Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
This was my wine of the lineup for both now and possibly down the road. A great blend of the Howell (massive structure, chalky/dusty, big and ripe fruit) with the Cor Leonis (slightly savory, inky, herbal). This has velvet like tannins right now but they are really persistent. Plum, nutmeg, creme de cassis, heady display of the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue and black) jump from the glass. Slight addition of graphite, black licorice, and currant on the palate. Juicy, savory, decadent. Lots going on here. Very good. โ 2 years ago
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
Anytime I see Ritchie vineyard, I perk up. I really enjoy the fruit coming from that vineyard and this was no different. Bright and gold in the glass showing aromatics of banana bread pudding, powdered lemon bar, and honeyed tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity at this age with some classical Ritchie nuttiness alongside lemon cream and honeysuckle. Really good. โ 2 years ago
100% Cab from Soda Canyon and Atlas Peak. Aged for 20 months in 42% New French Oak. Mild tannins and very European in style. Notes of sweet baking spices, tamarind, cedar, vanilla, and black fruit (Blackberries, Cherries, etc.). This one is right up there with Blacklist XIII, which was a 50/50 blend of Cab and Merlot, but very similar in style and structure. โ 2 years ago
If you arenโt familiar with Brasswood, you should change that. A truly state of the art custom crush facility in St Helena (has housed clients like Bevan Cellars, Moone Tsai, Montagu, Modus Operandi, Dark Matter, etc), with tasting rooms, caves, a shop, bakery and a fantastic restaurant. On top of all that, they have their own label, which Angelina Mondavi consults on.
This is my first time trying their Chardonnay offering, courtesy of Brasswoodโs Somm @Joshua Fisher . I was fortunate to follow this over the course of a few days. Day one had this showing very primary...down the middle type chard. Day two saw this increase in complexity...certainly true to Napa chard with a warm and soft profile, revealing lanolin, lemon cream, and even a cotton candy note on the nose. The palate has added notes of ripe melon, banana, and powdered sugar. Viscous but a line of acidity keeps this nervy. Thanks Josh. โ 3 years ago
Scott E. Becker
[Tasted on July 26, 2022 at Hallโs Chophouse in Nashville with Rachel]
54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in 30% new oak. Blackberry and black cherry, earth, sage, cigar box with a note of black pepper. chocolate, nice tannins and good balance. โ 15 days ago