Napa - Miner

Our third stop was Miner in Napa after Saddleback.  We enjoyed the view and the wine here, however the server was a little snotty.  So we didn't buy anything except pay for a $20 tasting.  However we did learn that wine is "better" served in leaded crystal.  Our "educator" poured us a taste in a dixie cup to "prove" it.  I am not convinced.  I think i would rather have glass over a dixie, but i will stick to unleaded crystal.  My engineering brain would however like to try leaded vs. unleaded as a test.  Anyways, here is what we tasted:

• 2009 Marsanne, La Diligence
• 2009 Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• 2009 Pinot Noir, Carneros
• 2009 Tempranillo, Sierra Foothills
• 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
• 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
• 2007 Merlot, Stagecoach - L liked
• 2006 Oracle, Napa Valley Red Wine - D like

 

Pictures from Miner website.

Napa - Saddleback

Our next stop in Napa was at a recommended winery that is small, local, and "laid back".  Saddleback Cellars did not disappoint.  The sign said by appointments only, so we were worried showing up sans appointment.  We asked the barman if he would make an exception as there were clearly tables available and he said "How about a 2:13pm appointment?"  It being 2:12pm we were agreeable.  We sat outside on picnic tables and served wine and a good about of cracker wafers. 

Here we tried:

• 2008 Pinot Grigio - tasty
• 2008 Viognier - very tasty, purchased
• 2008 Chardnonnay - D liked
• 2007 Zinfandel
• 2006 Merlot
• 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - D liked
• 2007 Nils Merlot, Late Harvest (500mL) - L's favorite!  So good that we brought a bottle home.  Like a Port but not as thick (not like syrup of a Port).  Great with chocolate!

Again, we joined the wine club "The Posse 2-pack Club", ships quarterly. 

Napa - Robert Mondavi

Our First Visit to Wine County 

 

We started the day at a tour of the Robert Mondavi Winery and enjoyed it immensely.  The tour was about 45 mins with highlights in the vineyard, wine production room, and cellar, ending in the tasting room.  So our first wines that we tried in Napa were the following:

• 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay (L's fav)
• 2009 Carneros Pinot Nior (L & D both enjoyed)
• 2008 Stag's Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (D's favorite, and remained his favorite for the entire trip)

We were so impressed that we signed up for our very first wine club (Spotlight Wine Club, Red & White, 2 bottles/shipment, shipments every two months).  Some might say that we made a rookie mistake as this was our first winery of the entire trip, but so far it hasn't disappointed us.  And by joining the wine club we were invited back in the afternoon for the reserve room wine tasting... here is where the real fun began! 

Reserve Tasting Room, we tried:

• 2009 Fume Blanc Reserve (L liked)
• 2007 Chardonnay Reserve (D liked)
• 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve
• 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (ok)
• 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (not a fan)
• 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (ok)
• 2001 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon (we liked this much better than the Cab Reserve above)
• 2001 Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis (SWEET!, like honey water, or muscadine wine from the South!)

After the reserve room tasting we proceeded to the gift shop and purchased the 2009 Unoaked Char, the 2008 Stag's Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2010 Rose Wine that looked tasty, and a 12-bottle wine shipment box for the plane ride home.  Not even 2pm and three bottles now filled our case for the trip back.

 Also, as a part of the wine club, we were entitled to free tastings (and special treatment) at five other wineries around the area... Franciscan, Ravenswood, Clos Du Bois, Simi, and Wild Horse.  Let the trail of the free wine tastings begin......