$45 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

For as long as we can remember, this highly-regarded Napa winery was simply known as “Burgess,” but it recently received a complete brand makeover with a new name, “Burgess Cellars,” and a very handsome label redesign.  What hasn’t changed is the quality of the juice, arguably a Napa classic.

That’s because Tom Burgess purchased the property for his estate–with grape-growing roots dating back to the 1870’s–in 1972 when there were just a few dozen wineries in the Valley.  Beyond it’s western-slope, Howell Mountain estate grapes, it also secures fruit from the Haymaker Vineyard on the east side of Howell Mountain, as well as from Triere Vineyard in the famed Oak Knoll District.

This month’s 2011 cabernet sauvignon selection from Burgess is ready to drink now.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of blackberry, currant, cassis, cinnamon, cola, vanilla, and cherry are pure and fresh. The flavors of bing cherry, bramble berry, and red currant are fresh and bright with a long finish of dried cherry and cranberry. A gentle balance of oak flavors add body and baking spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, with toasty notes too. Obviously a complex and engaging wine with merit, and a curiosity because of our mountain-vineyard’s success with such a challenging vintage.”

 Blend:  98% cabernet sauvignon; 2% petit verdot

$25 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Mettler is a brand that we really appreciate at Carpe Vino, and one we’ve featured many times, though the family makes just three wines:  cab, petit sirah and zinfandel.  With an amazing heritage in winemaking dating to the 1770s (so says the winery web site), the Mettlers have been farming grapes in Lodi since the late 1800s.  The eighth generation of the family continues to work the soil (including six  in Lodi), today led by patriarch Larry Mettler.  The crew consists of mostly Mettlers, with young Adam Mettler filling the winemaker’s slot.

What distinguishes Mettler wines are huge flavors, consistent quality and great value.  The winery is certified organic through the California Certified Organic Farmers; it also certified as a sustainable growing operation through the “Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, a third-party certification program.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our 2013 cabernet sauvignon shows off a dark, purple-red color in the glass. It opens with inviting aromas of dark berries, cedar, oak and spice, followed by a graceful mingling of cherry, blackberry, currant and sweet oak flavors. On the palate, the plush mouthfeel is moderated by juicy acidity, taking the perfect alignment of fruit, oak and tannins through to a flawless finish. This elegant and poised cabernet is accessible now, and its structure and complexity will see it through many years of aging.”

Blend:  88% cabernet sauvignon; 12% petite sirah

$74.95(retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Cliff Lede of Cliff Lede Vineyards in Napa is no doubt the flag-bearer of Canadian-born winery owners in the Napa Valley after purchasing S. Anderson in 2002.  There’s another Canuck plying the wine business down the road in Rutherford:  Claus Janzen of Bacio Divino Cellars.  He operates the winery with his wife, Diane, and his son, Kyle.  The Janzens moved from Winnipeg when Claus helped Caymus launch an international marketing operation during his 12 years with the winery.

The first vintage of Bacio Divino was produced from a “chance acquisition” of a quantity of sangiovese grapes in 1993.  Fast forward to 2016 and the family now produces four labels:  Janzen, Lucie, Pazzo (a marvelous blend of sangiovese, merlot, syrah and cab that we’ve carried at CV) and Vagabond.

Consulting winemaker for the winery is the very talented Kirk Venge, owner of Venge Vineyards, launched by his legendary father, Nils, creator of Scouts Honor Proprietary Red.

Wine Spectator Review (90 pts.):  “A juicy, zesty style, with a racy streak to the core of wild berry and blackberry fruit. Snappy acidity keeps the flavors lively. Ends with firm tannins. Drink now through 2024.”

Wine Enthusiast Review (90 pts.):  “This approachable cab is from both estate and sourced fruit, all cabernet sauvignon. It opens with a waft of tropical coconut before delving classically into smooth black cherry, cranberry and licorice, the tannins still monstrous and the oak packing a punch.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our latest vintage of Janzen Napa Valley Cabernet unites the unique mountain character of our estate fruit with the finesse offered by cabernet from Rutherford and Oakville. 2012 was an excellent vintage for cabernet in Napa. Long hang-times and intense ripeness offer approachability in younger wines. The depth of tannin and acidity will also allow this wine to age wonderfully.”

Blend:  100% cabernet sauvignon

$25 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Mettler is a brand that we really appreciate at Carpe Vino, and one we’ve featured many times, though the family makes just three wines:  cab, petit sirah and zinfandel.  With an amazing heritage in winemaking dating to the 1770s (so says the winery web site), the Mettlers have been farming grapes in Lodi since the late 1800s.  The eighth generation of the family continues to work the soil (including six  in Lodi), today led by patriarch Larry Mettler.  The crew consists of mostly Mettlers, with young Adam Mettler filling the winemaker’s slot.

What distinguishes Mettler wines are huge flavors, consistent quality and great value.  The winery is certified organic through the California Certified Organic Farmers; it also certified as a sustainable growing operation through the “Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing, a third-party certification program.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our 2013 cabernet sauvignon shows off a dark, purple-red color in the glass. It opens with inviting aromas of dark berries, cedar, oak and spice, followed by a graceful mingling of cherry, blackberry, currant and sweet oak flavors. On the palate, the plush mouthfeel is moderated by juicy acidity, taking the perfect alignment of fruit, oak and tannins through to a flawless finish. This elegant and poised cabernet is accessible now, and its structure and complexity will see it through many years of aging.”

Blend:  88% cabernet sauvignon; 12% petite sirah

$82.50 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

In his first career, Jayson Pahlmeyer was a successful trial lawyer but he was lured into winemaking because of its “hypnotic captivation” for the grape.  He was especially focused on French clones and planted cuttings in 1981.  He had early success and in 1993, he hired legendary Helen Turley as winemaker.

Pahlmeyer is truly one of the noble brands of Napa Valley, confirmed by decades of consistent scores like these:

The Wine Advocate Review (94 pts.):  “Displays beautiful honeysuckle, lemon oil, and hints of nectarine and poached pear, and has a Burgundian, Bâtard-Montrachet-like texture and richness. The wine is sensationally rich and once again a great success from this winery, which has had such an incredible track record for world-class Chardonnays. This should drink well for another 5-7 years, as their record for aging is brilliant.”

Wine Spectator Review (92 pts.):  “Tempting scents of ripe, rich honey, honeydew, fig and baked apple are appetizing. A slight pithy citrus edge to the texture lets the flavors glide through. Drink now through 2019.”  –James Laube

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Opens with aromas of bright citrus zest, fleshy crane melon and notes of graham cracker. The unctuous mouth feel leads with an elegant restraint and swath of slate that crescendo with flavors of fresh cider apples, juicy lychee and warming cardamom. The intense and silky finish lingers with spicy, earthy notes of white lily and lightly toasted almond.”

Blend:  100% chardonnay

$18 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve featured a number of entries from the Matchbook portfolio of brands:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Grapes for most wines are sourced from their Dunnigan Hills vineyards in Yolo County, augmented with juice from elsewhere in California.  Very interesting back story, from the winery’s web site:

“John, wife Lane and brother Karl started R.H.Phillips Winery in 1983 on land that was part of their family farm in the Dunnigan Hills of northwestern Yolo County. Starting as a small family owned vineyard and winery operation the company grew into a 750,000 case producer sourced mostly from estate fruit from their 2,500-acre vineyard, rare for such a large producer.  The company produced such noted brands as Toasted Head, EXP and R.H.Phillips.  John helped to take the company public (Nasdaq) in 1995 and oversaw the sale of the company to Vincor International in 2000.  John remained with the company after the sale and became the President and CEO for Vincor’s U.S. operations.  John left the company in August of 2005 to start Crew Wine Company, now Matchbook Wine Company.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “With a beautiful sunshine hue and aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and mineral, our first vintage micro-vineyard verdejo makes quite the introduction. Flavors of cream, honey and flint overlay hints of graham cracker and golden straw in this Spanish white. Pair this luscious, full-bodied verdejo with oysters, grilled prawns or a nice plate of manchego cheese.”

Blend:  100% verdejo

$18 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve featured a number of entries from the Matchbook portfolio of brands:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Grapes for most wines are sourced from their Dunnigan Hills vineyards in Yolo County, augmented with juice from elsewhere in California.  Very interesting back story, from the winery’s web site:

“John, wife Lane and brother Karl started R.H.Phillips Winery in 1983 on land that was part of their family farm in the Dunnigan Hills of northwestern Yolo County. Starting as a small family owned vineyard and winery operation the company grew into a 750,000 case producer sourced mostly from estate fruit from their 2,500-acre vineyard, rare for such a large producer.  The company produced such noted brands as Toasted Head, EXP and R.H.Phillips.  John helped to take the company public (Nasdaq) in 1995 and oversaw the sale of the company to Vincor International in 2000.  John remained with the company after the sale and became the President and CEO for Vincor’s U.S. operations.  John left the company in August of 2005 to start Crew Wine Company, now Matchbook Wine Company.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “With a beautiful sunshine hue and aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and mineral, our first vintage micro-vineyard verdejo makes quite the introduction. Flavors of cream, honey and flint overlay hints of graham cracker and golden straw in this Spanish white. Pair this luscious, full-bodied verdejo with oysters, grilled prawns or a nice plate of manchego cheese.”

Blend:  100% verdejo

$45 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

For as long as we can remember, this highly-regarded Napa winery was simply known as “Burgess,” but it recently received a complete brand makeover with a new name, “Burgess Cellars,” and a very handsome label redesign.  What hasn’t changed is the quality of the juice, arguably a Napa classic.

That’s because Tom Burgess purchased the property for his estate–with grape-growing roots dating back to the 1870’s–in 1972 when there were just a few dozen wineries in the Valley.  Beyond it’s western-slope, Howell Mountain estate grapes, it also secures fruit from the Haymaker Vineyard on the east side of Howell Mountain, as well as from Triere Vineyard in the famed Oak Knoll District.

This month’s 2011 cabernet sauvignon selection from Burgess is ready to drink now.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of blackberry, currant, cassis, cinnamon, cola, vanilla, and cherry are pure and fresh. The flavors of bing cherry, bramble berry, and red currant are fresh and bright with a long finish of dried cherry and cranberry. A gentle balance of oak flavors add body and baking spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, with toasty notes too. Obviously a complex and engaging wine with merit, and a curiosity because of our mountain-vineyard’s success with such a challenging vintage.”

 Blend:  98% cabernet sauvignon; 2% petit verdot

$18 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve featured a number of entries from the Matchbook portfolio of brands:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Grapes for most wines are sourced from their Dunnigan Hills vineyards in Yolo County, augmented with juice from elsewhere in California.  Very interesting back story, from the winery’s web site:

“John, wife Lane and brother Karl started R.H.Phillips Winery in 1983 on land that was part of their family farm in the Dunnigan Hills of northwestern Yolo County. Starting as a small family owned vineyard and winery operation the company grew into a 750,000 case producer sourced mostly from estate fruit from their 2,500-acre vineyard, rare for such a large producer.  The company produced such noted brands as Toasted Head, EXP and R.H.Phillips.  John helped to take the company public (Nasdaq) in 1995 and oversaw the sale of the company to Vincor International in 2000.  John remained with the company after the sale and became the President and CEO for Vincor’s U.S. operations.  John left the company in August of 2005 to start Crew Wine Company, now Matchbook Wine Company.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “With a beautiful sunshine hue and aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and mineral, our first vintage micro-vineyard verdejo makes quite the introduction. Flavors of cream, honey and flint overlay hints of graham cracker and golden straw in this Spanish white. Pair this luscious, full-bodied verdejo with oysters, grilled prawns or a nice plate of manchego cheese.”

Blend:  100% verdejo

$74.95(retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Cliff Lede of Cliff Lede Vineyards in Napa is no doubt the flag-bearer of Canadian-born winery owners in the Napa Valley after purchasing S. Anderson in 2002.  There’s another Canuck plying the wine business down the road in Rutherford:  Claus Janzen of Bacio Divino Cellars.  He operates the winery with his wife, Diane, and his son, Kyle.  The Janzens moved from Winnipeg when Claus helped Caymus launch an international marketing operation during his 12 years with the winery.

The first vintage of Bacio Divino was produced from a “chance acquisition” of a quantity of sangiovese grapes in 1993.  Fast forward to 2016 and the family now produces four labels:  Janzen, Lucie, Pazzo (a marvelous blend of sangiovese, merlot, syrah and cab that we’ve carried at CV) and Vagabond.

Consulting winemaker for the winery is the very talented Kirk Venge, owner of Venge Vineyards, launched by his legendary father, Nils, creator of Scouts Honor Proprietary Red.

Wine Spectator Review (90 pts.):  “A juicy, zesty style, with a racy streak to the core of wild berry and blackberry fruit. Snappy acidity keeps the flavors lively. Ends with firm tannins. Drink now through 2024.”

Wine Enthusiast Review (90 pts.):  “This approachable cab is from both estate and sourced fruit, all cabernet sauvignon. It opens with a waft of tropical coconut before delving classically into smooth black cherry, cranberry and licorice, the tannins still monstrous and the oak packing a punch.”

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Our latest vintage of Janzen Napa Valley Cabernet unites the unique mountain character of our estate fruit with the finesse offered by cabernet from Rutherford and Oakville. 2012 was an excellent vintage for cabernet in Napa. Long hang-times and intense ripeness offer approachability in younger wines. The depth of tannin and acidity will also allow this wine to age wonderfully.”

Blend:  100% cabernet sauvignon