Napa

We made the quick drive to Napa from Alamo yesterday to check out everything that Napa had to offer. It was our first foray into Napa wine country.

Our first stop was Domaine Chandon in Yountville.

2005 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir, Carneros
2006 Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier, Carneros
NV Domaine Chandon Brut Classic
NV Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs
NV Domaine Chandon Rosé
NV Domaine Chandon Extra-Dry Riche
NV Domaine Chandon Reserve Pinot Noir Brut

All were fine, nothing special. The grounds of the winery were beautiful though.

Next we made a quick loop in the driveway to see the Robert Mondavi winery but then went to his winery partnership with Chateau Mouton (Baron Philippe de Rothchild), Opus One. They were only pouring their 2005 Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon. It was $30 for the tasting which they called a glass of wine, although it must've been 3 oz. Good stuff, but I don't think it would be the bottle I'd buy if I was going to spend $190 on one bottle of wine.

Next was Grgich Hills Estate

2006 Grgich Chardonnay, Napa Valley
2007 Grgich Fumé Blanc, Napa Valley
2006 Grgich Zinfandel, Napa Valley
2005 Grgich Merlot, Napa Valley
2004 Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2005 Grgich Chardonnay, Carneros Selection
2000 Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Selection
2004 Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Selection

The last three wines were from their library. The wines that stood out were the Merlot and the 2004 Cab. Both great. Too bad the library Cabs were over $100 each. Ouch.

Then to Cakebread Cellars for a little tour & tasting.

2007 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Cakebread Chardonnay, Napa Valley
2006 Cakebread Chardonnay Reserve, Carneros
2006 Cakebread Rubaiyat
2005 Cakebread Zinfandel, Red Hills Lake County
2005 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The brief tour was good and our guide was great, very knowledgeable. The wine that stood out the most was the Reserve Chardonnay. A definite step up from the regular bottling. After this we stopped at the Oakville Grocery for lunch. Had great sandwiches.

As we were crossing over to the Silverado Trail we pass Silver Oak and decided to stop in for a taste.

2004 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
2003 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Both had a little too much oak for me, but I am sure with a little time (5 years?) the oak would calm down a little and the wine would be much more approachable. The tasting room had only been open for the past couple weeks, so I don't know where the tastings were before.

Saddleback Winery was right across the street from Silver Oak, and since it was the name of the street Lauren grew up we stopped in.

2007 Saddleback Pinot Grigio, Oakville
2007 Saddleback Pinot Blanc, Oakville
2007 Saddleback Viognier, Clarksburg
2006 Saddleback Chardonnay, Napa Valley
2004 Saddleback Merlot, Napa Valley
? Saddleback Syrah
2004 Saddleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The Syrah he poured was not on our list and I missed the info, but it was pretty tasty. We bought a bottle of the Merlot for Lauren's mom.

And for the last winery of the trip we stopped into Clos du Val right before closing time.

2006 Clos du Val Chardonnay, Carneros
2006 Clos du Val Chardonnay Reserve, Carneros
2006 Clos du Val Pinot Noir, Carneros
2005 Clos du Val Pinot Noir Reserve, Carneros
2005 Clos du Val Merlot, Napa Valley
2005 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1996 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley
1998 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
2004 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley

Some great wines here, although the only thing I would've bought was their regular Cab bottling which I can buy anywhere. And for a few dollars less than the $35 they were asking for at the winery. They poured the Merlot from bottle and also from a decanter to show the difference. I felt that the tannins and the fruit switched places on the palate. From the bottle the tannins were up front and overwhelmed the fruit a bit, but from the decanter the fruit was in the front w/ the tannins more of a second thought, how they should be.

To end the trip right we went to Thomas Keller's restaurant Ad Hoc for dinner. A prix fixe 4 course meal that changes every day. Great deal and great food. We had an endive and arugula salad with soppresatta, a skirt steak, a windemere cheese, and a citrus pound cake. We enjoyed a bottle of 2005 Copain Syrah L'Hiver throughout, for $47 at a restaurant I could not complain. Although I would've appreciated real stemware, which they do not have.

All in all, a fabulous trip to Napa. It had been at least 10 years since I had been and it was all new to me.