Selections from Buehler Vineyards, Frank Family Vineyards, Grgich Hills and Heitz Cellar
Holiday parties and group BYOB restaurant outings offer great excuses for tasting a variety of wines. (They also are the reason it’s taken me longer than usual to write.) I’m excited to share four wine ratings and reviews from some of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries.
Wine Ratings and Reviews
- Grgich Hills Estate 2008 Fume Blanc – This is a great varietal and a crisp, refreshing wine to start with. It’s light and straw colored, having gone through all stainless-steel fermentation. (Ahem, this means it’s a great pick for those who want a non-oaky, non-buttery but still complex wine.) Aromas and flavors of citrus (grapefruit) and lemongrass are most prominent. Fun fact: Grgich Hills was the site of my first-ever tasting in Napa Valley. Rating: 4.25
- Buehler Vineyards 2010 Napa Valley Zinfandel – I’ve continued to challenge myself to find high-quality wines under the $20 mark and this is certainly one of them. I had not previously heard of Buehler, but was attracted to the price and have been on a major Zinfandel kick. This wine was approachable and very easy to drink. In fact, the first word that came to mind when I took a sip was “zingy.” It leads with juicy, bright fruit and is complemented by subtle oak and spice. This wine had character, leaving a nice, long impression with the finish. Rating: 4.25
- Frank Family Vineyards 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir – We picked up this wine at a Chicago tasting hosted by winemaker Todd Graff. I usually do not actively seek out Pinot Noir (since I’m such a sucker for big, bold cabs), so when a good one does cross my path, my taste buds perk up. This wine was quite complex, layered with aromas of earth, spice and bright berry. It also had an elegant texture. Frank Family Vineyards is one of the most fun tasting experiences in the Valley – make a point to stop there on an upcoming visit, if you haven’t already. Rating: 4.0
- Heitz Cellar 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bella Oaks Vineyard – I saved the best for last here, having had the great pleasure of sharing this wine with friends over dinner. Luckily, someone else had the patience to hold onto this for 12 years because that trait is not one of my strong suits when it comes to wine. One of the reasons I drink wines in their younger years is because I tend to prefer the vibrancy and power of youth over the more elegant characteristics of an aged wine that’s had time to develop. Surprisingly, the 2000 Cab still drank like a young wine and could likely go for several more years. It did begin to take on the deeper, brick red tones but had little to no sediment. On the nose, I observed dark berry fruit and oak. As you might imagine, it had great character and a long, drawn-out finish. I can appreciate the reasons for a little measure of patience. Rating: 4.75.
I hope you’re enjoying this holiday season and have some equally wonderful wines planned for your own celebrations. Be sure to share your favorite wine ratings and reviews with us!
Like Becky, my first tasting was also at Grgich. Great wines there.