Dinner at elements at Sanctuary Resort Scottsdale. Half price wine yes please. Again, we like orange wine and this one was great.
Whats in your wine cellar?
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Last: 3 days ago by WestUAg
FTAco07 said:
I opened a 2018 Plumpjack tonight. It's not really my style of wine anymore, but it's a good example of a big Napa cab.
You're not alone about big Napa wines.
When I was younger I hoped that I could afford the big luscious Napa wines. Now that I can afford them, I don't really like them that much. I have a friend that only drinks Silver Oak Napa. I don't get it.
Formerly CowPieAndFries
I've been to all those except Ab Astris. Lewis has its moments, and Lost Draw has been good the times we've been there. Adega Vinho was another one we liked too. I just haven't found anything that's blown my socks off and made me want to join their club.bularry said:HTownAg98 said:Matsui said:
Topic:
Wine clubs
Which ones are the consensus top performers in Texas?
I would say Inwood and Calais would be the top two. We used to be members of both Kuhlmann and William Chris, but dropped both of them about two years ago. We dropped William Chris because we felt the quality of the wines started going down. I suspect it's because they started putting their better vineyard sites into their high-end project, but I have zero proof of that. We also had a bad experience at one of their release parties. Kids were throwing a ball and knocked over our bottle of wine. No apology from the kid, and the parent saw their child do it and didn't offer to make it right, much less apologize. So we've swore off of release parties in general where children are allowed. I don't know when bringing your children to a bar or winery became a thing, but that's a separate discussion.
We also dropped Kuhlmann after they sold to Heath/Grape Creek. They started bringing in more California fruit, which goes against what was the original plan that Benedicte had when she owned the winery. And the wines they were bringing in weren't that great, so they got dropped.
I've tried a C.L. Butaud wine, and it was good. I need to try their entire lineup.
If you are looking for other options, a couple of places that I think are trying to make Texas wine that is serious and reflective of their vineyards include Adega Vinho and Ab Astris. Maybe Lewis wines and Lost Draw, too worth a look.
2019 Fe drinking nicely
I had a 2019 Vatan (Tinta de Toro) last night ... very good Spanish wine from vines planted way back in 1900.
Those Spanish reds are a great value. Vatan retails for under $40.
Those Spanish reds are a great value. Vatan retails for under $40.
An interesting Cote-Rotie style Syrah from the Columbia Valley. Pretty tasty for $35.
Solids Napa Pinot
EclipseAg said:
I had a 2019 Vatan (Tinta de Toro) last night ... very good Spanish wine from vines planted way back in 1900.
Those Spanish reds are a great value. Vatan retails for under $40.
Here in Spain now. Yes, very drinkable wine at very reasonable restaurant prices.
HTownAg98 said:
An interesting Cote-Rotie style Syrah from the Columbia Valley. Pretty tasty for $35.
I'll check it out. We are in CV now. Interesting that a winery from Walla Walla is making a CV Syrah.
BigAg95 said:HTownAg98 said:
An interesting Cote-Rotie style Syrah from the Columbia Valley. Pretty tasty for $35.
I'll check it out. We are in CV now. Interesting that a winery from Walla Walla is making a CV Syrah.
Just about all the Walla Walls wineries make some CV wines... CV covers a lot of sub appellations
You always remember your first.
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Objective Aggie said:
You always remember your first.
This is how you Monday
Maybe it's time for a Houston Macdonald dinner, we all bring a bottle and Theo all the vintages.
Who has a bottle they can bring?
Who has a bottle they can bring?
Next week we go to Italy for a couple weeks. We will make stops in Florence, Lake Como and Tuscany. I'm excited by it all but most intrigued by Tuscany. We were supposed to go in 2020 and Covid effed that up and we're just now getting around to rescheduling.
The first winery we will visit is Ricasoli in Chianti Classico. Just curious if anyone on this thread is familiar with their wines.
https://www.ricasoli.com/
The first winery we will visit is Ricasoli in Chianti Classico. Just curious if anyone on this thread is familiar with their wines.
https://www.ricasoli.com/
You're from down South,
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
WestUAg said:
Maybe it's time for a Houston Macdonald dinner, we all bring a bottle and Theo all the vintages.
Who has a bottle they can bring?
Cautiously raises hand while thinking about how bad he felt after the last time he answered WestU's call.
JCA1 said:WestUAg said:
Maybe it's time for a Houston Macdonald dinner, we all bring a bottle and Theo all the vintages.
Who has a bottle they can bring?
Cautiously raises hand while thinking about how bad he felt after the last time he answered WestU's call.
It was rather excessive, wasn't it? And…interested.
DG-Ag said:
Next week we go to Italy for a couple weeks. We will make stops in Florence, Lake Como and Tuscany. I'm excited by it all but most intrigued by Tuscany. We were supposed to go in 2020 and Covid effed that up and we're just now getting around to rescheduling.
The first winery we will visit is Ricasoli in Chianti Classico. Just curious if anyone on this thread is familiar with their wines.
https://www.ricasoli.com/
I'm not familiar with those wines but I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip. Drinking wine in Tuscany automatically makes it taste better! We found Montalcino to be visitor friendly, and stopped by 5-6 wineries there (and dinner in town). It's certainly beautiful out there. Enjoy!
JCA1 said:WestUAg said:
Maybe it's time for a Houston Macdonald dinner, we all bring a bottle and Theo all the vintages.
Who has a bottle they can bring?
Cautiously raises hand while thinking about how bad he felt after the last time he answered WestU's call.
Can I come if I don't have a Macdonald bottle? I have a magnum 2011 Realm Beckstoffer To Kalon I need an excuse to open.....
We stayed 10 km away but did not tour this vineyard. It's a beautiful area.
If you visit Bellagio on your Lake Como leg, there are some small,family owned vineyards in that area. A restaurant that features those local wines Ristorante Salice Blu is a must.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHv6QQfCcLbykjNx6?g_st=ipc
In Tuscany, we focused on Brunello, but we did hit Antinori del Chianti. What a multi million dollar operation! I prefer the smaller ones myself.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qtWjdskWcAi54AB6?g_st=ipc
If you visit Bellagio on your Lake Como leg, there are some small,family owned vineyards in that area. A restaurant that features those local wines Ristorante Salice Blu is a must.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHv6QQfCcLbykjNx6?g_st=ipc
In Tuscany, we focused on Brunello, but we did hit Antinori del Chianti. What a multi million dollar operation! I prefer the smaller ones myself.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qtWjdskWcAi54AB6?g_st=ipc
DG-Ag said:
Next week we go to Italy for a couple weeks. We will make stops in Florence, Lake Como and Tuscany. I'm excited by it all but most intrigued by Tuscany. We were supposed to go in 2020 and Covid effed that up and we're just now getting around to rescheduling.
The first winery we will visit is Ricasoli in Chianti Classico. Just curious if anyone on this thread is familiar with their wines.
https://www.ricasoli.com/
It's all great. Look for the black rooster - generally higher quality on the chianti classicos. If you want to get out of the comfort zone, there is actually a lot of fun syrah producers in Cortona. We really enjoyed that and actually buy more of that than we do sangio from italy.
Have fun!
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Ashes & Diamonds has a lot of outdoor and is ok with youngsters. Wine is good, not great
QBCade said:streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Ashes & Diamonds has a lot of outdoor and is ok with youngsters. Wine is good, not great
Ashes & Diamonds sounds like a smalltown two steppin place.
streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
V Sattui was nice. Lot of outdoor space with picnic tables. Really nice setting. There were a lot of kids running around while we were there. There are better wines out there but they were decent.
https://www.vsattui.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2pGlRsNNo126NvQOs45aZPevvwczv-0FFFfhQISSAewkzCi_f
You're from down South,
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Forgot about this one - Castello di Amorosa.
Super rich guy built this replica medieval castle. Brought a lot of stuff over from Europe. Even has a dungeon and armory. Kids - especially boys - will think this is cool. Pretty decent wine.
Now I remember - built by Dario Sattui who also owns/built the the other one I referred to above (V Sattui).
https://castellodiamorosa.com/
You're from down South,
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
DG-Ag said:streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Forgot about this one - Castello di Amorosa.
Super rich guy built this replica medieval castle. Brought a lot of stuff over from Europe. Even has a dungeon and armory. Kids - especially boys - will think this is cool. Pretty decent wine.
Now I remember - built by Dario Sattui who also owns/built the the other one I referred to above (V Sattui).
https://castellodiamorosa.com/
I came here to post this one.
Food is good but not crazy uscale.
streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
The Bistro tasting at Inglenook is very nice. You can sit outside and order by the bottle or glass and they offer light bites as well.
Children are allowed and they even have wooden sailboats for older kids to play with in the fountains.
Objective Aggie said:QBCade said:streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Ashes & Diamonds has a lot of outdoor and is ok with youngsters. Wine is good, not great
Ashes & Diamonds sounds like a smalltown two steppin place.
I know, right? But it actually has a cool mid-century modern vibe.
streetfighter2012 said:
Any recommendations for more casual/low key tasting experiences in Napa area that are ok with a 20 month old? Will be out there next month with my wife, our daughter and the in-laws. I'm thinking something along the lines of a spot with a patio or picnic tables outside that are ok if I walk around the grounds with my daughter while my wife and her parents are sitting and enjoying the experience.
Another good one and this one - Pride Mountain Vineyards - was hands down my favorite on our last trip to Napa. And I thought the wine was OUTSTANDING - some of the best I've ever had out there - and brought a bunch home with us back to Texas. Spectacular scenery. Lot of outdoor space and picnic tables. The drive up to it was very scenic. Highly recommend.
https://www.pridewines.com/acquire/?view=allocation
You're from down South,
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
And when you open your mouth,
You always seem to put your foot there.
A buddy was in Napa several years ago with kids and Trefethen was very accommodating (and a few others were definitely not but I don't remember who at this point).
Honestly, I'd come up with a couple places I would like to go and then just call and explain to them what's going on and see if they can accommodate
Honestly, I'd come up with a couple places I would like to go and then just call and explain to them what's going on and see if they can accommodate
Have any of you tried this one yet?
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