Napa/Sonoma Visit

[RAD]

Had the good fortune of an unexpected business trip to San Fran, so we flew out early and spent Saturday/Sunday in Napa and Sonoma.

Our very own WW was kind enough to arrange for me to visit Diamond Creek, and we received a personal tour of the vineyard from Al Brounstein himself. Something we will never forget--thanks WW.

Purpose of this post was to point out a few wonderful wines that we tried. Don't have tasting notes per se, but here goes:

1997 Flora Springs Cab. Sauv. Wild Boar Vineyard--this one has got to be as close as I've ever had to WW's legendary "5-lapper" finish. Phenomenal length and complexity.

1997 Chateau St. Jean Cab. Franc--super rich and concentrated, the best CF I've ever had. Every bit the peer of the 97 Cinq Cepages.

1997 Arrowood Malbec--another super one. Nice blueberry notes.

1997 Joseph Phelps Syrah--very dark, rich, a bit peppery. We'd had this one before. Out of the 750s so we bought a few magnums.

1997 Chateau Potelle VGS Cab--we were unfamiliar with this vineyard, but stumbled across it as we were winding our way up Mt. Veeder road. The VGS stands for "very good shit"--the proprietors are French, and came here to stay after being sent over by the French in the late 70s to see what all the fuss was about Napa when its wines beat out the French in that famous tasting 20-odd years ago. Definitely a fun, alternative sort of place, and the mountain fruits are very concentrated.

All in all, a wonderful trip.

RAD

PS - WW, am emailing you separately.