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NAPA VALLEY
To celebrate my first trip to California and first hand discovery of one of the world’s finest wine producing regions my wine page will concentrate on Napa Valley.
Best Red Wine:
Profile Merryvale 1998
Where I tasted it: December 2002 - with three dear friends in Santa Barbara.
What I thought: Incredible depth and structure- we drank it in rather informal surroundings- without decantering it or even having proper glasses but without the pomp and show this wine is what it is all about. It was utterly delicious - the finish was astounding- still hanging in there days later. Produced in a Bordeaux style and with a Bordeaux price - it is not cheap but well worth it.
Click here to learn what the producers are saying.
Best White Wine:
Merryvale Chardonnay Silhouette 1999
Where I tasted it: December 2002 on a ranch on a mountain in Hollister with the same dear friends- overlooking the spectacular Californian coast.
What I thought: I thought it was impossible to have such a high quality white outside Burgundy- but I was delighted- California’s own Batard. Very seductive- rich honey notes - this wine is full-bodied, with formidable intensity and outstanding ripeness. My only regret was I had only one bottle and three thirsty companions.
Click here to learn what the producers are saying.
Best Value for money:
Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine was quite a phenomenon during my trip to California. I spotted a bottle of this or the chardonnay in almost every household I went into. It was for sale for $2 at Trader Joe’s and it was just delicious- I did a blind tasting and would have put a $15/20 price tag on his head. Really tasty full bodied cab- not exceptional finish or structure but no pretensions or false promises- wonderful. Just not sure how much of it there is left…
Worst Wine (not Californian):
Macon Superieur La Fontaine 1997
Now I should know better- but I got my just desserts on this one as I didn’t want to open one of my good bottles of wine, so I dipped into one of the wines my flat mate had - Macon Superieur – this can’t hurt anyone- ah ha but it did. First mouthful was like a left hook from Tyson - aaaahh. Maybe it needs to breathe? My wine companion uttered hopefully. The wine was beyond any help - surprising kick in its doggard acidity. We made a valiant effort and managed to finish the bottle. I admitted my deeds to my flat mate - it’s the last time I will take any of her wines.
Wine personality of the month: CJ of Beringer Estate
Greg and I took a tour around the Beringer Estate in Napa and CJ was our guide. She had about 30 eager explorers with varying knowledge about wines but she managed to guide us all through the history and wine making processes catering to everyone’s questions and levels of interest. We were ushered into the tasting area at the end and she showed us how to evaluate a wine- with some final advice for us all - “Don’t drink it like Tequila” - I promise you CJ I wont!!
Imo
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