Rafanelli is at best a 20 minute stop or less. 2 pours. No tour; we’ve seen the cave and the property. Dutcher Crossing was maybe a 30 minute stop, bar tasting. Ridge was a drop in and they were closing but agreed to sell us a glass or two of Monte Bello. We weren’t there more than 20 minutes either.
Things just move quicker with that setup. Wilson was a drop in because we had the extra time. You can’t do that over in Napa.
Considering the distances esp. in Sonoma, you covered a lot of ground! I agree fully on your take at R. Craig, although I can’t say with any certainty that I have detected a meaningful difference between the Veeder properties. I also have a particular liking of their Spring Mtn.
I’ve been a big fan and of the O’Shaughnessy wines. Have many of them in the cellar and they don’t disappoint when I pull them out.
Thanks for the notes. I haven’t tried a some of the wineries.
Can you let us know what your Top 10 wines of the trip were?
Ouch this one will be tough. I will put some thought into it and put together a list.
Top 10 for this trip.
23’ Jasud Own Rooted
23’ Jasud
13’ Beta Montecillo out of magnum
23’ Mowe Sauvignon Blanc - yes it’s THAT good
18’ Ridge Monte Bello
22’ Jasud
23’ Mowe Cab, the 22’ is actually drinking better now.
15’ Robert Craig Pym Rae Cab
15’ Red Cap cab
03’ Pride Merlot from a 3L
24’ Jasud, too young right now.
Keenan wines were mostly tight, they gotta lay down a long time
Honorable mentions to Bucklin’s Mixed Whites and Ancient Field Blend. I should also note Chateau Boswell’s 2017 Absolutely Eloise Bentrock Vineyard Pinot was a great glass of wine. But $$$$
Jeff,
Appreciate sharing with the group your experience with the wines and your visit with Renee and I. Just a tiny clarification - the SB we poured was the 2023 (not 22) and it was just bottled 3 weeks ago so was not showing its best self which makes your feedback even more exciting for us. I expect it will improve dramatically over the next 6 mo when we release it.
Cheers all 
Ketan also poured the 13 montecillo mag last fall when i visited. It was superb!
Jeff - what was the boswell pricing like? their pricing has long been obnoxious.
so the cab prices are what i’d expect. the pinot prices are fucking hilarious. i wouldn’t pay $55 a btl for sun chase pinot, let alone $155. just goofy shit.
i guess susan needs a new birkin.
I brought up Rivers Marie Purrington Rued and the host noted they get theirs from different blocks. Guess those blocks should be more than double what TRB charges then.
I hadn’t been there before and didn’t know if the pricing model was because they lost the winery due to fire or if it was always this way. I would consider the pricing tone deaf but more power to them if they can sell it out.
they have a great actual winemaker if she still is there, i believe she is. so the quality of winemaker is quite high. however, yea, they operate a little silly.
yes she is still there with Melka as the consultant
Awesome report big dog
Excellent report; thanks so much!
Awesome write-up Jeff! Lots of personal connections in this one for me… Dustin is a good friend and mentor, and my wife actually worked her first harvest at Robert Craig back in 2015. You’re spot on with their quality and value!
We are releasing our first vintage of estate cab (2023) at the end of this year… Our property and label is called Sown Estate - “Old Napa” style all the way, similar to Mowe, but with rugged mountain tannins from our rocky site at 1,100 ft on Mt George. True estate model, grown and made by hand on property. All organic farming, small production, native fermentation, lower abv, ripping acidity. Would love to host for a tasting at the vineyard next time you’re in Napa. That goes for all WB by the way! Cheers!
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
Can you share what release price point will be?
Hi James, we’re still working on the release price at this time. Thanks for your interest!
