Siduri

2006 Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (unreleased) ($28)
Smooth, easy drinking.

2006 Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir: $28/-/$25

2006 Sonoma County Pinot Noir: $20/-/-

2006 Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir: $53/-/$36
Spicy palate; great, full nose.

2005 Stolpman Vineyards Pinot Noir: $33/-/$30
Mild fruit, mild-to-no tannins.

2005 Novy Napa Valley Syrah: $23/-/$25
Big, bold nose. Fruit doesn’t finish on the palate.

2005 Novy Russian River Valley Syrah: $27/-/$33
Blend of Amber Ridge/Christiansen/Parson’s Vineyards. Full-bodied, very rich flavor.

2005 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands: $27/-/$33
Susan’s Hill/Rosella’s/Gary’s Vineyards. Another good syrah!

Jessup Cellars

We had a very nice private tasting with Bob who took time to educate us while pouring the wines. One of the most notable things about their private tastings is that they use the correct Riedel glassware for the wines they’re pouring. This out-of-the-way place in Yountville is very charming and have a plethora of well-valued wine, an anomaly in Napa County.

TRL/Staff/Wine = 8/8/7+

2006 Carneros Chardonnay: $38/-/$22

2003 Napa Valley Atlas Peak Merlot: $34/-/$30
Tastes like there’s cab franc blended, but 100% merlot. Green pepper taste exists, but soft.

2002 Mt. Veeder Merlot: $45/-/$42
It has a bit of a spike to it – a bit acidic, but still finishes with a good cranberry flavor.

2001 Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon: $65/-/($50-55)

2002 Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon: $55/-/($55-48)
This one should lay down a while.

2003 Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon: $49/-/($43-45)
All three cabs had a characteristic anise flavor to it that was quite delightful. Whatever you do, don’t decant these.

1996 Atlas Peak Zinfandel: $55/-/$44
Sweet, maraschino cherry taste. Wonderful wine!

2004 Atlas Peak Zinfandel: $35/-/$38

2004 Table for Four Napa Valley: $75/-/$55
This is their flagship wine and their only blended one.
65% Cab; 15% Cab Franc; 15% Merlot; 15% Petit Syrah

2000 Napa Valley Port: $53/-/$40

2004 Napa Valley Port: $38/-/($25-35)

Robert Young

Nestled a the eastern foothills in Alexander Valley, the home and surrounding buildings of this winery look like they were plucked off a southern plantation. It’s very charming. The tasting room is barely a closet, however, that gets crowded with 6 people in it. Fortunately there are only a few wines to sample here, so your stay will be short.

2005 Chardonnay Clone 17: $39/$31/$28

2004 Merlot: $50/$40/$30

2000 Scion: $40/$30/$38

2003 Scion: $54/$43/$48

Trentadue

This is really pretty winery, so much so that we thought it’d be a nice place for our niece to be married at. Trentadue usually has a nice staff, but it can be a bit hit and miss. Catch them on a slow day and you’ll have a good time. Catch them during barrel tasting weekend and it my be six deep to get to the tasting bar. (Note: They are smart enough to do their barrel tasting in an out-building. This is just what flows into their tasting room, afterwards.)

Trentadue also has some notable ports, here, but we didn’t taste them, today.

2006 Grenache Rose Montelago Vineyard: $15/$13/$15

2004 La Storia Zinfandel: $28/$21/$34

Good, full flavor; well balanced.

2004 La Storia “Cuvee 32”: $32/$24/$32

Interesting finish; goes down like a cab, but finishes like a merlot. Raspberry on the finish.

2003 La Storia Meritage: $45/$34/-

2004 La Storia Meritage: $45/$34/$35

Coffee on the nose. Good structure. Blackberry, little prune on the palate.

2003 La Storia Petite Sirah: $28/$21/$30

Lots of acidity – it had been open for 2 days.

Black cherry on the nose. Doesn’t round out on the palate.

Fritz

A trip to Northern California wine country would be empty without a stop at Fritz. We rarely, if ever, leave without any wine, and this stop was no different (6 bottles, as I recall).

2006 Sauvignon Blanc Estate (Dry Creek Valley): $20/$18/$25
There’s something about their Sau Blanc that enthuses us every time. It’s my second favorite sau blanc, but the one I buy more than all others combined.

2006 Rose’:$16/$14/-

2006 Ruxton Chardonnay:$35/$32/$35
If I'm going to pay $30+ for a Chardonnay, it's going to be from Ruxton Vineyards. The balance of fruit is complemented by the modestly creamy mouthfeel, perfect at this price.

2005 Reserve Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): $45/$40/$30

2005 Barrel Select Zinfandel: $40/$36/-

Normally a favorite, this wasn't tasting well at the time.

2005 Dry Creek Valley Syrah:$28/$25/-

2004 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: $35/$31/-

2005 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve: $50/-/$50

Opinions vary on this Cab, but I firmly believe it has the structure and quality to be a wonderful cab in a few years.

Rosenblum

TRL/Staff/Wine=7/7/9
Healdsburg Tasting Room

2006 Viognier, Kathy’s Cuvee:$18/-/$22
Slightly sweet, apricots, tropical fruit, honey. Purchase-worthy; easy drinking.

2005 Paso Robles Zinfandel: $18/-/$18
Jammy nose, much more balanced on the palate; cherry, black raspberry.

2005 House Family Zinfandel: $25/-/$28
Good nose, not too jammy. Black currant, cherry, plum. Jammy, but balanced.

2005 Snows Lake, Lake County Zinfandel: $35/-/-
More pepper, but less fruit. Good finish, but over-priced for flavor. More spice than currants.

2005 Lyons Reserve, Napa Zinfandel: $45/-/$35
Black cherry, pepper; good balance!

2005 Abba Vineyard Syrah (Lodi): $25/-/($24-$26)
Finishes like warm fruit. Pair with grilled meat or cold pork/sausage.

2005 Petite Sirah Pickett Road (Napa): $35/-/$35
Luscious nose!! Dark berry, spice & cherry.

2005 Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel: $35/-/$45
Very good!! Doesn’t need time to open. Big jam, little maple on the nose. Smooth.

Non-vintage Desire Chocolate Wine: $18/-/$25
Pair with white/milk chocolate. So worth it!

Gallo Family Winery

TRL/Staff/Wine=8/9/7
Healdsburg Tasting Room

2004 Two Rock Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast: $24/-/$25

2005 Two Rock Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast: $24/-/-
Isn’t it amazing what a difference a year makes? We over-valued the 2004 but wouldn’t consider buying the 2005.

2005 Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay: $13/-/-

2004 Russian River Valley Lagresan (sp?) Vineyard: $24/-/-

2005 Sonoma Coast Winemaker’s Signature Pinot Noir: $28/-/$20

2005 Russian River Valley Syrah: $40/-/-
Dried fruit on the nose that doesn’t come through on the palate

2003 Frei Ranch Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel: $22/-/$26

2003 Sonoma Valley Winemaker’s Signature Cabernet Franc: $45/-/$38
Luscious red; smooth. Deep blackberry, tea, prune.

Belvedere

TRL/Staff/Wine=9/7/5
2006 Russian River Valley Gewurstraminer: $19/-/$10

2006 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc: $18/-/-

2005 Healdsburg Ranch Chardonnay Sonoma County: $10/-/$15
Social Chardonnay - purchased three. Something you can get at BevMo!

2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay: $20/-/$18
Milder nose but decent flavor; notes of citrus, melon, with creamy mouth-feel.

2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: $29/-/$25
Nice fruity-loopy nose; palate was not as full-bodied. A bit young/lacking. Tasted like it needed to be in the barrel longer.

2005 Alexander Valley Sangiovese: $26/-/$25
Not a bad wine, but not a representative Sangio.

Mill Creek

TRL/Staff/Wine = 8/9/8

2005 Chardonnay Reserve: $25/$19/$28
Full creamy nose. Well balanced with light oak on the finish.

2002 Estate Merlot: $22/$17/$24
Smells of cedar; smooth, light velvety finish. Bold currant flavor.

2004 Merlot: $22/$17/$25
Bigger nose w/ more currant than the 2002. Big fruit, lots of currant and blackberry w/ hints of prune.

2005 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel: $30/$23/$26
Understated nose. Balanced jam and pepper. Medium-bodied. A good wine if it had a bigger nose.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon: $28/-/$30
2/3 Dry Creek Valley fruit, 1/3 Alexander Valley fruit – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Green Pepper, mild red fruits.

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon: $35/$26/$40
Rich, smooth, and unfiltered. Big nose, big fruit; could lay down for a few years.

2007 Syrah: $27/$20/$22
Mildly earthy. Smoky bacon, blackberry, pepper.

2004 Left of Starboard (port): $27/-/$27
100% Zinfandel w/ brandy
Very, very smooth.

Lambert Bridge

TRL/Staff/Wine = 9/7/6

2006 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley: $22/-/$18
Big nose for stainless steel fermentation; lemony. I was enthused about this one.

2005 Chardonnay Sonoma County: $32/-/$18
50% new oak; smooth beginning (crisp), but wanes and doesn’t finish.

2006 Sonoma County Viognier: $30/-/$22
3-4 yrs old French oak barrels. Classic viognier nose, likes sweet vanilla. Fruit doesn’t appear on the palate. Served too cold.

2005 Dry Creek Valley Winery Ranch Block Zinfandel: $30/-/$30
Very full bun to overpowering nose. Full fruit – no tang to it. Gentle fruit, but medium-bodied and flavorful.

2003 Merlot Sonoma County: $40/-/$30
Blended w/ Cab Franc & Malbec. Bordeaux-style with a velvety finish & low fruit.

Dry Creek Vineyards

TRL/Staff/Wine = 9/7/6

The wines here aren’t bad, but not notable, either.

2006 Dry Chenin Blanc: $12/-/$12
Crisp, clean, palate cleanser.
As good as most Sauvignon Blancs

2005 Estate Fume Blanc: $25/-/-
No noes. Very dry, lemony palate. Little green pepper on the nose.

2005 Taylor’s Vineyard Musque’: $25/-/-
Sauvignon Blanc

2003 Bullock House Merlot: 25/-/22
Light-bodied for a merlot. Bordeaux-style, but modest flavor. Would benefit from decanting.

2004 The Mariner (Meritage): $40/-/$30
Big tannins subdue the fruit. Velvety finish. Was decanted when tasted.

Mazzocco

TRL/Staff/Wine = 9/7/8

Nice, spacious tasting room with a three-bar, leather couches, and picture windows. This was our first time to Mazzocco and I have to say I was quite impressed. It turns out that the owners also own Wilson winery, who we panned in March 2006 for serving their syrah from the barrel while it was still fizzing. What impressed us about this place the most though was the strong offering in the $28-$35 per bottle Zinfandel.

After the tasting here, we joined the member's Cellar Club, which provides a substantial discount on already well-marked wines. Twice a year, they send a full case of wine and provide up to 25% discount on all their wines. Well worth it! (Epilogue: We’ve since convinced another couple to sign-up.)

2005 West Dry Creek Zinfandel: $27/-/-
Nose is wanting.

2005 Alexander Valley Stone Zinfandel: $27/-/$30
This is not huge, but the finish is well worth it. Great when it opens! Nice balance.

2005 Dry Creek Valley Pony Zinfandel: $29/-/($33-$30)

2005 Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch Zinfandel: $29/-/$25

2005 Dry Creek Valley Maple Vineyard Zinfandel: $36/-/($38-$40)

Distinctly Maple Vineyard!

2004 Dry Creek Valley Cuneo & Suini Vineyard: $24/-/$19
Balanced more on the pepper.

2004 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon: $21/-/$21
Smartly simple, balanced.

1999 Matrix: $40/-/$28
Bordeaux blend that is over-integrated “No! Blech!” was overheard…

Mauritson

TRL/Staff/Wine = 8/8/8

Only tasted a couple of wines this time. It was the end of the day and they were closing, so we’ll try again another time. I’m never disappointed at Mauritson, so I didn’t feel bad about this stop.

Ferrari-Carano

TRL/Staff/Wine = 10/5/5

The grounds are stupendous. The tasting room is large with lots of gift buying opportunities. The regular tasting is upstairs. The reserve tasting is downstairs, adjacent to their barrel room. Words don’t begin to describe this environment. It’s poss, with black granite countertops, teak and mahogany wood, and plush leather chairs. Truthfully, it appeared more like an upscale nightclub/bar than a tasting room.

The staff barely gave you the time to pour ast they were often finding better things to do.

The wine was often poured in a very inappropriate glass, so it was hard to give it its due consideration. Glasses or no, the wine was unimpressive.

Flora Springs

TRL/Staff/Wine = 7/7/9

The wines here were very well-priced and had that value proposition that said, “if you like them, join the club”. So we did…
Epilogue: This wasn’t a club that we stuck with. I don’t know what happened, but our enthusiasm for their wines waned over time.

2006 Soliloquy: $25/-/$18

2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley: $26/-/$26
Social Chardonnay

2004 Toad Hall Bodacious: $40/$34/$38
50% Cab Sauvignon, 50% Merlot

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: $35/-/$35

2004 Trilogy: $65/-/$50
Meritage blend; very smooth.

2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar: $85/$68/-

2004 Napa Valley Holy Smoke Cabernet Sauvignon: $85/$68/$65
Way too good! Actually feel a little guilty not buying a bottle.

2004 Toad Hall Lavada Hill Carneros Pinot Noir: $30/-/$25

Merryvale

TRL/Staff/Wine = 9/7+/7

The most notable feature of the tasting room was the room full of old casks surrounding a 52-seat table, like a huge chamber. At the head, a cask that had been turned vertical and housed an 8-place roiund table in it.

The Cab Sauvignons were great, just overpriced. It was tough to score the wine under a ranking of 10…until you have pull your wallet out.

2005 Pinot Noir Carneros: $35/-/$30
Balanced; not too big of anything. Not bad, but not notable.

2003 Sonoma County Syrah: $30/-/$25
Classic Dry Creek Valley nose but flat finish. Mostly spicy/acidic finish.

2002 Beckstoffer Vineyard Merlot: $39/-/$30
Big fruit on the nose, even palate. Little over-priced but a good wine.

(Epilogue: 3 years later, I found this wine at a little place in the Gaslamp District of San Diego called the Wine Bank. They, of course were selling it at $39.99/bottle. With some shrewd negotiations, we purchased two cases @ $30/bottle; the same price we valued it at 3 years earlier, at the winery. What can I say? It's a really good wine.)

2003 Reserve Merlot: $35/-/$28
12% Cab Sau/3% Petit Verdot
Thin nose/palate.

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: $39/-/$42
5% Merlot/4% Cabernet Franc

2003 Oakville Grade: $75/-/-

2003 Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon (100%): $95/-/$60

2001 Profile: $110/-/$80
Lisa loved it!

2002 Profile: $110/-/$85
Jamie loved it!

1999 Profile: $125/-/$60

Castella di Amorosa

TRL/Staff/Wine = 10/6/7

What are going to say about a winery that operates in a castle?! So, the same guy who own V. Sattui built this castle in St. Helena and made a winery out of it. It have several levels going 70 ft into the ground. All of the barrels are stored in tunnels and large rooms which rely upon the building’s depth to keep them cool. And cool, they are! For a little flare, the tour will show you a few medieval torture devices they house in the dungeon rooms. The main banquet hall has cathedral ceilings and murals covering it. The whole tour experience is a “can’t miss” event. Too bad they didn’t give their wines as much focus and attention…

2005 Napa Valley Pinot Grigio: $19/-/-

2004 Pinot Bianco Los Carneros: $24/-/$15

2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay (un-oaked): $28/-/$28

2005 Bien Nacido Chadonnay Santa Barbara: $38/-/$25

2005 Mendocino Gewurstraminer: $21/-/$22
I’d stock it for friends who like Gewurstraminer.

2005 Dolcino Sonoma Gewurstraminer:$21/-/$20

2004 Napa Valley Sangiovese: $30/-/$30
Mild, approachable Sangio blend.

2003 Napa Valley Merlot: $32/-/$28
Modest merlot, smooth with regular finish; not special, but not bad. Good fruit, but not particularly distinguishable.

2002 il Brigante (100% Cab):$27/-/$34

2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: $38/-/$25-$35

2006 Late Harvest Gewurstraminer: $24/-/$20

2005 il Raggio del Sole Muscato Canello: $24/-/$24

Cuvaison

TRL/Staff/Wine =8/8/9
This turned out to be a very club-worthy winery. If you note the club price is often less than our guiltless bottle price. That screams “join the club”! Their tasting room (in Calistoga) was small, but quaint. If you’re a club member, though, a tasting in the barrel room is offered. But’s let talk about the wine…

2006 Sauvignon Blanc: $19/$15/-

2005 Chardonnay Carneros: $22/$18/-

2005 Chardonnay S Block: $35/$28/$32
New oak(French); intense wine, worthwhile.

2005 Pinot Noir Carneros: $30/$24/$30
Full fruit nose, smooth but balanced finish; not tart. Not terribly complex but approachable.

2003 Napa Valley Carneros Merlot: $29/$23/$20
Disappointing palate after full, alarming nose.

1999 Napa Valley Merlot: $29/$22/($22-$35)
Chili pepper; very smooth, distinguished – silky.

2002 ATS Merlot: $54/$43/$43
Bordeaux style – very good.

2004 Carneros Syrah: $28/$22/$34Pepper, but smooth, earthy; blackberry. Serve with peppered dry rub steak.

2005 Diablo Syrah (Carneros): $30/$24/$20

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder: $45/$36/$40
84% Cab, 4% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 7% Cab Franc

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder
78% Cab

2003 Brandlin Mt. Veeder: $80/-/$48

Clos Pegase

TRL/Staff/Wine = 10/8/7
Exquisite grounds and gardens with a tasting room that is inviting, yet large enough to cater to a crowd. The wine wasn’t bad, but not special either. Except for the chard, it was fairly well priced.
2006 Mitsuko’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc: $20/$16/$22

2005 Hummage Reserve Chardonnay: $40/$32/$26

2003 Mitsuko’s Vineyard Merlot: $25/$20/-
Fruit is subdued by the Petit Sirah and Cabernet Franc.

2005 Pegase Circle Reserve Pegaso: $26/$21/$24
Plum and Rhubarb; not bad.

Huntington Cellars

TRL/Staff/Wine = 8/7/7

2005 Sauvignon Blanc: $14/$11/$14

2006 Sauvignon Blanc: $14/$11/$16

2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay: $9/-/-

2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay: $15/-/$15
Good social chardonnay.

2004 Merlot: $15/$12/$18

2004 Merlot Reserve: $28/$22/$28
Nos is more inviting than the palate, but still good; smooth finish. Winemaker says it has a 10 year shelf life; picked at high sugar level.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon: $17/$13/-

2005 Petit Sirah: $14/$11/$20
Great nose! Palate doesn’t hold. Good value!

2005 Hidden Valley Syrah: $32/$25/$32