It’s an interesting question, in that 2020 Napa discussion is so focused on is there smoke taint or not, but I haven’t really heard anything about how good the vintage is, and what style it is, aside from the presence or absence of smoke taint.
I have been a buyer for a long time. I’m on the fence. I was recently up in Napa and a few week prior to heading up, I reached out to Dan for a possible barrel tasting and never heard back. I wanted to check out new winemaker and smoke taint. Lack of response makes me lean towards a NO buy.
Have been a buyer and my friends more than I. Im kinda trying to wind down all purchases as Im starting to feel over inventoried for my projected lifespan. We are hoping to make it to Napa next month and a stop by would defintely be on our list. If I make it by I’ll report back
I just received a call from Dan out of the blue. He had heard from this board that I had reached out and never heard back. He was apologetic and somehow missed my email. He offered for me me to come up and taste the wines and said that the 2020 wines were quite good and possibly on par with 2016’s. I hadn’t planned on getting up to Napa anytime soon, but may try and get up there next week to check them out. Regardless, wanted to pass along the excellent customer service of Dan and Carter Cellars. If I make it up there, I will report back on my thoughts on the 2020’s.
I’d call it creative differences. Russel and Mike seem somewhat similar stylistically, and the Carter team is very strong so I still expect this to be a very good label. Also allows Mike ultimate control over To Kalon and a couple other vineyards as he makes them under his own labels. Excited to see what that looks like.