Napa Valley

            This week we will spend our time in the good old USA and discuss what has been described as the heart and soul of the California Wine Industry – Napa Valley.  Napa has more wineries than any other county and they produce more wines, both in quantity and variety, than anywhere in North America.  It all started when a trapper named George Yount planted some Mission vines from a Sonoma Vineyard (hard to believe now that Sonoma was planted first) in 1838 wishing to make a little wine for himself.  Within six years, he was harvesting an annual average of 200 gallons.  In 1859, Samuel Brannan, a former Mormon and a millionaire, purchased 3 square miles of land and planted various European grape varieties.  Within 20 years, there would be over 18,000 acres of vines cultivated, more than half what is currently planted and almost twice what is produced in nearby Mendocino today. 

            Napa starts from the San Francisco Bay and runs approximately 34 miles north and west to Mt. St. Helena.  Sonoma Valley sits to the west and Lake Berryessa to the east.  The area’s climate ranges from cool near the Bay to warm in the north.  The area produces some of the finest Chardonnay and Cabernet in the world.

            Here are some of my favorites:

Caymus Cabernet – This wine is very dark and intense with nice blackberry flavors and some coffee overtones.   I would call this one dense and chewy with a finish that is just right.  Drink now, but this should be wonderful for a decade to come.  Though not from Napa, they also make a wonderful white blend for the summer called Conundrum.

Duckhorn Vineyards – Their Sauvignon Blanc is blended with about 1/4 Semillon.  Nice grapefruit and lemon - but this is really no "deck" wine.  It begs for food.  I can only imagine that it was perfect with the Seafood Stew served at President Obama's Inauguration lunch.  Alas, I was not invited.  Their Merlots are full, robust wines, which I would not mind aging and would recommend to even the dedicated Cabernet drinker. 

Dominus – Christian Moueix from Chateau Petrus (famous French Bordeaux) joined with the daughters of John Daniel to produce this massive Bordeaux like blend from the Napanook vineyard.  One of Napa’s finest blends.

Viader – Another of Napa’s finest Bordeaux style blends.  Deep and concentrated from grapes grown on Howell Mountain.

            Once more, out of space, so it is time to stop.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day, and next week it is on to the 4^th of July.  Cheers!!!