Tuesday, April 15, 2025
2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, March 10, 2025
2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
When Barb and Bart at a charity event a few decades ago, their love of wine was a bond that they shared that ultimlately led them to opening their owe winery in Napa. A quarter of a century ago the duo purchased 33 acres of prime Napa real estate and eventually they began producing Bordeaux and Burdundian styles of wines that promote their sustainably farmed vineyard. These "estate only" exclusive wines promote not only traditional styles, but also the passion that Barb and Bret share for each other after all of these years.
Today we are tasting the 2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. As one would expect, it is memorable from cork pop to the finish with it's beautiful bottle and striking darker mulberry color in the glass. Ripe berries, granite, wet stone, cigar paper and spice swim in the nose, creating a mouth-watering introduction that delivers. Dark fruit, plum, spice cabinet, pencil shavings, cedar smoke and a hint of milk chocolate dance on the tongue, creating a persistent finish against sophisticated tannins. This wine has only begun to show it's potential and we regret not decanting this prior to tasting. It is a wine that you need to add to your cellar, not only to lay down for fifteen or more years, but to prove to yourself what a fine Napa Valley Cabernet should taste like. It's beautiful!
Monday, December 16, 2024
2019 Prager Winery Aria White Port
Monday, December 9, 2024
2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
In 1996, Switzerland navtive Jack Schlatter, who became a partner just 5 years prior, became the sole owner of Merryvale, along with his family and son René. Eventually René would marry Laurence, whose family had been making wine in Switzerland for six generations. This story would travel half way around the world and end up in St. Helena where the Schlatter family continues to produce distinctive wines at the historic property.
This expression is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec (2%) and the combination is married in wonderful unison. Medium ruby red color with subtle blueberry pie, tobacco leaf, dried herbs and earthy undertones. The mouthfeel is very much in balance with the medium acidic brightness against the ripe plum, oak, blueberry and savory finish. The micro tannins are very welcoming and this wine is a stand out of the vintage. Drink now or cellar this for 5-10 years; either way it is classic Napa and it is very lovely!
ABV: 14.5%
Napa Valley AVA
Winery: Merryvale
Suggested retail price: $74.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93/100
Thursday, July 11, 2024
2023 Flora Springs Soliloquy White Wine
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Winery Spotlight: Krupp Brothers Estate
Monday, July 18, 2022
2017 Patland Estate Vineyards Chardonnay
We all know that Napa Valley is home to some of the most amazing full-bodied red wines in the world. But it would be a shame for wine lovers to overlook the throngs of high quality white wines that are also available from this region. When we first visited Napa in 2009, we found one of our favorite wines (a Chardonnay from a now defunct winery) and we have again found one of our favorite Chardonnay in this bottle. The 2017 Patland Estate Vineyards Chardonnay is a prime example of delicious and age-worthy Chardonnay that we feel is a "must have" wine for your portfolio. Much of the fruit in this offering is from the Stagecoach Vineyard (one of our favorite) and the wine is absolutely singing right now!
Vanilla, baking spices and pear on the nose with hints of lychee fruit. As always, we tasted this wine at room temperature and were introduced to flavors of homemade apple pie, toasted marshmallow and almost no oak. While we tend to lean towards more oak-framed wines, the fruit in this bottle is the star of the show and each sip is a dive into pure bliss. It's absolutely stunning.
Most people are used to paying $12 - $15 for grocery store Chardonnay. Do yourself a favor and try something outside of your comfort zone and budget. Try this exquisite Chardonnay from Patland Estate Vineyards and you can thank us later. We think you'll love this with grilled chicken and asparagus with a lemon cream reduction sauce or with sashimi. Enjoy!
Did we mention that after the initial tasting....
We enjoyed this with some salted dark chocolate carmel popcorn from Northern Neck Popcorn Bag? It was a WINNER!
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
2019 The Shepherd Sauvignon Blanc
Hot days are made for cooler wines and Sauvignon Blanc almost always fits the bill. But when you have a Sauvignon Blanc like this one that is so pure, straightforward and extremely easy to enjoy, you know you have hit the jackpot. Don't mistake this as simple, because it isn't. It is just very well made and exactly how we enjoy SB. Shepherd Wines, aka Truchard Vineyards, presents a fine California example of this wildly popular grape. Aromas of cooked pear, grapefruit and crisp linen resonate throughout the glass and intensify as the wine begins to warm. Delicious and crisp citrus flavors lead to a zippy and memorable medium acidic finish. Absolutely and easily a daily drinker!
ABV: 13.9%
Napa Valley, CA (Carneros Region)
Suggested retail price: $18.00
Drink The Bottles score: 90/100
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Winery Spotlight: Trefethen Family Vineyards
Second generation family members and co-founders Janet and John Trefethen created their own footprints in the wine world. John was the founding president of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and later led the charge for the Napa Valley Vintners during the early critical years. For 25 years, Janet hosted the Napa Valley Cooking Class and became an ambassador not only for the winery, but also Napa Valley as she became a leader in establishing the now famous Oak Knoll District.
- 2017 Cowgirl and the Pilot
- 2018 Dragon's Tooth
- 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, April 11, 2022
2019 Patland Estate Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah
Napa Valley, CA
110 cases produced
Suggested retail price: $85.00
Drink The Bottles score: 91/100
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine
Here's a another winner from a winery that we were introduced to about 13 months ago. The 2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine is a luscious and aromatic offering that offers a dark purple and mouth watering welcome to the palate. Ripe dark cherry, pencil lead, cocoa bits and cherry tobacco on the nose. In the mouth is a powerful blend of red fruits, barn wood, black tea and cherry licorice. This wine is framed with a solid acidic backbone and pulled together nicely for an amazing finish. Tips the scale at nearly 15% alcohol but the balance is in check. There were only 150 cases produced, but this one should be in your cellar while you can grab it. Enjoy it optimally for the next 12-15 years. Well done!
ABV: 14.9%
Napa Valley, CA
Suggested retail price: $75.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93/100
Monday, December 13, 2021
2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend
Friday, November 12, 2021
2018 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, November 1, 2021
2018 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros Napa Valley
2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend
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