vinokeeno

9.3

2021 vintage. Plenty of stuffing at a great price from a decent producer. Wasn't looking for something like this but liked it enough to put it on the list btg for the next 6 months or so. @Ron R for the buck, like it a lot more than their pricier offerings. 5.10.23. — 17 days ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Lovely nose of black fruit, fig, plum, tobacco. Unique flavor profile, figs prominent, straight chewing tobacco, blackberry, black licorice, leather. Fruit flavors somewhat masked by the tobacco, licorice and leather. Different but still enjoyable. — 5 months ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.9

Mag,
2nd day is essential, opened yesterday & decanted 4 hours today. This is right there with the 2005.
Its been 4 years since my last 07, it still has plenty of life but why wait when you can decant🤷🏼‍♂️
The 29 Estate vineyard is situated on the east-facing hillside at the base of the Mayacamas range, a couple miles north of St. Helena and just above Highway 29. The soil here is clay loam with gravel deposits, deeper at the bottom of the slope and shallower and rockier toward the top (the Sauvignon Blanc is planted in the rockiest spot, followed by the Cabernet Franc and then Cabernet Sauvignon). The slope and soil content ensure good drainage, while the rocks and gravel allow the roots to penetrate deep, ensuring more stable vines and more consistent ripeness. Average yields here for Cabernet Sauvignon are a moderate 2.8 to 3.2 tons per acre, held down by the vine stress associated with steep vines.

Vineyard 29 is located in the narrow hourglass part of Napa Valley and benefits from consistently good air flow. Even in 2008, there was just a touch of frost at the bottom of the vineyard, according to McMinn, who noted that his Aida vineyard just two miles to the north is typically six or seven degrees warmer. The site also benefits from its eastern exposure, capturing early morning sunlight but with the mountain above protecting the vines against the most intense afternoon sun. The result is slow, consistent ripening of the grapes and healthy sugar levels with much less risk of desiccation, which in turn means rounder, more integrated tannins. Although St. Helena is a very warm region, day-night temperature variation at Vineyard 29 is among the widest in Napa Valley, according to McMinn.

Thanks to Vineyard 29’s well-aerated site and protection from the hottest afternoon sun, the estate Cabernet always has sound acidity; it has never been acidified, according to winemaker Emerson. The pH of the Vineyard 29 estate wine is typically between 3.75 and 3.9, and alcohol levels are moderate by Napa Valley standards, almost always in the high 14s (with 2009 the only vintage to have exceeded 15%). The wines are frequently characterized by black and blue fruits—cassis, blackberry, blueberry—and notes of chocolate, licorice and spices. Compared to the Grace Family Vineyards wine, made from a vineyard barely 200 yards to the north from the same plant material, the Vineyard 29 wine is characteristically a bit less floral and delicate but riper and denser, combining power with typically plush, ripe tannins. Emerson noted that Vineyard 29 is typically harvested at least a week later than the Grace site, noting that the tannins “take a long time to lose their chalky character and come around.” Luckily, he added, “the fruit here can hang for a long time without getting too crazy with sugar.” And the estate routinely picks in two passes, typically seven to ten days apart.

— 2 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

Meyer lemon, papaya, spearmint, gooseberry, and honey characteristics have now developed, salty crushed rocks (seashore). Always a beautiful wine! — 16 days ago

Holly Gamblin

10

Hmmm… this is complex, rich, layered, dark color, and oh so luscious. Like Muddy Waters said, Big leg women sure got something good, People, they's crying about it in the neighborhood. @PaddockClub Elkhart Lake WI — 4 months ago

Josh Betz

9.1

Great bottle to celebrate the “red” tsunami on election night. — 7 months ago

Gabe Barkley

9.2

Really nice balance and dark berry fruit profile. Very young / Set up to age nicely. — 2 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Drinks so well. — 4 months ago

Krystal Vickers

10

I didn’t expect the beautiful floral scent and taste. Love this!
— 6 months ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.0

Notes of raspberries and milk chocolate on open. Plum, baking spice and dark chocolate. plush black fruit and vanilla on the finish. Great blend and value — 3 years ago

with Chad