Bob McDonald

9.5

Wine No. 6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted blind on Saturday. The idea for this tasting came from Cape Mentelle who annually have an International Cabernet tasting at the winery in WA where they have the confidence to put their wine up against the best Cabernets in the world every year. This has all of the classic Cabernet descriptors of black olive, red fruits, cigar box etc. Ranked #6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted on the day. Again needs to be cellared to realise its ultimate potential. — 5 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

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

This CS deserves way more international recognition! Period. — 9 years ago

Lesa Gough

9.1

This is old world wine with International flair. The fruit is ripe and gorgeous, nice structure, smooth finish. This will only get better with more time:) — 9 years ago

with Tico, Glenn and 2 others

Nikki Vlasic

9.1

Spanish wine contestant in our International Wine Tasting Night — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.1

The aroma is pure Burgundian oak, also emits subtle Ribeira Sacra terroir notes. Plush and velvety texture, clearly a fine wine with ambition, slightly softened with international feel, and without a strong individual voice. — 6 years ago

Christina Legendre

9.0

Sure I like it because of the name, but it’s also a nice wine, we drunk it with international food from Russia, France, India, Iran, Germany, China, Taiwan,... was a weird and nice melting pot ! — 7 years ago

Jeff Proctor

9.0

Warm smooth and delicious- S & Mary Robertson’s — 7 years ago

Mark Larson

9.5

After just 2-3 minutes breathing, it has an incredibly rich, full aroma and flavor. Lingers wonderfully on my tongue. — 7 years ago

Mark Larson

9.2

Yum! I do love Spanish wines. Excellent wine that I could enjoy every day. — 8 years ago

Eric Vrtis

9.3

How #atlasofwine likes to approach Saturdays. The 2009 vintage of this wine is stunning right now! This is a modern, international blend from Navarra in Spain. Menthol, spice, and currant cake. (Is currant cake a thing??) — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

2008 vintage. Stood out at the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting back in 2011 of the 2008 vintage. Ripe berry fruits with modern oak treatment and that Margaret River herbal trademark. Good concentration and balance with a persistent finish. Impressive. First one since the tasting 5 years ago. Has a great future but in a very good place right now. — 9 years ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.1

International Chenin Blanc Day — 6 years ago

Peter James

9.0

International Women’s Day DBX — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.2

Just found out from @"Odedi" it’s International Merlot day so out came this £62 Merlot driven St Estephe 😅 will keep improving for sure 👍

📍 Chateau Lafon Rochet 2005

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

🍷 Deep dark ruby

👃 Minerals, gravel & pencil lead through smokey oak baked black berry fruits w/ minty herbs, mocha & red berry tones

👄 Med body of blackberry, redcurrant & plum in minerals w/ a dry cocoa kick & earthy red liquorice tone

🎯 Med red & dark berry slight dry mineral cocoa linger
— 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Saw an ‘06 on a wine list and grabbed this 12 year-old beauty. Mike Grgich 1st gained international recognition at the celebrated "Paris Tasting" of '76 where a panel of eminent French judges were shocked they chose Mike’s '73 Montelena Chard as the finest white wine in the world! Elegant, rich berry fruit aromas, licorice notes. On the palate blackberry & cherry, bits of cacao and cinnamon, soft fine tannins. Lingering finish ending with soft oaky notes. Opened quickly and drank beautifully. — 7 years ago

Samuli Jokipaltio

9.4

Solera but not overly sweet. Lovely bones. — 8 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

I really enjoy this wine mostly because it contrasts with my other favorite Greek wines which tend to the super-dry end of the scale. This one has fruit and a more international style. Blackberry and some herbal notes. Only enough structure to get the job done. Very nice. — 8 years ago

with Anita

Becky Rose

9.7

Little spice and very smooth. — 9 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.5

Excellent, excellent international chardonnay; restraint but the high-toned expected aromatics cleverly crafted; meal, funk, naturalness, citrus, neat on the nose; palate matured more; brulee, nut roast, yum portion, best aspect is the citrus acid softness; #drinknow ; but window is 2013-2017. #cullen #wa #margaretriver #kevinjohn #chardonnay #biodynamic #13point5alc — 9 years ago