Chafen Family Vineyards

Dutch Henry Winery

Chafen Vineyards St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Bold and juicy, essence of blackberry. — 6 years ago

Neal Family Vineyards

Chafen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Much better than I expected! Brick red color. At first, tannins were still overpowering. After 30-60 minutes things opened up and I was delighted by the subtleties of this cooler year cab. Cherries, graphite, cigar box and fennel. Drank much more like left bank Boudreaux than a Napa cab! — 8 years ago

David, Eric and 2 others liked this

Dutch Henry Winery

Chafen Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinks like an old green fruit bomb that has mellowed to old world — 5 years ago

Chafen Family Vineyards

Russian River Pinot Noir 2011

This fruit forward Pinot was a nice way of meeting those cherry and oak flavors at the same time. — 8 years ago

Paul liked this

Chafen Family Vineyards

Petite Sirah 2009

2009 vintage. Velvet mouth feel but light and well balanced. Tannic but delicious. 14.9% alcohol but you don't taste it. Good effort from Dutch Henry. — 9 years ago

Chafen Family Vineyards

Estate Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Smooth and full- bodied, with hint of vanilla from the French oak treatment. — 6 years ago

Dutch Henry Winery

Chafen Vineyards Hillside Estate Northfork Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

This 2009 is ready to drink it had classic cab notes. Dark fruits along with a hint of new oak. — 8 years ago

Chafen Family Vineyards

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010

Love it! The darkest Pinot we've had. And this winery is rustic, adorable. Great picnic area. — 9 years ago

Neal Family Vineyards

Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Bernard Rethore
9.1

Back in 2006, I had the good fortune to invest in a box of the Neal vineyard designated bottlings pre-release. They have been sleeping in my cellar ever since. Last night, Tony the Fish, who is a frequent contributor to these pages, arrived with a bottle of the 2010 Neal cab sav. It was a solid effort and Mrs Fish quite enjoyed it. As we finished the bottle I remembered I had some of the 2003 vineyard designated wines in the back of the cellar and figured it was time to check in on them. We started with the Second Chance from Atlas Peak. Generally I am a mountain fruit guy, and like the volcanic soil that yields low yielding structured wines. There was plenty of stuffing left after 11 years, and a nice contrast to the 2010 cab sav blend. We then moved to Chafen. Another mountain- Howell this time, slightly lower elevation vineyard. This wine was bigger than the Second Chance with mouthfuls of ripe cassis, berry fruit and coffee- almost a cocoa powder character to it. The final wine of the night - and best of show - was the Howell Mountain Estate. Dark rich tannins with intense velvety chocolate cake flavors. This was a fun night going from the 2010 blend to the all 2003 single vineyard designates. Most of us aren't patient enough or buy them as a group so you can taste them altogether at once. Everyone should do this from to time. It reminds me at least of how different climate and soil can be in the same year. It's even better with friends. Thank you Mr Fish for the inspiration. — 9 years ago

Susan Rethore
with Susan