Tasting In Napa

Visited the Stags Leap District in Napa this past weekend and experienced some great red wines on the V2V tour from the Chimney Rock Winery, Hartwell Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards and Shafer Vineyards. Top on the tasting list was the 2006 Hartwell Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with distinctive layers of blackberry, spicy currant and aromas of cedar and cigar. Gave +90 points to the 2006 Pine Ridge Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2006 Chimney Rock Elevage. Can't wait for the 2008 Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon vintage which was sipped from the barrel. Also, took the opportunity to tour Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate in Sonoma and discovered 2 great Cabernet Sauvignons in a 2005 Black Cougar Ridge and 2005 Christopher's which were both powerful reds with a long full body complex touch. The mountains at Stonestreet produces fruit that is complex, rich and concentrated due to the various elevations the grapes are grown.