A Visit to "Continuum Estate" (pics, TNs)

WINE TALK
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Several years ago I traveled up Pritchard Hill to look at vineyards for two wines I really liked, the vineyard for Cloud View Estate, whose 2001 I enjoyed and for Versant, another bold Cab from the region whose 2003 and 2004 I liked as well. Little did I know at the time that the two estates would be combined to form Tim Mondavi’s new venture after he left Mondavi, Continuum Estate.

Some more background. I was fortunate to actually help work on the 2005 Continuum at Quintessa when I worked in the cellar there. That year the wine was made at Quintessa and at the time Tim did not even have a name for his new venture and he certainly had no idea that he would wind up on Pritchard Hill. When I saw him last February at the Napa Premier Auction, he seemed like a changed man; very relaxed and very psyched about the venture in the works.

Today I visited Continuum Estate with some Seven Stones buyers who attended our release party over the weekend for my first (invited) visit to the property. :smiley:

It is still work in progress. 40 acres are planted with 10-20 more in the works. A winery and new visitor’s center are in the planning stages as well. My guess is that the whole thing will be completed in 5 years and when they do, it will be impossible for them to keep the visitors out. Their goal at this time is to make a single high-end wine, maybe 5000 cases worth. The final vineyard planting will be 50% Cab, 40% Franc and 10% Petit Verdot.

Here is the view out towards the Southern part of the valley. Stagecoach Vineyard is out of view to the left.

Here is the view somewhat North. The 2 right-sloping vineyards in the background are Colgin IX, with David Arthur to the left sloping to the left.

We were greeted by Carissa Mondavi, Tim’s daughter, and head of hospitality. She is a true ambassador for the Mondavi family, as she has seen the good times come and go and start up again. You can tell this is a family operation by the way she describes her experiences over time. Her sister, Chiara Mondavi created the label. I always thought it was an oak tree on the label. Oops, it is shadow painting of a 25 year old Cab Franc vine. The original work sits in the current tasting room. Here is Carissa discussing the label, her dog Bayla, and Glenn and Janet Davis.

A winery/visitor’s complex is in the planning stages. It will sit at the highest part of the property and will have 180 degree views to the valley floor. Napa uber-architect Howard Backen (Harlan, Dana, Ovid) is designing it. Here is a pic of the drawing. Notice the glass walls to the tank room. Yeah, good luck having this place “by appointment only!”

continued in part deux…

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…part two…

Carissa took us in a 4 seat quasi-golf cart/off road vehicle to circumnavigate the vineyards. The new blocks are planted 6 by 3. Most of the blocks are about 2/3 through veraison, although one block of Franc was maybe 1%. I was shocked at how far behind the Franc was. My guess is they pick that block the last week of October. If you take a tour here, do NOT over-dress, as the ride is dusty and you will get a bit dirty. But if you want to see where the real stuff happens, it is a small price to pay.

The soil is what you get in this part of the hill, deep red volcanic soils with black andesite rocks. Well drained and very dry. Essentially, the soil in this area is similar to Ovid, Colgin IX and parts of Stagecoach. Tim must be pinching himself to have stumbled upon 60 acres of plantable/available land here in the late 2000s. Very different from the soils of Bryant and Chappellet, on the Lake Hennessey side of Pritchard Hill. Here is a soil profile. Eek!

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Back at the visitors center, we sat down with some tasty olives, cheese and bread…plus a bottle of 2007 Continuum. Through 07, Continuum is primarily sourced from To-Kalon, although the blend is close to what they want it to be going forward…60% Cab, 22% Franc and a whopping 18% Petit Verdot. A note must be said about their incredible estate olive oil, which is both subtle and concentrated, with a nice spice kick. Might be the best Napa olive oil I’ve had, and it is for sale.

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Here is my TN for the wine…

2007 Continuum Napa Valley
Deep purple color. Medium-full to full-bodied. Black currant, spicy black cherry flavors. Quite smooth and not too tannic, this is ready to go now but could easily go 10+ years as well. Velvety smooth texture and nice length.
94pts

Here is my note from last Feb of the 2008, from barrel at the Premier Auction.

2008 Continuum, Napa Valley
Tim is loving life with his 63 planted acres on Pritchard Hill right now. This Cab has a good dose of Franc and PV. It has both elegance and power, good length and class. Red and black fruits with a nice mineral edge, the power needs a couple years to flesh out. A winner. My group bought this lot, fyi.
94+pts

The 08 is a bolder wine than the 07 because it was the first vintage made mostly of Pritchard Hill fruit, but they are both winners in different ways. Each are better than any Mondavi Reserves I can remember in at least a decade plus.

Here is a bottle shot of the beautiful 3L Continuum.

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All in all, a great place and a work in progress already performing at a very high level. They are open by appointment, so if you want to take a gander, email “carissa@continuumestate.com.” The 2008 goes on sale in March, I believe.

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Roy, funny I thought it was an oak tree as well. I’ve been buying Continuum since the first release and I think it keeps getting better & better with each vintage, love the wine.

Great pics and thanks for the notes.

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Roy,

Have you had any of the Versant from 06? I think it was the last year produced before they sold out to Continuum.

Chris

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Thanks, Roy, for the entertaining pictures and commentary. I really enjoy all of your photos as Napa is one of my most favorite places on earth.

I won’t be buying the wine because I think it’s too expensive for my preferred purchases, but would happily drink it if someone is willing to share some!

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What is vintage #1 for their estate grapes?

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I ventured up to Continuum’s new winery this part March. (Warning: Add 5 to 8 minutes to your drive time estimate as it the winery is a long way from the main road, up a beautiful country road.) There is lots of class with this new estate…beautiful grounds, beautiful label, attractive tasting area, nice people.

As for the bug juice itself, I did not quite like the 2007 as much as Roy. There is no denying the smoothness and grace of the wine, but it lacked intrigue and complexity for me. From Roy’s comments, I am eager to visit again and try the 2008.

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Chris, did not have the 06. That’s the only vintage I’ve not had.

Glenn, I believe the 08 is either all estate or mostly estate.

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Roy, from my visit there in April IIRC Carissa said that the 08 will be 80-85% estate fruit, whereas the 07 was only 15-20%.

you didn’t mention Lindsey Maldonado - I hope that she is still there??

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Have to agree with regard to Lindsey. As far as customer service goes she absolutely rocks! She treats customers as though it were her winery vs the Mondavi’s.

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We went in June and absolutely echo Roy’s notes (though the 2008 was not available to taste). Beautiful propoerty and I loved seeing the grounds and the actual dirt that produces the wines. Carissa was great and literally we had to tell her we have had enough olive oil and wine (that was not easy). Tim then cmae up and we spent about 15 minutes discussing the future of the winery and how he loves Cab Franc and how Pritchard Hill in his opinion makes the best Cab Franc in California. Anyway, this has become a must stop for us and on a clear day you can actually see San Francisico.

As for the wine itself, I have been a buyer every year and will continue to do so. This has become our Christmas dinner wine - though it is tough to hold onto.