Ultimate California Wine Blog

I feel a tad embarrassed about my visit to Turnbull. It was a hot afternoon and I sort of just dashed in and dashed out. I glanced at the walls, but not long enough to realize they are another in the line of wineries with art exhibits, in this case, photographs of famous 20th century icons.

The tasting room was a relatively standard offering; bar, tables with goodies to buy, and photographs on the walls. It took some time to muscle in to taste, but once there the staff were friendly and informative. Apparently there are a number of functions that occur on Saturdays, including some several cooking classes like pizza-making or grilling. I wish I had known about that before my visit…

I did admire an adjacent arbor where several folks could wander and relax while tasting their wine. Many tasting rooms work as a factory, trying to get their guests in and out as quickly as possible. The mere existence of such a spot of serenity sounds volumes of goodwill in an otherwise hurried industry.

2003 Sauvignon Blanc – 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Viogner that never saw oak. Slightly effervescent, lemony entry that was almost sweet. Crisp and tangy in the mid-palate, a sweetish ending seemed simple. $15.00

2003 Old Bull Red – A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 9% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Tempranillo, 2% Petite Sirah, 2% Sangiovese, and 2% Petit Verdot. Clear, bright garnet in color, this showed dark berry aromas layered with hints of anise and mint. The entry was just as fruity with cocoa and coffee in the mid-palate and dustier on the finish. $20.00

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon – 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah, 2% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Aromas of dried herbs and smoky cedar predominate the nose. Some fruit flavors on the entry which is dry in the mid-palate but fills out and warms on the finish. $40.00

2002 Red Wine "Black Label" – 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot. Dark, inky purple shows full aromas of black plum, blackberry, and dried herbs. Integrated and smooth, the flavors mirror the aromas with a balanced, even finish. $75.00

Turnbull ~ 8210 St. Helena Highway ~ Oakville ~ CA ~ 94562 ~ 707-963-5839

It is true — I have had folks ask me when I would visit the Vatican of the Napa Valley. For what other analogy can be made for Robert Mondavi? Despite the recent upheaval in his corporation, the man himself can only be considered the reigning pope of the California wine industry.

Besides the heritage and history that Robert himself lends to the estate, many come to Mondavi to be introduced to Napa and the production of winemaking. No less than seven different types of tours are available, from the basics of winemaking, to food and wine pairing, to the (I’m told) romantic twilight tour which only takes place at 6:00 on Friday evenings. I decided to forgo any tours for my first visit, which also precluded me from tasting any of the reserve wines on this occasion. It was a quick stop only, intended to look around and taste quickly the standard offerings of the facility.

There are three different tasting rooms and the most public, Le Marche, is a pretty standard one as far as the valley is concerned including gift items and apparel. Surprisingly, the tasting bar is relatively small and each taste is charged for individually at $5.00 for each two-ounce pour. Guests are not allowed to "run up tabs" so if you want to taste through their entire offering (six on the day I was there), each guest would have to pony up $30. Still, if visiting for the first time or wanting to experience all aspects of a winery, Mondavi is a great place to start.

2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Stags Leap District – 100% stainless steel. Surprisingly creamy aroma with integrated tropical fruits. A hint of the classic cat pea appeared in the back of the sinuses and anticipated the sharp mouth entry. The initial acidity quickly subsided and blossomed to a brighter, engaging offering with a long, spiky finish. $23.00

2002 Fumé Blanc – Here’s a story not many people know: Robert Mondavi "invented" the Fumé Blanc in 1962.  What he really did was take the Sauvignon Blanc (which wasn’t very fashionable at the time), and gave it a French twist by hijacking part of the name from the Pouilley-Fumé, putting it in oak, and adding a little Semillon. This current offering was a harsh follow-up to the Sauvignon Blanc I had just tasted, but quickly warmed in showing lemon meringue on the nose (a distinct combination of lively citrus with layered cream notes). The finish was tighter than I would have liked. $17.00

2002 Chardonnay – Seven months is 20% new French oak (Mondavi ONLY ever used French oak!). This wine was very clear with upfront aromas of classic butter and hints of tropical fruit. The initial taste is robust but thins out too quickly with a mineral finish. $18.00

2002 Pinot Noir – A tad murky in its garnet color, the raspberry bouquet revealed itself beside other fresh berries. Mineral tones dominated in the mid-palate and gave way to a thin, metallic finish. $21.00

2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Warm dark berry aromas couple with cassis and cocoa. A soft, Merlot-like entry has a bright flavor with even acidity. Quite drinkable. $25.00

2002 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon – Classic Oakville dustiness shows in aromas and flavor. Dried herbs and some twigs predominate in the nose. A bit tannic on the entry, the very dry mid-palate leaves a mineral ending. $40.00

2004 Muscato d’Oro – With 10% residual sugar this simple dessert wine at 8% alcohol could prove way too easy to drink. Sweet orange blossom and honey suckle aromas do not anticipate the slightly effervescent entry. Sweet and orange and floral in tones, an easy summer dessert. $20.00

Robert Mondavi Winery ~ Highway 29 ~ Oakville ~ CA ~ 94562 ~ 1-888-RMONDAVI (1-888-766-6328)

Flora Springs winery is located on Highway 29 and is almost easy to miss for while most winery tasting rooms on the main drag have large, stand-alone facilities, Flora Springs sits nestled amongst a cluster of buildings that shares a parking lot with Calistoga Roastery (a coffee house) and Dean & Deluca. A vine-covered building might almost be lost, but is well worth looking for!

This is another one of those wineries that I have placed in a number of categories for while the physical tasting room lies in St. Helena appellation, the vineyards for the wines are located in St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oakville appellations.

The tasting room itself is large and inviting with an center-staged tasting bar-in-the-round placed dead center in the room. This makes for lots of comfortable space as well as a generally warm and inviting atmosphere. There are also a number of literary and cinematic allusions which I greatly admire; the Lavender Hill Vineyards for their Pinot was named after the Alec Guinness movie The Lavender Hill Mob, a one-sheet is located on an adjacent wall, and the Toad Hall Cellars Club references the Wind in the Willows, the owner’s wife’s favorite book (there are a number of toad references around the tasting room as well).

A note about the walls – along with movie posters, they are covered with these amazing caricatures of the family set next to photographs of the person so depicted. Also of note is a wine list far more extensive than my tasting allowed; additional wines include several Pinots, a variety of vineyard-specific Cabernets, a Sangiovese.

2002 Soliloquey – I’m not sure why this wine has a special name. It is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc and maybe it is because it comes from the Sauvignon Musque clone. It shows the classic green apple/grass combination in its bouquet that is perfumey and bright which enters the mouth with a warm, creamy sensation that finishes crisp and engaging. $18.00

2003 Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay – I was surprised to be told this Chardonnay saw no malo for there is a hint of butter and vanilla on the nose. The entry is lively with tropical fruits dominated with pineapple tones that is a touch sweet with balance and body. $22.00

2001 Pinot, Lavender Hill Vineyards – Oxidized.

2000 Poggio Del Papa – 75% Sangiovese, 16% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. An interesting blend that shows the dark, plummy, jammy fruit of the Merlot with cherry aromas and some oak in the beginning. The Sangiovese brings acidity to the forefront, but in an even, pleasing fashion. $30.00

2002 Napa Valley Merlot – A lighter, softer Merlot than I have been drinking lately. Oak and fruit are balanced in the aroma, with neither overpowering the other. Some mineral tones in the mid-palate, it demonstrates a fresh, cherry finish that is easy going down. $24.00

2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 100% Cabernet immediately shows dark, chocolate-covered cherry aromas with hints of cedar and oak. The cherry is coupled with elements of cassis in the mouth with some mineral qualities mid-way. A bit dry on the finish is a light touch. $30.00

2001 Trilogy – 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec. The faintest of green bell pepper under incredibly plummy, dark fruit aromas. Balanced tannins reveals a touch of minerality in the mid-palate but blossoms in a finish that reveals cherry. $60.00

Flora Springs ~ 677 S. St. Helena Highway ~ St. Helena ~ 800-913-1118

Miner is a relative new-comer on the Napa wine-making page, having only been established in 1998. But in those few short years, Dave and Emily Miner, along with Dave’s parents Ed and Norma, have built an amazing business. There is an impressive building as wine-making facilities and guest center but there is also very impressive wine.

2002 Chardonnay, Wild Yeast – Full malo, this wine presents a dark, yeasty bouquet underneath which lies a hint of stone fruit. Warm, and buttery on the tongue, there is a surprising freshness with a bright finish. $50.00

2003 Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard – Over-the-top aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry. Definite WOW factor in the nose which subsides a bit to present a layer of cedar. The soft entry produces balanced berry flavors with a touch of dark spice and a bright, tangy finish. $50.00

2001 Syrah, Napa Valley – From three different vineyards, the aromas immediately presented include candied red hots with layers of dried flowers. The dry mid-palate produces some meaty textures and finishes with dark, spicy notes. $28.00

2001 Merlot, Oakville – Berry jam almost overwhelms. Full and robust, there is a smokiness when it enters the mouth. A spicy cherry finish. $28.00

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville – Intense dark berry with immense amounts of cassis and spicey aromas. A hint of coffee anticipates the coffee and berry flavors upon entry. Rather tight with a balanced, mineral ending that is dark and luscious and does not seem to end. $50.00

Miner Family Vineyards ~ 7850 Silverado Trail ~ Oakville ~ CA 94562 ~ 800-366-WINE

There are a number of wineries in the heart of the Napa Valley which are are neither on Highway 29 nor on the Silverado Trail. These are hidden off side roads which connect the main two arteries. Plumpjack is just off the Trail and with their, artistic vaulted sign, a winery that must be searched for. The entrance is up a long, thin road and the facilities are beautifully ensconced among olive trees. Here in the Northern California, the Plumpjack name holds quite a reputation. Besides the winery itself, they also have a chain of restaurants and have interest in a number of local inns.

The tasting room itself also has an artistic flair. Upon walking towards the building, I admired the color scheme of the building itself as well as the circular frame around a tree bench. The colors are contemporary and inviting and the landscaping provides a very warm reception. It was only a small anticipation of what was to await me inside.

The interior of the tasting room is warm, sage with fabulously modern touches in its decorations. The sage color continues throughout and makes for a rather dark room, but fun in nature. The contemporary artistic motifs which bedeck the tasting bar, wall, and ceiling are fun and whimsical. Sadly for me, the day I visited they were sold out of their Syrah and Cuvee, only leaving two wines to taste — and one which was a tad too young:

2002 Plumpjack Reserve Chardonnay, St. Helena – No malo, but surprisingly rich. Tropical fruit aromas of pineapple and mango with a whisper of orange peel. Complex, layered mouth feel which finishes in vanilla and a touch of coconut. $42.00

2002 Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville – Tremendous plummy bouquet diminishes to green pepper. Tight tannins somewhat hid the black cherry in the mid-palate. The sharp, acidic finish confirmed that  the wine had just been released and the bottle just opened. Would benefit from aging and decanting. $62.00

Plumpjack Winery ~ 620 Oakville Cross Road ~ Oakville ~ CA ~ 94562 ~ 707-945-1220