Friday, May 21, 2010

Turnbull Wine Cellars


An updated 2012 review may be viewed here: Turnbull Wine Cellars Revisited

Turnbull Wine Cellars is a family owned winery that has a regular tasting area and a reserve area.  We went there on 5/21/10 and tried the regular tasting. Turnbull is a fine example of a Napa Valley winery that produces good wines at reasonable prices.  Of course the do have higher end wines as well.  The service was very pleasant, knowledgeable but unpretentious and helpful.  Our server was a young woman originally from Colorado. Turnbull is in the Napa Neighbor Program although we did not know this at the time of our visit.



Our first tasting was the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.  This was a full, round SB, less dry than I prefer but with a full citrus flavor of grapefruit with some melon.  Its softer presentation makes it very drinkable, and I think many people will like it, especially at only $15 a bottle or $12 if you are in their Wine Club.  The 2006 Merlot is well balanced with a nice finish.  Turnbull also had an unusual wine, a 2007 Tempranillo ($40), a famous Spanish grape. They add a little Petite Sirah, Sangranitino, Sangiovese and Zin to make a wine that is complex and interesting with a great nose, good fruit and a nice balance.  It was the favorite for both of us. I'm glad that some wineries are offering some different varietals in addition to the usual lineup. Our final tasting was the 2007 Petite Sirah ($36), one of my favorite varietals. This had the traditional peppery spice of a PS with full but soft tannins that delightfully blanket the mouth.  If you want a pleasant tasting experience with good wines that are affordable, Turnbull should be added to your list.  We hope to do a follow up visit to try their reserve wines.






Turnbull Wine Cellars 
8210 St. Helena Hwy
Oakville, CA 94562
(800) 887-6285
Visited 5/21/2010   

Duckhorn Vineyards

At Duckhorn Vineyards the setting is lovely and they provide a wonderful tasting experience that shouldn't be missed. No standing at a bar or rinsing your wine glass out at Duckhorn.  At a dining table inside or out on the patio, you will have sparkling wine glasses arranged in front of you, one for each wine sample.  The samples are generous, staff friendly and the wines themselves were consistently good.  After you visit Duckhorn, you might be spoiled and wish that other wineries were this well prepared and visitor friendly.



We started with the Duckhorn Vineyard 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, which had the usual bright citrus of SBs but with more complexity than most and with a very good refreshing, balanced acid. Next was the Duckhorn Vineyard 2007 Goldeneye Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley which had more substance than many California PNs, with a good, well integrated tannins. 

The Duckhorn Vineyard 2007 Merlot followed with its good, balanced tannins and rich fruit of cherries, along with an unusually pleasant mouth feel.  Back in the 1970s in California, Merlot was only used to blend with cabs and I don’t remember any bottles being labeled as a Merlot.  This was despite the use of Merlot as the predominate varietal in right bank Bordeaux reds. California merlots have come a long way since then and Duckhorn offers one of the better ones. 

The last tasting was a comparative tasting of the Duckhorn Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and their Duckhorn Vineyard 2005 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Red Wine.  The 2006 Cab was very nice, well balanced and full-bodied but quite drinkable now.  The Howell Mountain was obviously not a lower priced, generic red wine that one usually expects from a bottle referring to itself as "red wine." Although primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine had more spice and some earth tones.  It should age well but is quite drinkable now.


Duckhorn has a solid line of very good premium wines. Given the lovely setting, the outstanding presentation for visitors, and the friendly service, Duckhorn is a winery that you will not want to miss. 

Addendum October 24, 2013: I emailed the winery on September 18, 2013 informing them of our new partnership with Google Field Trip and suggesting that we return to visit them do an updated (and more thorough) review that could be included in Field Trip.  So far I have received no response, so this old review is probably the only one we will be doing on Duckhorn.

1000 Lodi Lane
Saint Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-7108
Date visited: May 21, 2010