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The list of worthwhile Napa area wineries and winemakers to visit goes on forever, and Jen and I had the chance to visit with several luminaries during our most recent trip in the area.
First on the list was Keever Vineyards, where Olga Keever gave us the facility and cave tour, and poured each of their current releases. Olga is a wonderful host, and I highly recommend making sure she is your guide if you get a chance to visit.
The property is situated on a beautiful hillside, and this is always a perfect time to visit Napa and Sonoma, with the rapidly changing colors in the vineyards, and the trees throughout the Valley. The Keever home is situated above the vineyard and winery, and winemaker Celia Welch not only helped with the design of their winery, but makes her own wines there as well. The property - a former horse ranch and stables - now has 6 acres planted, in several plots throughout. We first met with Olga in the tasting room, which is intimate and beautifully appointed - very cozy.
Greeting us was a personalized menu, and we started with the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, which Olga mentioned is made in a fuller-bodied style than a typical area Sauvignon Blanc, and we could not disagree. Refreshingly crisp, but with a touch of weight, similar to what Roussane and Marsanne deliver, but without the oily texture. A perfect start to our tour, and the stories about how the Keevers got their start in creating a winery while retired…
Next, Olga poured some of the 2009 Napa Valley Syrah (Page-Nord Vineyard), which was decidedly unique, particularly on the nose, where the typical meatiness and earthiness one might expect was not present, rather, a more fruit-forward approach to Syrah, yet clearly true to the variety from that region. Rich and even, with a long finish - a Napa Syrah for those (like Jen) who do not favor earthy wines.
We then moved, stems in hand, to the caves, via the winery, which can be viewed from the tasting area. Meticulously clean, this winery looks to be a model of efficiency, and I particularly was interested in the short-legged tanks, which are placed below the elevated sorting/destemming walkway, so the berries can be dropped immediately from the sorting table into the tanks. Once in the barrel-lined caves, we continued our tour with a pour of 2010 Inspirado, a Bordeaux blend. Within the cave, they hold events, and we desperately tried to figure out how we might capitalize on that one day - perhaps a BerserkerFest in the future?
After a brief outdoor tour of the rest of the beautiful property, standing atop the winery driveway, we went inside for the wine Keever is most known for, and the entire reason many of the members of Wine Berserkers recommended we visit with Keever. Olga was quite excited, as well, and even though I’m sure she’s done this tour hundreds of times, the pride they have in their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is obvious, and after trying it, very well deserved. It is absolutely spectacular. I truly hope I can find some budget room to grab a few bottles, as it hits the sweet spot of texture, mouthfeel, fruit, complexity, and is packed with superfine dusty tannins. I’m continually amazed how those wineries/winemakers who did 2010 ‘right’ really nailed it. A difficult vintage because of the low yields thanks to the sunburn late in the season, I’ve had some absolutely fantastic cabs from 2010 in Napa, and this is among the very top, for certain.
I encourage you to make an appointment at Keever if you love Cabernet Sauvignon, and please say hello to our friend Olga for us!
Link to article: http://www.wineberserkers.com/content/?p=1142