This is the winery’s first vintage of Gamay Noir. I have a question. Does anyone know of any other Napa winemaker producing Gamay? I would love to compare. Anyway, I found this one quite delicious and I look forward to many more vintages of this variety from Doug and Elias. 
Tag: Carneros
Eighty-Four 2018 Albariño
categories: Booze, Winery Reviews
Albariño from Napa, you ask? Yeah, it’s a thing. A delicious thing.
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Clos du Val 2016 Pinot Noir
As much as I like Carneros Pinot Noir from the Sonoma side, I have hesitations about the Pinot that comes from the Napa side. (Hm…are there wine gangs?) I find that in many cases Napa PN is a little…crunchier, if you will? But in any event, I rather liked this one. So it just goes to show you it’s not necessarily all about terroir, but how a winemaker chooses to showcase the fruit as well.
Mi Sueño 2015 Estate Chardonnay
The story behind Mi Sueño Winery is truly one of the American dream realized. Owner and winemaker Rolando Herrera, Mexican immigrant, worked his way up the wine industry food chain. He started as a simple dishwasher for the famed Auberge du Soleil restaurant in Napa Valley back in 1982. Fifteen years later in 1997, after working various positions at several big-name wineries, Rolando, along with his wife Lorena, founded Mi Sueno Winery — it was the same years as their marriage. Indeed the two really did embark on a new life together that year. And so it is that they say their story is one of “love, passion, and deep understanding” — for each other, for their region, for the grapes they harvest, and the wines they make.
Clos du Val 2017 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé
I wouldn’t say I’m into the rosé craze, but I will admit that more winemakers are crafting beautiful rosés, paying more attention to the specificity of flavors and textures innate in the grape’s variety. I’d say I’ve had the worst luck with Pinot Noir rosé’s — they seem to be over-extracted, too fruit forward, too one-dimensional, and, I hate to say it, too pink. But again, I’ve been noticing a difference over the past few years, and I can tell you for certain that Clos du Val has it right. Subtle aromas, hints of texture, and a sunset-orange hue: everything I wasn’t expecting from a rosé of Pinot Noir, but everything I love when sipping a rosé any day.
