At Last, another research day! Time to cruise the Town Car over to Napa for a wine tour and article #2. It's a beautiful day in the valley as I head up to the Silverado Trail to the Stags Leap District for a tasting at Steltzner Family Vineyards. I have been a fan of Steltzner's big, bold red wines (especially the Cabernet) for over 20 years, and have taken at least 100 tours there for tasting, so I'm on familiar ground (and have always gotten very favorable feedback from my clients).
The tasting room sits amid the 100 acre vineyard in the heart of Stags Leap. Planted in 1965 by Dick Steltzner which they produced their first Cabernet in 1977. They now grow all the Bordeaux varietals plus Sangoivese and Pinotage. Annual production is 20K cases. The winery operations are now run by the founder’s daughter, Allison Steltzner. Tim Dolven took over winemaking duties in April of 2004 (after 2.5 years as winemaker at Bouchaine).
THE WINES
2006 Estate Malbec $42/bottle - Slightly floral strawberry aromas. Medium bodied with good fruit and spice. Soft tannins on the finish. One of the smoothest Malbecs I've tasted. 400 cases produced.
2005 Estate Pinotage $32/bottle - This is a rare grape of South African Heritage. Only produced by 5 vintners in Sonoma and Napa. It is a flower cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It has the fruit and spiciness of a Pinot, but with a fuller body and mouth feel. 500 cases produced.
2005 Estate Sangiovese Riserva $38/bottle - This is a fine, drinkable Sangiovese. Great nose, medium bodied with cherries, strawberries, clove & spice. A long finish with a hint of chocolate. YUM!! (I have barrel sampled the 2007 predict it will also be a winner) 500 cases produced.
2006 Claret $20/bottle - This is a Bordeaux blend made to be enjoyed young. Full nose, bold fruit with a full mouth feel and lingering finish. This is a wine you can serve with confidence while aging your Estate Cabs. The Steltzner Claret is a great value at $20.
2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $40/bottle - Cabernet is the king at Steltzner and the 2005 vintage is no exception. This is a rich full bodied Cab with full & luscious fruit and excellently balanced with oak and tannins. This is a personal favorite of mine and should even improve with age.
2005 Estate RMS Reserve Cabernet $100/bottle - This wine embodies everything I enjoy in a Steltzner Cab and takes it to the next level. This is a true reserve wine, the best they have to offer and limited production. Last week I enjoyed a bottle with a fellow wine aficionado (It was a gift from a friend, Thank You Dr Jimmy!!) who said "this is like drinking velvet" and I whole heartedly agreed. This wine drinks well now but has exceptional aging potential to improve for the next 10 + years. 300 cases produced.
The tasting fees are quite reasonable (for Napa) at $10 for the tasting (Lou has 2 for 1 coupons so its $5 per person) and $25 pp for the tasting plus a cave tour that includes barrel sampling and blending different cabernet lots. The cave is actually a wine tunnel - it is 300 yards long and goes thru the hillside. The hospitality staff (Aaron & Gretchen) are friendly and knowledgeable and well versed in the history of the area.
If you enjoy big, well balanced reds - Steltzner is a must stop on your Napa wine tour.
Lou 8/19/09
Stacy's Wine tours provides Custom Wine Tours in both Napa & Sonoma Wine Countries. If you really want to experience the wine country first hand, make your reservation with Stacy's Wine Tours by calling 707-266-6168 or you can email us at info@stacyswinetours.com.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
White Oak Winery, Alexander Valley
It is now winter in the Wine Country! With the cold weather coming we all need lots of good Vino to get that warm and fuzzy feeling. And speaking of excellent wineries to visit, our featured winery today is White Oak Winery in Geyserville, Alexander Valley in Sonoma County.
Founded in 1981 by Bill Meyers, White Oak began making quality Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. They own over 750 acres of prime vineyards in Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, and Napa Valley. A small production winery of 22,000 cases, White Oak sells 90% of their grape harvest to well known prestige wineries.
The winery sits among the Estate Vineyard of Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. The Mediterranean style building houses the Winery and tasting room. On the 3rd floor there is a dining room and deck which have a great panoramic view of the Alexander Valley and surrounding mountains.
Highest marks and kudos to John Fisher and the entire hospitality staff as they are always warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They always make a visit to White Oak Winery a memorable experience. Now onto their wines, made by Winemaker Bill Parker:
1) 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley $16/bottle - Beautiful nose with hints of apples and pineapple. Flavors of pear, grapefruit and lemon grass make this a very appealing wine.
2) 2008 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $24/bottle 8,000 cases - Classic chardonnay with pear and tropical fruit on the nose. Great balance of oak and fruit lead to a long, creamy finish.
3) 2005 Syrah Napa Valley $26/bottle - This is a Lou fave!! Aromas of cranberry and coffee, this full bodied Syrah has nicely balanced pepper, chocolate and earthy tones. Drinks well now and up to 2015 or so.
4) 2005 Merlot Napa Valley $26/bottle - This classic Merlot is very complex for such a drinkable wine. I got cherry, vanilla hints with a slight chocolate finish.
5) 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $30/bottle - Taste this one for yourself. It is a very good Napa Valley Cab FOR THIRTY BUCKS!!! A bargain say I.
6) 2007 Zinfandel Alexander Valley $40/bottle 400 cases - This is a rich, spicy Zin with flavors of cherry, chocolate and spice and a long satisfying finish. A little pricey for a Zin, but a darn good wine.
7) 2005 Reserve Alexander Valley $50/bottle 400 cases - This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is a bold tasty wine with a long finish. I would hold this 3 - 5 years and then drink to realize its potential.
8) 2005 Reserve Napa Valley $50/bottle 400 cases - This 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is lush and velvety. Ready to drink now but should hold for 5+ years.
To sum it all up, White Oak makes some great wines and decent prices and give you a great experience when you visit. I highly reccomend you stop by when in Northern Sonoma.
Till Next Time - Lou
Founded in 1981 by Bill Meyers, White Oak began making quality Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. They own over 750 acres of prime vineyards in Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, and Napa Valley. A small production winery of 22,000 cases, White Oak sells 90% of their grape harvest to well known prestige wineries.
The winery sits among the Estate Vineyard of Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. The Mediterranean style building houses the Winery and tasting room. On the 3rd floor there is a dining room and deck which have a great panoramic view of the Alexander Valley and surrounding mountains.
Highest marks and kudos to John Fisher and the entire hospitality staff as they are always warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They always make a visit to White Oak Winery a memorable experience. Now onto their wines, made by Winemaker Bill Parker:
1) 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley $16/bottle - Beautiful nose with hints of apples and pineapple. Flavors of pear, grapefruit and lemon grass make this a very appealing wine.
2) 2008 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $24/bottle 8,000 cases - Classic chardonnay with pear and tropical fruit on the nose. Great balance of oak and fruit lead to a long, creamy finish.
3) 2005 Syrah Napa Valley $26/bottle - This is a Lou fave!! Aromas of cranberry and coffee, this full bodied Syrah has nicely balanced pepper, chocolate and earthy tones. Drinks well now and up to 2015 or so.
4) 2005 Merlot Napa Valley $26/bottle - This classic Merlot is very complex for such a drinkable wine. I got cherry, vanilla hints with a slight chocolate finish.
5) 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $30/bottle - Taste this one for yourself. It is a very good Napa Valley Cab FOR THIRTY BUCKS!!! A bargain say I.
6) 2007 Zinfandel Alexander Valley $40/bottle 400 cases - This is a rich, spicy Zin with flavors of cherry, chocolate and spice and a long satisfying finish. A little pricey for a Zin, but a darn good wine.
7) 2005 Reserve Alexander Valley $50/bottle 400 cases - This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is a bold tasty wine with a long finish. I would hold this 3 - 5 years and then drink to realize its potential.
8) 2005 Reserve Napa Valley $50/bottle 400 cases - This 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is lush and velvety. Ready to drink now but should hold for 5+ years.
To sum it all up, White Oak makes some great wines and decent prices and give you a great experience when you visit. I highly reccomend you stop by when in Northern Sonoma.
Till Next Time - Lou
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