Napa trip and California "ports"

[Andy Velebil]

A friend and former co-worker (Mike) and I took a road trip to Napa with a slight deviation to Ridge Vineyards, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, to visit a good friend of mine who works there as viticulturist and to visit my brother up at Outpost. We were also to meet up with another friend (Stewart) from the For the Love of Port website and check out the California “ports” too see how they stand up to the real deal. So here are my thoughts and some brief tasting notes on things tried along the way. Since my connection to Ridge and Outpost is there, I will refrain from posting TN’s on them.


RIDGE:
After a very cool tour of the property, including the Jimsomore vineyards, we headed off to the barrel room. Had a couple of whites and then on to the reds (Zin’s, Grenache, Petite Syrah, etc.) then up to the Monte Bello room for more barrel samples. After that, we headed off to the tasting room to try some bottled reds. Overall, I was very impressed with how the 2006’s are shaping up. Roy, you will love the 06 Geyserville!

Afterwards we headed off to Caleb’s place and met up with his dad and his girlfriend, and another of her friends. Off to dinner, and of course more wines. A good time by all. Unfortunately winery duty called and Caleb could not head with us to Napa.

The next morning Mike and I headed off to Napa. Here is where we went.


ELYSE:
HAVENS:
SEAVEY:
V. SATTUI:
LARKMEAD:
LADERA:
PRAGER PORT WORKS:
HEITZ CELLARS:
and of course OUTPOST:

and here is the California "ports"

ELYSE:
2004 Petite Sirah “port”: Very jammy, but a good for a Cali fortified, strong bit of tannins, good flavors 91

V. SATTUI:
2005 Muscat: 6% residual sugar. Very light and refreshing for a Muscat. 86-87. Not sure on pricing, but if cheap enough worth a bottle.

NV Angelica: Muscat using 19 year old brandy. Very impressive step up from the previous Muscat. 89 points.

1999 Vintage “port”: This is really an LBV (Late bottle vintage). Good solid nose, very typical Portuguese as this uses traditional grapes. A tad high in residual sugar though. There are Zinfandel grapes in this also, and they are quite evident. Finish is medium after a slight drop off at the beginning of the finish. 84-85

Madeira: First sample from a fresh bottle. Slight VA, carmel, oak, vanilla, walnuts, acidity, and strong long finish. Very impressive and blind, this would be hard to not pick as a true Madeira. 90

The pre-opened bottle showed how with a day of air how much better it can be. More structure on the body, more VA, longer finish. Worth buying this one. 91


PRAGER PORT WORKS:
2003 Petite Syrah: very dark, solid nose, good finish, but average. 87 ($32.50)

2004 Tomas “port” (fortified wine using Portuguese grapes) This is their 2nd vintage of this. WOW, nose is just like the real deal, chocolate, plums, palate has massive tannins, mocha, berry, and a long finish. Very impressive. 92 ($48.50)

Noble Companion Tawny “port”: Cabernet Sauvignon based, touch of VA, carmel, but more Madeira like than port like, but decent. 88-89 ($50)

2003 Royal Escort “vintage port”: This is the 7th time in 27 years this was produced. Petite Syrah based and spends 2 ½ years in used 60 gallon oak barrels. Strawberry, Eucalyptus, cedar, blackberries, but seems to lack body and grip. 87 ($80)

2003 Aria “white port”: 100% Napa Valley Chardonnay and aged for three years in oak barrels. Very good mid palate of nuts and almonds but needs food to go with it. Unfortunately, it is still rather lackluster and ordinary. It just doesn’t “grab you.” 85 (48.50)

2004 Sweet Claire Late Harvest: 100% late harvest Riesling wine. Good acidic nose, sugary palate without being too heavy feeling, lacking fruit on the palate with a short finish. An easy drinker but not a stand out wine. 84 ($26).

Overall, I was impressed by the serious effort put forth by this winery. However, their pricing is out of this world expensive and not worth it, IMO. I did buy one bottle of the Tomas, as that is the only one I though was sorta worth it.

HEITZ CELLARS:
“N.V. port”: Nose very similar to a true Vintage Port, solid fruit, lots of acid but still easy drinking. A very tasty and good at around $20-24. 84-85

2003 “Vintage port: Very similar to previous, actually almost the same only this has more menthol and dark berries. IIRC, this was $60, which is way to expensive…buy the N.V. one and save 40 bucks.

2003 Grignolino “port”: Muscat nose, easy drinking and smooth on the palate. Reminded me of a Crasto LBV. 85



As the final night neared we gathered in the house at Outpost for a final dinner. Tony and the others had just finished bottling and were quite hungry and tired. Stewart picked up some pre-made food down in town and brought it up.

We started with two experimental Ridge Rose’s (one made by the head winemaker at Lytton Springs and one by the assistant winemaker). I’m not a big fan of Rose’s so am not the best to speak on these, but they were not my cup of tea.

2005 Niepoort “Tiara”: I’ve had this a few times now and it has never disappointed. Produced by Dirk Niepoort to be more Chablis like. A very tasty wine 90

2004 Alesia Pinot Noir “Sonatera Vineyards”: Very tight at first and I didn’t care for it. That changed about 45 minutes later. Really liked this one and wish there was more of it left by the time I got back to it. 91

2004 Outpost Zinfandel…sorry

2001 Outpost Zinfandel….again sorry (but can I say I loved this and the secondary flavors that are showing).

1996 Hopkiln late harvest “port”: Zinfandel based…way over the hill. N/R

Kunde Estate NV “port”: Zinfandel based and a very poor effort 79.

Warre’s Otima 20 year Tawny Port: Very tasty. A large step up from the 10 year Otima, which I don’t like. 89.


The drinking continued until the late hours. I really didn’t care to write them down at that point. I was too tired of taking notes. Lots of fun and conversation were had. Too bad it was all coming to an end. But have no fear, to pay for our previous sins, the following morning we were put to work on the bottling line, stacking tons of cases as they came off the bottling line. I can say I didn’t break a single bottle, LOL! Then the afternoon came and the 7-hour drive home

[Todd Pettinger]

2004 Tomas “port” (fortified wine using Portuguese grapes) This is their 2nd vintage of this. WOW, nose is just like the real deal, chocolate, plums, palate has massive tannins, mocha, berry, and a long finish. Very impressive. 92 ($48.50)
......
Overall, I was impressed by the serious effort put forth by this winery. However, their pricing is out of this world expensive and not worth it, IMO. I did buy one bottle of the Tomas, as that is the only one I though was sorta worth it.

As soon as I started reading this TN about the Tomas I remembered your tip to me from the 'other discussions' forum. This is one I will try to seek out in a couple weeks when I am down in California. Thanks Andy for the heads-up!

2004 Outpost Zinfandel…sorry

2001 Outpost Zinfandel….again sorry (but can I say I loved this and the secondary flavors that are showing).

Why are you sorry? Afraid some will ridicule you for liking Zinfandel? I personally like it. Sweeter wines have always been my cup of tea, in fact I go the other way and dislike the dry ones typically.

Todd

[Andy Velebil]

Todd,

I didn't post TN's on the Outpost stuff because my brother works there....but the are very tasty 8)

[Todd Pettinger]

Ahhh... I see now. Insider stuff and all that!

I'll still look for the Tomas. If I come across the Outpost stuff, I will endeavor to try/buy that as well! :)

Todd

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

I have owned for about 17 years a bottle of Prager 1987 port. Perhaps it should be opened soon!

[Andy Velebil]

What Prager "port' do you have.

Although the Tomas had some good structure to it, I'd say it would be no more than a 10, maybe 15 year, ager. At 20 years old, i'd be interested to see if your bottle has held up. Please do let me know how it goes when you try it.

[Todd Pettinger]

I haven't been able to find the "Prager Tomas" series of 'ports' but did see the Ficklins Old Vines (Ruby I think) at K&L Wines... not really impressive looking, but I recall someone lauding it as a decent attempt an a LBV... gonna have to go back and try.

Todd

[Mike Halerz]

I didn't post TN's on the Outpost stuff because my brother works there....but the are very tasty 8)

Wait - you and Tony are brothers? I've noticed the unusual last name for both of you on the eBob for a long time and seriously wondered if you were related, but never thought to actually ask, figuring it was probably just coincidence.

I was just going to drop Tony a line in the next 24 hours to set up an appt over at Outpost since we're due out there in a couple weeks and would love to stop in.

[Andy Velebil]

Naw, with our strange and rare last name, I assure you we are related.

I hope you are able to stop by, it's a beautiful place...ohh, and the wines are also beautiful 8)

[Mike Halerz]

For the record, if you see any other Halerzes on any online forum, we're likely related as well, though the only one I can think of that would spend time reading and posting about alcohol is much more likely to do it on Beer Advocate or Ratebeer

Either way, Tony will be getting an email from me very soon. Really looking forward to meeting him! Also looking forward to the vacation, I have to say....it's been a while...they don't let me out much these days.

It's too bad you're down in LA. If you find yourself up in wine country from the 18th to 28th, lemme know! I'm shooting for Outpost on Wed the 23rd if Tony's available. I hear he's quite the host...

Oh, and to be more on-topic, any thoughts on deliciously fortified wines more up towards Healdsburg? I think Williams-Selyem does a Zin port, but we probably weren't going to stop in over there. Any others worth checking out?

[Andy Velebil]

Mike,

Although the Prager Port Works "ports" are very expensive, the 2004 Tomas “port” was quite tasty and I bought a bottle.

Also, the Madeira at V. SATTUI is worth buying a few if you like Madeira.

Other than those two, nothing else was really worth it. They wern't terrible, but just average at best. Couple that with high "winery direct" pricing and I stayed away from all but the two mentioned above.....opps, and the Elyse 2004 Petite Sirah “port”.

Since you are going to be in Napa, I would highly recommend Seavey Vineyards. Call and ask for Elsbeth or Kelly, it was the best winery I went to when I was there a few weeks ago (excluding Outpost of course ). Great people, great wines, and fun to taste with, and just down the road not too far from Outpost.

[Jay Powers]

There is a very nice muscat at Bonny Doon if you make it that far south. Or it's available at many Bay Area supermarkets and pretty cheap. You might give that a try for sweet wines.

Jay

[Todd Pettinger]

There is a very nice muscat at Bonny Doon if you make it that far south. Or it's available at many Bay Area supermarkets and pretty cheap. You might give that a try for sweet wines.

Jay

Although I fail to remember the exact wording or bottle details, I did see just this wine while at either Trader Joes or another liquor store... I was thinking of picking it up, but did not. Pity that I didn't get this note a couple days ago.... It does not appear that we will be returning to Silicon Valley/Cupertino any time soon as the facility we were at (for our workshop) was extremely disorganized and difficult to work with. Roseville, CA or Palo Alto,CA might be future possibilities (if you can figure out which company has facilities in all three cities, you'll know who I was there with! )

Todd

[Roy Hersh]

Andy, I am so glad you discovered V. Sattui. Great madeira style of wine at a decent price, however I liked it better when it was $23 a bottle.

The 1991 vintage Ficklin port style is very tasty and their 10 year old tawny port is great QPR. I can't wait to see how long it takes Andy to recommend it.