St. Helena & Rutherford

Touring Napa valley

St. Helena and Rutherford are located in the heart of Napa Valley. Many of the big name, and famous wineries are in these two areas. Wine from here are known for being the classic expression of the Napa valley style of wine.

The Wineries

Driving south, south-east from the Calistoga Region we come to St. Helena in the middle of Napa Valley. Which also means we come to the legendary Heitz Wine Cellars. World known, especially for their Cabernet Sauvignons from Bella Oaks, and Martha's Vineyards. We were expertly guyed through the tasting by David Donner who knew his wines inside and out and has a way of explaining wines to the beginner as well as the expert. I have a soft spot in my heart for Heitz Cellars because in the early 1970's I was drinking mostly French and Italian wines and was disappointed with the few California wines I tried. At that time a friend moved to the Napa Valley and told me he had found wines from Napa that would stand up to anything from Europe. When I finally went to visit him, I brought with me some 1st and 2nd growth Bordeaux's to taste. In return he opened a Heitz's "Martha's Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon and it knocked me off my feet. A super wine... from that day on California wines took on a new meaning for me. The tasting here is in the old Napa style- Free!. And as a extra bonus you get to talk with David Donner and receive answers to your long asked wine questions. Web site: www.heitzcellar.com

The Tasting:

2000 Grignolino Rose, Napa Valley $10 Bright strawberry/peach color. The nose has a yeasty- fruit to it that reminds me of Champagne. Very fresh with a lively feel. Mostly dry on the palate with spring fruit flavors and a semi-sweet finish. A fun wine.

1999 Grignolino, Napa Valley $13.50 Light burgundy color with a spicy bouquet that is very much like a Gewurztraminer. The taste is nothing like the nose, with round, simple, and pleasant fruit flavors. To be treated like a Beaujolais, or a Gamay based wine, has far as style and food pairing go. A fruity finish with a touch of sweetness.

1999 Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Cellar Selection $28 Light in color with some spice in the bouquet. Apple fruit and toasty flavors with a crisp feel. Needs a year or two in the bottle to develop. The finish is dry with oaky flavors.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $32 This wine is made from a blend of grapes grown is Heitz's 3 famous Cabernet vineyards. Dark purple color. Full nose of deep blackberry, and current fruit. Still a little closed this wine is already showing layers of complex fruit and balanced oak. The finish is long and keeps opening on the palate. Very Good!

I decided, on the recommendation of my brother-in- law to make my first visit to Edgewood Estate Winery in St. Helena. I was told they have a '97 Malbec for $18 that was a great buy and well worth the visit. It turns out that they make over a half dozen good, Hand-Crafted, Napa Valley wines in small lots. The tasting room has a spectacular view of vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains. They are also one of the few wineries in Napa Valley to offer a complimentary wine tasting. To contact the winery call: 707-963-7293

The Tasting:

2000 Sauvignon Blanc $20 This is a nice Sauvignon blanc with textbook grassy flavors. Dried herbs on the nose. light in body and balanced with a flowery finish.

1999 Chardonnay $22 A classy Chardonnay with an elegant bouquet. Structured fruit with oak and a lovely vanilla flavor. A well-proportioned wine that finishes with grace.

1995 Cabernet Franc $20 Medium depth of color with a deep spicy and fruity bouquet. Cassis and plum fruit flavors that finish well.

1998 Merlot $24 Dark red color and a very balanced bouquet. The taste is well structured with complex fruit. A long finish.

1997 Malbec $18 A dark purple color. An expansive bouquet with layers of deep sweet fruit. A lush and very appealing finish.

1996 Petite Verdot $18 Deep color. A peppery, lush bouquet. Ripe dark fruit flavors. A full dry finish with a high PH.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon $28 This wine is 84% Cab, 11% merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. A dark grapy purple color. A smooth mouth feel and plenty of deep fruit flavors. The finish is smooth and coats the palate.

1998 Cabernet Sauvignon $26 This wine is 100% Cabernet but because of the vintage it is much lighter then the '97, in every aspect of the wine. It's an OK wine, but pay the two dollars more and get the '97 it's much, better.

We now head over to Beaulieu Vineyard in the Rutherford area of Napa Valley. This winery has two tasting rooms on the grounds. One is for tasting their currently released wines. You get to taste four wines for $5. The other tasting room is for tasting their reserve wines like the world famous Georges de Latour, Cabernet Sauvignon, both currently released ones and older vintages. Priced accordingly. We arrived at closing time and the reserve tasting room was closed but the other tasting room was still open, and I was pleased with the wines. BV makes some of the great wines of Napa Valley and also has some great values for solid, well made wines. Visit their web site at: www.BVwine.com

The Tasting:

1999 Carneros Chardonnay $18 Elegant and balanced with round fruit, vanilla aromas and flavors. Medium bodied with a toasty oak finish.

1999 Syrah, California $15 A floral bouquet with peppery fruit flavors. A soft and round feel. Easy and uncomplicated.

1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $17 A nice oaky nose. Deep black fruit, and vanilla flavors with a solid structure. Dry, and finishes nicely. (good wine)

Non Vintage Muscat (sweet wine) Very full, soft, and sweet with brandy, apricot, and dried fruit flavors.

Right down the road from BV vineyards we come to Niebaum-Coppola which is owned by the famous file director Francis Ford Coppola, and what a winery. The tasting room is in a beautifully renovated house/chateau which you can tour and see all kinds of memorabilia from Mr. Coppola's film career, as well as the history and style of winemaking at this primer vineyard. The house itself is filled with beautiful decor, super woodwork, and top level craftsmanship. There is also a gift shop, and a bar for tasting older vintage wines, in addiction to the two regular tasting rooms. The grounds are a great place to sit, relax and (on a slow day) contemplate the meaning of life. The older vintage wines are priced accordingly for tasting. In the regular tasting room you pay $7 to taste 4 wines of your chose from a list of about ten wines. Mr. Coppola is passionate about wine and winemaking and spares no expense in making the best wine possible.

www.niebaum-coppola.com to find out more.

The Tasting:

2000 Coppola Diamond Chardonnay $15 A pale straw color with a refined and silky bouquet. Medium bodied with apple and pear flavors that are balanced by oak and vanilla. A nice Chardonnay, and available in most parts of the USA.

1999 Coppola Diamond Claret $17 This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, and revealing soft round fruit on the palate. The flavors are simple but appealing.

1999 Directors Reserve Merlot $30 Made from 100% Napa grown Merlot. The "Director Reserve" wines are only available at the winery or via their web site. Deep purple color. The bouquet is also deep with black, ripe fruit aromas. Layers of blackberry fruit and oak flavors that work very well together. A lush mouth feel. The finish is rich and coats the palate.

1999 Directors Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $30 100% Napa fruit with a medium to dark color. A rich bouquet displaying currant, berries, and some oak which carries on into the taste. A rich, feel and finish. Good wine...

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