Last week my local wine store had a great wine tasting. Featuring 10 wineries from the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley this was a great opportunity to taste and compare how different wineries in the same appellation showed their uniqueness through their wines. I did not have a bad wine during the whole night but want to mention a couple of standouts.
A new winery to me was the Peacock Family Vineyard. Apart from the label being gorgeous, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon was full of wonderful dark fruit and berries with a nice amount of tannins($65). Very much drinkable right now. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was even more dense in the fruit and berries, hiding the tannins, and requires a taste for that expression of Cabernet.
Barnett Vineyards poured their well known Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon which was delicious as usual (the 2003 vintage for $65). Two varieties that I have not tasted from them before was chardonnay and pinot noir. Their 2005 "Sangiacomo Vineyard" Carneros chardonnay ($29) was really nice and fresh. Great balance between not to sweet tropical fruit, a hint of oak and light cream. Perfect late summer wine.
I am a big pinot noir fan, and knowing pinot is not Barnett's priority I did not expect what swirled down my throat after my first sip of this wine. The 2005 "Tina Maria Vineyard" Russian River Valley ($37) was a clear surprise. Despite it's youth, very approachable with full, lush, red berries with nice structure and tannins to carry it up. I will get some of this for my cellar...
Fantesca Estate was another winery with some great wines, among them their 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($60). Their winemaker is Kirk and Nils Venge who owns Saddleback Cellars, which I am a fan of, making it extra exciting to taste the these wines. The frosted diamond patterned bottle makes this a great exciting wine to give as a gift.
Some other great wine I had came from Frias Family Vineyard, Cain and Robert Keenan Winery. All in all a fantastic tasting. What a night...
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3 comments:
Victoria,
I am glad to hear you enjoyed the wines from Spring Mountain. It is an amazing place. Let us know when you are coming up to Napa and we will be sure to get you up to the winery to do some barrel tasting in the cave!
Duane
Duane,
Which winery are you from? Your profile is hidden and will not tell me where I can find you. I will be up in Napa Valley this spring and would love to come visit.
Duane,
I think I just found you as Fantesca's owner. I would love to visit your winery. I am a big fan of Kirk and Nils Venge's wine!
Please confirm that I got it right...
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