Our Favorites of the Winemakers’ Favorites: Suggesting Some Wines from Napa Valley

2013 NVWLA Wine Tasting

2013 Napa Valley Wine Library Association Wine Tasting

Earlier this month, we spent an early evening under the oaks of The Grove at Silverado enjoying a collection of Napa Valley wines courtesy of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association’s Annual Wine Tasting.   Now in its 51st year, this pleasant and relaxing event showcased about 70 wineries from all corners of the valley.  The theme at this year’s Wine Tasting was “Winemaker’s Favorites” and the event featured special wines chosen by the vintners themselves.  Nearly half of the wines offered were from small production lots (of 500 cases or less).  As you may suspect, there were many wines demonstrating Napa Valley’s world-class reputation for winemaking.

Robert Sinskey Vineyards

Robert Sinskey Vineyards

We thought we’d share what our overall favorites from the day were in case you were looking for new suggestions on Napa wines to seek out at restaurants, wine stores, or through the wineries themselves.   In fact, while most of these wineries are available for tastings, five of them don’t even require an appointment:  Clos Du Val (no reservations needed as long as the group is 7 or fewer people), Heitz Wine Cellars, Mumm Napa (for 5 or fewer), Robert Sinskey Vineyards (for 5 or fewer), and ZD Wines. 

These were our favorite white wines at the 2013 Napa Valley Wine Library Association Wine Tasting:

Clos Du Val – 2012 “Three Graces” (Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay)

Jericho Canyon Vineyard – 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Joseph Phelps Vineyards – 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

Mumm Napa – 2008 Blanc de Blancs

Robert Sinskey Vineyards – 2012 Abraxas (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling)

Spring Mountain Vineyard – 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Truchard Vineyards – 2012 Roussanne

von Strasser Winery – 2012 Grüner Veltliner

ZD Wines – 2012 Rosa Lee Semillon

 

And, these were our favorite red wines from that day:

 

Charnu Winery

Charnu Winery

Cafaro Cellars – 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Charnu Winery – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos du Val – 2009 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

Detert Family Vineyards – 2009 Cabernet Franc

Heitz Wine Cellars – 2001 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Jericho Canyon Vineyard – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Joseph Phelps Vineyards – 2009 Insignia (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec)

Lobo Wines – 2009 Napa (Wulff Vineyard) Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Sinskey Vineyards – 2007 Marcien (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc)

Varozza Vineyards – 2000 and 2008 Estate Cabernet Sauvignons

ZD Wines – 2011 Los Carneros Pinot Noir

NVWLA logoIf you are a fan of wine, wine knowledge, and wine history, you should seriously consider joining the Napa Valley Wine Library Association to support their great work.  The Association funds an extensive collection of books, newsletters, technical journals, and other materials about wines and wine growing which is available at the St. Helena Public Library. Membership in the NVWLA helps support their mission to collect and preserve these treasures for generations to come, and members receive free admission to the annual Wine Library Association Wine Tasting.  To learn more about the organization, and upcoming events, please go here.

 


Comments

Our Favorites of the Winemakers’ Favorites: Suggesting Some Wines from Napa Valley — 2 Comments

  1. Glad you liked the write-up, Diana.

    We’re big fans of Ms. Melton (and we’ve been wine club members at Clos du Val for many years).

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