posted 02-17-2012 06:45 AM            

I have been told that Spottswoode is one of those cult wines. I purchased a couple bottles of the '08 Estate Cab early last year. We opened a bottle, I believe for our anniversary. It was one big, powerful Cab that I would highly recommend although it is a little on the upper end of my price point.

I liked it so well, that we are going to take their tour in March and hopefully, purchase a couple more bottles. If you have a chance, you might check them out.

posted 02-16-2012 05:43 PM         

I can see we have similar tastes on wines (or at least wineries).

RC456,

I would definitely second Bistro Jeanty and Solbar.

posted 02-13-2012 06:01 PM         

Cakebread Cellars, Hwy 29 Rutherford
ZD, Silverado Trail Rutherford (btw, Mumm is close by ZD for the sparkling wines portion)

For Restaurantes:
Bistro Jeanty, Yountville (we have reservation for our May trip)
Bottega, Yountville (Michael Chiarello)
Mustards Grill & Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen (both owned by Cindy Pawlcyn)
Brannan's Grill, Calistoga
Solbar, Calistoga
Gott's Roadside / Taylors Refresher, St Helena (good for a change of pace)
We also like the Wine Spectator Rest. located at CIA Greystone.

But really, hard to go wrong with most places. I only listed the Napa side....if you want some places on the Sonoma side, let me know.

Here is tripadvisor link to Napa restaurantes:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g580460-Napa_Valley_California.html

RC

posted 02-13-2012 06:52 AM            

I will make some winery suggestions based on appellations. Many of these require an appointment. You can find a good map on this Board at NapaValley.com then left click on Visitor Information and look for maps.

STAGS LEAP DISTRICT
Cliff Lede, Robert Sinskey, Shafer, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (not the Winery), Hartwell

YOUNTVILLE DISTRICT (Tasting Rooms in the town of Yountville)
Girard, Jessup, Chiarello, Cornerstone, Hope & Grace, plus others scattered around. If you like bubbly, Domaine Chandon is on the other side of Hwy 29

RUTHERFORD DISTRICT
Grgich Hills, Provenance, Sawyer (excellent Merlot), Frog's Leap and a special place, Hall Rutherford (mentioned by RichardSE also.

SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Newton, Spring Mountain, Robert Keenan, Schweiger, and Pride Mountain.

HOWELL MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Burgess, Ladera, Bremer Family, Black Sears, Outpost, O'Shaughnessy

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Reverie, Von Strasser, Dyer, Diamond Terrace

CALISTOGA DISTRICT
Bennett Lane, Chateau Montelena (famous for the movie Bottle Shock and also their Chard won the 1976 Paris tasting), Vincent Arroyo, plus their are some tasting rooms in Calistoga proper.

Hope this gives you some ideas. I am sure others could add to this list.

-Hawkeye

posted 02-12-2012 09:41 PM         

Hall Rutherford -- It has an incredible tour/tasting. This is the place in Howell Mountain, not the tasting room on the valley floor. The art work is incredible, the wines are very good, the staff a little too pretentious, but it's one of the best tours/tastings that I've ever experienced.

Silverado Vineyards has some great wines including if you're lucky, some older vintages. My wife loves the wine filled chocolates there. I love their limited and single vineyard cabs, but they also have a nice chard.

Chappellet also on Pritchard Hill has some great wines. I love their Signature Cab (and their Pritchard Hill Cab) and the Signature Chard is one of the best I've had.