Thomas McKee

9.3

Little Engine Pinot and turkey. A match made in heaven — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Great bottle of wine from Northern Rhône. A blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier, aromas dark fruits with notes of toast, espresso and cigar box spice. On the palate sweet blackberry and plum flavors with cacao and tobacco notes. Good balance with fine soft tannins, long ending with earthy mineral character. Developing nicely and has lots of room to age. Consistently good. A Fav! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I bought 3 or 4 bottles of the 06 Heitz Napa. I think this is my first bottle. I either have none or one left. Better gets notes tonight! I think I gave others away. What was I thinking? Wine is meant to be shared.

What is better than paying around $33 for a bottle of wine, forgetting about it for twelve years and having it blossom on your palate the way it is tonight? This is a prime example of two things; you don’t need to spend a hundred(s) for a really good bottle of wine and their is absolutely no substitution for appropriate cellaring time.

The nose reveals; steeped, dark fruit wading in fruits of ripe/ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked, black plum & strawberries, hovering raspberries with pomegranate, light liqueur notes. Mild alcohol vapors, black licorice, sweet tarriness, mixed dark fruit cola/licorice, mid, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, saddle-wood, graphite, dark rich souls, forest floor with dry leaves, dry crushed rocks, dry twigs, tree sap, mint/eucalyptus, soft leather, dry tobacco with ruby, brilliant, fresh & withering, candied; dark, red, purple florals with a field of violets.

The body is, rich, ruby and creamy with fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked, black plum & strawberries, hovering raspberries with pomegranate that shows light liqueur notes. Mild alcohol vapors, black licorice, dark, steeped, black , assorted fruit teas, sweet tarriness, mixed dark fruit cola/licorice, mid, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, caramel, mocha, saddle-wood, graphite, savory grilled meats, dark rich souls, forest floor with dry leaves, moist clay & top soil, dry crushed rocks, dry twigs, tree sap, mint/eucalyptus, hints of Provence herbs, soft leather, dry tobacco with ruby, brilliant, fresh & withering, candied; dark, red, purple florals with a field of violets. The acidy is like a cool waterfall on a warm day. The beautiful, elegant, extremely well knitted balance is in the realm of “forget about it”. Sometimes the right wine, when it’s right, moves the entire body. Such as it is tonight.

The tension, structure, length and balance have just hit their high point and will remain there for another five years into a slow decline over the next 10-15 years, stored impeccably.

This might be the best Napa Heitz I’ve bought & stored. It’s stunning and way over delivering its price point. One complex wine!!!

Photos of; Heitz Winery, tasting bar, tasting room garden patio and the Hwy 29 signage for the tasting room with the valley floor vines that surround their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

It has been awhile since we’ve had the 2014 and it’s evolving nicely.

My suggestion is you chill down the Davis Chardonnay, take it out of chill mode a half-hour to forty-minutes prior to enjoying. Then, get this soft white cheese from Harbison Cellars - Spruce Bark Wrapped Bloomy Rind and the Firehook crackers and enjoy them all together. They are a Heavenly pairing together.

As for the 2014 Davis Chardonnay, the nose reveals, more honey notes, overripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens.

The body is full, thick, lush and rich. The texture is gorgeous and sexy...beautifully delicious over the palate. Lots of honey notes, over ripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, more green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, caramel, a touch of toffee, butter, cream, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & crushed, grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice with a touch of heat, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens. The acidity is excellent, round and phat. The long, rich, lush, gorgeous, sexy, well balanced finish persists nicely for minutes.

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better CA Chardonnay for the money. $36 member price and $48 non-member price.

You want to enjoy this just below room temperature to get all it has to offer.

Photos of, the right side view from their terrace with their signature windmill, the center direct view of the valley floor through to the other side, the Harbison soft white cheese & Firehook crackers to a pair with the Davis Chardonnays.

Their Chardonnays show varying nuisances year to year but, are very consistent in quality year to year. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Part 1 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

One of my contributions. I think I surprised myself at claiming it needed 30-45mins of air as well as needing to be brought down from room temp to closer to cellar temp. This is a gorgeous wine, and a wonderful creation from the Heitz team. Underripe black fruit and plum on the nose, giving way to an herbal/earthy blackberry pie note. Seamless and well balanced on the palate showing red and black fruit, dark cocoa dusted bay leaf and older fig. A touch of their signature eucalyptus on the finish. Many years to go. — 8 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Dark inky color.

On the nose; big dark floral fruits of; mulberry, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark liqueur style cherries, faint strawberries, spice, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets.

The body is big, full & lush. The structure, length, tension and balance are just starting to hit its stride. The wine is seamless beginning to end. Ripe; blackberries, dark style liqueur style cherries, mulberries, stewed plums, black plum, black raspberries & strawberries & creamy raspberries on the glass edges. Dark spice with some lifting palate heat, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, dry herbs, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets. The acidity is round and nicely executed. The long, big, rich, lush, ripe, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.

It’s delicious tonight but, it’s still early. Give it 5 more years and will drink well for another 5-8 years after that!

Photos of; Merus with a beautiful sunset, dinning/Private tasting room, entrance into their cellars and their main tasting room. — 8 years ago

David G. Speakman

9.0

First tastes were deliciously chocolaty. Aftertaste is bittersweet. It’s a thick dark beer. Alcohol content is 6%. — 5 years ago

Sarah Norman

9.2

Bought @ waiting room — 6 years ago

with Torey

Marc Ouellette

9.3

Bring this wine to your dining room table and invite your best friends over!! — 6 years ago

Debra Copeland, WSET3, CSWS

9.0

Earthy, ripe cherry and chocolate on the nose and palate with a full body. This is an incredible BC Pinot! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Mmmm....better. 1999 was a meh vintage to most critics. I find it has evolved to better things with this much time in bottle.

The nose reveals, ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. Touch cooked green bell pepper, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers.

The body is just full. The tannins are soft, round, chewy and tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are pretty good for 99. ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. more cooked green bell pepper on the palate, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers. The acidy is nice. The finish is elegant, well balanced but, not as rich as other good vintages Palmer. It is spicy and persists minutes on the palate.

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is my second favorite food & wine pairing. The two together are a perfect 10. It is simply my favorite pork chop and there isn’t a close second.

This is the Mustard’s Restaurant in Napa recipe which, they have sold over a million.

There are a dozen different seasoning/spices to this two-day pork chop marinade that brings such depth of flavors & complexity to it. The spices penetrate deep onto the palate. The wine marries and complements all those seasonings & spices perfectly with just the right amount of restrained sweetness and texture.

The nose reveals; stone fruits, Meyer lemon, lemon meringue, lime candy, pineapple juice, green melon, applesauce, just a touch of petroleum, honey notes, waxy notes, touch of beeswax, light white spice, chalky saline notes, mixed greens, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers.

The body is thick, rich, lush and waxy. Stone fruits, Meyer lemon, lemon meringue, lime candy, pineapple juice, green melon, applesauce, just a touch of petroleum, honey notes, waxy notes, touch of beeswax, light white spice, chalky saline notes, light, powdery minerals, mixed greens, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is; rich, lush, ripe, well balanced, delicious and persists nicely for minutes.

@Shay A Am I tempting you yet?

Photos of; the Long Shadows tasting room (just voted a top ten tasting room), the amazing glass blown artwork all over their tasting room and our dinner with this amazing American Riesling pairing. Green beans from our garden. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mid Crimson in colour with a slight cloudiness. Fresh plummy skinnsy aromas - also notes of freshly cut Guava said the wife. Stems and stalks have been included in the ferment with 88 days on Skins. A 92/8 Grenache/Syrah Blend. Light to medium bodied palate of jubey fruit pastilles - like grape juice. Medium intensity with almost zero tannins. Designed to be drunk young with gusto.! The Green Room being a surfing term for being under the lip in the Barrel - Taras Ochota being a keen surfer would have been in the Green Room many times in Barrels off Mexico. A delicious natural wine - no need to cellar. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This wine has all the makings of being great one day. It’s just about 8-10 years more years away.

The wine is just staring to round out, integrate and show its elegance. Ruby, creamy currants, earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, stones, dark most soil, round acidity and a very well polished finished.

This is my favorite Ribeye wine and it didn’t disappoint...only that is still too young. 95-96 in another decade.

Photos of, the Chateau & grounds, newer tasting room & barrel room and Estate vines that are adjacent to Chateau Latour. — 8 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.4

Incredible #chateauneufdupape which was kept casually at room temperature for many years before I was fortunate enough to receive it as a gift. Popped the cork, and within about 30 minutes it really flowered. The overall aromatic impression is a balance of spiced cured meat set against plum and red fruit compote; layers of garrigue, underbrush, mushroom below that. Luscious mouthfeel with plenty of lively acidity, stewed fruit, some olive notes but the tannins have completely integrated and softened to just a hint of what they once must have been. This is a beautiful CDP that has aged gracefully over 17 years. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Quilt pays tribute to Napa Valley’s wines, sourced from a patchwork of prime Napa Valley vineyards. Met Joseph Wagner a few times & tasted his wines. Tried ‘14 & ‘15, now ‘16. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and cedar. On palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, slight jammy notes, smooth, with vanilla, oak and leather notes, well balanced. Dusty soft tannins, nice mouthfeel, on long finish ending with espresso tones. Consistent quality, has room to age. Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

The community of Saint-Estèphe has it roots in the Gallo-Roman origins of this chateau. A blend of 78% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby with aromas of dense sweet black fruits with herb and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry, currant like, with tobacco, tar and hints of vanilla exposing mushroom notes. Well balanced, ripe textured tannins, long finish ending with earthy character. Nice, has plenty of room to develop. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite.

Saskia told me they are buying an existing property or starting one in China.

The nose reveals; ripe and slight stewed fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid=VA, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, crushed rocks, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers.

The body is full and thick. This wine is just coming out of its infant stage and just starting to stretch it arms & legs. The tannins are firm, rounded and powdery. The structure, tension, length and balance show the beauty of the vintage but, the drinking window on their 2000 is somewhere between 2035-2080. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, lots of graphite, crushed rocks, limestone, dry crushed rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, dry herbs, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is very good now but, if you don’t cellar it 35 years from birth, you are cheating yourself out of something truly special. Its well balanced, rich, ripe and persists for days. 95 now with more to come in 16-25 plus years.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is the second wine of Cos d’ Estournel, Les Pagodes De Cos. I find it’s a good idea not only to buy first wines of Bordeaux in good vintages but, also buy the hell out of 2nd wines of good producers as it’s a close relative of their first wine for a lot less money 💰. 2005 was a marquee vintage in Bordeaux.

On the nose, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, limestone minerals, graphite, crushed, dry rocks, stones, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers.

The body is not quite full. The tannins are round, soft and well resolved, 65%. The structure, tension, length and balance are peaking. Ripe & slight ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, dark spice, dry stems, mint, limestone minerals, slightly moist clay, graphite, charcoal ash, crushed, dry rocks, stones, tobacco with ash, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers. The acidity is quite nice. The long finish is; ripe & ruby, elegant, well polished & balanced and lasts minutes.

It’s just short of its peak and will drink well for another 8–10 years.

Photos of; the majesty of Chateau Cos d’ Estournel, library cellar, see through floor barrel room and the back terrace and grounds of the Chateau.
— 8 years ago