First Foot Forward
Seavey Vineyard
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Burn Cottage
Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Not sure what the stats are on the 2014 vintage in NZ, but this one touched on elixir for me at first. It tightened up a bit with the Ramen at Kitchen Door, but I would be curious to taste past vintages, and looking forward to future releases. — 8 years ago
Silver Oak
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
Surprisingly fruit forward for 25 years. Dark fruit and plum flavors with smoothed tannins. Good bottle bouquet. Cork fell apart but there was no taint to the bottle. Bottle well kept for at least the last 15 years - and supposedly the first 10 before I got it from a private buyer. I would not believe this review if I had not done the tasting myself. I had an 88 and a 90 in recent years that had not held up - flat flavors and thin color — 8 years ago
Brewer-Clifton
Gnesa Chardonnay
Whew! Big forward blast of richness, exotic fruits, flowers both in the nose and on the palate with the first few sips, and then enough acidity to pull together a pretty, citrusy, finish. At first like "Whoa" then like "Ahhh." Really interesting. Perfectly unbalanced if that makes any sense. — 9 years ago
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
First off, if you are drinker of Jordan, this vintage is a little different. Nose shows lots of fresh fruit and a medium level of oak. A very fruit forward taste with black cherry showing through the most. Other berries add to the fruit flavor overall, but none besides the cherry really individually shine through. The winemakers balanced the French/American oak time and it shows. This mellows the oak flavors and the overall tannin impact. Oak is there but does not overpower and the tannins are quite minimal as well. This also helps the finish really hold for a while. Overall the wine is extremely well balanced with solid fruit flavors (without the sweetness), an oak flavor that is just enough and an general light feel for a Jordan. I prefer the stronger Jordan with some more oak qualities and a little more body, but no complaints here. A good cab introduction to people hesitant of the heavy Napa cabs. — 9 years ago
Hartwell Vineyards
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Really enjoy Hartwell as they continue to produce easy drinking wines. Decanted this and will give in an hour but first sip was smooth, fruit forward with an oaky/slightly tannic finish. Pairing it with a beef sirloin stew. — 9 years ago
Aubert
UV Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010
Opened for an hour +. Sharp forward nose. Black licorice, ripened plum, toasty OAK. A little backwards at first. It opens up quite nicely. Not Marks best showing in 10', very nice. I do believe this wine will get better with a little more age. — 10 years ago
Domaine Berthet Bondet
Rubis Côtes du Jura Red Blend 2012
We enjoyed this at Husk Nashville last night. It was recommended bc it pairs well with a wide variety of foods. The sommelier put it on the menu for this purpose & highly recommended their catfish, chicken or pork entrees to go with it. The flavors changed throughout the meal. At first it smelled earthy & musky. Acidic beginning with hints of fennel & a dark cherry. By the middle of our meal it strangely had an effervescent mouth feel & became more fruit forward. By the end it tasted strongly of strawberry jam. The reason I rated it so highly is bc it flowed through dinner so well! - this was the 2012 vintage — 10 years ago
Hayes Ranch
Best Foot Forward California Chardonnay 2010
Drank on Friday 22nd in the summerhouse — 11 years ago
Continuum
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005
1919 they decided to move put of Minnesota where it was too cold to plant grapevines started off in the Central Valley Lodi and napa 1933 prohibition ended and made enough money to move to Lodi sunny st Helena winery Charles Krug was next and they went from 150 to 20 wineries after. 1955 Robert founded Robert Mondavi winery firstr winery all stainless he had to go to milk company to get these for the winery. 2005 the first vintage a very well endowed wine currants cassis dark earth espresso chocolate very plush and smooth with great structure and a long finish 2006 very rich with a lot of dense rich currant and cassis berry fruit dark earth and spices lovely structures and depth intense fruit bitter CPC at the end very well endowed most excellent. 2007 a more reserved wine on the nose with big fruit on the tongue dark earth bitter coco and a good hand of acidity very long finish. Most excellent. 2008 roots go 3-5 feet before hitting rock above the fog line sweet tobacco spice espresso and dark coco with big tannins ripe and round with a good amour of spice very long finish 2009 a good amount of dark berry fruit cassis and black cherry liqueur like fruit big but smooth ripe tannins drinking very nicely right now but has the balanc and freshness to last. 38 different lots that get fermented separately they now have a second wine French oak open top and stainless used. 2010 a bit more reserved currant berry fruit dark currant cassis berry fruit some graphite and montal very fresh wine has a good amount of fruit bit needs time a bit reserved year thick currant berry fruit with a long finish 2011 a very forward and seductive wine juicy for being the youngest wine it is very smooth with a long finish — 11 years ago
Bonny Doon Vineyard
Le Cigare Volant Red Rhone Blend 2013
I love smelling the wines of Randall Grahm. He makes savory walk and talk and jump through hoops. This wine, the 30th anniversary vintage of Cigare, brings it home like it always does. It shows a medium dark color in the glass and on the nose. There is cassis and licorice, but the savory notes carry the load. Black olive is the first smell I get, followed by a bit of tar and a whiff of smoke. Cigar box, leather and bacon fat finish out a complex aroma package. The palate is delicious as always. Grahm says the ‘13 is “less muscular” than the ‘12, but I think there's more to it. This Cigare drinks with the weight and elegance of a Pinot Noir. Black fruit is forward, while more savory aspects of sage and mint come in to join it. The tannins are gentle, the acidity fresh and the finish long. — 7 years ago
Château Bellegrave
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Road trips deserve respites. Beaufort, SC’s Old Bull Tavern spinning Marvin, Jimmi, and Stevie while casually offering up perfect garlicky oil bathed snails set upon crazy freshly baked chewy sour dough simply screams for, oh yeah, the wine. This fine Pomerol waits, wanting , her dangerously dark scarlet skin shimmers as she spins in the early evening tempted by the tunes revealing her marooning shades, darker bleeding berries, showing lighter in the wafting inconsistency of candle light. Another spin , a tilt, a voyeur’s gaze, a twirl, and a first kiss’ earthy wet spice on the front succumbs to plum its well-balanced acid clutches begging another spin, The I sip slow seductive deep kiss as she floods forward - I swallow, but she clings slowly, gradually, teetering touching sliding slowly, stealthy, soothingly, seductively signaling - have another hit... Don’t miss this wine or place, both picture perfect dripping southern edge and charm with a French accent and kiss🍷🌀 — 7 years ago
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Shiraz 2003
I can’t pour enough praise on Dan and his talents. I don’t give many wines near perfect scores, but this merits one. The nose is a beautifully balanced mix of floral fruits, earth and spice. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, lilacs, violets and lavender. The balance is incredible...one of the most balanced wines I’ve had. The structure, tension and length are so close to perfect. It’s in the OMG realm. The tannins are nicely resolved but still have teeth. It’s gorgeously lush and rich. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, hues of blue fruits haunt the palate, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, black licorice, touch herbaceous, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, black & white pepper, dry crushed rocks, stones, lilacs, violets and lavender. The finish is heaven all the way around. To borrow Bordeaux terminology, this is First Growth Shiraz. If you don’t seek out Dan’s wines on the secondary market, you are missing something special. Not at all meant to be enjoyed young. This wine is in a very good spot and has another 10 years of life going forward. — 8 years ago
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2011
One of my first bottles I put in my cellar over 5 years ago. Wanted to make sure there were no issues with storage and I was not disappointed. Drank great. Black fruit. Very oak forward. Well done Bordeaux. — 8 years ago
Mollydooker Wines
The Boxer Shiraz 2013
Yes did the Mollydooker Shake first! Deep color, plum flavor. Been looking forward to drinking this! — 9 years ago
Kanzler
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012
First time trying this. A very good Pinot - earth and mushrooms on the nose and fruit-forward with lots of cherry, strawberry and tea on the palate. Light, bright and super smooth - this ranks up there with some of my favorites including Sea Smoke, Pisoni, and Goldeneye. — 9 years ago
Very burgundion in style as well.
Château Fortia
Cuvée du Baron Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2010
Low on tannins, high on berries, namely blueberry and cherry. Currants were forward at first but faded. Layers were subtle and became more subtle. Disappointing complexity by the hammy bottom. Was 9.1 and declined to 89...barely. — 9 years ago
Château Margaux
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
Smooth and silky...peppery finish that you arrive at subtly after a dark buttery fruit forward first sip....
— 10 years ago
Le Macchiole
Messorio Toscana Merlot 2006
Amazing Merlot!!! Pure pleasure - an extraordinary mix of power freshness and complexity. A masterpiece. Those who know me, know that I don't easily grant 5 stars. But here each star is well deserved!!!
My score 95, drink 2014-2028!
The wine is almost black in color, the nose is seductive and essentially you fall in love with this wine from the first sniff. The aromas are rich and concentrated, plum, black cherry, sweet spices, licorice, coffee, chocolate, blueberry jam and much more. Body is full, chewy, rich intense , rich and extracted, a rare combination of fruit forward and freshness, the tannins are round, smooth and caressing, the light acidity keeps you addicted. The finish is long, and addictive.. Impossible to stop drinking it — 10 years ago
Malvirà
Langhe Favorita 2010
They started import company in 2008 these are Giorgione friends and all are farmers they are organic they are all friends working toward a similar goal. This is a typical grape of the piedmont has a unique aromas of pretty flowers chalk like mineral. Contrato was the first producer to make sparkling methode champenoise producer in it's 7000! Square foot cellar all products are vintage organic 90% vineyard Born in piedmont everything is done naturally no additives all natural. — 11 years ago
Colonia Las Liebres
Mendoza Bonarda 2012
First Bonarda. Perfect for being out at the foot of the Andes watching "Sunset Boulevard" — 11 years ago
Château Revelette
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé Grenache Blend 2017
Moores. 2017. $19. Always one of the first rose’s to make it to the states. Looking forward to the 2018’s. Hopefully Sunday — 7 years ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Carruades de Lafite Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
On the nose, ripe; blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, cooked cherries & strawberries & hues of blueberries. Black tea, cola, soft baking spices; vanilla, light clove & cinnamon. Crushed rocks, stones, limestone, turned, moist black earth, tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, soft leather, dry & fresh dark red florals.
The body is medium edging toward full. The tannins pretty well resolved. The ripe fruits show the hot, ripe vintage. Blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, cooked cherries & strawberries & hues of blueberries black tea, cola, soft baking spices; vanilla, light clove & cinnamon. Crushed rocks, stones, limestone, tobacco with ash, some graphite, soft medium dark spice, turned, forest floor, powdery but edgy minerals, saddle-wood, soft leather, dry & fresh dark red florals with some violets on the finish.
This showed better with Ribeye. The Ribeye brought out a fuller, richer wine with even more complexity. 9.35-9.4 with the Ribeye. It just missed 9.2 on its own. It’s big brother the 03 “Lafite” is 💯 point Parker wine.
Photos of; Chateau Lafite, their oak vat fermenters, Estate wine and their magnificent barrel room.
Interesting history and producers notes...Lafite Rothschild has a long and interesting history dating back to 1234, even though the property was not in the Bordeaux wine business at that time.
It is has been largely believed that vines were already planted on their terroir. The owner of the estate at the time, Gombaud de Lafite left his mark, his name. Almost 1,000 years after he owned it, the Chateau is still named after him! The vines were probably in existence at Lafite for over a century, it was not until around 1680, the majority of vineyards of what we know of as Lafite Rothschild today were created. This is because on the 1680 estate manifest, there are six mentions of their Bordeaux vineyards. Jacques de Segur, earns credit for cultivating the vineyard as I wrote in my Colon Segur post last weekend. In 1695, Alexandre de Segur married Marie-Therese de Clauzel, heiress to Chateau Latour. So to dovetail that write up, within a generation, the Segur family married into two of the greatest Bordeaux vineyards, Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour! When their son, Nicolas-Alexandre passed away, Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour were separated.
In 1797, Chateau Lafite was sold again. In the deed of sale, Chateau Lafite was described as a Premier Cru of Medoc. This is one of the earliest mentions of what we know of today as Lafite Rothschild producing wines of what would later be classified as an 1855 First Growth.
At that time, of Lafite were managed by the Goudal family. The Goudal family were wine historians and were able to read accurate records and details of the viticulture and marketing plans for Chateau Lafite in the estates formative years. The Goudal family gets the credit for creating the cellar and saving many of the oldest bottles that remain in the cold, dark cellars, including their oldest bottle, the 1797 Lafite!
The start of the famous Rothschild family begins in 1744, with the birth of Amschel Meyer. Amschel Meyer began creating his fortune while working as a merchant at “Zum Roten Schild,” which eventually became the family name of Rothschild.
In 1798 his sons were sent to various cities to create their fortunes. Needless to say, his sons all prospered as did their children in turn. This eventually led to them wanting to own a Chateau in Bordeaux. So in 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, an English member of the Rothschild family, purchased Chateau Brane-Mouton. As was the custom of the day, the new owner renamed it using his name and Chateau Mouton Rothschild was born.
This was followed in 1868, when James Rothschild, another member of the family purchased Chateau Lafite, which was now a coveted First Growth.
On 8 August, 1868, Baron James d’Rothschild purchased Chateau Lafite, which was sold at a public auction in Paris. It’s assumed, he bought the property for family competitive reasons looking to one up his brother, the owner of Mouton Rothschild. At that time, Mouton Rothschild was only a Second Growth at the time. But, that does not paint the entire picture. The 1855 Classification had not taken on the importance associated with it the we see it today. Plus, buying Lafite was a reasonable investment as the vineyard sold for about 8 times its earning potential.
The actual Chateau is one of the older structures in Bordeaux, as part of the building dates back to the later part of the 16th century. In 1868, the vineyard took up 135 hectares, of which 74 hectares were cultivated with vines. Production was much smaller in those days than it is today as it was between 4,000 and 5,000 cases.
Just three months after the purchase, Baron James d’Rothschild passed away and Chateau Lafite Rothschild became the joint property of his three sons; Alphonse Rothschild, Gustave Rothschild & Edmond Rothschild. Since 1868, Chateau Lafite Rothschild has remained in the hands of the of Rothschild family. The new owners renamed the estate Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
Jumping ahead to the modern age, in 1962, the Rothschild family added to their holdings when they purchased Chateau Duhart-Milon, a Fourth Growth vineyard also located in Pauillac. It was owned by the Casteja family for more than a century, Chateau Duhart Milon suffered from neglect and was in a awful condition. By the time Duhart Milon was obtained by the Rothschild family, the vineyard was down to only 17 hectare which required extensive renovations.
Baron Eric Rothschild, nephew of Baron Elie Rothschild, took over the management of Lafite Rothschild in 1974. Baron Eric Rothschild was part of the fifth Rothschild generation to inherit Chateau Lafite Rothschild. In 1984, the Rothschild family added to their holdings in Bordeaux with the purchase of Chateau Rieussec in Sauternes.
1987 was a difficult vintage, but because that was the year Lafite celebrated the inauguration of their wine new cellar, they had a lot to be excited about.
The new cellars were built under the supervision of Catalan architect Ricartdo Bofill, is both underground and circular, with a vault supported by 16 columns, giving the structure a majestic architectural style. The cellar holds 2,200 barrels, which is about 55,000 cases of wine. The construction took two years to finish and was completed in 1988.
Domaines Baron Rothschild became one of the first Bordeaux properties to invest in South America when they purchased Vina Los Vascos from a Chilean family. The owners of Lafite Rothschild continued expanding their holdings with the purchase of Chateau lEvangile in Pomerol from the Ducasse family, who owned the property for almost 100 years.
The wine making at Chateau Lafite Rothschild was managed by Charles Chevallier, who began his position in 1994. Charles Chevallier was replaced by Eric Kohler in January 2016. 2017 saw another change at the estate when Jean Guillaume Prats replaced Christopher Salin as the President of Domaines Baron Rothschild.
Perhaps, it’s the most refined of the First Growth. The wine, like all First Growth’s takes decades to mature. It has remarkable staying powers. Bottles of 1870 Lafite Rothschild discovered in the Glamis castle remain profound at more than 140 years of age! It is consider by many Master Sommeliers to be the best wine in the world.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is one of the earliest major Bordeaux estates to bottle their own wine. In 1890, they bottled a large portion of the wine and again in 1906. Part of the estate bottling was due to requests from Negociants who were willing to pay more for Chateau bottled wines. Also, bottling was primarily done to combat piracy. At the time, it was known that merchants in some countries, like Russia were bottling cheap wine and placing labels from Lafite Rothschild on the bottles. The Koch’s famous Jefferson bottles were not the first attempt at counterfeiting.
Prior to 1996, some would say the property had its share of ups and downs. The 1960’s and 1970’s were not great for Chateau Lafite Rothschild. But since 1996, Lafite Rothschild has been producing some of the best wine in their history!
Sadly, only the wealthy can afford to purchase it. Price aside, there is no denying the level of quality. In 2003 Lafite Rothschild produced a wine that is possibly unequaled by the estate at any time in their long history. Hence, my purchase of their 03 second wine. 2009, 2010 and 2016 are not far behind.
Starting in about 2008, Lafite Rothschild became the most collectible wine from Bordeaux. Prices exploded due to demand from China as Chinese businessmen bought them as gifts or bribes depending on you look at it.
The reason this started was Lafite Rothschild paid for product placement on the number one rated Chinese soap opera on television. Characters in that show were pictured enjoying life with Lafite Rothschild and since then demand went through the roof as did priced.
However, Issac Newton had it right when he declared “What goes up, must come down.” Prices for Lafite Rothschild plummeted after 2011. By the difficult 2013, prices were finally starting to hold firm, but many of the vintages that were setting price records on a daily basis had lost close to 50% of their value.
Starting with the 2012 vintage, Chateau Lafite Rothschild began instituting anti-counterfeiting measures. From 2012 forward, to help fight, rampant counterfeiting, the estate places a seal of authenticity on the capsules of both Lafite Rothschild and Carruades de Lafite. The seal features a unique, numbered code that can be checked on their website, to verify if the wine is real.
The 112 hectare vineyard of Chateau Lafite Rothschild is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. This shows a slight change in the vineyard.
While Cabernet Sauvignon remained at 70%, today there is slightly more Merlot, less Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot has been added since the mid 1990’s.
Located in the far north of the Pauillac appellation, only the small, Jalle de Breuil stream separates the vineyards from St. Estephe. You could divide the vineyards of Chateau Lafite Rothschild into three sections with 100 separate parcels in all. The estate has close to 50 hectares of vines located close to the Chateau, on both sides of the D2, which offers gentle rises in elevations of up to 27 meters. They also have about 50 hectares vines planted on the plateau in the Carruades sector, where they have two blocks of vines, one of which is inside the vineyard of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. It is interesting to note that even though the parcels in the Carruades sector give their name to the second wine of the estate, those vines are almost always placed in the Grand Vin.
There are also vines adjacent to, and interspersed with the vineyards of Chateau Duhart Milon. The property also consists of a smaller, 4.5 hectare parcel of vines located in the Saint Estephe appellation, “La Caillava”. The vines in St. Estephe are situated not that far from Cos d Estournel, which are located on a larger a parcel known as Blanquet. The vines in Saint Estephe are allowed to be placed into the wine of Chateau Lafite Rothschild because those vines were used to produce Lafite in 1885, at the time of the classification. The vineyards are close to their famous neighbor Mouton Rothschild.
Located just south of the Chateau, the best terroir of Lafite Rothschild has a thick layer of gravel with sand, clay, marl and limestone in the soils with rolling, gravel slopes. The gravel can be as deep as 4 meters in some parcels.
It is important to note that even though their vineyards are in the far north of Pauillac, most of the soil is pure gravel, rocks and stones. With more than 50% of the soil consisting of gravel, that is a large part of the reason Lafite Rothschild has such elegant, feminine textures and that coveted sensation of minerality.
On average, the vines are close to 40 years of age. However, Chateau Lafite Rothschild has much older vines. In fact, they have some vines that are more than 100 years of age planted in the La Graviere section. That small parcel of Merlot vines dates back to 1886. Less than 1% of the vines are that old.
Additionally, they have a small section of Cabernet Sauvignon that dates back to 1922! Other old vines range from 50 to 90 years of age! They also maintain some of the oldest Petit Verdot vines in the Medoc that was planted in the early 1930’s.
At Chateau Lafite Rothschild, between 1% to 1.5% of the vineyard is replanted every year. Vines less than 20 years of age are never included in the Grand Vin.
The vineyard of Chateau Lafite Rothschild is planted to a vine density that ranges from 7,500 to 8,500 vines per hectare. Only organic fertilizers are used in the vineyards of Lafite Rothschild.
During harvest, the goal is not to pick at the maximum level of ripeness. Instead, they are seeking a blend of grapes at differing levels of maturity, which gives the wine its unique textures, freshness, aromatic complexities and elegant sensations.
Lafite Rothschild is the largest of the First Growth vineyards with close to 112 hectares of vines. A large portion of the estate is taken up with stunningly, beautiful landscaping, lakes, trees and parkland.
At one point in time, Chateau Lafite Rothschild produced a dry white, Bordeaux wine that was sold as Vin de Chateau Lafite. The wine was produced from a large percentage of Semillon, blended with a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc. The last vintage for their white wine was 1960. The wine was sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux blanc with a simple, scripted label, black and white label.
Lafite vinification takes place in 66 vats that are a combination of 29 wood vats, 20 stainless steel tanks and 17 concrete vats that range in size from as small as 45 hectoliters up to 123 hectoliters in the concrete and as large as 270 hectoliters for the wood. The wide range of vat sizes coupled with different materials allow Chateau Lafite Rothschild to vinify depending on the needs of each specific parcel and grape variety. The stainless steel tanks and oak vats are used for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot is vinified in the concrete tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs in smaller, stainless steel tanks that vary in size from 25 hectoliters up to 60 hectoliters. At this point, Chateau Lafite Rothschild does not yet use gravity to move the fruit and juice in the cellar. It’s a good bet that a remodel is coming soon.
The average annual production of Chateau Lafite Rothschild ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 cases of wine per year, depending on the vintage. They of course make this second wine, Carruades de Lafite, which due to the name and association with the Grand Cru, has also become extremely collectible. Carruades de Lafite takes its name from a specific section of their vineyard that is located near Mouton Rothschild. Carruades is actually one of the older second wines in Bordeaux, as it was first produced in the mid 1850’s. About 100 years later during the mid 1960s, the estate reintroduced their second wine naming it Moulin de Carruades. The name was changed again in the 1980’s to Carruades de Lafite.
There is also a third wine which is sold as an AOC Pauillac that is produced from declassified fruit from Lafite Rothschild and Duhart-Milon.
The blend for Chateau Lafite Rothschild changes with each vintage depending on the character and quality of the vintage. Generally speaking, the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend ranges from 80% to 95%. Merlot is usually 5% to 20%. Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot usually varies from 0 to 5%.
— 7 years ago
Quail Hollow
Merlot 2013
A little harsh at first but really smoothed out with some air. Fruit forward, berries, and not too acidic & low tannins. A good addition for an everyday wine. — 11 years ago
Mas L'Avail
Terre d'Ardoise Vielles Vignes Carignane 2011
An eye-opener, the first sip provides a great bouquet of flavor. Creamy, & medium-full in body, I look forward to a glass tomorrow. — 11 years ago
Locations Wine
F-1 Red Blend
Medium dark purple color. Nose of cherry, plum. Not as fruit forward as other Phinney wines. Syrah was very prominent, my first sip was of tart black cherries and definitely had peppery spice to it. Good value at it's price point, but it is definitely not D66. — 11 years ago
E. Guigal
La Landonne Côte-Rotie Syrah 2009
la ladonne 100% non destemmed 100% syrah label foot pigeage by naked romans planted for the birth of son philipe in 1975 first vintage 78 — 12 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
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