Beringer Private Reserves

Dinner at Cafe Bizou in LA.

1983 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - delicious.

1984 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - also very delicious.  More fruit and sweeter, and over time this opened up really well.

Proof that Californian Cabs can age.

Bought from Beringer in 2000.

1996 La Sirena Cabernet

Dinner at Pinot Blanc in St. Helena.

1996 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon - Bottle was signed by Heidi Petersen Barrett.  Nose of vanlla, toffee, coconut, sweet strawberries, minerals, cherries, and a bit of stewed prunes towards the end.  Tannins rounded despite the young age.  Very nice indeed.

On the wine list for USD 250.

Ann Colgin was at the next table celebrating her 50th(?) birthday and was drinking Château Margaux.  If I had brought the 1992 Colgin as I originally planned, I would have asked her to sign it...

Napa Trip - Philip Togni

Visit to Philip Togni.

2001 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon - barrel sample of both the free run and the pressed juice (25% of the blend).  Pretty good stuff.

2001 Ca' Togni - very sweet stuff.  Pretty interesting.

Napa Trip - Etude

Visit to Etude Winery.

200x Etude Pinot Blanc - this was great.  Cheap but good wine.

2000 Etude Pinot Noir Carneros - much better than the '96 I had before.  Bigger body, not as light.  Delicious

1999 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - wow!  This was very, very good indeed.  Every bit an Etude Cab as it should be.

2000 Etude Pinot Noir Heirloom - this was definitely one of the best Californian Pinots... Not Kistler but holds its own in any tasting.

Napa Trip - Barnett

Visit to Barnett Vineyards.  Barrel tasting.


2000 Barnett Merlot - this vintage includes some fruit from Mia Klein's plots in the valley.

2000 Barnett Pinot Noir - this was OK and grown in Santa Lucia.

2000 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Peacock Family - pretty good.

2000 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Hill - really like this one, which actually turned out to have a Bordeaux-like nose.

Napa Trip - Pride Mountain

Visit to Pride Mountain Vineyards.


2001 Pride Mountain Viognier - pretty good stuff.  Trying for Condrieu.  Pear, lychee, minerals.

2000 Pride Mountain Merlot - very good Merlot  2001 is even better with no Cab in the blend.

2000 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - really good stuff!  Big, jammy and powerful.

1992 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

Dinner at Terra in St. Helena.

1992 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - Wow!  So nice!  The nose showed a bit of stewed fruit at first, with some glycerin, then coffee, sweet strawberries came out after 45 minutes, as well as a hint of smoke.  Spicy on the after palate, long finish, smooth tannins.  This was really delicious.  Araujo is never a big, powerful wine.  Rather, smooth and silky.

Bought from Winebid for USD 240.

Napa Trip - Beringer

Visit to Beringer Vineyards.


2001 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve - OK, but a bit too oaky, not as buttery and creamy.

1998 Beringer Merlot Private Reserve - very good Merlot.

1998 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - very good stuff.  Consistent year after year.