Steltzner Vineyards

If you like Cabernets or Stags Leap District wines, then you won't want to miss Steltzner Vineyards. An employee at another winery recommended that we try Steltzner. While we were there, a portable bottling service was present putting wine into bottles and the employee at Steltzner, who was very helpful,  explained the process to us as we watched.  Our tasting started with a 2010 Chardonnay from Oak Knoll.  It was $24, had a pleasant touch of MLF and oak and was crisp and very drinkable.  Even better was the $34 2006 Sangiovese from Stags Leap.  I got some cherry with a very pleasant touch of clove on the palate.  The 2007 Merlot from Stags Leap was pleasantly bright, with soft tannins and some vanilla with the fruit.  It is a good buy at only $34 and is one of the better Merlots in the Valley.  The 2006 Stags Leap Cab was $40 and had a cherry palate, with good tannins and a slight floral hint.  Best, though, was the 2005 Estate RMS Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon at $78.  This is one to look at in the glass in the sunlight because it has a deep, dark red color that is delightful to look at. It was rather fruit forward with a velvety smooth palate, soft tannins, a note of smokiness and a long finish.  Although primarily noted for its Merlot and Cabs, we found the Sangiovese worthwhile and have heard good things about the Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and Pinotage.

Addendum: As of February 2012 Stelzner sold their winery to Plumpjack and no longer has a tasting room but does sell wines over the Internet.


Steltzner Vineyard

Steltzner Vineyards Office Address
6795 Washington Street, Ste 202
Yountville, CA  94599

Visited 9/28/2011

Regusci Winery

Regusci Winery is a very good winery, even by Napa Valley standards. We liked the entire line up, although they have mostly reds.  The 2009 Chardonnay at $36 was not overly oaked and was not ruined by excessive MLF.  We both liked it. The 2009 Zinfandel was one of the better Napa Valley Zins I've had.  I usually look to Amador County or places like Ridge for a good Zin.  This one is $50 but is very nice.  The 2009 Merlot at $48 has 8% Cab added and is another good example of a Merlot that is interesting and not one-dimensional. Even better was the 2008 Cab at $58.  But it got better yet with the 2008 Patriarch Proprietary Blend with 56% Merlot, 35% Cab and 9% Cab Franc which sells for $80 and the very good 2008 Angelo's Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon at $125.  The later two are only available at the winery so you will have to go there to try them.  I suggest you do so. Service was excellent.

Regusci Winery
5584 Silverado Trail

Napa, CA 94558
(707) 254-0403

Visited 9/12/2011

Signorello Estate Winery

Signorello Estate is one of those small Napa Valley wineries that warrants a visit.  It has a kitchen that offers food pairings, a beautiful swimming pool, plus a patio with a fountain and a very nice view of the Valley. They also offer interactive cooking classes. Of their white wines, we both liked the Signorello 2010 Seta Estate best at only $34.  It is 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.  I liked the Seta even better after sharing a bottle with friends and sampling it at different temperatures.  This is a rather unusual blend for Napa Valley and offered more complexity at home than was revealed in the small sample at the winery.  The 2009 Chardonnay at $42 was decent but neither of us cared for the 2009 Hope's Cuvee Estate Chardonnay at $65 because of the strong MLF and oak.  If you like a buttery, oaky chardonnay more in the style of Rhomberger chardonnays, then you might like it.  Much more to our liking was the $48 Signorello 2007 Merlot with 10% cab added.  It had a distinct cherry nose with soft tannins.  It is a nice Merlot and not at all one-dimensional as are some Merlots.  At $50 the Signorello 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with 12% Merlot and 8% Cab Franc was also delightful with a cherry and currant nose, good acid balance and nice tannins.  We were told that the winery has only 42 acres and produces only 6,000 cases of wine a year. Service was very friendly.

Signorello Estate Winery
4500 Silverado Trail

Napa, CA 94558
(707) 255-5990

Visited 9/28/2011 

Elizabeth Spencer Winery

Elizabeth Spencer Winery provided a delightful visit thanks to friendly staff and very good wines that are reasonably priced by Napa Valley standards. Marshall was very knowledgeable and friendly.  We really liked the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, organically grown in Mendocino and only $16 a bottle.  The 2007 Wente Clone Chardonnay was okay as was the 2008 Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. The 2008 Merlot from Knights Valley was quite decent at $36 as was the 2007 Cab from Napa Valley.  Our favorite, though, was the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, "The Guardian" ($60) which was very good.  Elizabeth Spencer is a small winery just off Highway 29 that is well worth a visit.  You can have lunch at the Italian restaurant, Alex, which is across the street.

Elizabeth Spencer Winery
1165 Rutherford Rd
Napa, CA 94573
(707) 963-6067

Visited: 9/10/2011

Cosentino Winery

Cosentino Winery is well worth a visit if you like Sangiovese, Chardonnay or very nice Cabernet Sauvignons.  At Cosentino Winery one of us had the Reserve Flight ($20) and the other had the Vintage Flight ($10).  Each one consisted of four tastings.The 2008 Chardonnay, 2007  "The Franc", 2008 Sangiovese and 2008 Cigarzin compose the Vintage Flight and prices range from only $20 to $24 (less for wine club members.)  I thought the Sangiovese at $20 was good and well worth the money.  The Reserve Flight was a significant step up. The 2007 Secret Clone Chardonnay at $40 is a nice, dry, earthy chardonnay with very good balance. I thought the 2006 Reserve Merlot at $50 was okay.  At $60 a bottle the Cosentino 2006 Winemaster Cabernet Sauvignon was the winner for me.  It was a delightful cab with soft tannins that is very drinkable and would cost only $48 if you were a wine club member.  I highly recommend it.  The 2006 Secret Clone Cab is $100 and has nice tannins and balance.  I think it needs some age, though, and would love to try it in a few years. 

Cosentino Winery
7415 St. Helena Hwy
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-1220

Visited 9/10/2011