August Briggs – 149
Monday, August 29th, 2005
I find it interesting that many visitors to the Napa Valley fail to travel much beyond the "boundary" of St. Helena. I am often contacted by first-time visitors who are looking for wineries who are "off-the-beat-and-path, have good wine, and with tasting rooms that aren’t packed like sardines." I often suggest those wineries, not only on the Silverado Trail, but also those on the trail which are north of Deer Park Road. August Briggs is such an establishment, far north on the Trail, with a Calistoga address but not quite so far up as to where the town begins.
Located on the west side of the road, the building is easily visible from the street, unassuming and considered simple, in this land of ostentatious chateaux and palaces. August Briggs’ story is a relatively simple one – local talented winemaker starts his own label. But it is a bit more than that.
There are a lot of winemakers who start their own label. Not every winemaker who starts their own label goes to the extent of acquiring the land to build a tasting room and wine-making facilities. Joe Briggs is considered a negociant winemaker – which means that he purchases grapes from various vineyards of well-repute who sell their grapes. Becoming a winery owner AND vineyard owner is a whole new level. Personally, I think there are vineyard owners who are not making very good wine – and there are winery owners buying their grapes to make fabulous wine. Joe Briggs seems to be on the path of already knowing how to make exceptional wine. Perhaps at some point he will start buying vineyards as well, but for the time being, he’s doing just fine.
2003 Napa Valley Pinot Meunier – Unusual to see this blending grape (usually used in sparkling wine), as a hundred-percent varietal. Upfront raspberry and strawberry components with a darker core of blueberry. Bright and medium-bodied, the mouthfeel was clean and upfront. Very easy to drink. $32.00
2003 Napa Valley Dijon Clones Pinot Noir – Classic aromas of dark berry and red cherry with hints of vanilla. Lighter cranberry on the mouth entry which is well-integrated, smooth, and easy. A bit of a bright tang on the end with some mineral qualities. $35.00
2003 Napa Valley Zinfandel – From 100-year old vines, the bouquet played between a dark cherry core and whiffs of smoke. Mostly spicy dark fruit in the mouth, reasonably tannins with a touch of heft and a peppery finish. $32.00
2002 Napa Valley Syrah – Surprisingly greenness on the nose — not that the fruit was unripe, but more an underpinning of green bell pepper and green olive. Inky dark purple in color, the initial taste was smooth and concentrated with an erotic earthiness that was quite erotic and pleasing. $32.00
2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — From a Spring Mountain vineyard, this dark, rich offering shows dark cocoa and integrated dusty herbs in the nose. Big bold flavors, mostly of hefty fruit and rich chocolate with a bit of sage on the finish. $48.00
August Briggs ~333 Silverado Trail ~ Calistoga ~ CA ~ 94515 ~ 707-942-4912