We liked Robert Sinsky and you gotta see Darioush - it is unbelievable to see ... not sure what the wine was like ... didn't taste any. You might want to consider a day trip to Healdsburg ... you could spend 2 days there - Thumbprint, Rosenblum, Murphy-Goode, Holdridge (only on weekends), to name a few and a bunch around the area - Ridge, Graziano, Everett Ridge, etc. Whatever you do, you'll love it!!
Parnelli

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by duckfaninmt:
As I mentioned, it's been a long time since I've been there, well over a decade, so things have obviously changed for the worse.

Not necessarily. We only went there once. They were replacing a chef at the time and there was a lot of confusion in the restaurant. It might be fine, but we won't go back because we were burnt once and there are a load of alternatives.

It was so long ago when I went there, back in the early 90's when I was working at Francis Ford Coppola's studio (on the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula"). A couple of us, on the spur of the moment, decided to go there for dinner (on a weeknight, I believe) and I remember it being surprisingly uncrowded, the service being pretty OK, and the food quite decent.

Nowadays however, as you appropriately said, there are so many alternatives. So most definitely, if I had a bad experience at that or any other restaurant, chances are I wouldn't go there again.

<SIGH> I'm now reminiscing of the days working at Coppola's studio. Thanks to Francis' generosity, we had delicious catered lunches and bottles of Rubicon on a regular basis. I remember buying a couple cases of the 1980 vintage for what one would most likely pay for a single bottle, assuming they could even find it.

Certainly one of those times in my life where I wish I could have a "do over"

Damn it, Shafer is booked solid. My must see and taste place

Anyone have ideas on what could replace it? I really, really wanted to get a couple bottles of hillside select

Edit: Can I still buy the wine without a tasting appointment? Seems they do retail sales at the winery regardless.

Our group of 6 was not real impressed with Shafer and we are Shafer fans. There is no tour. It is a nice tasting but it is really a big sales pitch. Do a search for Trespass. Like Lewelling, it's a very differnt experience than your average tasting and the wine is very good.

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
Damn it, Shafer is booked solid. My must see and taste place

Anyone have ideas on what could replace it? I really, really wanted to get a couple bottles of hillside select

Edit: Can I still buy the wine without a tasting appointment? Seems they do retail sales at the winery regardless.

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
Damn it, Shafer is booked solid. My must see and taste place

Anyone have ideas on what could replace it? I really, really wanted to get a couple bottles of hillside select

Edit: Can I still buy the wine without a tasting appointment? Seems they do retail sales at the winery regardless.

You can, but not the HSS. That is generally one bottle per person if you have a tasting booked.

quote:

Originally posted by Happy CSW:

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
Damn it, Shafer is booked solid. My must see and taste place

Anyone have ideas on what could replace it? I really, really wanted to get a couple bottles of hillside select

Edit: Can I still buy the wine without a tasting appointment? Seems they do retail sales at the winery regardless.

You can, but not the HSS. That is generally one bottle per person if you have a tasting booked.

Thank you, I just got back today and not being able to pick up the HSS was not that big of a deal. I bought so much other wine that I doubt my budget would have even squeezed it in. Now I have an excuse to go back.

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
Thank you, I just got back today and not being able to pick up the HSS was not that big of a deal. I bought so much other wine that I doubt my budget would have even squeezed it in. Now I have an excuse to go back.

So, what did you buy?

KarenT
Jean Edwards Cellars

quote:

Originally posted by KarenT:

quote:

Originally posted by Sticky2:
Thank you, I just got back today and not being able to pick up the HSS was not that big of a deal. I bought so much other wine that I doubt my budget would have even squeezed it in. Now I have an excuse to go back.

So, what did you buy?

KarenT
Jean Edwards Cellars

A couple things nobody has heard of that I tasted and they really impressed me:

A wine called Volker Eisele Terzetto, 1/3 cab, 1/3 Merlot, 1/3 Cab Franc, and this was just stunning.

Waypoint 2004 Beckstoffer To-Kalon cab. I think people are pretty familiar with the Beckstoffer fruit as everything using it just seems to be spectacular.

2004 Adastra Merlot, best Merlot I have tasted in a long while. I thought it was better than the 97 Montelena Merlot which was great.

2007 Mason Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc, best 10 dollars I have ever spent on a bottle.

2004 and 2005 Ghost Block Cab, this stuff is selling out everywhere.

I picked up some of the bigger names as well, some 05 Shafer One Point Five and Montelena Estate.

Sticky how was the trip in general ? Did you make it to Montelena and Opus?

quote:

Originally posted by snipes:
Sticky how was the trip in general ? Did you make it to Montelena and Opus?

Maybe a little long, overall got 3 days in:

Yep, made it to Monetelena and Opus. Opus has an awesome location. You get a nice view, and the winery is pretty cool but they sure do have an elevated view of themselves. Which is fine, they are Opus One after all.

They are planting plenty of new vines and I asked about their production numbers. They are going over the 25,000 case range to put themselves on par with a First Growth producer. I asked about the quality at that production level and they said the First Growth's can do it so naturally they can. I just nodded. They did not allow the Overture to be tasted which was a bummer.

I ended up walking from Opus and I went to the Oakville grocery for lunch. This is a must stop place and they have many picnic tables outside to eat at. It is really small but an amazing place. I also picked up a few bottles here in addition to lunch, couldn't help myself. I will be stopping here every time I come to Napa in the future.

Next door to the Oakville Grocery and Opus was Napa Wine Co. I did their tasting before going to Montelena and the stuff they had really surprised me. Some small name wines that make their mark with the quality of the juice, as it should be. I tried some wine made by Heidi Barret (sp?) named Showket which was nice. I also picked up some Ghost Block and other small wines here. Awesome tasting and they are not shy with their pours, just really nice, low pressure. Hated how people shoved their wines down my throat in other places.

Montelena was great and a must see I feel. I did the library tasting and I got into a long discussion on wines, Laube and TCA, and the evolution of Montelena's style. I was surprised to learn they do cater a bit to Parker's palate, which is not a big deal. Their wines have changed in style, but not a huge change, just small evolution. Tried the Montelena Estate 1997-2000 and 2004 (which I am glad I bought, was the best) and their 1997 Merlot. Everything you try you can buy, which is extra cool. The Library Tasting is a must.

There was way more traffic than I thought. The place is just far busier than I pictured. The Silverado trail and 29 were stopped coming back from Montelena. It took a little over 2 hours to get back to downtown Napa. I hired a driver so no big deal, but he said the traffic was the worst he had ever seen. There was an accident of some sort but it just goes to show that a small accident can bring traffic in the valley to a stand still.

I was worried I would not have enough to do but really my bank account had trouble keeping up with everything Downtown is expanding and there were some cool places. My favorite was the Bounty Hunter wine bar which has all kinds of cheese plates and dinner, wines, etc.

I will go back in October, can't wait. Oh, and June is not too hot at all, it is perfect.

Sticky,
It sounds like you had a good time and I could just about picture everything you were describing. I've never run across traffic that bad, but the main drag can get congested during the weekend. The Mrs. and I are going back in October as well. I'm not sure when as we usually tie it to a Raiders game.

We did the library tasting at Montelena the week after Memorial Day. We ended up buying a few 97 Merlots....its the year we were married.
Also, their Chard was better than expected. Our 'guide' was a very informative, friendly, and honest gentleman. Definite pleasure to spend time chatting with him