USA
383. Cakebread Cellars, Syrah Carneros Napa Valley, 2005
We had a very enjoyable visit to the Cakebread Cellars, after I emailed in advance, asking to meet a winemaker if possible, and sure …
382. York Creek Vineyards, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District Napa Valley, 2003
So we had this to close-out our visit to Napa wineries (we being me, Chris Tucker and Caroline), at the new vegetarian restaurant in …
372. Saintsbury, Carneros Chardonnay, 2004
If I hadn’t already put some space aside for this one, I wouldn’t have bothered once it became clear that the label was going …
349. Joseph Phelps, Le Mistral Monterey County, 2003
This was going to be the vintage of Mistral that went into the 2nd Optimor Wine Club case, but the lads ended up with …
342. Sterling Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley, 1999
Cracked another bottle of this to see its evolution, and to welcome Lucy, my 1-month flatmate! I’d say that this is coming pretty close …
290. Martinelli, Zinfandel “Giuseppe & Luisa” Russian River Valley, 2004
And then Tracey and Dante flourished this from their collection, so we had to have a return visit to “Giuseppe & Luisa” in memory …
289. Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville Sonoma County, 2000
When I was young (10-12) Ridge wines were the first Cali wines I knowingly saw in UK, so I assumed that this was how …
288. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2003
On reflection, a bit of a ‘tasters’ wine rather than a ‘drinkers’, perhaps, as its weight made the second glass a bit hard work. …
267. Mount Veeder Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1997
Was really pleased to see this on sale in Berry Bros’ Dublin shop, having enjoyed the ’96 so much, and having heard that ’97 …
265. Geyser Peak Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Alexander Valley, 2002
Held onto this for 6 months or so, but got impatient to try it. In fact, it probably didn’t have much long-term ageing potential …