Mary Christoph

9.1

Really excellent red wine, great with food — 4 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.6

An intense wine....exuberant nose, long finish and layers of red fruits and acidity that create a tension that is impossible to resist — 5 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Revisiting vintage, last bottle, Oregon-based winemaker, wine from his “offseason” making wines in New Zealand — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 2015 Napa has a much more expressive nose than previous vintages. The mid red fruits are brighter and more dominant. Ripe; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, black raspberries and blueberry hues. Good presence of vanilla, cinnamon, very light clove, limestone, dark turned, rich earth, light dry crushed rocks, soft leather, blue florals and fresh red & blue florals.

The body is also much lighter in the 15 than other vintages. It’s still very fresh. At this stage, it’s like a well extracted Pinot. Ripe; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, black raspberries and blueberry hues. Good presence of vanilla, cinnamon, very light clove, limestone, dry clay, stems, mint, Provence fresh herbs, dark turned, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, soft leather, blue florals and fresh red & blue florals. The acidity is light a waterfall. The finish is bright fruit that is well balanced with earth. However, as it cellars, I predict this wine with flush out, put on weight and gain complexity. Much better palate experiences 10-15 years plus down the road for this 15 Napa.

Photos of, the terrace view from JPV’s visitors center, the JPV annual members party small bites, the lounge area in their visitor center and estate vineyard off their terrace.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

Made an impromptu stop at Stonestreet the last time we were in Napa/Sonoma. Had a little unexpected time between tastings. Man it was sure HOT when we were there in September. I remember the estate was in great condition. Beautiful scenery and some of the views from eastern Healdsburg and Geyserville are hard to beat. It was about 95 degrees AT THE WINERY in the middle of a Napa heat wave. This wine hit the spot. A nice, crisp, lighter bodied wine with a crisp side to it, yet didn't feel as though your tongue was burning. Edges on this one were rounded even from the start. More of a lemon curd, but also some lime and honeysuckle. Middle had good weight, a little silkier than I had anticipated. The finish is lighter, mostly lemon and lime. Not a powerhouse, but was really nice on that 95 degree September "summer" day in Healdsburg, and pretty darn good tonight. — 7 years ago

David Madison

9.0

Delightful with Mediterranean food — 9 years ago

Justin Hart

8.9

A little over ripe cherry on tge nose and the palette. Typical of red mtn. Yum! — 9 years ago

with Alex, Jenny and 2 others

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Facing a natural terrace above the river Miño, located in the town of As Neves, within the wine region of Condado do Tea, bordering Portugal. Pale yellow with pronounced fruit and floral aromas. On the palate white flesh fruit flavors, citrus and herb notes with lively acidity and nice balance of minerality. Crisp on the finish ending with lemon zest notes. Nice! — 5 years ago

Dimes

9.0

Was pleasantly surprised since Washington wines tend to be a little more earthier and excellent soil than I like — 5 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.4

Such a contrast to 2016! 2014 was warmer and with 2 more years of bottle age, the wine is more fruit forward, more opulent and more balanced against the brooding, spicy character of Gibbston. Fabulous! — 6 years ago

with Rocket

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Bottle enjoyed last night. Notes are from memory today.

While 2010 is not my favorite Napa vintage, it was not bad. In many 2010’s I’ve had, the structure, texture and body are just not quite all there. However, Howell Mountain wines, for me, faired better.

There are a number of good Howell Mountain producers, Dunn being one of my favorites. I think Ladera Vineyards is one of the more underrated Howell Mountain producers. Especially, at a Costco price of around $45.

The blue fruits that shine in Howell Mountain wines are always unmistakable. Blueberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, raspberry cola, light spice, soft leather, saddle-wood, lavender and violets. Beautiful acidity. The structure is good. The body round and elegant. The length, tension and balance just now coming into its own. Still needs a few more years to hit its peak. The finish is soft, round, elegant and beautiful. Lasts full two minutes.

Photos of; the winery and beautiful grounds, outside terrace, special event tasting & dinning room and their Estate vines. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

This is from the Waipara Valley in Canterbury just north of Christchurch and not to be confused with Wairarapa just north of Wellington in Martinborough. Must try more Pinots from this region. Not as full bodied as Otago being more minerally from the Gravel soils. — 8 years ago

Carol Kellett

9.1

better than OK :) — 8 years ago

Eric

9.0

Funky mountain nose. Nicely concentrated blackberry palate, with plenty of spice and tannin left. Good QPR at 50 bones. Probably even better in a few years. — 9 years ago

Mike Whitworth

9.8

Classic Napa...delicious — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 5 years ago

with Christina and James

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.

Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.

Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.

Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
— 7 years ago

Jennifer Liu

8.9

$16.99 from new season. Good at the first day. The second day, it tastes a bit more sour. — 7 years ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Really nice. Bigger than the Gravelly meadow and Red Rock Terrace, without the acidity. But still better than 90% of the bottles in Napa. — 8 years ago

Keith Crump

9.0

Good well made Martinborough Pinot — 9 years ago