Kelly Fleming Wines: A Calistoga Gem
Just a short drive off the Silverado Trail near Calistoga, California, you will find Kelly Fleming Winery. It is a gorgeous setting, and the property itself includes almost 300 acres. Only 12 acres are planted to vines, and they are all cabernet sauvignon. The flagship wine from this winery is a deep, rich, and graceful cabernet that in 2010 alone garnered a 95-point rating from The Wine Advocate. Antonio Galloni’s review of this wine is included for you below.
On this day in winter, we drove up Pickett Road – no more than 5 minutes from the Silverado Trail – and found a beautiful setting in one of the canyons of Calistoga. The architecture of the winery is gracefully done in stone. It is beautiful elegance. The building sits back among the vines and provides a peaceful setting. Lili Shariati, our hostess for the visit, provided us with the history of the property and a perspective of the winery philosophy. She was well informed and engaging making for a very pleasurable experience.
This winery is an earth conscious endeavor. Great thought is given to preserve and protect the environment through their approach to producing their wines and managing the property. Who drives that ambition is Kelly Fleming herself. She is a hands on, get-your-hands-dirty owner who has great respect for the environment and a commitment to ensure that the wine making process is in harmony with nature.
The Tasting and Tour
The tour of the property includes caves that display the beautiful colors of the local mineral and soils. The site of the vineyard, which was selected for its soils, is nestled between two scenic canyons. Neighboring wineries and vineyards include Araujo, Hundred Acre, Kenefick, and Fisher. This is fine company to keep. You will be guided through the winery and provided with a picture of the process and care that go into each bottle of wine that Kelly Fleming produces. This is a tour that provides you with a casual yet insightful view of the wine making process and the care that goes into making quality wines.
We tasted three wines: a Sauvignon Blanc, a cab blend called The Big Pour, and their Estate Cabernet. All three of the wines were well-crafted and smooth with long finishes. I thoroughly enjoyed all three and walked away purchasing the Big Pour and the 2010 cabernet for my collection. Quite frankly, these wines overshadowed everything else I tasted on this day.
Current Releases and the Wine Advocate Review
The current releases include the 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon for $110, a 2012 Sauvignon Blanc for $36, and the 2010 Big Pour Napa Red for $75 (available only at the winery). The winery produces about 3,000 cases each year. It is located at 2339 Pickett Road and does tastings by appointment by contacting 707-942-6849 or visiting Kelly Fleming Wines.
Here’s the review of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Antonio Galloni for the Wine Advocate: “Fleming’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts gorgeous depth and precision from start to finish. Hints of licorice, sweet spices and menthol are layered into an expressive core of dark fruit in this beautiful, complete Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas and flavors are naturally quite primary, but there is little doubt greater complexity will develop with more time in bottle. A rich, textured finish rounds things out in style. This is a fabulous showing from Kelly Fleming. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.” 95 Points.
Enjoy!
