Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Piña Cellars-Uncorked!
Mr. Clair Palmer took me at the end of the day at Pina Cellars; he has been there for three years. I called at the mouth of the driveway to make my appointment like a typical annoying industry person would. Although I didn’t know they closed at 4:00pm so I’m in the clear! I tasted through the wines with Clair as I watched him study me and would have paid anything to know what was in his head & what he thought of me. He reminded me of my grandfather Jim Weece, a call it how you see it stand up man. I respected him and could tell he earned his place on this Earth. Don’t get me wrong, he was Hilarious but honest. Any who, Pina makes about 3,000 cases and all of them 100% cab, six of them from six vineyards in fact. My pick out of the lineup was the 2006 Napa Valley D’Adamo Cab. On the nose I gathered Mocha, brown sugar, chocolate tootsie rolls, fresh grass & lavender. It had fantastic balance in tannins & dark rich color. The toping on cake was when Larry Pina walked in by chance for a quick pic. Oh ya, Pina by the way means “Fruit of the pine” Pina is also one of the most respected vineyard management companies in Napa.
http://www.pinanapavalley.com/
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Pine Ridge-Uncorked
Ok, one of my favorite wineries in Napa has always been Pine Ridge. Of the wines I turn to the most, I fancy the ever reliable Cabernet Franc! Its auction panel decoratively hangs above my stove top. I tasted the 06 with Jessica answering all my questions while prepping the room for a big tour, greeting guest, taking payment and answering phones without any stutter in her steps. On the nose it was constantly changing, I found molasses, cigar leafs, dark chocolate and cherry suckers. It was a little oakier than I remembered it with tannins that crept up on you in the finish. Found primarily at the winery with about 6-8 years of cellar ability. Very user friendly
http://www.pinridgevineyards.com/
Baldacci Family Vineyards-Uncorcked
Baldacci Family Vineyards of Silverado trail. Flat out down to earth good people. Plus they know what they’re talking about when it comes to wine! I met Jessica Pfeufer behind a welcoming smile and turquoise eyes; she gave me a great tasting and shared her interest in wine writing as well. I tasted the 2007 Four Sons Cabernet. 1,300 case production and a whole lot quality for the gracious buck.97%Cab 3% Cab Franc. I got a very fresh blast of tea leaves, candied apples and cranberries.
http://www.baldaccivineyards.com/
*Check out Jessica Pfeufer/My Pampered Traveler
Silverado Vineyards-Uncorked
I stopped in to Silverado Vineyards off of Silverado trail in Napa to see Patricia and the amazing view. Patricia has worked there for over several years. I have always been a fan of her and their Sangiovese for price and availability on restaurant menus. On this day I tasted the 2005 SOLO, Stags Leap district Cabernet Sauvignon. 1,693 case production 100% Cab with friendly but notable tannins for sure, no heat on the nose, black current fruit, vanilla, candy corns and mint chocolate. Minimal distribution and priced like typical Napa cab.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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