Cabernet Sauvignon
Laura Michael Wines in Calistoga, Napa Valley – A Long Overdue Visit
Photo from Laura Michael website
While I have consistently written about Laura Michael Wines over the years, texted with Laura, held phone conversations, etc., it had to be a good six or seven years since my last visit. The goal of this visit was to refresh some photos for future stories and taste the latest vintages. Recently wrote a story on their 2016 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and a quick post on the blog of their 2009 high end Bentley Cabernet Sauvignon: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/05/30/2016-laura-michael-rutherford-cabernet-sauvignon/.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Was greeted by Michael and Laura with Laura having to run a quick errand. Michael provided a tasting of four wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The first tasting was simply remarkable being a 2025 Chardonnay from Oak Knoll vineyards. It was not like any Chardonnay I have tasted from Napa with the strong presence of pineapple and no oak. The retail price of $40/bottle seems below market price for this well-crafted wine. What a great way to start the tasting.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was one of Michael’s favorites, being Michael Muse Rosé of Zinfandel. The 2024 Rosé of Zinfandel. Coming in a bit high at 13.4% alcohol, it was refreshing and provided a great amount of fruit on the nose. I might even consider buying a bottle even though I am generally not a Rosé imbiber.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Michael opened one of his “go to anytime wines” a 2019 “A Quiet Moment” being a red blend. This is a blend primarily made with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots of dark fruit, plum and black cherry. The Touriga Nacional provided a caressing punch at the finish.
When Laura came back to the winery from her errand, we began catching up and she offered to taste anything in the cellar.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I chose to go with one of my favorite wines she has made over the years, her Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. This 2019 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon was like many stories I have done on this wine on previous vintages.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
That concluded with a great catch-up time with both Laura and Michael that was long overdue. It is always great to refresh old friendships, especially sharing some tasty wines.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
YoungInglewood Vineyards – Funambulist and Minimalist Are Key
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Jim, Jacky, Mary and Scott have been friends of mine since they officially opened. I was invited at the time by their new tasting room manager to come visit this exciting winery prior to their grand opening. Once I met them and understood their commitment to the land, their love of art and desire to produce winning wines, we became quick friends. Their commitment and stewardship are summed up by their working the vineyard organically and regeneratively by hand and with gentle equipment. Minimal irrigation is used to allow roots to grow deep into the alluvial soil on the property. They typically made small boutique production of various varieties.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This logo is still one of the best in industry showing the winemaker’s character to find the balance between sugar, acid and flavor both pre-harvest and while making the wine. Simple and meaningful symbol without wording.
While knowing and writing about their wines for years, I wanted to visit and find out what is new. First off was being greeted by their new tasting room manager Shannon Pestoni. She is well known in Napa Valley and a genuine and enthusiastic addition to the winery. Just one more reason to visit the winery.
When greeted by Shannon, Jim and Jacky, I was offered a glass of 2025 Vin Clair in the foyer, a delightful Rosé wine made from 52% Malbec and 48% Merlot.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then moved to the tasting room where one of my favorite paintings was moved back to its prominent place over the tasting bar. This photo doesn’t reveal the depth and color of the painting in person.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We wholeheartedly tasted each of these wines and a few others. Three wines made my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2026. From the above list the 2022 Right Bank ($130) was produced to near perfection. Ditto for the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($175). However, when I thought I had tasted some of their best wines, the 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon absolutely blew the doors off ($210). These are not simply good wines; they are exceptional wines produced to the highest level of quality.
A few others were tasted like the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and obviously all were solid wines. Somehow during my travels, I misplaced my detailed notes on each wine but that should not prevent one from tasting and obtaining any one of them!
Additional varieties produced by YoungInglewood include 2021 Malbec, 2022 Petit Verdot, 2023 Cuvée Edit Pinot Noir and 2024 Aligoté.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Smith-Madrone Vineyards on Top of Spring Mountain, Napa Valley
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I have written about their wines often as their Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc and most recently their Cabernet Sauvignon are not only in the upper tier of wines coming out of Napa but also reasonably priced as a solid value. I had contacted Stu Smith to do a quick visit not to taste the wines, but to update some photos for upcoming stories! I know passing on a tasting of great wines is not something I normally do but had my priorities. Stu still wanted to pour a glass of anything! Here are some recent stories on their wines:
Riesling
Cabernet Franc Story
Cabernet Sauvignon Story
Chardonnay Story
Left to Right: Charles, Stuart and François Photo ©Michael Kelly
The winery was founded in 1971 by Stuart Smith. Today the management of the winery/vineyards are comprised of him and his brother Charles Smith. Charles is also the winemaker along with François Bugué.
We hopped on the gator 4-wheel drive and headed out throughout the winery with Stu pointing out things of interest and asking him to stop so a picture or two could be photographed at various locations.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
When touring the vineyard, this is how close they came to losing their vineyard from the devasting Glass Fire just burning into their property. Recently Stu installed fire hydrants around both the winery and maintenance buildings. He also installed a sprinkler system on the roof of the winery. This was not a simple or inexpensive undertaking. He believes that this will help with “ember suppression” should another Glass fire with high winds occur.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Stu stopped to view how their Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were doing. These clusters when touched were as hard as marbles. In just a short time, they will progress to the next stage of their metamorphosis to get ready for the harvest.
Stay tuned for more pictures and stories that will be forthcoming.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Mountain Terraces – A Real Treat From Wines at the Mountain Top
Photo by Jerry Padilla of Ledson Winery
Mountain Terraces Vineyard is a world-class estate vineyard sitting at 2,500 feet on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountain range. This is part of the small Moon Mountain AVA. The vineyard is comprised of 200 acres of rugged mountain terrain. Varieties planted on the property include, besides the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Viognier, Merlot, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Sangiovese.
There are many reasons for the uniqueness of the property including soil composition and diurnal temperature swings from the heat of the summer and cooling fog in the evening brushing against the high altitude Moon Mountain vineyards.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Three of these exquisite wines were presented for the tasting. I had just recently published a review of Lex’s Vineyard and opted to only taste the other two. The story on Lex’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/06/22/mountain-terraces-vineyard-2010-lexs-cabernet-sauvignon-a-crowning-achievement/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First up was the 2016 Taylor’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. First on the eyes a dark and brooding color. On the nose, flavors of dark berries, especially blueberries and blackberries rush up into the senses to entice you for the first sip. Once in the mouth the bold fruits dance merrily about with joy. Secondary flavors of vanilla pipe tobacco take place. At the finish, the grapes, aged 30 months in oak, imparted both complex and velvety tannins.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The second wine enjoyed was the 2018 Mountain Terraces Cabernet Sauvignon Block 14. If you look at the aerial photo taken by Ledson Winery, it is located at the bottom of the hill. This is a rare and exotic wine for several reasons which are: 1) the 100% French barrels used come from 300-year trees 2) the staves were aged five years in the cooperage yard 3) the minerality imparted from being at the bottom of the hillside. The barrels alone cost more than $1,500 each! This wine goes for $240/bottle and is worth every penny. This was the first time tasting this rarefied wine and hopefully not my last. Vintages of the wine range from 96 points and up.
Again, dark deep coloring with luscious minerality and bright fruit depicts the rarity of this wine. You may never taste such gorgeous wine again.
Both wines earned a spot on my Best Wines Tasted in 2026 list. Roughly 2,000 wines are tasted each year, only about 2% make the annual list that is published yearly in December.
Jerry wanted to take a picture after three hours of me writing notes and tasting these great wines. I wrote pages of notes on each wine enjoyed and the conversations with Jerry.
Photo ©Michael Kelly taken by Jerry Padilla
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2010 Skipstone Wines, Faultline Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
The Winery
Photo from Skipstone Wines
An interesting story on how the owner Fahri Diner came to own this remarkable vineyard. Recounting the story told to me by him thirteen years ago, he was undecided on purchasing the property. Located on the property was an irrigation pond. Perplexed, he told his wife, if he could skip a stone from one side to the other, he would buy the property. So not only the decision to move forward with the vineyard and winery, but the name seemed appropriate. He then convinced Phillipe Melka to be the winemaker, and it was his sole winemaking venture in Alexander Valley at the time.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this out of the cellar last night for a special friend. It had been laying down for over 8 years. This is a blend of 40% of Cabernet Franc, 38% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% of Merlot. Combining these three varietals allowed renown winemaker Phillipe Melka to bring forth some of the best qualities and depth of character for these Alexander Valley (California) grapes
Faultline Vineyard is their interpretation of a Right-Bank Bordeaux blend. All three varietals come together with their own views but mesh like a well conducted symphony. On the nose soft fragrances of blueberries, dark fruit, cinnamon, and Cuban cigars. On the palate, the berries (Blue & Black) and herbal qualities meshed seamlessly to provide a mellow taste. The Merlot inserted a juicy plum into the mix. No hard edges considering the two Cabernets in the same bottle. It was smooth and tannins were sufficiently tamed to provide balanced and enjoyable wine. The finish provided hints of chocolate and roasted light coffee. An exquisite wine for special occasions and food pairings. The current vintages range from $195 to $225/bottle. The current vintage being 2023.
A marvelous bottle of wine and it will make my Best Wines Tasted in 2026 list for sure!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with spicy Italian meatballs and a red sauce with ground beef. Served with fresh Parmesan cheese. Accompanying the meal was a fresh garden salad with homemade Thousand Island dressing. The wine was very good with the meal cutting through the red sauce with its tannins. The dark fruits added to complement the rich and savory fats of the meat and the acidity helping with the tomato sauce.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Mountain Terraces Vineyard – 2010 Lex’s Cabernet Sauvignon – A Crowning Achievement
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background Info
Photo from Sonoma County Tourism
The wine comes from one of the smaller districts in Sonoma County AVA, Moon Mountain. Here is a map showing the area which has elevations from 200 feet to 2200 feet. From this vineyard you can see San Francisco some 50 miles away! The name intrigued me from my first introduction and here is Steve Ledson’s explanation “The inspiration for this wine is deeply rooted in love and friendship. Named after my father’s best friend, Lex, this Cabernet honors a bond that lasted a lifetime. Their friendship blossomed in high school and deepened during World War II when they served together in England. Lex, a tail gunner on B-29s, and my father, the lead mechanic, shared a connection that transcended the perils of war”. This wine is named and noted for an enduring friendship.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I had the privilege of being invited in March 2015 to visit this private working estate. Today the hillsides are flourishing with vineyards. The views from this facility are as unique as the terroir.
Photo Ledson Winery
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes this is a deep cavernous dark coloring with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, dark fruits waft into the senses. Once in the mouth, dark cherry and bright red cherries burst forth in greeting the imbiber. Secondly, blueberries and vanilla provide an easy and smooth drinking wine. Finally, minerality is noted along with soft rounded refined tannins at the conclusion.
The current vintage is 2021 which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 130 cases were produced, and alcohol level is 15.5%. The wine spent 30 months in 50% new French oak and retails for $120/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine was chosen for tonight’s meal of seasoned and prime BBQ’ed filet mignon steak. The meat was seasoned with mesquite seasoning, Kinder’s wood fired garlic powder, black pepper and Flatiron BBQ Rub. The Rub contains the following ingredients: chipotle, ancho, smoked ghost and habanero peppers along with thyme, toasted onion, roasted garlic and paprika. Served medium rare with a butter, French Blue cheese and chive compote, sauteed seasoned gnocchi topped with Parmesan cheese and a fresh garden salad with Roquefort dressing.
An excellent wine and food pairing with both benefiting immensely in a symbiotic dynamic.
The Winery
Photo from Ledson Winery Website
The Ledson story begins in England in 1896 and is detailed on the website https://ledson.com/discover-ledson/history/ . It is a tale of hard work, family ties and a desire to do more for the community. Steve Ledson’s history is both unique and common—unique with background and successful venture and common with family ties. His demeanor and casual manner speak volumes.
The Castle is the official tasting room of Ledson Winery, and the architecture and construction alone are worth the visit! Ledson Winery offers the largest premium wine portfolio of any family-owned winery in the United States. Today they offer more than 70 wines annually! More information on Ledson Winery can be found at:
Steve Ledson refers to his Mountain Terraces project as “Elevated Vineyards, Transcendent Wines”. This vineyard located on the mountain top is on rocky and volcanic soils, producing low-yielding Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. The property is at 2,000 feet elevation on the western slopes of the Mayacamas.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
FYI, The 2021 Ledson Cabernet Franc, Moon Mountain District, won the 2025 International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition Best of Category ($86- $105) by the People’s Choice Judges and Double Gold medals. They also won Double Gold Medals from the Professional Judges. A rare feat! He continues to win awards every year with his current vintages from his Moon Mountain Estate.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon – Keep Your Eye on This One!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Opened this bottle last evening to enjoy a delightful meal. Was expecting a top-notch wine as I had previously tasted their 2021 vintage. What transpired was a wine that exceeded my already high expectations. 2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon was fragrant, fruit forward and soft going into the palate, yet once there, burst forth with intense dark fruit flavors and brute strength with perfectly enjoyable tannins – a joyous surprise.
The Winery
Photo from vineyards looking east with Napa Valley below and Howell Mtn across the valley. Photo ©Michael Kelly
Smith-Madrone Vineyards is located on 200 acres on top of Spring Mountain west of St. Helena with 38 acres planted in vineyards. The vineyard elevation ranges from 1,300 to 2,000 feet.
Stuart on the left and Charles on the right Photo ©Michael Kelly
The founder, managing partner and enologist is Stuart Smith, Charles Smith is the winemaker, and the associate winemaker is François Bugué. Truly a family affair! All the wines are estate and dry-farmed on top of the mountain. Currently their production is approximately 6,000 cases a year. They produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and their iconic Cooks Flat (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc).
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For detailed information on the winery and unique trellis system, you can read the story from a previous visit at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/08/14/smith-madrone-vineyards-paradise-found/
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine is their second Cabernet Sauvignon vintage since the Glass Fire in 2020 during which they produced no Cabernet Sauvignon. A story truly reminiscent of The Phoenix!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a deep penetrating purple and crimson coloring. In the glass, medium heavy viscosity. Then on the nose fresh red cherries burst in the olfactory senses with a violet scent. Once on the palate, luscious and impactful red and black berries filled the mouth with a bold and brawny yet caressing flavor with a secondary note of blueberries and light vanilla pipe tobacco. At the finish a strong bold tannin showed the pedigree of this vineyard with their angularness and robustness. The minerality was also noted. This is why I believe this youthful wine will appreciate and improve with aging over the next 12-15 years. The complexity of this wine is astonishing with flavor and character.
The wine consists of 81.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18.5% of their award-winning Cabernet Franc. The wine is grown on their hillside estate being non-tilled and sustainably farmed. The wine was aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. The wine came in at 14.2% alcohol with only 1518 cases being produced and priced at $70/bottle, a remarkable bargain for this quality.
This wine just made my annual list Best Wines Tasted for 2026. Only 2-3% of the 1800 wines tasted during the year make the list which comes out in December each year. My suggestion is to garner 4 or more bottles and have one now and every 2-3 years open another, if you can wait that long!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a specially ordered, over a pound filet mignon steak, that was split with my wife. It was BBQ’ed and then seared at 1500 degrees and served medium rare. Served with a French Blu Cheese, butter and chive compote. Accompanied by a Yukon Gold potato and large artichoke. A delicious meal and the wine could have easily gone with a marbled ribeye steak also.
Here is where the Smith-Madrone shined with its fruit forwardness making it a wonderful flavor to the BBQ steak with strength and boldness enough with tannins to “cut through” the meat to making it a delightful meal.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
First Guests at Our New Home – A Great Pair of People and Wine!
First dinner guests on our folding table and folding chairs!! Dining room table and chairs are on backorder however with these two wines to start the dinner off it was not an issue!! My sister Kathy and step father Ben were the guests this evening. Both wines were filtered, double decanted and opened for 4 hours before dinner.
Link to previous story on 2010 O’Shaughnessy Cab Sauv: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/…/2010…/
Link to a different vintage (2013) of Keenan Cab Franc: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/…/2013-keenan…/
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
2020 Moody Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – As Rare As Gold!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
While having just moved from California to Arizona with 191 boxes to unpack and some additional 50+ items, we finally found our dishes, pots, pans and wine glasses. We still had not moved any wine from the temperature-controlled wine lockers in Scottsdale to the home. However, the day before we drove to Arizona, attended the Calaveras Foothill Wine Competition, which I have been judging at for the last eight years. At the kickoff dinner held at Hatcher Winery, randomly sat next to Bob Moody, owner and winemaker at Moody Ridge Wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Talked all evening on a variety of wine and other subjects this evening and upon departing the dinner, he handed me his bottle of wine. We “brought with us” and felt it only appropriate to open it on our first home cooked meal at our new home. On this day we had our new Napolean BBQ assembled and hooked up to the natural gas line at the house. We were now set to enjoy meals at home!
The Winery – Moody Ridge Wine
Located in Murphys, California in the lower Sierra foothills, this is a family-owned vineyard that was started after the devasting “Old Gulch Fire” in 1992. In 1980 the Moodys settled into their home which took Bob three and a half years of weekends to build. During the evening of the kick-off dinner, Bob reminisce about losing their family home in 1992.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
With help from his neighbors and friends, they rebuilt the homestead in four months. What a contrast to how much time and red-tape permitting is required today after the devasting fires in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Paradise, etc., in California recently. That was one of the topics of discussion during our dinner at Hatcher Winery.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
After rebuilding and farming the charred land covered with 18 inches of ash, they started with 300 vines which has now grown to 1600 vines that produced over 10 tons of fruit a year. This began the origins of Old Gulch Vineyard.
Photo from Moody Ridge Wine
Bob cannot technically call their wines “organic ”nor does he want to go through the certification process, but he stands by the minimal use of chemicals and pesticides. He even uses lambs to keep the weeds out of the vineyard.
Attending the dinner this year was his first time, and he did not even enter his wine into the competition but was there supporting the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance and friends.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Bob and other wine makers brought wine to the kickoff dinner for the competition held at Hatcher Winery. He brought an open bottle back to the table for us to taste. I was impressed by the first sip.
The wine, besides tasting great, the story of literally rising from the burning ashes, was a fairy tale of hard work and determination. Truly a Phoenix story. The respect and admiration of his effort made one appreciate the wine even more.
First on the eyes a very deep ruby red coloring and medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose, soft fragrances of blueberries and mocha arise from the cup. On the palate, a refreshingly mellow and subdued Cabernet Sauvignon yet with fruit dancing merrily in the mouth. At the long-lasting finish, tannins arose that were firm and gripping but not as intense as some of the heavier Napa Cabernet Sauvignon brethren. A very solid wine that was extremely enjoyable. This wine came in at 14.2% alcohol. Additionally, he only uses French oak and typically ages it for two years.
So now some “oddities” about this winery. First Bob and his wife really enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, so he simply only makes this varietal. Secondly, and a fact that simply eludes common understanding in the wine world, he sells his wines for around $10-12 dollars a bottle! This is not a typo! He has been making wine for 31 years and is currently about to release his 2022 vintage. When that happens, I will be the first in line!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For our first meal at our new home, we searched out and found a local meat market/butcher who obtains his beef from corn fed cows in Nebraska. Since we just had the BBQ set up by Gilbert Fireplaces and BBQ’s, this was the optimal way to kick off the dinner. The filet mignon steaks were seared at 1500 degrees and served medium rare the way we both enjoy the meat. This was actually more of a fluke as we still had not found the meat temperature probe!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Accompanied by fresh sweet corn lightly BBQ’ed on the grill and a fresh garden salad. A great meal with a most heartfelt and tasty Cabernet Sauvignon. While still eating on a folding table with folding chairs (dinning room furniture is on backorder) we finally got our home cooked meal. Knowing the background on Bob’s story, made the meal even more enjoyable being thankful for a home!
I hope you, the readers, get an opportunity to taste and buy his Cabernet Sauvignon as it is a gem found in Calaveras County foothills as is as rare as gold at $10-12/bottle. The only thing more rare than gold is Bob himself!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
“Ten Years After” Tasting Party of 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Wines
We were invited to a unique wine tasting venue on Saturday at Tremayne’s Concetta Wine Shop in Modesto. Paul Tremayne hosted the event at his wine shop/wine tasting/office (in the process) and Rick Eason provided the wines from his cellar. There was a nominal charge for this event.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The intent was to see how some very good wines held up over ten years. This was a blind tasting, and the wines were revealed at the conclusion of the event. This was a very interesting and informative tasting.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Wines were priced from $75 to over $300 a bottle buying them today. Each participant had eight wines already poured for the first flight and then a second flight of six wines was poured. Everyone rated their two best wines from each flight and the worst one from all fourteen wines. A simple vote by a raised hand determined which were the winners and losers.
The top wines that held up the best, surprisingly were not the most expensive. Coming in first place was the Nth Degree by Wente Wines from Livermore at $95. Others rating top honors were Beringer Winery – Steinhauer Ranch, Berringer – Private Reserve, Seaver GTS – $220-$300, Selah – $135. All the wines were drinkable, but a few were “over their prime” and on a slippery slope downwards. Those included Mt Brave – $100-$150 95pts, Karl Lawrence Cellars $75-$85 94 pts, Faust $139, Silver Oak Cellars Napa Valley $150-$175, La Jota Winery $250 95 pts, Silver Oak Cellars Alexander Valley $150-$160, Gemstone $179 – 93 pts all receiving the lower scores.
The balance of wine “in the middle ratings” included Far Niente $170-$350, Seaver NLS Diamond Mtn, BV Georges De LaTour $140-$197.
Concluding the afternoon tasting was a treat of two Cabernet Sauvignon wines being 1996 wines and one 2006. The first was Dunn Vineyards from Howell Mtn and a 1996 Silver Oak Cellar Napa Valley. The third wine was a 2006 Berringer Private Reserve. By a show of hand, recorded Dunn Vineyards held up the best by an overwhelming majority.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I very much appreciated attending this event and thank you Paul and Rick. Another mention should be for Tom Bender who coordinated this event.
Key take aways from this event are: 1) know how long to hold a wine 2) know how to store a wine for optimum enjoyment 3) price alone is not a criterion for longevity of a bottle.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly