Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga, CA: Visit and Enjoy!
When one thinks of Napa Valley and wine tasting, one often pictures a bucolic setting, sipping, and relaxing. The experience at Larkmead Vineyards is a great example of just that. This winery is located in Calistoga, which is in the north end of the valley. The setting is beautiful, situated on the valley floor and surrounded by vineyards.
The facility itself is an artistic expression of architecture. This is a Howard Backen project, one of the many wineries and restaurants he has designed in the valley. Tastings are done on the porch or on the patio and lend themselves to really relaxing and enjoying the wine and the scenery. Speaking of the scenery, the drought-tolerant landscaping, which incorporates many native plants, is also beautiful.
Azur Wines — A New Find!
When visiting Vintner’s Collective a few weeks ago, I discovered a new winery and winemaker. Quite frankly, we were there to taste a different wine which is known as one of the big wines that Napa has to offer. But, in the process, we came upon another wine that was quite enchanting and exciting.
Andy, the manager at Vintner’s Collective, introduced us to Julien Fayard, the owner and winemaker at Azur Wines. We had the pleasure of tasting through several wines with him and began to appreciate his philosophy and approach. We first had a 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, and it was really masterful. It brought the fresh citrus fruit yet was very round on the mouth feel. There was crisp acidity which gave way to a soft suppleness that was reminiscent of wines from Sancerre. Sancerre in France is known for beautiful Sauvignon Blancs, and this wine reminded me of those wines.
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.
Ovid Wine: A Class Act
We spent this past week relaxing and enjoying the Napa Valley. It was time to explore and discover new wines and tasting experiences, and one of the stops was at Ovid Napa Valley. This is an absolutely beautiful property and a wonderful wine, which are well worth the time and money to experience. The setting is magnificent on top of Pritchard Hill, and you’ll pass by several other well known wineries on your way to Ovid. The expanse of the valley is in full view from the patio and is simply gorgeous. We were told that on a clear day, you can see all the way to downtown San Francisco. I frankly prefer to see vineyards over buildings, but this gives you a sense of the expanse of the view. (Check this out in the pictures below.) The structure itself is state of the art – set up to move the wine from crush to barrel via gravity flow. This is an innovative property that has been set up to honor the setting and the land.
If you get the sense I am going on about the setting – well, I am. It was exquisite, and the tasting itself was classy with great attention to detail. As we walked into the tasting room, our names were on the chalkboard welcoming us to our visit. We were given a tour of the property including the crush pad, the lab, and the barrel room. Our host was very gracious and knowledgeable.
Press Restaurant in St. Helena — a WOW Dinner!
I am just about to dive into my dessert of coconut sorbet. One of the only times I ever order dessert is after a meal at the excellent Press restaurant in St. Helena, and it is well worth the indulgence. Quite frankly, it is the smoothest and richest sorbet ever, and it’s following a wonderful dinner here at Press. This is simply my favorite restaurant in the Valley — the food and the service are amazing. Tonight, I had my favorite meal of New York strip steak cooked to perfection with a side order of brussels sprouts. I know, I know – you’re saying, “Brussels sprouts??” These were served sautéed with bacon and cranberries — simply wonderful. The New York strip steak had a perfect char on the outside with juicy, meaty flavors. I hope I am making you hungry. Oh, yes, and the wine – a rich, opulent 2008 from Blankiet.
Leslie Rudd, the owner of Press, is very active in both the Napa Valley and throughout the United States. He also owns Dean & DeLuca, the Oakville Grocery, and the wineries Rudd and Edge Hill. I would have to say that I am a big fan of Mr. Rudd. Historically, I have had many a meal at both Press and the Oakville Grocery, and I truly admire his dedication to quality wine. Rudd Winery is a beautiful property at the corner of the Silverado Trail and Oakville Cross Road in Oakville, CA (in Napa Valley). Mr. Rudd’s Edge Hill winery produces wonderful wines that age gracefully. I have enjoyed them all and have several cellared. While Edge Hill is not open for visits, a visit to the Rudd Winery is well worth the time. It is a sophisticated experience with a sit-down tasting that includes a tour of the lovely and lush grounds. The wine is deep and rich – the Sauvignon Blanc to the big cabernets are well crafted and enjoyable.
Update on B Cellars — 92 Point Score from Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator just released its score for B Cellars’ 2010 “Blend 24 Napa Valley,” and it scored 92 points!
Since I just posted about B Cellars last week, I wanted to share this news with you. The 2010 “Blend 24 Napa Valley” costs about $51, and 1600 cases were made.
B Cellars: Blending for Excellence in Calistoga
High up on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, just before you get to Calistoga, there is a small winery named B Cellars. It is a young enterprise (started in 2003) yet is quickly garnering a reputation. I was curious. I had never had their wines, but it piqued my interest based on a rating that I had read on one of the wines. The obvious path was to set an appointment.
That day, I was very surprised to step into a clean and modern, yet cabin-like tasting room. Check out the pictures of the interior. It was very nice. There was a porch area where guests can do their tastings. As we stood at the bar to start our tasting, we enjoyed a white blend. To my knowledge, there are not a lot of white blends, yet that is the signature of B Cellars — to produce great wines with depth of flavor by blending varietals and wine lots to achieve quality wines during each vintage. I was impressed by the blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, with each varietal imparting different flavors and delivering balance. It was very nice; and, of course, I had to purchase some for home.
Seavey Vineyard: Tucked Away and Worth the Drive
Picturesque views, mountainsides and vines, Seavey Vineyard is tucked out of the way and well worth the time to journey to Conn Valley to visit. The wines are the main event with great structure and a minerality that runs through the line-up. This is red territory, so there is not a white to be found — just be prepared for well-crafted wine that will age very gracefully. I opened their 2007 Cabernet a while ago; and, quite frankly, it knocked my socks off. Smooth, rich and complex, it was a delight to drink. I had to go back again to explore more.
“Went to a Garden Party” — No Ricky Nelson, but Great Wine at Spottswoode!
The story behind Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery tells the story of a remarkable journey, to say the least. It’s a world-class winery as the result of dedication, drive, and hard work. Mary Novak is worthy of anyone’s respect given the challenges she faced to bring this vineyard and winery to fruition, making it one of the most notable names in the Valley. Having moved to Napa in the early ‘70s with her husband, just five years later, she found herself facing the future alone with five children to raise. Shortly after the start of their journey together in the valley, her husband Jack suddenly passed. Her decision was to stay, raise her family in St. Helena, and build the winery. And we are all glad she did.
Last year, Mary and her family celebrated their 30/40 anniversary — forty years since they arrived to restore the property and thirty years since their first wine, a cabernet sauvignon, was produced. This winery has developed a fine history of accomplishment.
A Visit to Jericho Canyon in Calistoga
I was first introduced to Jericho Canyon Vineyard many years ago when another winemaker bought grapes from this area to make Ramey Jericho Canyon. That was a big, muscular cabernet with structure, loamy tannins, and deep rich fruit which would cellar for a long time. My recent visit was an opportunity to rediscover Jericho Canyon Vineyards and taste the wine that the owners of Jericho Canyon now make and bottle under their own name. The wines still have those same great qualities and characteristics that I remember.
Jericho Canyon Vineyard is family owned, and the owners take great pride in honoring the land as they craft their wines. The founders and proprietors are Marla and Dale Bleecher. The property is sustainably farmed and certified Napa Green Land and Winery. It is nestled between the Palisades and Mt. St. Helena off of highway 128 in Calistoga. The vineyards sit at elevations between 200 and 1000 feet, and there are 40 acres under vine.