Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

9.6

Happy International #RieslingDay to all my fellow Riesling fans 🥂

Mr. Spittoon and I decided to delve into the cellar and we pulled out this @inniskillinwines 2017 Icewine Riesling from the Okanagan Valley in Canada 🇨🇦

My brother and sister-in-law gave this to us in 2019 after their visit to Canada (which is the worlds largest ice wine producer!).

What is Icewine 🧊🥂?

It’s not wine you add ice too 😯

But it is wine which is made from frozen grapes 🍇. The grapes naturally freeze on the vines and are picked when the temperature drops below -9 degrees Celsius 🥶

Not much liquid comes out of the grapes when they are pressed. So what comes out is super concentrated and full of luxurious flavour 🤤

The natural high acidity in Riesling grapes means the variety is perfect for Icewine production 🙌

I’m not a big sweet wine drinker but when they have that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, they are pure magic in the mouth 👌

And this Riesling Icewine was exactly that! From its beautiful golden amber colour to the mouthwatering aromas of juicy oranges, Manuka honey and stone fruits. The flavours flow through to the palate and it’s a true pleasure to drink with its lovely acidity. We matched it with cheese, prosciutto and crackers - which were the perfect compliment 👌

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. #Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Blend of 57% Cab Sauv, 26% Syrah, 14% Malbec & 3% Cab Franc, aged for 14 months 100% French oak (30% new). Deep Ruby, purple edges with developing youthful layered aromas of black berry fruits, sweet spice & notes of blossom, oak & wet stone. Palate pronounced complex flavors of blackberry, black cherry & ripe raspberry, not jammy, perfectly ripe fruits, black pepper, espresso & cacao notes. Fine grain structured soft tannins, well integrated & balanced, long finish, ending with fresh berry fruit character, just starting to add some leather, tobacco notes & earthy oak. Outstanding and elegant, drinking well for a ’16 but needs some bottle age, try this in 2021 & over the next decade+ if you have restraint! Limited production (826 cases), so grab one before they are gone! Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Nicolas Haunold

10

Proportionally funky @Luis Briones — 6 years ago

Shane Lennon

9.3

Good salinity, fun and fruity but also good minerality — 6 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.2

Whoa... this is crazy good. wild stuff. It starts with intense aromas of white peach, green apples, wet stone, apple seeds, the ocean, then hits the palate with an explosion of salty, cidery deliciousness; apricot and sour orange, umeboshi plum, ripe pears, white pepper, lemon zest and such a full body and extended sherry-like finish... it continues to evolve in new leesy, earthy notes for minutes. This is truly expressive and unique wine that defies categorization and is the type of thing that keeps me excited about trying new small production natural wines. — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

A penetrating nose features gooseberry, cassis, apricot and apple, and suggestions of seeds and pits – as well as a nettle-like prickle – lend invigorating crunch and piquancy to the brightly animating, cheek-scouring acidity that emerges on the palate. But even as you feel the impact of the acids, there is a sheer juiciness that keeps them from turning uncomfortably severe. And the penetrating finish here, predictably, delivers a decisive impression of wet stone and displays admirable balance as regards sweetness. This sole “regular” Müller Kabinett of its vintage (there’s also an Alte Reben bottling) has plenty of cellar potential. And it makes up nearly half of this year’s combined Scharzhofberg and Braune Kupp production. (David Schildknecht, Vinous, March 2018) — 7 years ago

Christopher Losa

Owner/Wine Director Bar Bambino

8.9

love this take on Sauv Blanc. has all the mineral and citrus with a more complex and interesting nose. nice weight to this wine too, striking a balance of viscous and lean, clean. — 7 years ago

Mary Christoph

9.5

Love love love this, especially with food! — 5 years ago

Randall Hopkins

Winegrower Co-Winemaker and Owner Corvus Vineyard and Corvus Cellars

9.6

Frickin brilliant! Balanced, a little spice, nice pronounced fruit, a little bramble on the finish. Outstanding GSM if you can get your hands on any. Super limited production. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Ruby in colour. Aromas of cherry, spice and mushrooms with a note of dried meat. White pepper on the palate but not much on the nose strangely enough. Medium weight palate - northern Rhone in style - very different to the fruit driven styles in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. For around 35 years this has been one of my favourite reds in Australia. Wine was first made on this site in the 1860’s. Pat Carmody and his wife Dianne replanted the site in 1976 retaining the beautiful old blue stone gravity fed winery from the 19th century. An icon of Australian wine from small production - probably not a lot exported. This is the first of 6 purchased, so great times ahead! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

One of my favorite small production wine, 300 cases. Cal Nicholson spent his youth in So. CA & after a long marketing career he hung up his spurs to follow his 2 real interests in life – surfing & wine making. Jones is the maiden name of Cal’s wife Pam. A wonderful wine. Aromas of lemon citrus with herb, stone & tropical fruits. Palate, peach, Granny Smith apple & ripe melon flavors with lively citrus zest wrapped in lbalanced acidity. Lingering finish ending with mineral citrus finish. Consistent! Nice! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Winemaker/owner Jim Clendenen started a label to make small lots of artisan distinctive wines. Crafting wines with care and is concerned with producing a high quality product, despite how long production takes, some of these wines spend up to 5 years of barrel age. The Tocai Friulano, Italian white varietal, planted in 1994 on the Bien Nacido Vineyard. Aromas sweet stone fruits with floral notes, aged in 100% neutral oak. On the palate apple, zesty citrus & lemongrass, with vivid acidity. Savory mouthfeel, well balanced on medium finish, ending with a slight honey character. Very nice, good value! Tasting Sample! — 7 years ago

Ming L

9.0

Nice mix of stone fruits, citrus, and tropical fruits with hint of white flower. Light creamy mouth feel highlighted by vanilla and key lime pie with lively acidity and chalky minerals. Touch of saltiness. Very balanced and immensely enjoyable.

Sonoma-Loeb, now part of Chappellet, is a small winery specializing PN and Chard from the Sonoma side of the Carneros AVA. Envoy is their limited production Chard with grapes from selected blocks from 1 or 2 vineyards. For 2015 it’s 100% from Sangiacomo Vineyard. — 7 years ago

Tyson Escoto

9.7

Fresh bright acidity up front soft round finish. Stellar balance and endurance for 09 Stay away if you like that Okey butter bs. Beautiful golden yellow and nose is phenomenal still so much life and ZIp to it, dances between sweet pineapple and Stoney, grassy nose. Just begs to be in your mouth as it waters. Balanced bright acidity moderate alcohol and stone fruit, w trademark Chardonnay roundness/soft mouthfeel . Yes it was a phenomenal vintage but this is A true testament to quality growing and production practices. Stellar fill line that has stood the test of time.Tasted at room temperature — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

On the nose, deep, dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dry cranberries, some blue fruits with baked strawberries on the edges. Black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, dark spices, smoke, softer leather, dry stems, dry rich soil and fresh & withering flowers.

The body is much fuller than the 14. The fruits are also darker. The tannins are big, firm but nice rounded. dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dry cranberries, creamy raspberries come on as it opens open and coats the palate, some blue fruits with baked strawberries on the palate edges. Black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, caramel, dark & milk chocolate dark spices, mint, expresso roast, tobacco, cedar, smoke, softer leather, dry stems, dry rich soil, tarry notes, crushed rocks and fresh & withering flowers. The structure, tension are more like 13 vintage. The length & balance is beautiful but, will take time to flush out. The finish is big, rich, elegant, glorious and lasts minutes.

Their Winemaker is Aaron Potts. Small production wine, under 500 cases.

Photos of; the several ton Artwork stones that they use as their logo & brand. The seven stone pieces are held together by gravity. Human relaxing art piece on the grounds, painting in the winery and the view from the Estate. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Nikki & Jeff Nelson joined together with Dragonette Cellars winemaker, Brandon Sparks-Gillis, & craft 2 very different small production Chards. Blend 2 stylistically different wines, from 7 vineyards, with little intervention, minimal oak, no additives just pure expressions of Chard! White Hill is more Chablis-like of the 2; aromas of stone and tropical fruits with citrus notes. On the palate peach, pineapple and ripe apple with citrus and mineral wrapped in generous acidity. Fresh, medium+ finish ending with citrus and mineral character. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Aromas of stone fruits with a crisp citrus edge surrounded by herb scents. On the palate ripe fruit flavors of peach & apple with honey tones, savory with good balance. Lingering finish ending with citrus mineral character. Nice now, small production 600 cases made. — 7 years ago

jim bryan

9.0

Catherine Stone Birthday — 7 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