• Click here for pictures of the Wine Wizard's 2008 Wine Dinner at the 'Catch'
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October, 2008

Our second stop in California was the famous Napa Valley. As usual we began with four white wines. There was a very close vote for first and second. Our first place choice with 17 points was Newman's Own Chardonnay 2006. It was purchased before Paul's death. It is a new venture called Rebel Wine. This joins Three Thieves and Trinchero Family Estates (one of the Bay Area's largest wine producers with about 10 million cases produced annually). The venture also produces a Cabernet Sauvignon. At $14.83 it is a moderately priced wine. Second with 16 points was Beringer Chenin Blanc 2006. Beringer is confusing as they have seven different divisions representing (at least to themselves) greater quality. Beringer is the oldest continuous winery in Napa begun in 1876. It was our best "value-priced wine" at $7.41 and thus is a terrific choice. Third was Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2007 with 13 points. With a bright tropical fruit flavor it was at $16.95 our most expensive white wine selection. Honig vineyard's claim to fame is that its operation is solar powered and they have established a wildlife habitat. Last with only 4 points was Pepperwood Grove Viognier 2005. Bottled by the intriguing name of 3 Loose Screws (a division of Don Sebastiani) it is touted as a great Thai food wine accompanying emerald green curry with eggplant over jasmine rice. I guess as we only had cheese and crackers and a Brie en Croute (made by yours truly) we did not appreciate this $7.41 wine.

The next session sampled 4 red wines. Our first choice with 17 points was Markham Merlot 2004. Markham, which began in 1975, is a collection of several vineyards, including the Laurent which dates to 1879 and then was one of Napa's top-ten producers. The Merlot was introduced in 1980. Markham has produced three of the number-one rated wines from California as judged by Wine Spectator. Unfortunately, at $22.25 this was by far our most costly wine. There was a tie for second and third with 14 points each. In no particular order, one was Beringer Founders Estate (another division) Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. It was started by Jacob and Frederick Beringer who had emigrated from the Rhine Valley of Germany in 1870. A unique feature is the hand-chiseled tunnels in the mountainside dug by Chinese workers after helping build the Trans-Continental Railroad. Even today, the average 58 degree temperature makes them an ideal place to age their wines. At $9.53 this was our best "value-priced" selection. Next was Gustavo Thrace The Third Bottle. Called only red table wine it does not define its grapes and is non-vintage. They produce eight other varietal wines with only 200-300 cases of each. The Third Bottle which costs $13.77 is their entry into the mass market producing about 7,000 cases annually. Fourth was Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir 2007. Robert Parker called it a premium quality wine at an affordable price. At $15.89 it is in the high range of our selections and failed to garner any of our support with only 5 points. Some failed to recognize it as a true Pinot Noir.

Clearly, the Beringer Chenin Blanc at $7.41 with 16 points (our white wine second choice) and Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at $9.53 with 14 Points (our red wine second choice) are excellent purchases.

Come back again next month when we continue in California to the Sonoma Valley.