Zin, so the 2019 Paso is one of Ridge’s 100% Zins and perfect for early drinking. Opaque purple, mid-weight, and bursting with black fruit, American oak, and nice zippy acidity. Good California zin and ripe, rich tomato sauce is a match I rely upon. One of the wine worlds most amazing bargains...Ridge is a National Treasure! — 5 years ago

Michelli Buback

9.8

I’m obsessed! Trying to buy another bottle — 5 years ago

Sharon B

9.2

I love this wine, very similar to the 2016 that I had last time. Nice table wine, pairs well with just about anything. Happy National Drink Wine Day!! 🍷🍕 — 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

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

Opaque ruby. A powerfully scented bouquet displays mineral-accented boysenberry and Chambord scents complemented by suggestions of pungent flowers, Indian spices and incense. Intense red/blue fruit preserve, cherry cola and fruitcake flavors show superb definition and silky texture. Comes off graceful despite its depth and finishes on a repeating floral note, displaying outstanding persistence and bright, mineral lift. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, October 2021)
— 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

This vintage is a blend. Touriga National (68%), Gamay (16%), Cab Franc (11%) and Grenache (5%). Light salmon color and medium body. Aromas of peach, melon and strawberry. Similar fruits (fresh) on the pallet with a hint of mineral, dried herbs and saline. Nicely savory but I enjoyed previous vintages better. — 4 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.5

Another favorite on mine! Color - a purplish red magenta. Nose - Blue fruit, crushed rock and vanilla burst in scent from the glass—a stewed meat, spice, cedar menthol lingers. Taste - dark blueberry fruit with a dark tart cherry following. A silky feel as it coats the mouth—cream brûlée notes float giving the wine a subtle sweetness. At the mid-pallet pepper dry herbs and cedar-spice give it a long dry finish. A great evening to celebrate national wine and cheese day—yum yum. — 5 years ago

with Karin and Jill

Chris Shultz

9.2

Opens with confectioner’s sugar on the nose. The fat kid in me loves it. Pears and wildflowers and acid for days, minerals. Beeswax. Then when it opens it tastes like you’ve sliced into the juiciest grapefruit and are eating it whole with a little honey. Good stuff. Like spatlese. — 6 years ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

9.5

First Christmas Celebration — 7 years ago

Alexandre Lemieux

9.0

Mineral awesomeness — 7 years ago

Raul Puga

9.1

2002 vintage in honor of my sons 16th birthday!!!! Great fruit with a smooth finish — 7 years ago

Teresa Stepp

9.1

National wine day at Tuscan Market — 4 years ago

with Kristina

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Interesting red blend that features the Baga (85%) grape. Blended with Touriga National (15%). Very dark color but lighter in body than I would have expected. Bright and jammy red fruit aromas and flavors with hints of prunes and dark chocolate. Solid acidity and very long finish. Moderate finish and tannins. In a very good place right now. Thanks for sharing and insisting we open this one, Ron B! — 4 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.2

So, today USA celebrating National Drink Wine Day. I don't live there, but I think it's a very fine holiday. :) So... This wine is very good, very interesting. Medium acidity, smooth tannins. A black currant, licorice, pepper (finish) and maybe herbs (a nutmeg or it's just my imagination). — 5 years ago

Michael Wilhelm

9.2

Smooth, perfect for making rye Manhattans. One of my favorite small batch whiskeys. It is produced at National Historic site in the Hudson Valley. — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

National rum day.....waaahhhh, wine break.

Time for a Mai Tai...the original Trader Vic 1944 recipe...not those bastardized fruit juice/grenadine versions!

2 ounces good blended aged rums..I use 1 oz el Dorado 15 yrs and 1 oz 12 year Appelton estate
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
1/3 ounce orgeat syrup
1/2 ounce orange curacao

Combine all ingredients with 12 oz CRUSHED ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and pour..garnish with a mint sprig AND ENJOY!!!! — 6 years ago

with Brenda

S.R.Alexander

9.2

Bay leaf, chambord, wet clay — 7 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

8.9

Happy National Pinot Noir Day! I am celebrating by opening the 2011 Benton-Lane Estate Grown Pinot Noir Willamette Valley.

On the nose there is nice red fruit, cherry, strawberry, cranberry, menthol, cola and a touch of funk.

The palate shows the red fruit that is on the nose, tart strawberry, cherry, cranberry, cola, clove, wet leaves and a bit of dry soil.

This is a light bodied wine with medium to + acidity and medium fine luscious tannins that coat the tongue which leads to a nice medium to long fruit filled finish. I hope everyone is enjoying Pinot Noir Day as I am and please as always be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 7 years ago

Amy Pelletier Beck

9.0

Yum, I’ll be drinking this all summer. Kingston Wine Co. says this wine has a national following and I can see why! Tart berries, a little pithy, cab franc fermented with wild yeast. — 8 years ago