I just had a '13 syrah from them last night that I got last year. Great stuff. Heard their cab in the offer this year is great.
One of my favorites in WA. Love Harrington’s style I typically stick with their Rhone varietals so I’m curious how that one will compare.
I agree their Syrah stands out more than their Cab. I bought this off wine bid because I was curious how it would age. It was really good. I think I’ve come to the conclusion Gramercy is my #1 and Reynvaan is my #2. Cayuse is really good too but I’ve had far fewer.
Napa is one of the most delightful tourist traps you will ever visit. If you can afford it and find it interesting then I say go for it. You won’t have a bad time either way. As much of a To Kalon whore as you are you would probably appreciate it more than most. Personally I would rather see a couple of different wineries but different strokes for different folks.
Aside from walking the aisles at the liquor store, what’s the best way to fill a wine cabinet? Extra credit will be awarded for cost saving strategies
WSJ had an article on top Cabs for $25 or less (they are impossible to c/p from the app) My local wine shop has #2 for even less than that, will probably be my go to weeknight drinker
Stayed at Meadow wood for our honeymoon and they had a concierge that provided recommendations for wineries and made reservations. They probably have priority access to places that require a reservation. Couldn’t get us into “mailing list only” places, but we enjoyed every place we went. Probably skewed view, but I much preferred the “by appointment only” places over the “communal” tastings. Although Montelena I think is worth it for the history aspect. When we go again I think the move is to hire a driver and do two “appointment” tastings and plan for lunch at a restaurant for lunch in between.
I’ve bought so much wine from b cellars that they’re rolling out the red carpet. That’s the only plan we have so dar
I feel like 2-3 by appointment visits per day is the best way to do Napa. Just going tasting room to tasting room is more like going to bars. I much prefer the personal experience and tour.
Yung/Embree I hope I remembered correctly that you really liked Sandhills. I just bought a couple of bottles of their spring allocation.
Looks like the dude who would be guiding us is a crazy MAGA person so I’m out continuum sent out an email today and said they’re allowing some people be reservation only so trying to get in on that
We were there Nov. 2016 and there are a lot more Rs in Northern California than I expected. :lol: Monticello was really fun. I’ve become friendly with the proprietor and he’s pulled out complimentary library Cabs for the tasting even though I’m not a big annual spender.
We will only have two full days there I think we are just going to try to go to two places each day I know we are signing up for tastings and stuff, but can we order a bottle/glasses and drink after the tasting? Or is that not how it works
It depends where you are. Continuum shares a road with Chappellet. Under a condition of their easement they only get 2 groups per day (one morning, one afternoon) and the groups have been 2-4 people when I’ve been there. It’s just you so it’s flexible but generally a tour of the vineyards & wine making area with a glass of Novicium and then you end with a sit down tasting of Continuum that is in a decanter. They don’t offer to sell directly from the winery because it’s sales by allocation. If you were at Chappellet, they’ve allowed me to picnic (bring your own food) with a purchased bottle. Frogs Leap is like that too.
Gallant Knight PH Beckstoffer To Kalon for $460 after tax, yay or nay? It’s 20% off what they have listed normally. I don’t even see the option to buy this from Hobbs online because I’m not cool enough
A Napa trip is very high on my list for post-COVID domestic travel. I love visiting vineyards and learning abt the wines, even though I don't have the most knowledgeable of palates.
Same boat - I would say I'm rocking a C at best regarding wine knowledge but I have a great time in Napa.
Big fan of the Oxbow Market in Napa, very casual and has tons of awesome food and beverage vendors all in one place.
Some properties I either work with or highly recommend in Napa: Forman Vineyard - My top rec. Ric is a Napa legend and his vineyard site on Big Rock Road is among Napa's most beautiful. Very intimate atmosphere. Stewart Cellars - Great tasting room in Yountville with a large patio and food served on site. Rosé and white wines available for palate cleansers and they have a host of Cabs, including the NOMAD collection of Beckstoffer vineyards. Vincent Arroyo - Focused on non-Cab in Calistoga, they probably make my favorite examples of Petite Sirah in Cali. They used to have a pretty epic, free tasting lineup. Corison - Maybe my favorite Napa Cabs and they often have library wines open to enjoy.
It is a trip from Yountville but SingleThread in Healdsburg was a top 3 meal for me, much more enjoyable than TFL was. Not sure what they’re doing during the pandemic though
I haven't been to Meadowwood since the fire - not sure the situation there at current but the restaurant was (may still be) incredible.
This list was given to us by the gentleman pouring for us and Robert Sinskey. We weren’t planning on going there but had an afternoon and wanted to stay close to the hotel. Ended up being a great afternoon because of the staff there. Anyways here is his list for the next time we were coming back to Napa. It is a couple of years old so I would be curious if any of the wineries got damaged by the fires.
I'd give stony hill a few years under the new ownership before heading there. It'll be humming by next fall I'd imagine.
Great list. I’ve told the story here before, but our trip to Pride was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.