Wifey and I are on Day 1 of our annual Mardi Gras escape vacation, arrived 1PM, pic is a view from our villa in Yountville, CA, with Atlas Peak in the background. Daily lows around 40F, highs around 70F all week long, perfect weather!
Yesterday, we walked a few blocks to the Beau Vigne tasting room, ordered a few of their 16’s to be released later this year, and some of their 15 Rutherford Cab, a beautiful, silky smooth wine. Little family winery that owns a small vineyard on Atlas Peak, pick at night, truck their grapes to a crush facility, then to their fermentation / storage area. Dad runs the vineyard and is the winemaker. Son, Beau, did our tasting, young man did a nice job and knew the wines well. Kurt Venge is on their team of consulting winemakers. Nice wines for sure!!
Walked next door to Girard for a flight tasting, mostly sourced grapes from within the valley, nicely priced offerings,ordered a few bottles of their Petite Sirah, classic example of the varietal, the 15 needs a little more bottle time, but opened up pretty nicely as it sat for a bit.
Had a wonderful dinner at Bistro Jeanty, with a bottle of Pine Ridge Cab, and turned in early to get our two hour time change sleep back.
Today, we’ll visit Del Dotto’s Rutherford facility for a barrel tasting (10 or so wines) in their storage caves, then travel to their new facility in Napa (Piazza Del Dottolo) for their “Delicacies Pairing”, small plates crafted, paired, and served with their wines.
Cheers!!