Breaking off hiatus this week, to bring you updates from beautiful, sunny, California! Few places in the world are as beautiful to me as Napa, California, and as such, I feel compelled to do my best to share Napa, and it’s wine. [Disclosure, the wine tasting from Joseph Phelps was comped, all other tastings were paid for by First Pour Wine – so was the car…]
Heading out on a beautiful Tuesday morning, I fortunate enough to have been graced by the rental car gods with a rip,snorting, V8 bound Camaro SS. While I could’ve spent hours to savor the incredible poise, gregarious engine noise, and visibility that would only make Ray Charles jealous, instead I set out down the back roads from Fairfield to Napa. A short trip later, and it was time to arrive at Silver Oak.
Due to my hiatus, I can really only describe Silver Oak as wonderful. While the property and wine were both fantastic, I can’t say I was very much able to give them a fair shake. I blame myself, having been off for several weeks from tasting, and needing to shake the rust. If you’re going to shake the rust though, an ’06 Silver Oak Cabernet isn’t a bad way to do it. Especially when you consider the amazing structures of their wines, which beg for red meat and rich foods.
Fun tip though, if you want to get an early start, Silver Oak is one of the earliest to open in the valley, starting tastings at 9am. They exclusively produce Cabernet Sauvignon (which if you’re in Napa, you’re probably hoping for… it is the king of Napa after all), so those seeking other varietals might be disappointed. Bottles are about $50 and up, and there’s a $25 tasting fee. [Tasting fees are normal for Napa, so don’t be shocked!]
Big boys like Silver Oak are wonderful to visit if you love already love their wine, but when you’re in a wine region like Napa, you need to occasionally spin the wheel, and try a random winery you’ve never heard of before. Just down the road from Silver Oak is a winery that fits that description for me, Plumpjack.
You might be forgiven for not noticing Plumpjack, or assuming that you’re on the road to nowhere following their winding drive. However, you’re really down the rabbit hole to experiencing Gavin Newsom (Lieutenant Governor of California) and Gordon Getty’s Shakespearean inspired indulgence in inebriation. Named after Sir John “Plumpjack” Falstaff, the winery appreciates the character’s hearty appreciation for fun. When referring to wine [sack. for those who haven’t cracked a tomb of Shakespeare recently], the character once stated:
If sack and sugar be a fault, God help the wicked. If to be old and merry be a sin, then many an old host that I know is damned.
Wine is, after all, meant for enjoyment, and Plumpjack’s are no exception.
Diaphanous Chardonnays loaded with aromatics, pears, and apples serve as a warm ups for a well balanced, model Merlot, but the true headliner is their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A truly massive wine, it explodes aggressively with raspberry, blackberry, and killer black pepper. The tannins are tightly wound, and brutally persistent for a juicy steak, or several years in the cellar. The wine is frankly gorgeous, and only set to get better with age. If anything, it makes the poor Syrah that come after it look like a slouch, but don’t be fooled, the Syrah is devilishly good as well. Prices range from $30 – $120 (for the Cab), and wines sell out often here, so contacting Plumpjack first would be well advised if you’re looking for something in particular.
Leaving Plumpjack (I unfortunately am not allowed to stay forever as it turns out), we headed over to one of the best local restaurants in Napa, the Rutherford Grill. The restaurant is beautiful, and the Prime Rib French Dip, is pricey, but well worth the $21 price of entry given the beautifully cooked meat, and healthy portion.
After lunch, it was back to cruising the Valley, specifically the Silverado Trail. This area is particularly great for searching wineries, as you can see them from the road, and can more or less cruise and stop at your leisure. Many of the main wineries, including Clos Du Val, Stag’s Leap, and Duckhorn, are located along the Silverado Trial, and easily accessible. There are plenty of others, and most are open for tasting if you just stop. One such example is ZD Wines, just past Mumm.
Much like the neighbors, ZD charges for their tasting, and for $40, you can choose 4 wines, plus a preliminary taste of their Chardonnay light and buttery chardonnay. They’ll also provide you with a nice little sample of cheeses to break up the samples, and their beautiful tasting area is sheer Napa chic. For my flight, I chose the Grenache Blanc, Sangiovese, Reserve Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. All of which were delightful, with special marks going to the Reserve Pinot Noir (unbridled in it’s mix of spice, preserved strawberry, and hints of milk chocolate), and Sangiovese (with it’s deep dark cherry jello like character, laced with spice, cranberry, and crushed violets).
After a quick detour through Lake Berryesa, it was time for final stop as Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Now, Joseph Phelps is probably one of the most respected producers in the valley, and one of the best. However, I’m almost positive that I can blame Wine Library placing a bottle of Insignia on the front page of their website for what seemed like 6 months for subliminally hypnotizing me into stopping at the Vineyard.
If you are planning to visit the STUNNINGLY remodeled tasting room for Joseph Phelps, it worth bearing in mind two critical details. First, tastings are supposed to be scheduled. Second, tastings are $75 each. Yes, you read that correctly. Seventy-Five Dollars. This is premium wine folks. And how often are you really going to get to taste both Insignia and Backus* in one go?![Disclosure, Joseph Phelps provided this tasting free of charge to me, which I repaid them by being a lunk and spitting in their bucket that wasn’t a spittoon, sorry guys!!!! — *- Secondary disclosure, they don’t normally have Backus on tasting, so this was extra special!]
At this point, it’s also worth noting that the staff is impeccable, and everyone I met was a sheer delight. This however was nothing compared to the wines. A taut and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc loaded with lemon, tropical fruit, and a body to make a Chardonnay jealous lead things off, and was quickly followed by a Viognier pervasive in it’s graceful presentation of peach, pineapple, jasmine, honeysuckle, and hints of candied ginger.
The reds are of course the show stoppers. Joseph Phelp’s Pinot Noirs both over deliver with beautiful earthy complexions, a loaded spice box, and bright red cranberries and pomegranates. The bodies are slightly different, and both provide amazingly different finishes. No matter how good they can make Pinot though, it will always be Cab Sauv and Insignia that steal the minds eye. These wines are full bodied, fleshy, and undeniably alive.
Layers of concentrated dark fruit flavors are build upon oak bones, laced in texture of fruit and winemaker talents. The full experience is undeniably powerful, and can leave on at a loss for words. Joseph Phelps Insignia alone pops with macerated raspberries, strawberry, black plums, and chinese five spice. Baking spices join in, with fresh huckleberry, and pomegranate. Touches of fresh basil add yet another layer. The structure of the wine is both simultaneously tight, wrapped in velvet and muscle, and open. The brightness shows the vibrancy, and many years of aging potential are immediately event.
With views and wines like those that can be found in the Napa Valley, it’s a miracle anyone leaves. For those that haven’t visited, I advise you to fly out, and try some wine, enjoy the sun, and relax. It’s a beautiful wine country out there!
A Napa Excursion – Wineries & Information
Silver Oak
915 Oakville Cross Rd, Oakville, CA 94562
(707) 942-7022
Plumpjack Winery
620 Oakville Cross Rd, Napa, CA 94558
(707) 945-1220
Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 963-1792
ZD Wines
8383 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
(800) 487-7757
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
200 Taplin Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
(800) 707-5789