Kings Of Prohibition
Merry Edwards
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2015
Always a good addition to our annual crab feed is the magnum of Merry from the Kings. Tasty Russian River gem. — 6 years ago
Kongsgaard
Kings Farm Chardonnay 2012
@Benjamin Keator had his hosting at the CC tonight and it was absolutely incredible. What a night of gorgeous wines! All wines are guessed blind.
Out of the 3 whites, I guessed they were all 2012s (they were). I ended up guessing this was Marcassin based on the smoked waxy note I got with this (always get with Marcassin). It wasn’t buttery, but it wasn’t overly sulfuric. It had low acidity too and a fair amount of fruit. This ended up being most (including mine) white of the night. — 7 years ago
KEO
St. John Commandaria Xynistéri-Mavro Blend
My wife and I went to Cyprus last week. My mum's family is from there and it had been a decade since I had last visited. I was excited to try this wine because. Richard II called it the "wine of kings and king of wines", and it is so named after crusaders. Apparently the wine making process has scarcely changed in a thousand years and the grapes are still sourced from the same mountainous slopes of Troodos.
This bottling is $20 or so and widely available. And it is so delicious. Walnut and spice with a rich, persistent midpalate and long evolution through the finish. It tastes like a Vin Santo but less sweet or a very decent young Madeira.
In recent years higher end, vintage versions have been released. I'm eager to try them. — 7 years ago
Big House Wine Company
Prohibition Red 2015
One of my favorites. Bold deep flavor and smooth after taste. — 7 years ago
Woodside Vineyards
Kings Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
A beautiful Santa Cruz mountain cab highlighting all the great characteristics of the terroir. Dark. Bold. Ripe fruit. Soft tannins. Elegant finish. — 8 years ago
Robert Mondavi Winery
Carneros Pinot Noir 2013
For more than 40 years, Robert Mondavi Winery has been the symbol of Napa Valley. Founded in 1966, it was the first major winery built in Napa Valley in the 3 decades following the repeal of Prohibition, and went on to establish the foundation for modern California winemaking. Dark Ruby with aromas of red/black fruits and earthy spice. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors with herb spice. Soft tannins on a savory frame carry the wine to a lingering finish. — 8 years ago
Kings Ridge
Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2016
White peach pit on the nose round and fuzzy mouth feel. Plum. Skin. A hint of grapefruit peel delightful with hearth baked pizza- meatballs, sausage, grilled eggplant is the earthy counterpoint to this summery sonnet. A toast to flowers and a sun warmed meadow. This is a clarinet or possibly a harpsichord but not a fiddle or a flute. — 6 years ago
The Wonderland Project
Two Kings Pinot Noir 2016
I'm calling this one Weekday Pinot. Going with roast bacon wrapped chicken breast , sweet tater planks and baby sweet peppers. Nice for the price! Good balance of savory to fruitiness. — 7 years ago
Damilano
Lecinquevigne Barolo Nebbiolo 2012
Morlet Family Vineyards
En Famille Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006
The is from Morlet Families inaugural vintage of 2006. I must say it’s beautiful with a fair amount more of life ahead. The nose reveals dark cassis and a good presence of cinnamon stick. Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, light clove & cinnamon, dark fresh florals and violets. The nose is intoxicating! The body is round, ripe and rich. The tannins nicely resolved. The structure, balance, tension and length are in an excellent spot. Mmmmm! Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, a touch of bramble, light clove & cinnamon stick, dark rich soils, dry crushed rocks, a little leather, dark fresh florals & violets. The acidity is a waterfall on the palate. The finish is; spectacular elegance, richness, balance and lasts two minutes. One of the best CA Pinot’s we’ve had in a very long time. It deserves an amen & a hallelujah! I paid $65 for this amazing wine 9 years after it’s release (the 2015 released at $115); which brings me back around to a repetitive point of mine. Look for great wines on the secondary market and pay less than producers current release pricing. That is to say, it will aid in keeping you from drinking your new releases too young that are not nearly ready to enjoy! If you are not doing this, you are doing a disservice to your palate and your wine budget. Photos of; their old historical brick building they’ve converted into their winery, interior tasting area, Luc Morlet and their Estate vines. Producer notes and history...Winemaker Luc Morlet is a fifth-generation of a French winemaking family. Growing up in Avenay-Val d’Or, he spent all his spare time working on his family’s estate. His university studies of viticulture and winemaking were put into practice during years of work in vineyards and wineries in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the south of France. Luc left France in 1996 to join his wife Jodie in her native California. Starting in 2006, Luc Morlet began handcrafting Morlet vineyard designated wines and cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley. As well as; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, a white Bordeaux-style blend and a Late Harvest Sémillon from Sonoma County. Luc is also the brother of Nicolas Morlet the Winemaker of Peter Michael fame. Luc is another producer I respect for his meticulous farming and low intervention winemaking techniques. While his roots are based out of France, he has adapted his skills well to the Napa Valley soils and climate. Morlet styles his wines in a harmonious and refined fashion. Their logo is based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau’s sculpture entitled, ‘L’Harmonie.’ In August 2010, Luc and and his wife Jodie purchased an estate, just north of the town of St. Helena. Since then, they have converted the historic stone building, built in 1880, into their family winery. The building was originally the Castner Winery that closed during Prohibition. Morlet is located St. Helena Appellation. The estate is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and is the exclusive fruit source for their ‘Morlet Estate’ label. The Morlet’s ‘Mon Chevalier’ vineyard is located on the hillsides of Knights Valley, overlooking the western slopes of Mount St. Helena. The vineyard benefits from their proximity to the mountain. Warm and windy climate is ideal for the long ripening of the red Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They recently planted the 20 acre ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard. These Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines are located on the Oakville Bench, If one such exists. I read a quote from a grower who has been growing in Oakville for many years. He said, “the only bench in Oakville is the one in front of the Oakville Grocery Store.” While it may or may not be true, it’s certainly a funny quote. In addition to these family acres, they buy from farmers under long-term contracts in Fort Ross-Seaview, Russian River Valley, Bennett Valley, Dry Creek and Napa Valley. All of the Morlet’s wines are handcrafted using classical Burgundy and Bordeaux winemaking techniques and are matured in 100% French oak barrels. — 8 years ago
Old Forester
1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
One of my favorites so far. Big, sweet, almost like candy, with hint of chocolate? ~$52.00. 115 proof. — 6 years ago
Kings of Prohibition
'Al Capone' Cabernet - Shiraz 2020
Tastes bold, full bodied, off dry, medium acidity, medium high tannins, black cherry. Finishes dry & long, complex & beautiful. — 6 years ago
Seavey Vineyard
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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
Il Conventino
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sangiovese 2013
Wonderful! Be sure to decant, needs to open up when 1st opened. This is known as the "wine of the kings". It could age for 20 years. — 8 years ago
Kings Garden Vineyards
Chardonnay
2013. Unique! Super,super light oak. Taste light sweetness of honey/apricot? Did not pair with Thanksgiving stuffed mushrooms but stands on its own just fine! Do not drink it super cold, better when getting to less than room temperature — 8 years ago
Billy L.
PNP > Big wine! Very well made, lot’s of stuffing here; Kudos @Mike Smith 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Excellent effort & cheers 🍇🍷 — 6 years ago