Napa Valley Winery
2019 Silver Trident Winery “Symphony No. 9 Sauvignon Blanc
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery and Background
The two owners, coming out of hospitality and travel industry, opened their doors in Yountville in 2015. Their goal was to feature handcrafted artisan wines specifically showcasing Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and a Napa Valley red blend. They produce approximately four thousand cases in total per year. They hired Kari Auringer as the winemaker. Kari worked for ten years under the noted Celia Welch (Scarecrow and many more). One of the primary goals of the winery was to feature richly layered wines with complexity and depth.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Two years ago, Bob Binder, one of the owners, invited us to taste their new pizzetta wine and food pairings. From that time on, I have continued to purchase wines from Silver Trident.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A Tasting Home verses a Tasting Room
They set out to create a comfortable environment where customers felt relaxed, like being at home. Through various past connections with Ralph Lauren Home Collection, artists and galleries, essentially all the items in the “home” are available for purchase. This includes furniture, floor coverings, artwork, glasses and serving trays.
The feeling enjoyed while going through a tasting is intimate, warm and beautifully appointed living room, dining room or library. They recently moved to a new location that allows them use of the kitchen. By appointment only and no tasting bar, no rush and no standing on your feet while proceeding down the wine lineup.
For the complete story and pictures on their original pairing with exotic potato chips and then the added pizzettas and tasting, see an earlier story written at:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the wines purchased was their delicious 2019 No.9 Sauvignon Blanc. This made my annual list of Best Wines Tasted, for 2022 published in December. A unique Sauvignon Blanc. On the eyes, it was very pale straw in color, but it packed a startling punch. On the nose, floral scents of honeysuckle and mellow green apple. On the palate, soft embracing citrus of Meyer lemon zest, a hint of lime and blanched almonds. The finish provided a honeydew melon that was welcomed and provided a medium long conclusion to each luscious sip. The current release is the 2021 vintage and is listed at $36/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I have always been intrigued why the name Symphony #9. It is the first symphony to incorporate a chorus and vocal soloists in its final movement. To play the entire symphony takes between 65 and 74 minutes. Did they name it for the long-lasting finish? Or because you want to shout “Ode to Joy” after each sip?
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 sauteed chicken with chimichurri sauce, roasted potatoes and a fresh garden salad with bacon. A very good food and wine pairing. The chilled wine provided a cooling effect with the sauce and enhanced the flavor of the chicken with its citrus characteristics.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2015 Crocker & Starr Casili 8 – One of the Best Blends
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
A question was posed on a wine chat room, if you could only drink one wine the rest of your life, what would you choose? While not answering the question, as I believe variety is the spice of life, last evening drinking this 2015, it was extremely close to being the answer. We had a relative in from out of town and had never had a Crocker & Starr wine.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Casali designated wine is a mix of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon with the percentages changing year by year. 2015 Casali 8 is 55% Malbec and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is Pam’s ode to a Bordeaux blend and comes in at 14.4% alcohol.
First on the eyes a dark inky coloring with a magenta and purple rim. When popping the cork, the fragrances of black plum waft into the senses beckoning one to take a sip. Once on the palate, black cherries and blueberries swirl about in merriment. Secondary flavors of sweet pipe tobacco along with blackberries complete the tasting. The finish, dark chocolate counterbalanced by vanilla and surrounded by silky and embracing tannins leaves one almost speechless. Like a piece of art, you are mesmerized and totally elated with the momentary and existential experience.
Their current release is 2022 and is available to Casali members for $110/bottle (Casali 15). The 2015 will definitely make my “Best Wines Tasted This Year” again (comes out each December) in 2025!
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
Dinner with this wine was a special Carne Asada. The flank steak was tenderized and was marinated 24 hours with the following ingredients: olive oil, soy sauce, fresh squeezed orange and lime juice, fresh chopped cilantro leaves, serrano peppers, minced garlic cloves, ground cumin, Kosher salt, ground black pepper. The steak was seared on the BBQ with an infrared ceramic burner at 1500 degrees for about 3-4 minutes a side and then BBQ’ed. Served with minced cilantro, fresh extra marinade sauce and a modicum of fresh squeezed lime juice. Accompanying the meal was a fresh homemade macaroni salad with black olives, purple onions, and diced Serrano peppers. The Carne Asada was flavorful and spicy. This is now one of our “go to” BBQ food pairings!
This Malbec blend with its fruit surrounded the spicy meat and cooled it off to be absolutely a wonderful pairing with the Cabernet Sauvignon component matched beautifully with the meat protein.
The Winery
Pam Starr is simply a Rock Star. I believe she is one of the elite top 10 winemakers in Napa, but she is also much more than this. Knowing Pam Starr and following her exquisite wines for years, just about all would agree! Her technical pedigree comes from UC Davis in Fermentation Science. She started as an intern at Sonoma Cutrer, Edna Valley Vineyard, then six years at Carmenet Winery and then winemaker for Spottswoode Vineyard. In 1997 she and Charlie Crocker established Crocker & Starr.
Photo from Crocker & Starr website
Charlie Crocker comes from one of California’s oldest families, with his grandfather who was involved in the Central Pacific railroad in the mid 1800’s. His family heritage was a force in California’s development. Charlie also was involved in high tech and ran several companies very successfully. He has always had a keen interest in wine. Charlie in 1971 purchased the Dowdell property in St Helena. Today 85 of the 100 acres are planted in the classical Bordeaux grapes. On their website a detailed chronology is provided and makes a very good read.
The blending of these two personalities as a partnership is as smooth as their wine — seamless and magnificent.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
What I enjoy most in getting to know Pam, is her genuineness and friendliness. You can stop by and see her in the vineyards, driving a forklift, punching down tubs of grapes, just about anything and everything. She is immersed in the business of “perfection”. Yet she has time, to sit down and talk, provide a bowl of water for your dogs, and even converse about mundane “non-wine issues”. She is above all else, extremely real and kind. Why wouldn’t you like her wine?
Her enthusiasm spills over into her craft of winemaking skills. I am speaking as a customer and wine club member from this perspective. Since meeting Pam, some twenty years ago, her wines started out at a 10 (scale of 1-10) and have remained at this quality the entire time! No easy feat with droughts, fire and wild temperature swings.
Let’s talk about the wines she produces. First, and why I sought Crocker & Starr initially years ago, was her Cabernet Franc. Each year they produce one of the most consistently solid and best Cabernet Franc’s in the Valley. The wine always shows a deep purple, with concentrates of black raspberries and tobacco. As some Cab Francs can be “strong”, Crocker & Starr‘s are strong in texture, but surprisingly soft and velvety to drink. They have enough balance of structure, tannin and acid to last 10-15 years without fail.
Today they produce a few Cabernet Sauvignon (RLC, Stone Place, One Post), Cabernet Franc and Casali (blend of Cabernet Franc & Malbec). Also, their white Sauvignon Blanc is superb. One newer addition is Brut Rosé. All her red wines and white wines have consistently made my annual list of “Best Wines Tasted” during the year for the last 15 years! See the links to these reviews:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2019/12/28/2011-crocker-starr-stone-place-cabernet-sauvignon/
Photo from Crocker & Starr website
In 2021 Cyrus Hazzard joined the Crocker & Starr team as a Partner & President to continue their esteemed tradition.
One of their taglines is “Touch the Vines, Taste the Wines”. When visiting the winery, immersion into the vineyard is a prerequisite.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly