Inspire Napa Walk Around Wine Tasting with:
Bryant Estates
Chappellet
Continuum Estate
Cliff Lede Vineyard
Eisele Vineyard
Favia Wines
Ferren Wines
Futo Wines
Harlan Estates
Keplinger Wines
Morley Family Vineyards
Rudd Estates
Staglin Family Vineyards
Vine Hill Ranch — 2 years ago
This is the first vintage of Helianthus, a new wine from the daughter of Tom Futo. Very interesting Cab-dominant blend from Oakville. Deeply concentrated with obvious purity of fruit (a cherished Futo trademark). Alcohol, tea leaves, dry cedar, cooling ember and dark fruits with some tropical undertones dominate the olfaction. These aromas sort of conflate in a way that make it somewhat difficult to discern each component, but the resulting nose is welcoming and intoxicating. Palette is consistent with rich dark fruit and a vibrant mouthfeel indicating a structured wine with ample tannin and acidity. Enjoyed this even more tonight than we did at the property back in February! Avoid spilling this inky wine on furniture (as we did tonight...) — 8 years ago
Round. Fruity — 4 months ago
Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.
If you want decadent and powerful, this is your huckleberry. This was so good! Where the Futo was high toned and lifted in profile, this was more dense and all encompassing. The glass smelled of fondue dipped black cherries, blueberries, fresh squeezed blackberries, baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla, with some savory graphite just at the end. It’s a total flavor bomb (in a good way) on the palate because of how focused it is. Nothing stewed, overripe or flabby. Creme de cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, cascading dark fruits toward the finish. Big structure but so nimble. This reminds me of Shafer HSS. Nice bottle @Weston Eidson . — 4 years ago
12 person winemaker dinner with Jeremy Nickel of The Vineyard House winery. Interesting stories about growing up at Far Niente winery, involvement in Nickel & Nickel winery with his father Gil, and starting The Vineyard House in Oakville next to Harlan and Futo.
WINES:
2017 TVH Blanc De Blancs, Oakville
2019 TVH Chardonnay, Oakville
2018 TVH block 5 cab franc
2018 TVH estate cab
2018 TVH block 8 "the boss" Cab
FOOD:
Foie Gras, toasted brioche
Lobster roll, toasted focaccia
Venison Chop, roasted yams
Lamb lollipops, braised mustard greens
Wagyu Ribeye, truffled potato
Apple Panna cotta — 5 months ago
Look out for this producer. Very impressed — 7 years ago
Jason Smith
2012 worth every penny — 18 days ago