Anyone have any recent experience ? I’ve seen a few snippets of folks who did not have good visits in the past. Wondering if there is any recent impressions ? I’ve always been interested in going and thinking about adding them to this years trip.
I’ve only had the regular Napa cab but think it’s a great wine for the $$. Tried the 2010 this week and while very young it was very good and as usual should reward 5-7 years.
A good friend of mine dropped them after his last visit several years ago.
I think they also shipped his wine in hot weather.
I haven’t talked to anyone who has visited lately but I do like the wines.
i havent been up there in about 4-5 years, but Gove spent about 90 minutes with us. The tour & tasting were what you would expect. I generally like the reg cabs as well, and my wife loves the zin - both great qpr. The 2001 cab is singing these days!
Thanks guys
Joe D- do you remember if you tasted through the svd cabs as well ?
We’re going in about 6 weeks. Mark and his family has been very good to us.
Gove, Kelly, Mark and his kids are like family… but that’s just me.
I’m like Bud. Mark has received some criticism and for all I know, maybe warranted? He’s been a prince to me, my wife and friends. We’ve attended his “cellar depletion” party several times and he was a considerate host, as were Gove, Kelly and the team. We had dinner with him in Calistoga on our last trip to Napa. Again, a pleasure to be with.
He’s an introvert, so perhaps some folks mistake that for a lack of warmth? I don’t know. But I wouldn’t hesitate to visit if so inclined.
I too have had great experiences tasting there.
Love the wine, but it is an underwhelming visit with all of the other options in Napa/Howell.
A couple years back was visiting Ladera and they made a last minute call for me. Gove could not have been nicer.
It has been a while but we had a great visit and the grounds/flowers are pretty spectacular.
Thanks for the updates.
Bud- will be interested in the wines you taste. I looked at their website and some of their current release SVD wines are older vintages. Did prior visits include tasting the SVD’s ?
We’ve had a little bit of everything, Fred. Sauv blanc, chardonnay, petite sirah, and any number of cabs… but then again, we’re regular visitors. I don’t know if that makes a difference or not.
Fred - I think we did taste through the 05 svd’s.
Thanks guys…
Bud- let us know how this year’s trip goes.
How did the tasting go? We will be there in Sept and I am fine tuning our day in Napa. I have not been to the winery. I meet him briefly, at the 2010 napa valley barrel auction, and he was very disinterested. Maybe the introvert side someone mentioned. We do enjoy the wine and it has always been on my list of good QPR for Cabs. During the tastings do you barrel sample or taste upcoming releases?
Thanks for your help!
When the winery was very new he stood me up; it’s impossible to forget.
Not Bud but in the past the tastings were both new releases from the bottle and some barrel samples. I’m not sure the barrel samples are on the standard itinerary, think our relationship with Mark might have led to that part of one visit. I will say Mark never charges for a tasting and is very vocal that he thinks charging is BS, something that seems very rare these days in Napa if you are not a regular mailing list customer.
Since Mark is a vineyard manager, his availability in September may be questionable. That’s why we visit in late July before harvest starts.
Mark and his family have become good friends with us. Along with Gove and Kelly, the winemakers, we get together when we can for some wine, dinner, and acoustic guitar music. Our visit to Neal this year was a major highlight of our two weeks in wine country.
My wife and I were fortunate to be among Bud’s entourage a few years ago. Mark hosted a wonderful evening for all of us. And we adore Gove. He’s a loveable Gandalf-type sort of guy.
Looks like you need to go back!!!