Ultimate California Wine Blog

This is a truly exciting post for me. To start, it is Wine Blog Wednesday where Brother Lenn has asked us to Drink Local. The assignment this month is to go and find the winery closest to your home. To my knowledge, I am the only blogger who actually lives in Napa so I have a distinct advantage over say, someone living in Utah… But in a way it was actually a bit difficult. My initial thoughts were that I was either in close proximity to either Laird or Trefethen. I initially posted on Lenn’s site that at least I didn’t live next to Screaming Eagle, which would have been decidedly expensive! I started perusing GoogleMaps and asked winemaker Karen Culler about a suspicious plot of vineyards that I had never noticed before and it is truly fabulous to have access to great people who can help answer questions…

A phone call or two later and some time spent on GoogleMaps and I see that a mile-and-a-half (as the crow flies) or 2.8 driving miles away from my humble abode lies a winery about which I knew nothing, Robert Biale Vineyards. So here I get to kill two birds with one stone — a brand new entry in my ongoing blog as well as a really cool installment to WBW! Serendipity was definitely at play here, as the Biale tasting room has been open a whopping two weeks!

The facilities are brand spanking new, but these guys are hardly the new kids on the block. Robert Biale’s family started growing Zinfandel grapes in Napa in the 1920s and now specializes in local historic vineyards. A third generation Napan, Robert has a reliable and dedicated crew (if Jayme, whom I met during my visit, is any indication).

Along with producing vineyard-specific zinfandels (some from 100+ year-old vines), with Al Perry heading up winemaking, additional very cool varietals now carry the Biale moniker; Petite Sirah, Syrah, Barbera, and Sangiovese. Al works closely with the growers from whence Biale’s grapes are grown and feels passionately about these grapes which are distinctly Californian.

As indicated, Jayme was the host for the day in the newly-built tasting room. It is an appointment-only establishment, but one worth seeking out, if only to hear the story of the black chicken… But go and taste and buy these wines. They are astonishing in their character and distinct disposition; worthy of aging as their depth shows, but astonishing young.

2003 Grande Zinfandel – This was the second vintage from the Rossi Vineyards produced under the Biale name. The wine is slighty cloudy dark garnet in color and at first demonstrates rich blackberry and boysonberry liqueur aromas, immediately giving way to aromas of freshly-cracked black pepper, sweet and aromatic. The mouth entry is smooth and continues the blackberry tones, but expands to reveal hints of herbs and rich, complex finish. $40.00

2002 Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley Zinfandel – Sweet cherry nose that is distinctly berry in structure. Developed with deep floral qualities and a long, spicy finish thatis not biting or hot. The Monte Rosso is specifically 110-year old vines and the wine certainly shows its pedigree. $46.00

2002 Thomann Station Petite Sirah – From famous vineyards in St. Helena near Sutter Home, this wine is inky black red and produces a bouquet of elegant licorice, blackberry liqueur, and faint hint of ground coffee. The wine coats the tongue in a supple and velvety fashion showing some brighter acid on the front with a tease of coffee on the finish. $50.00

2002 Gaudi Carli Barbera – Very enticing dark garnet red color. Floral notes that are rustic, spicy, and elegant with a touch of candied cinnamon and a whisper of sweet anise. The entry is at first smooth, silky, and touch sweet. There is more spice on the nose than on the tongue. The acids brighten on the mid-palate and develops into a long, structured finish. $35.00

Robert Biale Vineyards ~ 4038 Big Ranch Road ~ Napa ~ CA 94558 ~ 707-257-7555

It was with some odd trepidation that I went to Orfila Winery in Escondido… You see, twenty-some years ago, what is now Orfila was home to what was then Thomas Jaeger Winery. Way back then, when I was young and thin and beautiful, I was working at the California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control when this incredibly handsome young man walked in and asked for a wine-making application. I asked what his affiliation was with the winery and he told me he was the winemaker. Suffice to say that I now have very fond memories of that all-too-brief era in my life, of a winery that is no more, and a young man who is… well, I’ll leave it at that. I know that the Jaegers are now (and, I believe were at that time) growers in the Napa Valley. And the young winemaker today has his own California winery. Yep, that means that some day our paths may cross again, as I continue this blog…

The buildings have not changed and the interior space has been expanded to include both the working wine barrels and selling area. Heck, twenty years ago, I don’t even remember a retail area and not sure there was one. But I do remember the barrel rooms and this set-up is expansive and welcoming as it is nice to see elements of production so closely tied to hospitality.

Alejandro Orfila is the proprietor now and as an Ambassador from Argentina, has showcased his collection of flags all around the winery walls. It is an impressive collection as our world geography has changed, so has many of the worlds’ country flags, including a pre-Apartheid South African example.

The tasting room staff are extremely pleasant, helpful, AND honest. Many of the wines tasted had been recently bottled and while the winery probably should hold them for a while before releasing, I can understand the business behind needing to have wines for guests to taste. In those instances, the staff is up front about the potential that a wine might be too tight and suggest voluminous swirling to counter that. Also, I shot a picture of an unexpected request — here is a winery that really does not want guests to spit. I imagine this has something to do with a health department regulation, but I had never seen it so blatantly enforced. Being one always spit, I simply asked for another cup to spit into. As I am out here often doing this alone, there is no way I’m going to risk a DUI for a mere tasting that requires swallowing. To their credit, they were understanding and allowed me to expunge my samples.

2004 Bien Nacido Chardonnay – Austere and clean with creamy floral tones. Lemon peel and fresh flowers on the mouth entry which warms on the finish. $15.00

2003 Ambassador’s Reserve Chardonnay – Clear, straw color with easy, crisp butter and a hint of fig. $21.00

2004 White Riesling – At 2.3% residual sugar, a fairly sweet offering showing honeysuckle and white melon. Simple and easy to drink. $13.00

2004 Gewurztraminer – Residual sugar unknown, but a sweet nose would indicate at least 2.5%. Enticing roses aromas with some white fruit. The rose aroma mirrors in the flavor and is coupled with layers of pear, honey, and white flowers. $15.00

2001 Pinot Noir – From the San Luis Obispo Edna Valley. Hints of smoke and dust on the initial aroma. A tinny mouth entry blossoms to display balanced herbs in the mid-palate but a thinning finish behind the pale berry. $41.00

2003 "Coastal Cuvee" Merlot – Overt raspberry bouquet that is incredibly young (apparently having been bottled three days beforehand). $17.00

2002 Estate Sangiovese "Di Collina" – An estate wine from the San Pasqual Valley, bright cinnamon and clove shows heightened acidity. The thin, lean entry expands to a juicy center and finishes a bit dry. $20.00

2002 "Gold Rush" Zinfandel – Dark plum and blueberry with layers of mineral qualities shows in the nose. The minerality continues in the initial mouthfeel and interestingly shows some tin and miso flavors. The finish displayed more tin and a faint hue of soy sauce. $24.00

2002 Estate Ambassador’s Reserve Merlot – Slightly murky purple tone. Dusty violet and cherry aromas. Darker bing cherry flavors coupled with oaky leather. $28.00

2002 Estate Syrah "Val de la Mer" – Dark inky color showing meatiness in the nose with a faint hint of greeness. Flavors of wild berry and a bit of dry cocoa on the finish. $25.00

2003 Muscat Canelli "Bacchus Nectar" – Not an overtly sweet dessert wine showing yellow peach and honey. Simple and easy that would work well with a custard dessert. #25.00/750 ml

NV California Tawny Port – Made of Zinfandel and Carignane, hot aromas of dark toffee and nutty butter. Sweet entry and toasted nutty finish. $20.00

Orfila Vineyards and Winery ~ 13455 San Pasqual Road ~ Escondido ~ CA ~ 92025 ~ 760-738-6500