Favorite Wines from Napa Valley Wineries

The wines listed below are some of our favorite wines from 150 or so Napa Valley wineries we visited over the past few years ending with 2013. There are still many great wineries we have not visited, and there were certain wines that were not offered for tasting at some wineries we visited. When a wine is produced from grapes not grown in Napa Valley, I have tried to make a note of that.

Tasting wines at a winery is somewhat similar to listening to audio speakers in stores. It is brief and very limited. I can tell which ones I like, but not until I take the speakers home, hear them in my own listening room, spend extended periods of time with them and "pair" them with different types of recordings, do I really develop a thorough understanding and appreciation of them.

Sometimes a bottle of wine I take home from a winery does not taste quite as good as I remember it at the winery.  More frequently, however, it is even better than I had initially thought. At home I am able to find that right combination of temperature, air, pairing, etc. in a setting where I can really pay close attention. It is a much different experience than tasting wines blind or tasting numerous wines at one setting. Different types of tastings provide different kinds of information. Visiting a winery, meeting the winemaker, sampling the wines and then slowly and attentively drinking the wine later at home is, for me, the best way to understand and truly appreciate a wine.

Not surprisingly, we were especially impressed with the very high quality of Cabernet Sauvignons in Napa Valley. I think they hold their own with the finest wines in the world. There were so many outstanding Cabs, it was difficult to pick favorites.

We welcome questions from potential visitors to Napa Valley. Please send these directly to me at my email address and do not post them as comments under a winery unless the question relates specifically to that winery.

Please note that all prices were effective at the time of our visit to the winery and might have changed.

Cabernet Franc:

Ballentine 2008 Cabernet Franc $29. 

Chappellet 2009 Cabernet Franc $65

Girard Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc $40

Oakville Ranch 2009 Robert's Blend at $98 Cabernet Franc. My favorite!

Peju 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc, $115

Robert Keenan 2008 Cabernet Franc $60

Stepping Stone 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc, $35 at Cornerstone Cellars

Titus Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Franc $36

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Blends:

Alpha Omega Winery 2007 Proprietary Red, Bordeaux blend, $86

Alpha Omega Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon $85

Alpha Omega 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $92. 

Alpha Omega 2010 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine, $92.  49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc

Artesa 2010 Morisoli-Borges Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), $85. 

Barnett 2009 Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon $140

B Cellars 2008 Synergy Cabernet Sauvignon $55

Bennett Lane Winery 2006 Maximus $35, Bordeaux blend

Beringer 2007 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $89

Burgess Cellars 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon $68

Burgess Cellars 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $80

Cain 2002 Cain Concept $70

Cain 2007 Cain Five $100

Caymus 2010 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, $130. 

Caymus 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $72. 

Ceja 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $50

Chappellet 2009 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon  $135

Chappellet 2009 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon $49

Chateau Montelena 2007 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $135

Corison 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, $115. 

Corison 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, $90. 

Corison 2006 Kronos Cabernet Sauvignon, $119

Corison 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $75. 

Cornerstone Cellars 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, $80

Cornerstone Cellars 2009 The Cornerstone, $125

Cosentino 2006 Winemaster, Cabernet Sauvignon, $60

Cuvaison 2010 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $55

Del Dotto 2011 Oakville Jupille Sylvain Cabernet Sauvignon, $125

Elizabeth Spencer 2007 The Guardian $60

Elyse 2007 Morisoli Vineyard, $70

Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $48. 

Erna Schein (Behrens) 2006 Fat Boy $75, Bordeaux blend

Far Niente 2005 Oakville Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, $175

Foley Johnson 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $75.

Frank Family 2009 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $85. 

Frog's Leap 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $42. 

Girard Winery 2009 Artistry, Bordeaux blend, $40

Grgich Hills Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $60.

Groth 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $125. Wonderful.

Hall 2010 Jack's Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon, $125

Heitz 2006 Martha's Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon $150

Heitz 2002 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $85. 

Heitz 2002 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $200.

Hendry 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $55
Hess Collection 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, $55

Hill Family Estate 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $55. Great value

Hill Family Estate 2007 Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon $150

Hill Family Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon $48

Honig 2009 Campbell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $75

Ideology 2007 Reserve Block Cabernet Sauvignon $68

Inglenook 2006 Captain’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $48

Inglenook Estate 2007 CASK Cabernet Sauvignon $65

Inglenook Estate 2008 CASK Cabernet Sauvignon $65

Jacquelynn Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon $175 (Chateau Boswell)

Joseph Phelps Vineyard 2006 Insignia $200.

Joseph Phelps Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $54

Juslyn 2007 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon $110

Kelly Fleming 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon $120.

Kelly Fleming 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $120.

Kelly Fleming 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon $90

Louis Martini 2007 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon $85

Marston Family Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $120.

Marston Family Vineyard 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon $100

Merryvale 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $65. 

Merryvale 2009 Profile Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend, $165.  87% Cabernet

Neal Family Vineyards 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $65

Neal Family Vineyards 2005 Second Chance Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $75

Neal Family Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $60

Neal Family Vineyards 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet, $48. 

Oakville Ranch 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon at $82

Peju 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $150

Pine Ridge 2009 Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, $85

Quintessa 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $155

Quintessa 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $155

Raymond 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $35

Raymond 2008 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, $75.

Raymond 2009 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, $75.

Raymond 2009 Generations (100% Cabernet Sauvignon), $115. 

Regusci Winery 2008 Angelo’s Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon $125

Regusci Winery 2008 Patriarch Proprietary Blend, Bordeaux blend, $80

Robert Keenan 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $49

Robert Mondavi Reserve 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $135

Rombauer 2007 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, $70

Round Pond 2010 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, $60. 

Rutherford Hill 2007 TFV Cardinal’s Peak $48

Rutherford Hill 2007 TFV Rutherford $62

Salvestrin 2008 Estate "3D" Cabernet Sauvignon, $125.

Sawyer Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $49

Schweiger Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $58

Schweiger Vineyards 2007 Dedication $85

Smith-Madrone 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon $45.

Smith-Madrone 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon $45

Smith-Madrone 2007 Cook's Flat Reserve $200. Fantastic

Somerston Wine Co. 2007 Somerston Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $120

Spring Mountain Vineyard 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $75.

Spring Mountain Vineyard 2005 Elivette, $160.

Spring Mountain Vineyard 2009 Elivette, $125

St. Supery Estate 2006 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon $80

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2007 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon $125

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2008 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon $95

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon $195.

Summers Estate, 2007 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon $70

Terra Valentine 2007 Marriage, Bordeaux blend, $75

Trefethen 2006 Halo (92% Cabernet Sauvignon) $175

Trefethen 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $100

Volker Eisele Family Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $45. 

Volker Eisele Family Estate 2008 Terzetto a Bordeaux style red blend made from equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, $75. 

White Rock Vineyards 2003 Cave Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $85.

White Rock Vineyards 2004 Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon $45.

White Rock Vineyards 2005 Laureate Cave Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $100

White Rock Vineyards 2005 Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon $45.

White Rock Vineyards 2006 Claret, Bordeaux blend, $36.

Charbono:

Hess 2011 Artezan Napa Valley Charbono, $30

Summers Estate Wines 2008 Charbono $28

Chardonnay:

Ceja 2009 Chardonnay at $34

Chateau Boswell Russian River 2009 Chardonnay "The Voyage" $75

Cuvaison 2010 Carneros Chardonnay $23

Cuvaison 2011 Estate Chardonnay, $25.

Del Dotto 2011 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, $85.

Far Niente 2011 Napa Valley Estate Bottled Chardonnay, $63

Grgich Hills Estate 2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay, $42.

Hill Family 2012 Reserve Chardonnay, $65

Robert Keenan 2010 Chardonnay $30

Smith-Madrone 2008 Chardonnay $30

Smith-Madrone 2009 Chardonnay $30. My favorite!

Stony Hill 2010 Chardonnay $42

White Rock Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay $30

White Rock Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay $30

ZD 2009 California Chardonnay $34

Chenin Blanc:

Chappellet 2010 Signature Chenin Blanc $30

Gewürztraminer:

Corison 2009 Gewürztraminer, $30

Stony Hill 2010 Gewürztraminer $24. My favorite.

Grenache:

Burgess Cellars 2009 Grenache $24

Late Harvest white wine:

Dolce 2007 Napa Valley Late Harvest Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc $85 half bottle at Far Niente

Van Der Heyden 2002 Late Harvest Semillon $125 half bottle

Malbec:

Darioush 2010 Captaz Malbec, $48

Merlot:

Barnett 2009 Spring Mountain Merlot $55

Burgess Cellars 2008 Merlot $28

Darioush Winery 2007 Merlot $46

Duckhorn Vineyard 2007 Merlot $52

Paloma 2008 Merlot $54. Outstanding! A great Merlot. My favorite.

Peju 2008 Merlot, $35.

Pride Mountain 2008 Merlot $58

Robert Keenan 2008 Merlot $36

Rutherford Hill 2007 Reserve Merlot, $59

Petite Sirah:

Ballentine 2009 Fig Tree Vineyard Petite Sirah $28

Behrens Family Kick Ranch Petite Sirah $50

Burgess Cellars 2009 Petite Sirah $28

Chase Cellars 2009 Petite Sirah, $50

David Fulton Winery 2009 Old Vines Napa Valley Estate Petite Sirah, $45

Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Petite Sirah, $45

Esoterica (Kent Rasmussen) 2007 Petite Sirah $40. My favorite.

(The 2008 Esoterica is not nearly as good.  The 2009 is not quite as good.)

Gustavo Thrace 2006 Petite Sirah $40.

Raymond 2009 Small Lot Petite Sirah $40

Vincent Arroyo 2011 Petite Sirah, $32

Pinot Noir:

Artesa Limited Release 2011 Carneros Pinot Noir, $50

August Briggs 2010 Russian River Pinot Noir, $38. 

Barnett 2010 Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, $55

Belle Glos 2012 Dairyman Pinot Noir, $44 at Caymus

Clos Pegase Winery 2008 Mitsuko’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Carneros, $35.

Cuvaison 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, $38.

Del Dotto 2012 Allier Vosge Pinot Noir, $75

Etude 2008 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir $42

Etude 2009 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir $42

Merryvale 2011 Stanley Ranch Pinot Noir, $65.

Reata 2011 Napa/Sonoma Pinot Noir, $30. At Jamieson Ranch

Port type:

Beringer 1987 Port of Cabernet Sauvignon $60

Heitz Ink Grade Port NV $30 half bottle, now $36, very reasonably priced

Red blends:

B Cellars 2008 Blend 24 Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangioves/Petite Sirah/Syrah, Super Tuscan $55

Benessere Vineyard 2006 Phenomenon $50, Super Tuscan

Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Bee Bee's Blend, 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet

Sauvignon and 10% Petite Sirah red blend, $41

Hill Family 2010 The Messenger, $48. mostly a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend

Robert Sinskey 2007 Los Carneros Marcien Proprietary Red, $90

Round Pond 2011 Proprietary Red Wine, $80. equal parts Cab, Malbec and Petit Verdot. 

Salvestrin 2008 Retaggio, Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, $45

Riesling:

Smith-Madrone 2010 Riesling $36. Incredible! My favorite!!!

Stepping Stone 2010 Napa Valley Riesling, $20 at Cornerstone Cellars

Stony Hill 2010 “White Riesling” $27

Trefethen 2011 Dry Riesling $22, better than 2009 or 2010, exceptional

Rose and blush wines:

Cuvaison 2012 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir (Rose), $19.  My favorite.

Roussanne:

Truchard 2010 Roussanne $22

Sangiovese:

Benessere Vineyard 2008 Sangiovese $28

Sauvignon Blanc:

Alpha Omega 2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, $38.
Artesa Napa Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $26

Darioush 2012 Signature Sauvignon Blanc, $45

Grgich Hills Estate 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Essence, $48

Hill Family Estate 2010 Tiara Sauvignon Blanc $35

Jacquelynn 2010 Cuvee Blanc $45

Joseph Phelps 2009 ‘St. Helena’ Sauvignon Blanc $30

Kelly Fleming Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc $30. Great! My favorite.

Marston Family Vineyard 2010 Albion $50.  Really nice.

Neal Family Vineyards 2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, $18

Peirson Meyer 2010 Sauvignon Blanc $28.

Robert Mondavi 2010 Stag’s Leap District Sauvignon Blanc $32

Robert Mondavi 2009 Fume Blanc $20 (sale $13 Safeway) Great value

Robert Mondavi 2011 Oakville 2011 Fume Blanc, $32. 

Solovino 2009 Sauvignon Blanc $19, good value

Syrah:

Cakebread 2009 Napa Valley Syrah $55

Cuvaison Estate Wines 2009 Diablo Syrah $35

Darioush Winery 2008 “Shiraz” $68

Robert Keenan 2008 Napa Valley Syrah $38

Viognier:

Darioush 2012 Signature Viognier, $41

Reata 2010 Napa Valley Viognier, $35. At Jamieson Ranch

Storybook Mountain Vineyards 2011 Napa Valley Viognier, $35.

Zinfandel:

August Briggs 2010 Page Nord Napa Valley Syrah, $32

Ballentine 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel $25

Caymus 2010 Zinfandel, $38.

Chase Cellars 2009 Hayne Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel, $75

Elyse 2008 Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard (Rutherford) $37

Frank Family 2010 Napa Valley Zinfandel, $36.75. 

Hendry 2007 Block 28 Zinfandel $35

Highlands Winery 2006 Howell Mountain Zinfandel $29

Jana Winery 2006 Old Vines Napa Valley Zinfandel, $35 at David Fulton Winery

Neal Family 2011 Rutherford Dust Vineyards Zinfandel, $24.

Robert Biale 2009 Monte Rosso Zinfandel $50. My favorite.

Storybook Mountain Vineyards 2009 Napa Estate, Antaeus (Zinfandel blend), $40.