Lail Vineyards
Corra
Tail Feathers Rogue Valley Viognier Muscat Riesling 2017
Floral, tropical, share on the deck in your flip flops Summer symmetry. You can’t have enough of this at the ready to battle the swelter of the next 2 months. Reminds me of the Lail Georgia with a small injection of La Doriane Condrieu. — 7 years ago
Blankiet Estate
Paradise Hills Vineyard Merlot 2003
This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring. — 8 years ago
Duckhorn Vineyards
Estate Grown Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Drank this with steaks at Charlie Palmer Steak House in DC, where you can bring in two bottles of any American wine with no corkage fee! ... No shy nose for this wine ... Palate a bit more restrained , but still solid. Much better than basic Caymus or Lail, for comparison, though 30% more in price. — 12 years ago
Le Pich
Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This is Purlieu’s sister winery. We were the second tasting given in their new facilities just on the edge of Napa as you approach from American Canyon.
We started our visit with a splash of their 17 Sauvignon Blanc as we toured their new facilities.
A hybrid of tropical & dry style. It has understated tropicals of mango, pineapple, white citrus, peach, cut grass, round acidity and nicely polished finish.
Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.
For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more and his Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 7 years ago
Seven Stones Winery (USA)
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
07’ Seven Stone. Still quite purple in color. Blackberry, blueberry & jam flavors, dark chocolate, tea. This wine is still rather rich & dense. Have to say it has a elegance about it. This could possibly be in it’s prime for another decade. We shall see.
Nothing quite like it. Reminds me of a combination of Lail Mole Hill & Robert Keenan Reserve 😳 — 7 years ago
Farella Vineyards
La Luce Coombsville Sauvignon Blanc 2015
15’ Farella La Luce Sauvignon Blanc. Stone fruits. Lemon peel. Healthy dose of acidity. They sell most of the there grapes to Realm & Lail. Food pairing SB Edit- Tasting much better then upon release date! The acid has calm down quite a bit after about 30 minutes in the glass. Very enjoyable. These high acid wines...don’t drink them so cold ,cellar temperature is just fine! — 8 years ago
Lail Vineyards
Mole Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Soft tannins with ripe fruit and earthy depth — 11 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
Beau Vigne
Romeo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Shakespeare describes the ignorance of youth as "salad days," when we are green in judgement. I feel the Wine Nerd Herd has certainly broadened my horizons, and not just from a wine perspective. I reflect on the uncommon generosity and hospitality, evidenced by our upcoming tasting in Florida, courtesy of @Martin G Rivard.
But at the heart of this event is wine and new friendships. Wine forms a bridge that connects people who were once strangers. For me, metaphorically, it's friendship in a bottle. That is also what this bottle represented to us - thank you Martin.
Another outstanding effort from BV. It's deep and rich, yet totally accessible. Very appealing. Along with Bevan, Arkenstone, Lail, Realm and others, BV has further opened our eyes to the world of wine, and our new friends. — 8 years ago
Robert Mondavi Winery
To-Kalon Vineyard I Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009
2009 Sauvignon Blanc. The Mondavi 'I Block' (old vine to kalon) was superb and got more focused with time. The Lail Georgia was tropical from start to finish, with almost too much pineapple fruit and coconut (oak). Bias included, the 09 Albion was exceptional and cleared the flight save the slightly flabby nose. Freshness reigned supreme, particularly at 6 years young. — 10 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The nose reveals; dark, floral currants. Ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. Black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet.
The body is full. The tannins nicely round & soft. The wine is juicy, delicious & easy to drink now. Ripe blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, suede leather, dry underbrush, mint, hints if dry herbs, woody notes, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet. The acidity is well executed. The finish is round, balanced, juicy and delicious.
Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.
For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of; Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more.
Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 7 years ago