Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

An 18th century chateau, overlooking the Isle valley, facing Pomerol and the Saint-Emilion limestone hillsides, belonged to the same family for three centuries took over by Michel Rullier in 1955, and his daughter Brigitte took the helm in 2002. Dark Ruby with an array of berry aromas and smoky scents. On the palate plum and cherry flavors with cacao, tobacco and smoky cedar notes with herb spice. Firm chalky tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral notes. Still tasting ok, but drink now! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Victoria named after Colene Clemens daughter, Ruby with aromas dark red fruits and floral spice. On the palate black cherry, blackberry and plum flavors with cedar, pepper and vanilla spice. Big, yet soft tannins, long finish well balanced with acidity ending with fruit and sweet spice. Nice! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Named for Lance Ellmans’ daughter, Alexis, the fruit comes from Claire’s Vineyard, in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Ruby with aromas of berry fruit, citrus & floral spice. On the palate, raspberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes & earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, lingering finish ending with hints of woody spice. — 7 years ago

Jared O'Connell

9.0

This is great stuff. Love to grab a few bottles every year when we stop by on vacation. Surprising complexity and balance. Very few wineries on the East coast can pull this off so well. — 8 years ago

Matthew Ryan Shelton

9.3

Deep ripe red in color. On the lighter side, but complex in flavor. — 8 years ago

Phil Jost

9.0

Floral and delicious. A nice ode to the big man's daughter. — 8 years ago

Reed Boehringer

9.3

cool it with the antisemitic remarks... — 8 years ago

Peter Ernst

10

So in the battle is who is the best child... we paired the 88 vs the 90 (son vs daughter birth year). Both were outstanding but the 88 had more age in the color and softness on the nose and palate. Family currently arguing over density but for me the 90 was more dense. Lots of mixed fruit leather smoke and terroir which is very French but great for those who enjoy it. So in the name of family peace we rate both as outstanding but the 90 (the daughter) is a bit bigger. Cheers — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Part of their "Blue Series," Isabelle, named after the birth of Jim’s daughter in 1995, was first top end Pinot Noir that was a blend from different locations, 6 in 2015. Ruby, Aromas of berry fruits with citrus, herbs & floral notes, aged for 2 years in new French Oak. On the palate layers of gentle ripe fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry with citrus and oak wrapped in gentle spice. Wine has great depth, soft tannins, well integrated, savory, long ending with a nice mouthfeel. Very Nice! Last bottle! — 5 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.2

Heidi Barrett crushes her wine here. Doing a La Sirena tasting. This is a collaboration between mother and daughter. Love Grenache! — 5 years ago

Stephen Becker

8.9

A deep-tissue massage from Groot. — 7 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

Mark Pagliaro

Winemaker Stone & Key Cellars

9.6

Enjoying with my Daughter Abbie. We sourced this on our trip in2014. Nice gripping tannins and fruit from Grenache. Medaille De Bronze Paris 2014! — 8 years ago

Berg

9.1

FX Pichlers daughter, and it shows. Great wine that her and her husband are making. — 9 years ago

with Jason

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

First Pinot produced from this Kendall Jackson vineyard named after Jess Jackson’s daughter, Julia. Fruit forward with tons of fruit aromas, herb and oak notes, aged for 12 months in French oak, 25% new, making this wine fresh and vibrant good for drinking now, and some short-term aging. The 2016 was a good year with an early harvest with perfectly ripe fruit. On the palate, strawberry and cherry flavors with baking spice and gentle oak. Fine tannins, lingering ending with fruit and subtle spice character. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Anne-Marie’s 1K tasting on Delectable, so we decided to push the boat out with Venge.
It was also her birthday, and my daughter and her fiancé gifted her these cute unicorn slippers!
The wine is clean, precise and multi-layered. Roasted black fruits give way to graphite and soft brown sugar. The finish extends and expands on the palate. This is a beauty of a cab. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Kathryn Fischer

8.9

Strong apple and Chardonnay taste but delicious! Less bubbly than prosecco. Very enjoyable. — 7 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.5

Nowhere near showing what it's going to be in a decade. Amazing floral characteristics. Roses galore. Having next to the 2010 BRAND Napa Valley, a friend that hasn't ever had wines like this before incredibly stated, "The Margaux is the mother and the BRAND is the daughter". Wow. Couldn't have expressed it better myself. I think he has a future in wine! — 8 years ago

Zachary Miller

9.1

I do not like Gin..... I love this Gin... enough said — 8 years ago

Mark Pagliaro

Winemaker Stone & Key Cellars

9.7

This 2006 Reserve is ready to enjoy. Dark Purple with black fruit and graphite on the nose. Very smooth mid palate with hints of vanilla and chocolate swirl. Finishes with lots of dark berries held up by just a hint of Tannins. Spectacular start to Christmas Eve with my Son and Daughter in law. — 9 years ago

with Brendan, Tom and 1 other