California - Day 8 (Napa Wineries)

With class over, yesterday was the first day left to our own devices.  Dave and I decided to spend it in Napa and we had appointments for three wineries.  After the last reservation we went to a winery where appointments were not required.   The weather was sunny and delightful in the mid-seventies; couldn't be more perfect.

Caymus was our first winery appointment. (Tasting fee $25.)  When we arrived we were poured a taste of Belle Glos Taylor Lane 2009 Pinot Noir.    After which we went into the private tasting room.   There were eight other people in the tasting with us and we tasted four wines. The person from Caymus leading the tasting not only discussed the wines but told us the history of the vineyard.  The story unwinding as each wine was poured.  The wines we tasted, and that I'll review at a later time, were: 
      Caymus Napa Valley 2005 Sauvignon Blanc,  
      Caymus Napa Valley 2007 Zinfandel,  
      Caymus Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet, and  
      Caymus Special Selection 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. 
This was a nice casual, intimate, and informal tasting.

Our next appointment was at Rubicon Estate.  Dave and I enjoy Coppola's lower tier wines and wanted to experience the upper tier.   We did the "Coppola Tasting" which was five Estate wines with baguette and cheese, and a 30-minute tour for a fee of $50 (per person). Rubicon Estate is beautiful  property with a grand building; the old Ingelnook Estate.  When we arrived we were escorted through wrought iron gates into an impressive room.  One wall was stone and the other three walls were lined with wines; a massive wine library.  You had the feeling of being in a private club, especially as people looked through the gates at the room.   Dave and I had a table for two.  It felt like a private tasting, eventhough other guests were sitting at tables nearby.  Our pourer told us briefly about each wine; nothing about the history of Rubicon.  The wines we tasted (reviewed at a later time) were: 
      Rubicon 2009 Blancaneaux (a white blend of Rousanne, Marsanne, and Viognier), 
      Rubicon 2008 Cuvee Rutherford (red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah,, and Merlot),  
      Rubicon 2007 Cabernet Franc (here's a pre-review - better than Virginia Cabernet Franc's that I've tried),  
      CASK Cabernet Sauvignon, and  
      2007 Rubicon (red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc).  
We passed on the tour.

Our last appointment was at Cakebread Cellars.  I see Cakebread "under lock and key" in the stores and customers say how they enjoy their wines.  I had to taste and see for myself.  This tasting included a brief tour and  six wines.  (Tasting fee $15.)  The Cakebread wines we tasted were:  
      2010 Vin de Porche Napa Valley (white wine),  
      2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay,  
      2008 Carneros, Napa Valley Chardonnay Reserve, 
      2007 Napa Valley Merlot,  
      2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and 
      2007 Carneros, Napa Valley Syrah.  

After all our appointments there was a little time left to squeeze in one more winery.  Dave and I decided on Grgich Hills Estate.  Aside from the fact that the name itself is intriguing, I see this wine on the shelves and had to find out for myself  if it was something I'd recommend to customers.  The tasting fee here is $15 for five wines.  The six (I talked my way into an extra wine) Grgich wines we tasted were: 
      Essence 2009 Napa Valley (Sauvignon Blanc),  
      2009 Napa Valley Fume Blanc, 
      2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay,  
      2007 Miljenko's Vineyard Napa Valley Petite Sirah,  
      2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel, and  
      Violetta 2008 Napa Valley Late Harvest (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer).  
Because the tasting here did not require an appointment, and it was a weekend, it was quite crowded and took time before we could get to the tasting bar and be served. 

This was a busy day.  Luckily the wineries were within minutes of each other making traveling through Napa's weekend traffic a little less stressful.   Caymus and Rubicon Estate were our favorite tasting, both for atmosphere, information, and most importantly enjoyable wines.  Cakebread ... Dave and I don't know what the hype is all about.  The wines were good, but didn't see the value.  Grgich ... well, I won't be recommending these to customers. I wasn't a fan and neither was Dave.

Let me just conclude with ... Having tasted higher tier wines during the tastings at the CIA Mastering Wine 1 class (both blind tastings and on field trips to the vineyards) and tasting high end wines for most of today, I have been spoiled.  It will not be easy going back to pouring lower tier wines for my tastings.  While I am in California Wine Country I will  savor every sip.