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.
— 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. — 10 years ago

Marcelo Santos

9.5

Great PX. Correct sweetness, rich flavors - Um belo PX, com doçura agradável e sabores de torra deliciosos. — 11 years ago

Oliver Wiethaus

9.0

Ganador Cata Rotaria — 11 years ago

Rich Reader

10

Intense, balanced, complex. This Lopez De Heredia Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia Tempranillo 1994 keeps on getting better year after year. The perfect bottle for today, International Tempranillo Day. Perhaps only God could say if and when there will be another so fine, but she's tight-lipped. Assume that very little of this still exists. — 12 years ago

Scott Claffee

9.4

International man of mystery. — 12 years ago

Ivan London

9.6

Winemaker's Notes: #53 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012 Imagine a refreshing sorbet-like medley of fresh lychee, grapefruit and honeydew melon laced with flinty minerality and finished with an infusion of mandarin and lime zest. A lively, invigorating wine with persistent grapefruit flavours and a steely blackcurrant tang – crisp but succulent with a long enduring finish. Critical Acclaim: This intriguing white delivers a complex aromatic note that includes whiffs of petrol, oolong tea, mineral and lanolin, giving way to an equally complex flavor profile. Crunchy green apple, Meyer lemon and melon flavors are refreshing, balanced, and persistent on the finish. 92 Points Wine Spectator Pale, bright yellow. Highly aromatic nose combines grapefruit rind, underripe pineapple, white pepper, fresh herbs and stony minerality. Rich, pliant and fairly full, but with a juicy sappy quality to the orange blossom and spice flavors. In a rather forward style but bright framing acidity gives it definition and thrust. Finishes with excellent length. Greywacke is the new project of sauvignon blanc guru Kevin Judd, who put Cloudy Bay on the map during his 25 years as winemaker there. 91 Points International Wine Cellar Former Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd’s new label displays a vibrant pungency to its leafy aromas, then opens up on the palate to add gooseberry and grapefruit notes. It's refreshingly medium bodied, with a slightly creamy texture and a long finish filled with pink grapefruit. 90 Points Wine Enthusiast — 13 years ago

Llewellyn Morkel

9.9

An easy drinking wine with distinct vanilla and mocha notes. Luverly! — 14 years ago

Jeff Proctor

9.0

Warm smooth and delicious- S & Mary Robertson’s — 8 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. — 8 years ago

Mark Larson

9.2

Yum! I do love Spanish wines. Excellent wine that I could enjoy every day. — 9 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??) — 9 years ago

Becky Rose

9.7

Little spice and very smooth. — 10 years ago

Bill Hargrove

9.3

In honor of International Grenache Day... — 11 years ago

Jimi Sachdev

8.9

Very nice birthday lunch wine. — 11 years ago

with Sunil

Ivan London

10

So, this is an eye-opening wine for me. Here are some reviews:

A bright, almost chiseled style, offering fresh-cut pineapple, quince and candied Meyer lemon flavors, with a long, floral-filled finish. Seriously long, with lovely lacy detail already showing on the finish. Should be long-lived.—J.M. Score: 94-97.

97 Points
Wine Enthusiast
Pure, with piercing persimmon, pineapple, white peach and quince flavors. Gorgeous floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom form the backdrop, while a heather accent caresses the finish. Overwhelmingly pure in the end, with a finish that sails on and on. Best from 2016 through 2035.

95 Points
Wine Spectator
Deep yellow-gold. Sexy, perfumed nose offers pineapple, honey, nutmeg, marzipan and spicy oak. Big, rich and voluminous as Doisy-Vedrines tends to be, but more refined than usual in 2011, offering enticing, sweet flavors of exotic fruits, spices and honey. Finishes long and sweet, with sexy oak notes of spice and coconut and plenty of spicy botrytis.
Range: 90-93

93 Points
International Wine Cellar
The 2011 Doisy-Vedrines has a far more taciturn bouquet than the Doisy-Daene, offering its trademark tropical, peachy aromas that will hopefully develop more delineation throughout its maturation. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry. There are attractive spicy notes and a satisfying build in the mouth towards its botrytis-rich, tropical finish, although on this occasion I find it needing more tension to merit a higher score. Drink 2014-2030.
Barrel Sample: 90-92 Points

92 Points
The Wine Advocate — 12 years ago

Keith Ott

10

Aromatic and complex, definitely not international style — 12 years ago

Kate Zhdan

10

Good wine, not very sour, without headache — 13 years ago

Chris Giroux

9.7

Showing what Greece is capable of doing with international varieties! — 13 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. — 8 years ago

Samuli Jokipaltio

9.4

Solera but not overly sweet. Lovely bones. — 9 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. — 9 years ago

with Anita

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

This CS deserves way more international recognition! Period. — 10 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:) — 10 years ago

with Tico, Glenn and 2 others

Wojciech Wojtanowski

9.0

Very international. No typical in Austria. Tasty. — 11 years ago

Ivan London

9.1

A smooth and supple wine that I bought as a Future.

Overlooking the Dordogne valley in the heart of Saint-Etienne de Lisse, Chateau Puy-Blanquet has northern and eastern blocks that enjoy the morning sunshine. There are 49.42 acres of planted acreage on soils of clay and chalk. The wines produced in this area are fresh and generous.

Critical Acclaim:
Bright ruby. Aromatic nose features plum, dried flowers, licorice and sweet spices, lifted by a mocha nuance. Lush, broad and sweet, but with good inner-mouth energy to the soft, creamy red fruit, floral and spice flavors. Very easygoing, uncomplicated wine, finishing with fine-grained tannins, decent length and a light touch. I think I could drink a bottle of this on my own.
Barrel Sample: Range:86-89 Points

89 Points
International Wine Cellar — 12 years ago

Pete & Karen

10

"Black grape, raspberry and cassis hints combine in this delicately sweet Cabernet Sauvignon. It's full bodied character makes it superb with mature cheeses and fine pates." — 12 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.2

International Sherry week has started! I'm always there with beautifully individual bottling, revealing Flor aromas and flavors, freshness and minerality. Great wine made personal. — 12 years ago

Andrea Jeanette

9.6

From Davanti Enoteca with Transplace International team. — 13 years ago

Eric Kozlik

8.9

On the nose, strong black pepper, anise, and green pepper slightly overshadow the blackberry and currant base. On the tongue, exceptionally smooth, revealing soft, sweet plum and caramel on the medium-long finish. — 13 years ago