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Message
re: Napa Trip Last Week - updated report on Wineries
Posted on 11/9/25 at 1:47 pm to WacoTiger
Posted on 11/9/25 at 1:47 pm to WacoTiger
Currently sitting in the Handwritten tasting room in Yountville. Will stop by Baldacci for a drink and then this afternoon we have an intimate tasting with Dave Phinney of Orin Swift (12 total people).
We got in yesterday. Ate lunch at Clementines, which was pretty good and newish the area. Tried Odette. Was very impressed. One of their employees is from Baton Rouge.
Dinner at Press this evening. Stoked for it.
We got in yesterday. Ate lunch at Clementines, which was pretty good and newish the area. Tried Odette. Was very impressed. One of their employees is from Baton Rouge.
Dinner at Press this evening. Stoked for it.
1
Posted on 11/12/25 at 2:46 pm to fjlee90
Is Aperture Cellars in Healdsburg worth a visit? Curious about others’ experiences.
Posted on 11/12/25 at 3:09 pm to lsuche2003
We are going to Healdsburg in February and Aperture is on our list to potentially visit. We're bigger on Cabs than Pinots, so it fits that profile. But the big draw for us (outside of trying the wine) is the architecture and grounds.
We went to Healdsburg last year and visited a couple wineries and had dinner at Rooftop 106 above the Matheson. That was one day of a several day trip. Now we're planning an entire trip around pretty much just Healdsburg/Dry Creek Valley.
We went to Healdsburg last year and visited a couple wineries and had dinner at Rooftop 106 above the Matheson. That was one day of a several day trip. Now we're planning an entire trip around pretty much just Healdsburg/Dry Creek Valley.
Posted on 12/4/25 at 9:18 pm to SuperDomed
quote:
Just wanted to post a follow up here after my recent visit to Napa. The absolute standout of the trip was visiting Mowe and Dustin and Rene. That cab they are growing on their small 1 acre property is incredible-the best wine we had all trip. They said they recently got on the wine list at French Laundry but because of such limited supply they have they can’t keep up with the demand! This wine is an absolute stud and I encourage anyone going out to Napa to reach out to them and schedule a tasting. Was able to buy 1 case for this years release coming later this fall, but the allocation is extremely limited.
Man. First I got on Reddit to figure out how to get into TFL (literally no day in 2026 off limits for us, as long as it's every other week for work schedules -- basically off half the year as far as availability), and all I see are tons of people failing and failing. Bucket list of mine. Don't care day or time, but man I don't want to share a table with strangers who sell extra seats.
Then I come here to just search Napa winery recs, and I see all these awesome gems so hard to get into.
Boy. I may be in over my head.
This post was edited on 12/4/25 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 12/4/25 at 10:07 pm to LouisianaLady
If they are still open for Friday lunch, that’s an easier table to get in my experience. Same menu. Same service.
Posted on 12/11/25 at 7:37 pm to WacoTiger
Just wrapped up with Renee and Dustin at MOWE! Truly the highlight of the trip. Truly the most amazing and genuine people you will ever meet. Highly recommended.
Posted on 12/11/25 at 7:42 pm to lsuche2003
That is great. I hope you mentioned Tiger Rant (and Waco Tiger)? Dustin and Renee are great folks and make 2 fabulous wines.
Posted on 12/11/25 at 7:54 pm to WacoTiger
Absolutely and Dustin knew who you were and even pulled out his phone to make sure Renee knew who you were.
And the three cats were awesome!??
And the three cats were awesome!??
Posted on 12/11/25 at 8:03 pm to lsuche2003
Love it. Glad you had a great visit.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 9:03 am to lsuche2003
quote:
lsuche2003
Did you end up going to Aperture? Interested in how that went if so. Also generally interested in any other places you went on the Sonoma side. We're going to Healdsburg in February.
Posted on 12/22/25 at 12:13 pm to ProjectP2294
No, we did not make it to Aperture this trip since my driver I use all the time in Napa recommended additional places in the Napa area.
Try Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma. Very nice property and excellent cabs.
Also try Verite if you're going to be in Healdsburg. Part of the Jackson Family Wines. Amazing barrel room and excellent cabs.
Try Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma. Very nice property and excellent cabs.
Also try Verite if you're going to be in Healdsburg. Part of the Jackson Family Wines. Amazing barrel room and excellent cabs.
Posted on 1/1/26 at 6:58 pm to lsuche2003
Mowe 2022 Cabernet received recognition for their 2022 estate Cabernet. CellarTracker represents the people’s voice. Top 10 in 2025. Good for them.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 8:15 pm to Humpty Grumpy
Notes from a recent trip to Napa—
Day 1-Tasted with a SF tasting group, 40+ bottles later—no bad wines, these were my best of the best in no particular order.
2008 Bollinger RD Champagne
1997 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace
2005 Araujo Eisele
2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 'Selección Especial'
2020 Carmes Haut Brion
2022 Palisades Canyon Petite Sirah
Days 2-4 in Napa …
Favia— The 2021 Untitled Cabernet knocked our socks off.
Christopher Tynan - The Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo Cabernet is such a great wine. New vineyards coming into the fold in 2021+ after the near total loss of Meleagris Gallpavo in the 2020 fires.
Beta / Jasud - Spent the entire afternoon up on Diamond Mountain with Ketan Mody. The Jasud Cabernets are something special. The ‘22 Marianas Cabernet off the Santa Cruz mountains is a great addition to the Beta portfolio.
Keplinger—tasted at the new Arrow & Branch winery tasting area. The ‘22 Vine Hill Ranch was delightful. Both Cabernets from Oakville Ranch were outstanding.
Realm—After many failed attempts we finally made it up to the Realm Houyi site on Pritchard Hill, up near Ovid and Colgin. Gorgeous views on an abnormally warm afternoon in January. The 2022 Ocean Crossing was our favorite. The 2023 Heavenly Questions will turn heads.
Observations
Napa Valley was empty, even for low season.
Vines being pulled everywhere. Fruit left hanging everywhere. Fruit flies are a problem as a result. A reckoning is coming for those without strong DTC. The distribution market is declining. Credit is drying up.
I tasted some ‘23s that were completely shut down last August. I tasted two of those same wines right out of the bottle on PnP - they were completely different — quite good, very drinkable, even if still young. Changed my mind on approachability of the Napa ‘23s, but I’m still laying them down.
Great winemakers with great fruit made great wines in ‘22, most are elegant and approachable early. The ‘22s are a great choice for a restaurant buy because most don’t need a decant to drink well.
Meals-Bottega, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Farmstead
Favorite wines from Napa visits / dinners—
2021 Favia Untitled Cabernet
2025 Jasud Cabernet
2022 Beta Marianas Cabernet
2010 Buccella Katrina Eileen Cabernet
2013 Dalla Valle Maya
2023 William & Mary Shifflett Cabernet
2023 Roy Piper Cabernet
Day 1-Tasted with a SF tasting group, 40+ bottles later—no bad wines, these were my best of the best in no particular order.
2008 Bollinger RD Champagne
1997 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace
2005 Araujo Eisele
2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 'Selección Especial'
2020 Carmes Haut Brion
2022 Palisades Canyon Petite Sirah
Days 2-4 in Napa …
Favia— The 2021 Untitled Cabernet knocked our socks off.
Christopher Tynan - The Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo Cabernet is such a great wine. New vineyards coming into the fold in 2021+ after the near total loss of Meleagris Gallpavo in the 2020 fires.
Beta / Jasud - Spent the entire afternoon up on Diamond Mountain with Ketan Mody. The Jasud Cabernets are something special. The ‘22 Marianas Cabernet off the Santa Cruz mountains is a great addition to the Beta portfolio.
Keplinger—tasted at the new Arrow & Branch winery tasting area. The ‘22 Vine Hill Ranch was delightful. Both Cabernets from Oakville Ranch were outstanding.
Realm—After many failed attempts we finally made it up to the Realm Houyi site on Pritchard Hill, up near Ovid and Colgin. Gorgeous views on an abnormally warm afternoon in January. The 2022 Ocean Crossing was our favorite. The 2023 Heavenly Questions will turn heads.
Observations
Napa Valley was empty, even for low season.
Vines being pulled everywhere. Fruit left hanging everywhere. Fruit flies are a problem as a result. A reckoning is coming for those without strong DTC. The distribution market is declining. Credit is drying up.
I tasted some ‘23s that were completely shut down last August. I tasted two of those same wines right out of the bottle on PnP - they were completely different — quite good, very drinkable, even if still young. Changed my mind on approachability of the Napa ‘23s, but I’m still laying them down.
Great winemakers with great fruit made great wines in ‘22, most are elegant and approachable early. The ‘22s are a great choice for a restaurant buy because most don’t need a decant to drink well.
Meals-Bottega, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, Farmstead
Favorite wines from Napa visits / dinners—
2021 Favia Untitled Cabernet
2025 Jasud Cabernet
2022 Beta Marianas Cabernet
2010 Buccella Katrina Eileen Cabernet
2013 Dalla Valle Maya
2023 William & Mary Shifflett Cabernet
2023 Roy Piper Cabernet
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 8:18 pm
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