Tag Archives: st. helena

October Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubTrincheri-vermouth-rosso-bottleTrinchero Family Estates
Trincheri
Rosso Vermouth
St. Helena, California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bittersweet and deeply aromatic. A brooding blend of 19 botanicals from a month long cold extraction process. Crafted from Barbera & Chardonnay grapes and fortified with Brandy, the botanical blend features: Roman Artemisia, Cinchona Bark, Ginger Root, Burmannii Cinnamon, Whole Clove and Nutmeg, Orange & Lemon Peel, Vanilla Bean and Star Anise.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Trinchero Family Estates has been making premium wine in Napa Valley since 1948. The founder, Mario Trinchero, was born in the prestigious Piedmont Italy wine region, immigrated to New York City and became a bartender at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria® and Barbizon-Plaza® hotels, moved to Napa Valley to start a successful winery, and later created a distinguished vermouth for its tasting room. Today, Trincheri Vermouth celebrates the family’s heritage in Italy, New York, Napa Valley as well as craft cocktails everywhere. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Trinchero – All Rights Reserved.

Cava-Jaume-Serra-Bouquet-Semi-Seco-bottleJaume Serra
Bouquet
Semi Seco Cava
Barcelona, Spain

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright and clean straw color with golden reflections. Small, continuous bubbles. The nose has intensity and elegance with hints of flowers and nuances of white fruits and citrus. The palate is well structured making it very pleasant and easy to drink. It has a very good length and a fresh and sweet finish at the same time.

Varietal: Macabeo, Xarel•lo, Parellada
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol/volume
Recommended serving temperature: 41º-42.8ºF
Pairing Recommendations: Very good with nuts, salads, grilled vegetables or desserts such as lemon pie.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The vineyard origins date back to 1647, the year in which a place called El Padruell was built. A walled estate that since the 17th century had served as protection for an old farmhouse-fortress, which according to legend, had a passageway that connected it to the village. In 1986, it was inaugurated in Vilanova i La Geltrú and the construction of the winery and the planting of vineyards began. In 1997, the García Carrión family acquired the Jaume Serra winery. Jaume Serra is located on the top of a hill that slopes gently down to the Mediterranean Sea in Vilanova i La Geltrú (Barcelona), surrounded by 125 hectares of vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Chardonnay varieties. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Jaume Serra – All Rights Reserved.

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October Collector’s Club

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Collectors Wine ClubOrin_Swift_Mercury_Head_bottleOrin Swift
Mercury Head
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

The opaque core of the 2023 Mercury Head flashes with a neon crimson rim. Mesmerizing in the glass, the wine opens with notes of blackcurrant, Amarena cherry, California chaparral and an elegant kiss of oak. The palate is effusive with hints of ripe blue fruits, blood orange, dark chocolate and rhubarb, rich and layered as the wine continues to open. Fully integrated tannins are paired with an elegant and nuanced close of blackberry preserves and licorice.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley, California
Alcohol: 15.5% alcohol / volume
Maturation: Aged 13 months in French Oak, 52% New

WINEMAKING NOTES:
An assembly of the finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon lots from the 2023 vintage, Mercury Head brings pure expression of the single varietal, nothing else blended in. Already proclaimed as one of the best vintages in Napa Valley history, 2023 not only produced fruit of the highest quality, but lots of it. A long, cool growing season allowed flavors to develop without any pressure to pick prematurely. Sourced from the Stagecoach, Morisoli, Indian Joe and Warnock vineyards, the 2023 Mercury Head is one to hold onto for decades.

Bold wine Style logoOrin_Swift_Papillon_bottleOrin Swift
Papillon
2022 Napa County Red Wine
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Pouring an opaque crimson core with a brooding cardinal rim, the 2022 Papillon opens with aromatic notes of ripe cassis, blackberry, coastal chaparral, cedar box and allspice. On entry, the palate continues many of the same notes from the nose—cassis, pluot, blueberry, boysenberry, shaved fennel bulb and a touch of earth. A round, weighty mid-palate effortlessly gives way to dusty, coating tannins—a pleasing texture—and finishing hints of barbecue tri-tip, Madagascar vanilla and toffee.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Valley, California
Analysis: 15.4% alcohol / volume
Maturation: Aged 13 months in French oak, 40% New

WINEMAKING NOTES:
A wine of juxtapositions, Papillon’s Napa Valley Bordeaux blend is comprised of all five varietals. French for ‘butterfly’, Papillon elicits an amalgamation of emotional responses; a delicate butterfly and the weathered hands of a farmer; a boisterous wine that also has an elegant side. Sourced from across Napa, much of the wine is made from the Stagecoach Vineyard with a small portion of fruit coming from just over the county line at the Monte Rosso Vineyard. Together, each varietal lends its own strengths and personalities to produce a blend hardly seen anymore today.

Our good friend and fellow winemaker, Greg Gorman, photographed the label. – Dave Phinney

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Established in 1998 by Dave Phinney, the name comes from Dave’s father’s middle name, Orin, and his mother’s maiden name, Swift. Though Dave grew up in California, it was in Italy where his obsession began. In 1995, what was originally billed as a semester studying abroad, turned into an immersion on all aspects of wine. By 1997, Dave was all in and landed his winery job at Robert Mondavi as a temporary harvest worker. He learned a lot, including that he wanted to make his own wine. The next year, with two tons of zinfandel and not much else, Orin Swift Cellars was born. Learn more here.

Photos and information © Orin Swift – All Rights Reserved.

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Winery Spotlight Series: November 2024

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Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Neyers Vineyards
Napa Valley, California

November 2024

This November, join us for a wine tasting event featuring Neyers Vineyards from California. We will be sharing their six wines below.  To reserve a spot and attend the wine tasting, please contact your local participating WineStyles store, or reserve your tickets on their local Eventbrite. Please join us! 

Wines Tasted:

  1. Neyers 304, Chardonnay, Sonoma County
  2. Neyers Chardonnay, Carneros District, Sonoma County
  3. Neyers Sage Canyon Red, California
  4. Neyers Left Bank Red, Red Wine, Napa Valley
  5. Neyers Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
  6. Neyers Cabernet Sauvignon, Neyers Ranch, Napa Valley

Spotlight_Neyers_barrel_twitter

About Neyers Vineyards:
Neyers Vineyards was established in the early 1980s by Bruce and Barbara Neyers when they bought a 35-acre parcel of potential vineyard land in Conn Valley, a foothill region of the Napa Valley, just a few miles east of St. Helena.  In 1992 they staged their first harvest, fast forward to today, their family-owned winery produces about 15,000 cases of wine annually. The winery combines California terroir with French winemaking influences, thanks to Bruce’s experience with importer Kermit Lynch. Neyers focuses on sustainable farming practices, native yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention. They source grapes from their 50-acre Conn Valley Ranch estate, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as from select vineyards across Northern California. The winery, built in 1999 in Sage Canyon, features state-of-the-art facilities. Neyers is known for its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other varietals, emphasizing food-friendly wines that showcase fruit and varietal characteristics. To learn more on their website, click here.

Barbara-Bruce-Neyers

About Bruce and Barbara Neyers:
Bruce and Barbara Neyers, who were high school and college classmates, relocated to the Bay Area when Bruce was serving in the U.S. Army. After his discharge, Bruce’s growing interest in wine led him to a job at a San Francisco wine importing company. In late 1971, he crossed paths with Bob Travers, then-owner of Mayacamas Vineyards, and soon joined the winery’s team. In 1974, Bruce and Barbara moved to Europe, where he gained experience working in both Germany and France. By 1975, he became part of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. In 1992, Bruce began a 25-year collaboration with Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. His deep appreciation for French, Italian, and German wines eventually inspired him to establish his own California winery, incorporating the Old-World techniques he had mastered over the years.

 

Photos and Information © Neyers Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting
Neyers Vineyards
November 2024
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

April Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

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Collectors Wine ClubMerryvale_Cabernet Sauvignon_Bottle ImageMerryvale Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Merryvale Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and dark with aromas of black fruit, coffee and toast. On the palate, it highlights flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry with toast, coffee, and spice; with a long velvety finish.

Analysis: 14.8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Certifications: Sustainable Practices, Certified Sustainable, Napa Green, Vegan, and Non-GMO
Food Pairing: Enjoy with a classic sirloin, beef short rib or other braised dishes such as grilled lamb, or portobello mushrooms.
Critical Acclaim:

  • 92 points, CS WE
  • 91 points, JS (2017)
  • 91 points, EC WE
  • 91 points, WS
  • 92 points, W&S (2016)
  • 92 points, WS
  • 92 points, WE (2015)

Collectors Wine ClubMerryvale_Profile_Bottle ImageMerryvale Vineyards
Profile
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Merryvale Vineyards Profile wine has aromas of savory herbs, dark chocolate, roasted notes, black and red fruits. On the palate, there are complex fruit and herb flavors, with velvet texture, fine grained tannins, and a long savory finish.

This iconic proprietary red represents the pinnacle of Merryvale vineyards and winemaking. Intensity, refinement, and balance define this Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend. Sourced exclusively from the steep slopes of the Profile Estate Vineyard at the eastern edge of the St. Helena AVA. Exceptional terroir, vine-by-vine viticultural practices and small lot artisanal winemaking. Consistently awarded and highly-scored by critics.

“A terroir selection, the flagship 2017 Profile offers a classic nose of ripe blackcurrants, scorched earth, tobacco, cedar, and dried spices. This carries to an elegant, beautifully balanced 2017 with plenty of mid-palate depth, building yet polished tannins, and a great finish.  It’s a classic, more savory, nuanced 2017 that will evolve for two decades.” – 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck, January 2021

Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.87
Certifications: Napa Green, Sustainable
Vineyard: Profile Estate Vineyard
Cooperage: 80% new from the center of France
Élevage: 23 months
Harvest Dates: September 11th through 18th
Food Pairing: Beef, lamb, duck as well as rich, savory pasta dishes with portobello or shiitake mushrooms and roasted shallots.
Critical Acclaim:

  • 93 points JS
  • 92 points WE (2017)
  • 95 points WA
  • 94 points JS
  • 92 points W&S
  • 91 points WS
  • 91 points WE (2016)
  • 93 points WA
  • 93 points JS
  • 92 points WE
  • 90 points WS (2015)

ABOUT THE REGION:
Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world and America’s most celebrated region. Defined by the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges and influenced by its proximity to San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the Napa Valley enjoys a dry Mediterranean climate, long dry summers and cool evenings, perfectly suited to the growing of fine wine grapes. The resulting wines are richly flavored with vibrant fruit flavors and texture.

Andrew-Wright-Winemaker

© Merryvale Vineyards, Winemaker – Andrew Wright

ABOUT THE WINEMAKER:
Winemaker, Andrew Wright, grew up in the Sonoran Desert, knowing very little about wine and the winemaking industry throughout his early life. It wasn’t until a random trip to the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York that Andrew uncovered a passion for the winemaking industry. He consumed volumes of wine literature (and of course, the wines they described), expanding his palate and shaping his philosophies today. Andrew began his winemaking career at Callaghan Vineyards, planting vines in the high desert outside of Sonoita, Arizona – he worked several growing seasons here before entering the cellar of Arizona Stronghold.  Andrew is thankful for these early experiences in the frontier, as they forged a deep appreciation for his hard work, experimentation and winemaking with intention.

In 2012, Andrew moved to Napa Valley and worked in the vineyards and cellars of Harlan and BOND Estates, Promontory, The Napa Valley Reserve, Fruition Sciences, and their clients (which included Merryvale at the time). Today, as the Winemaker at Merryvale Vineyards, Andrew is in charge of the production at the St. Helena winery. He oversees all of the winemaking operations for Merryvale wines and deeply believes that winemaking is the synthesis of philosophy, agriculture, science and art. Learn more here.

ABOUT MERRYVALE VINEYARDS:
Home to the first winery built following the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Merryvale Vineyards was part of the early fabric of the Napa Valley Wine Industry. Their collection of hand-crafted wines elegantly express the heritage, terroir, vineyards and subregions of Napa Valley. Learn more about the winery here.

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Ehlers Estate Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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ehler_tasting_header

September Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Ehlers Winery of St. Helena, California.

The story of Ehlers Estate is one of passion, patience, and hard work. It was the lure of winemaking that tempted Bernard Ehlers to buy a small, dying vineyard in the late 1800s and create the winery that continues to bear his name. A century later, another husband and wife team discovered the lure of this idyllic spot in the heart of the Napa Valley.  French entrepreneurs and philanthropists Jean and Sylviane Leducq continue to produce wines with the power, balance and structure of the finest Bordeaux bottling they knew and loved.

ABOUT EHLERS ESTATE

ehler_wineryThe story of Ehlers Estate is one of passion, patience, and hard work, intertwined like the tendrils of robust vines that have been part of the landscape here since the mid-1800s.

It was the lure of winemaking that tempted Bernard Ehlers to buy a small, dying vineyard in the late 1800s and embark on a quest to create the winery that continues to bear his name.  He replanted his newly-acquired 10-acre vineyard, established the olive grove that still thrives today and in 1886 completed construction of the stone barn that is now our beautiful winery building and tasting room. His original Bale Mill Winery continued to operate long after his death, run by his wife until the 1920s and then by successive new owners who took advantage of its prime location and unique terroir.

A century later, another husband and wife team discovered the lure of this idyllic spot in the heart of the Napa Valley.  French entrepreneurs and philanthropists Jean and Sylviane Leducq saw the potential for this region to produce wines with the power, balance and structure of the finest Bordeaux bottlings they knew and loved.  Over several decades they patiently built a contiguous wine estate – common for French chateaux but increasingly rare in California.

kevin-morrisey-winemakerWith the help of renowned enologist, Jacques Boissenot, they gradually acquired individual local vineyards as they came up for sale and replanted with the most suitable clones and rootstock. By the turn of the century they had created the 42-acre estate we farm today, with Bernard Ehlers’ original stone barn and vineyard at its heart and the Ehlers name once again poised to grace wine labels. The 21st Century began with the release of the very first vintage from the Leducq’s new Ehlers Estate.

Developing the winery had become a passion project for Jean and Sylviane, one they shared long after the sale of their other successful businesses in Europe. Their legacy remains in safe hands today under the leadership of our current winemaker, Kevin Morrisey, who was favored by Sylviane because he shares the same passion for creating sophisticated wines with an old-world charm that capture the character and heritage of our land.

Ehlers Estate continues a proud tradition of farming with experienced vineyard and cellar teams that share a non-interventionist winemaking philosophy firmly rooted in the belief that terroir defines a wine, but passion, patience and hard work are needed to ensure that it is fully expressed in the bottle.
ehler_vineyard
By using organic vineyard practices, Ehlers Estate leaves a minimal footprint on the land and provides maximum flavor in the grapes. Taking advantage of the robust Estate ecosystem and carefully-chosen rootstocks, the vineyard crew coaxes the vines to fully express the numerous soil types and microclimates found on the estate. Once the grapes are harvested, the cellar crew knows when to be hands-on and when to let nature takes its course as the wines ferment, develop and age.

Today, the winery strives to be responsible stewards of the land and continue the legacy of Bernard and Anne Ehlers, and Jean and Sylviane Leducq, who saw the potential that you can taste in every bottle of Ehlers Estate wine.

EHLERS ESTATE
Winery Spotlight Tasting
St. Helena, California

ehlers-wines

  • Ehlers Estate Sauvignon Blanc
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc
  • Ehlers Estate Merlot
  • Ehlers Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!