I just read through this and think it's worth perusing prior to a napa trip. I haven't been since COVID so obviously some things have changed significantly - but this is relatively up to date. https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-essential-napa-valley-restaurants-bars
Yep. One of my best friends lives in Napa and recommended it. We were only in Napa for two nights and went to Zuzu and Per Se. I was very disappointed in Per Se. I wanted a break from wine and ordered a Sazerac while we waited for our table. Worst cocktail I've ever had. It was also fried chicken night, which was good and all, but fried chicken is fried chicken so I actually enjoyed Zuzu more.
Went (too?) deep on Arnot-Roberts Spring allocation, but I love everything they make. Wish shipping weren’t too damn high, but I understand.
I ended up passing, actually. The shipping to NY is expensive and at $100 for their Cabs and $60 per Syrah–which are admittedly excellent–it's just not the allocation for me. I load up on whites and Gamay/Trousseau though.
Paul Hobbs just called and in 5 minutes I spent $2K tried to get me to order more of the “Hobbs” cab that is $800/bottle but was able to stay away from that
I had talked up the NY Per Se to the Mrs. for weeks - ended up being very mediocre and based on the timeline/review I'm pretty sure Pete Wells was probably there the same night as us to give it a resounding 2-star review for New York Times.
The Trousseau is delicious. I made the mistake of giving away a few of mine as gifts. I’ve drank 4 already... almost out of my stash.
18 bottles from B cellars 6 bottles +1 magnum of 2018 continuum 12 bottles + 1 magnum of Palmaz and b cellars gave me a bottle of their 2016 Oakville for free getting storage unit #2 next week
James Suckling said their 2017 Rutherford Helms was his favorite napa cab of last year I emailed them and they agreed to allocate me 3 of them if I bought 3 of the 2018s too they’re like $600/bottle though
I didn’t really start caring about wine until a year ago during lockdown and now it’s a borderline obsession
That is a lot. I struggle to blindly pay that much for Napa in a difficult vintage like 2017 when I could go get first growths with more history and pedigree for that price and I don’t have to buy 3 of the same. I’m not trying to dissuade you but I faced the same decision when I came up on Colgin’s list and I ended up passing and instead bought an auctioned older bottle to see if I want to get back in the waitlist.
I went through the same thing in the global financial crisis. I got used to good wine on business dinners. Then I got laid off and had a lot of time and wanted to learn more and figure out what we had been drinking/buying and frankly shot past that price point when I got a job again.
We went to continuum on Friday and were blown away at how beautiful it is then we went to Palmaz on Saturday afternoon and both the wine and the estate blew continuum out of the water Anyone who is going to napa needs to put Palmaz on your list
I don't keep track anymore - I just pretty much let the Mrs. handle all of that. I have heard very good things though.
Agreed but you need to go to Palmaz I can’t even begin to fathom how much they spent but it was easily 100m+
Without a doubt. As someone that constantly deals with development - it was literally stressful taking tours the most recent trip. Sober Eathan just keeps pricing out every aspect of the lease and construction. But the wine is a cure-all
Yeah when they said he was a doctor I was like how the fuck did he afford this then they said that and it made sense
I have on several occasions asked MLS (who is a legit Som) to contribute to this thread and she's on a full boycott. But - got the biggest Realm allocation in LA so I'm on complete wine swag level right now.
No but I have fucked around on Total Wine’s private site for Bordeaux futures and it is both titillating and terrifying. Don’t think I’m ready for that shit yet. In fact you should forget I said anything because you’ll blow 150k in a week
They have a good deal on there for beckstoffer Missouri hopper made by Helen Keplinger https://concierge.totalwine.com/con...souri-hopper-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon-2017 I had some b cellars 2017 Missouri hopper on Saturday and it was outstanding
Yup, I buy a few bottles per month on there. Good resource for aged wines and their team responds quickly when you inquire about provenance.
https://auction.zachys.com/Robert-Mondavi-Winery-2015-To-Kalon-Cabernet-Sauvi-LOT60874.aspx Gallant Knight
The mondavi to kalon can be from any vineyard like them using that name doesn’t mean it comes from they actual to kalon vineyard
Yes, you can get some interesting off the run shit. I once bought a magnum of 1983 Chappellet Signature for $85. There is an element of buyer beware though in terms of storage provenance and the like. If I was going to buy DRC, Petrus, etc I would pay up to do it from a real auction house. But I have older vintages of Cayuse, Colgin, Dalle Valle Maya, etc. Pricing tends to stick closer to original price paid rather than inflating with current vintage price.
Seems like it could be a lot of people liquidating their cellars or something I definitely wouldn’t spend a ton because of the storage reasons you discussed, especially on older vintages
And I’ve been able to get older vintages directly from wineries just by emailing or calling and asking