Graileys Fine Wines Blog

By: AJ McClellan

Well, Monday came and went and while everyone was packing to head home, I was having such a great time that I just had to stay a few extra days! John talked me into being his partner in crime and staying in Napa for the next two days to hang out with Bobby E and go to Bob Foleys property in Howell Mountain to help him bottle the 2011 vintage.

Before everyone took off LA and I grabbed a car and went out to one of my favorite vineyards in Napa, Herb Lamb, owned by Herb and Jennifer Lamb. When we pulled around the corner LA and I both held our breath. The landscape was stunning and the vineyards were perfectly situated to capture the morning and afternoon sun.

We tasted the 2011 release with Jennifer and walked the vineyards while she told us the history of her label, Herb Lamb, and the famed Colgin Herb Lamb. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me…

After we got back John and I went off to meet Bob Egelhoff for a jaunt around Napa Valley. First Bob showed us a mass production bottling line, where they pump out 40,000+ cases a day!

Then we went to Glendale ranch where Bob gets all of the grapes for his Egelhoff label. The Ranch was beautiful, nestled in the mountain side at the perfect 600-800 feet above the valley floor.

After we went around the vineyard Bob took us back to his new property in St Helena and we sat down for a few glasses of wine. Good Times!

The next day John and I woke up at the crack of dawn, dragging ourselves out of bed so that we could go bottle the 2011 vintage with Bob Foley. The bottling line was much different than the one I saw the previous day with Bobby E. Each station was fun, and I have the opportunity to work most of them to see how each step in the process worked…

After a hard day of bottling we went back to Bob’s house and cracked a few bottles of Foley wines, satisfied with a job well done.

By: AJ McClellan

With every day being better than the last we were all in for a real treat on the fourth day of our trip. Simon and Ivan had booked us with one of my favorite wineries, Jones Family! We started off the day a little slow as everyone was recovering from the great night rocking it out in Bob Foleys cave the night before, but once we got on the bus everyone was brimming with excitement.

We pulled up to the winery and immediately Dan Bailey was there to greet us. Dan has been to Graileys several times in the past few years and he is a dear friend to all of us. We stepped off the bus to taste the 2010 and 2011 Jones Family Sauvignon Blanc – the 2010 was very fresh with lovely stone fruit and classic Sauv Blanc acidity while the 2011 was a little more full with rich mineral notes and a lovely finish that would not stop! While we were polishing off the Sauvignon Blanc Dan took us on a tour of the property. His land goes from around 600 to 800 feet above the valley floor, which is a sweet zone for mountain grapes (and just so happens to be the elevation where the majority of the Grand Cru wines are made in Burgundy). The vineyards were outstanding, and the view wasn’t too bad either!

After the tour and we came back for a vertical of the Jones Family cabernet, accompanied by tier second label, The Sisters. We started with a 2003 Jones Family decanted and ready for dinner. 2003 was the first vintage that was imported into Texas by Ivan, so it had a great significance to the Graileys team. The wine was drinking perfectly with soft tannins and surprisingly fresh fruit. The wine paired perfectly with the roasted Boar that the Napa Valley fire chief had smoked for dinner.

After the 03 Jones we went on to taste the 2009 and 2010 Jones Cabernet and Sisters Cabernet. The Sisters were fantastic in their own way and, as always, provide and exceptional value for the money. The Jones wines were killer. Each was Drinking very well (although the 2010 could use a little more time in the bottle) Classic tobacco, rich spice, ripe black fruits, and floral finish. While we were drinking away on the cabs the Graileys members went into a fierce game of bocce ball, which is the perfect outdoor drinking game! During the madness of the game Dan popped and exceptional 1988 Ponsot Clos de la Roche that he purchased from the importer over fifteen years ago. The Burgundy was refreshing change to all of the Cali Cabs we have been drinking and it went down a little too easily!! After the Ponsot Dan was kind enough to pop a bottle of 2003 Guigal La Landonne for everyone to try, which was showing wonderfully with full bacon, smoke, leather, and cigar clippings…

Sadly we eventually had to leave the sunning Jones Family vineyard, but not before Dan snuck us a magnum of the 2010 Jones to take with us on the bus! (I hope this doesn’t get you in trouble good buddy..) The wine was perfect for the ride home in which each of our members had a DJ war playing around 50 different songs on the ride home.

Once we got back to the hotel we had just enough time for a quick shower then it was off to the bar for a drink with Bob Egelhoff. Bobby E is another long time friend of Graileys and he brought with him not only his great 2012 Riesling (which was outstanding with fresh peaches, a hint of sweetness, and outrageous acidity) but he also brought half a case of his library 2006 Cabernet and a magnum of the 2007 Two Worlds Cabernet. The 06 was drinking perfectly with strong tannins and a backbone of clove, cedar, and ripe blackberries while the 07 was even bigger with jammy fruit and a soft finish. Halfway through the night Bob presented Simon with a 6 liter of the 2006 Egelhoff for us to keep as Graileys. We sent the bottle around the room for everyone’s signature to commemorate the occasion, but by the time everyone has signed the bottle we had run out of wine. In true Graileys style Simon stood up and asked Bob if he could refill a 6-liter bottle, once Bob said he not only has the way but the will Simon game me the signed 6-liter and told me to pop the top on it! The party continued well into the night and was a glorious end to a absolutely fantastic Napa trip!

By Simon Roberts

Wow, just wow! We are in full swing here in Napa and the Bardossono Hotel is just the perfect spot to recuperate between tastings. This beautiful spot right in the heart of Yountville is a little bit like home only with better views.

We headed out to meet Kelly Peterson at Swithback Ridge Vineyards in Calistoga just after 12 noon. We were once again greeted by a perfect weather with no humidity and mid-70s temperature. Just what we needed to encourage more libation.

Kelly’s vineyard is right at the mouth of Dutch Henry Canyon and was simply beautiful. The Peterson family’s estate was originally a farm and plum orchard and was bought by Kelly’s great-grandfather in 1914 for purportedly $1/acre; this is a 100-acre property. It has been in the family ever since with about 21 acres currently under vine planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. In 1990, fortuitously, John (Kelly’s dad) decided it was time to replant with grapevines and rededicated the property to growing grapes. The estate includes some three acres of old Pets (Petite Sirah), 60-year old vines that John remembers digging holes for as a child.

Kelly greeted us with her 2010 Switchback Ridge Merlot and shared with us her family’s background and early farming exploits that culminated in producing  world-class wines since the 1991 vintage. The 2010 Switchback Merlot showed plums and black raspberries and a lush, rich chocolaty finish. We followed this with a magnum of 2006 Switchback Ridge Merlot that was more elegant with great finesse showing vibrant red fruits and lively acidity. Maybe it was the romance of Napa and the fact that we were standing in the middle of these pristine vineyards but these Merlot were rocking!

We headed out to Calistoga Ranch for lunch and more of Kelly’s gems including the 2010 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon which was drinking remarkably well for such a young wine. Ripe cassis and blackberries with well-rounded, velvety tannins. The 2010 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah is the most approachable vintage I’ve had of this wine. I’m using the descriptor ‘approachable’  loosely here as although there was the unmistakable backbone and massive tannins typical of Petite Sirah, these were balanced by rich fruits and dense texture. The 2010 Petite Sirah Reserve was chewier and showed a more gamy and savory side with notes of clove, charred earth, smoke and dried blueberries. These robust and full-flavored wines were the perfect match to the killer burger, truffle fries and onion rings most of us enjoyed for lunch. Kelly roamed around the table telling us all about the wines that she is so obviously passionate about.

After a poolside afternoon nap for most of us, it was back in the bus and on the meandering roads of Howell Mountain to Bob Foley’s winery in the sleepy town of Angwin. We were greeted by Bob and Kelly with the 2010 Robert Foley Pinot Blanc. This was a great white to sip and enjoy with passed hors d’ouvres. The wine showed white peach and melon notes and a silky mouthfeel that was kept in check by a crisp acidity. Great fruit purity in this wine.

Bob was all set up for bottling. He had giant tanks that each held 52 barrels of wine that were ready  to go into their individual bottles. A couple from our group actually decided to stay and help Bob and his crew bottle.

What followed was an epic Graileys experience… Bob led us into the caves dug deep into the mountain, past all the barrels where Robert Foley as well as Switchback Ridge wines were aging.

Past the barrel tunnels, we walked into this scene…

We danced, we laughed, we hulahooped and drank like kings!

Bob is a long time musician and he treated us all to a great show with his awesome original songs. We heard a little kinks and Beatles influence but this was all Bob’s original music. What a night… this one will go down in Graileys folklore.

And the wines did not suck either. Some of the highlights included the inaugural vintage of 2010 Robert Foley Pinot Noir Hudson Vineyard which was full, dense and intense with pronounced cherry cola, plums, strawberry, cinnamon and mocha. Creamy midpalate finishing with some sappy tannins.

The 2008 Robert Foley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon also showed really well with pure cassis and blackberry fruit with hints of espresso and licorice. Lush and rounded texture with an incredible length marked by ripe blackcurrant fruit.

By Simon Roberts

Our second day started with a relaxing brunch in the patio of Bardessono Hotel with Doug Hill, proprietor and vineyard manager of Hill Family Estate. This estate has been producing a range of great wines from a variety of vineyard sites all over the valley; Doug’s natural curiosity and three decades of experience managing vineyards has given him a unique knack for matching grape varieties to different microclimates. The first flight consisted of the current releases of Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay; winemaker Allison Doran introduced the whites. Allison regaled us with her amazing journey thus far in the wine world; she grew up in the valley being the daughter of Russell Green, past proprietor of Simi Winery in the 1970s, and she worked with Andre Tchelistcheff whom her father hired as a consultant for a period of time. It was a pleasure to sit and sip these wines feeling the pure passion and enthusiasm of the winemaker.  The 2012 Hill Family Estate Albarino from Carneros-Napa Valley won some praises from the group with its expressive floral, white peach, lime and sweet herbaceous notes. It was clean and crisp; beautiful purity and zingy acidity. Brunch was served with 2010 Hill Family Estate Merlot which was showing really well; plums and sweet spice, juicy with supple texture. The 2009 Hill Family Estate Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon was poured next. This was backward reticent. The palate showed subtle hints of blackberry and black cherry and spicy/cedary undertones. This clearly needs at least another 3-5 years to lose those firm tannins and reveal the deeper fruit and richer texture that’s currently hidden in immense tannins.

We headed out for our first foray into the mountains at two and up deep into the hills to Tusk Estates. To say this place is impressive would be a vast understatement. Proprietor Tim Martin made us feel welcome and at home from the moment he greeted us at the door. Stunning views on the back lawn while sipping a lovely Sancerre was spectacular. The view of the valley from up here was magnificent and overlooked the pristine vineyards of Harlan and one can gleam a view of Pritchard Hill across the valley. Two 150-year old eucalyptus trees stood guard on each side of the villa; a hot tub just to the side of the house looked really inviting.

With everyone oohing and aahing over the view, Tim ushered us into the cellar of this dreamlike Tuscan-inspired mansion anchored by a tasting room fit for kings with this long, beautiful table.

These wines really are truly special  and we were privileged to have the opportunity to taste the 125-case production 2009 Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. This showed great complexity marrying gravelly minerality and coffee with pure blackcurrant fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with robust tannins and tremendous concentration. This requires at least a decade of additional cellar time to flesh out the midpalate. The 2009 Tusk Estates Cabernet Franc was quiet attractive with lively aromatics of green tobacco, spice and floral accents. Full bodied an opulent on the palate combining rich fruitiness with supple tannins. This was drinking now.

After a relaxing afternoon poolside and attempting to hydrate with gallons of water, we jumped back on our bus and headed out to the home and vineyard estate of Andy Erickson and his lovely wife Annie Favia located in the new Coombsville AVA. We strolled out back past his farm and were welcomed with a stunning view overlooking the valley along with a huge fire pit and chefs busy preparing what turned out to be a meal to remember. The wine flowed and Andy’s hospitality was, as always, flawless.

 For dinner, the 2009 Favia Rompecabezas Grenache and 2009 Favia Quarzo Syrah were poured. The Rompecabezas was simply decadent with lush raspberries, red cherries and plums and a gorgeous texture while the Quarzo showed more muscle and robust structure along with pronounced peppery spice, minerality, smoke, wild berries and baking spices. We were quick to polish these two structured reds as all tried to keep warm and keep the cold winds at bay.

Before dessert hit the table, we all ended up huddled around the campfire swapping stories and comparing a 3-liter 2002 Lafite which to Andy’s 2002 Favia La Magdalena. The Lafite was surprisingly open showing ripe blackcurrant fruit, earth, tobacco and a nice thread of iron minerality. Elegant and vibrant. The Favia was more opulent with richer and sweeter fruit with hints of earth and Asian spices.

Another wonderful experience for all… onwards and upwards!