WTN: Judd's Hill, Corison, Bart Park, Bouchaine

Discovered a winery on Friday that had some nice wines: Judd's Hill at the southern end of Napa Valley (Silverado Trail). The 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc was delicious! May be one of the best California Cabernet Francs this year! Powerful Cab Franc licorice with a herbal edge. Not really green, but in no way overripe. Medium bodied with already silky texture. The 2009 Lodi Old Vines Petit Sirah was also quite delicious, staring off with an amazing pure blueberry note that evolved over time into a more herbal and fine boned version of the black grape. Needed decanting, for sure!

At dinner, 2008 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet. I know this was terribly young, but it was alerady so delicious. Light on its feet and balanced, but with plenty of power. That blast of refreshing acidity I love, and just a touch of green to add further freshness. Great stuff!

Bartholemew Park 2007 and 2008 Estate Syrah. The 2007 was "controversial", John Chandler, my friend, thought it might have been on its way downhill. I enjoyed it, though...there was definitely some rich syrah fruit (he thought it shoe polishy), and a touch of funk. The 2008 was 100% there, though. Maybe a touch of heat (not shy on alcohol) but deliciously juicy and aromatic black plum and cherry fruit that really complemented the braised meat! delicious. I love Bart Park syrahs!

Bouchaine Winery (Carneros). Lovely outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards. Including The Terraces Pinot Noir vineyard, which produced a dark and earthy black fruited Pinot in 2011 that was one of the better Carneros Pinots I have tried. The stainless Chardonnay was also lovely, as was the desert late harvest Chardonnay!

A very good wine weekend!

[Jenise]

Are you in Bart Park's club, or do you live next door, or do you just buy their wines a lot? You do post on them fairly regularly, so have concluded they're a favorite.

club

But all three, I guess. I like their Syrah and Cab the best. They used to make a wonderful Sonoma Valley merlot, but they lost access to the vineyard fruit.

[Jenise]

Don't you hate when that happens? I actually love (good) merlot a lot, but there isn't much around. It's a grape that does especially well up here, but sales tanked so badly after Sideways that a lot of the best vineyards were ripped out.

Discovered a winery on Friday that had some nice wines: Judd's Hill at the southern end of Napa Valley (Silverado Trail). The 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc was delicious! May be one of the best California Cabernet Francs this year! Powerful Cab Franc licorice with a herbal edge. Not really green, but in no way overripe. Medium bodied with already silky texture. The 2009 Lodi Old Vines Petit Sirah was also quite delicious, staring off with an amazing pure blueberry note that evolved over time into a more herbal and fine boned version of the black grape. Needed decanting, for sure!

At dinner, 2008 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet. I know this was terribly young, but it was alerady so delicious. Light on its feet and balanced, but with plenty of power. That blast of refreshing acidity I love, and just a touch of green to add further freshness. Great stuff!

Bartholemew Park 2007 and 2008 Estate Syrah. The 2007 was "controversial", John Chandler, my friend, thought it might have been on its way downhill. I enjoyed it, though...there was definitely some rich syrah fruit (he thought it shoe polishy), and a touch of funk. The 2008 was 100% there, though. Maybe a touch of heat (not shy on alcohol) but deliciously juicy and aromatic black plum and cherry fruit that really complemented the braised meat! delicious. I love Bart Park syrahs!

Bouchaine Winery (Carneros). Lovely outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards. Including The Terraces Pinot Noir vineyard, which produced a dark and earthy black fruited Pinot in 2011 that was one of the better Carneros Pinots I have tried. The stainless Chardonnay was also lovely, as was the desert late harvest Chardonnay!

A very good wine weekend!

The next time you're in Judd's Hill ask for Judd and if he is available tell him that you know me and I said he should treat you well. Try not to defame my good name

Thanks, Lou!

I will definitely go back. That Cabernet Franc was pretty stellar.