Had the pleasure to visit and taste with Jill Matthiasson at the family home in north Napa and situated in the Linda Vista vineyard from which they make a delightful Chardonnay. Ok folks, this is a winery to investigate if you are into unconventional grapes (Ribolla Gialla, a white grape seen mostly in far NE Italy), old school-food friendly-balanced winemaking with Napa cabernet and merlot and/or just delicious, fresh wines that are concentrated but show absolutely no heaviness.
We had just spent 3 days in Sonoma on what you might call a “In Pursuit of Balance” tour (Ceritas, Kutch, Peay, Littorai, Copain and Wind Gap). Matthiasson is the soulmate to those folks but located in a Napa.
The alcohols here are 11.8 to 12.7 if I recall correctly on the whites. All have prominent acid, but in a balanced presentation. For comparison, I found them slightly richer than Ceritas but leaner than Peay. Not that Peay is rich by any means in the big picture of CA chard producers.
The Bordeaux varietals were mid 13s I think. They were just lovely, a throwback to some of the pioneers who made balanced, age worthy Napa reds begging for a nice red meat dish. Just wow. Won’t impress your big boy Napa cab buddies, but so exciting to see these wines made this way.
Also met Steve briefly, he and wife Jill are so unassuming and fun. They are on a journey that I pray continues to develop and prosper. It’s not easy to reach your goals based in Napa doing things “against the grain”. Give them a look and help them carry the balanced banner if so inclined.
I had discovered the wines from listening to Steve’s podcast interview with Levi Dalton (I’ll drink to that - check I out on iTunes along with many other interesting wine folks).
John, I do like Matthiasson and have visited like you to their cool property off 29. They are making wines in the style and register that I appreciate (you and I drink very similarly, the same producers). The Linda Vista chard is a terrific value, as is their Napa White Wine. I own both.
FWIW, I too appreciate Jill and Steve as they continue every year to support our annual wine charity event for Laura’s House. They consistently send wine and so they not only make great wine, they also support the community and through it, our local cause here in OC.
Thanks Mike. I had almost given up on Napa cab/merlot, but these wines are just what I’m looking for in a hearty red.
I’m a red burg nut mostly, but the wife doesn’t like what she describes as “box of rocks”, so I have been focused on finding CA pinots that we both enjoy. And also Chards as the premox issue and white burg pricing is so frustrating.
This board helped me greatly as I started my wish list of producers to visit. I really couldn’t have had such an accelerated path without reading what people say here. Reminds me, I need to re-up as a subscriber that lapsed recently.
John- thanks for posting and sounds like a very nice trip. Did you post anything on your visit to Copain and Wind Gap ? Would be interested on your take. Will be in the area in October and kicking around the schedule.
Yup, David…just got their Vermouth but haven’t tried it yet. The Massican Vermouth, though, is stellar.
I’ve only had their reds when they’ve opened them at RibollaFest. The CabFranc was excellent,
very earthy in style like a Loire. Their Refosco (dal PeduncolaRosso) was one of the best Refoscos
I’ve yet had…including from Friuli.
Tom
We tasted Wind Gap at their tasting room at the Barlow in Sebastopol - a really cool space. I recall really liking the Rose and Trousseau Gris. I found the Pinots and Syrahs a bit lean for my palate - probably the leanest wines I had during the trip.
We did the “reserve” tasting at Copain. I liked the P2 quite a bit, a co fermented Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris served chilled. I found the Chard from Brousseau vineyard a little strange, almost yeasty like some champagnes. The two Pinots - Kiser En Bas and Kiser En Haut - were very good. The En Haut (2010 I think) was just beautiful. Lastly, they served us a 2006 Syrah from James Berry vineyard. I thought this was odd since it reflects the more extracted style Wells used to favor. Not my cup of tea.
John- thanks, that was just what i was looking for. I have some other priorities for the Sonoma day and will depend on harvest activities. Ceritas is at the top of the list.
We kicked off our trip with a quick stop at Matthiasson with Jill. We were running late and they are in the midst of repairing their home from quake damage. Jill was a great host and we sat in the barn to taste.
John- your impressions of the wines are spot on. We had 3 whites- the 13 Linda Vista Chard the 12 White blend and the 13 Ribolla Gialla. I would have really liked to try the first 2 with food. I think the acid in them will stand up to a variety of foods. I liked and bought both of them. The Ribolla was a really interesting wine. Served at cellar temp the finish and mouth feel reminded me of a Red.
We had the 11 Cab and 11 Red Hen Merlot and I thought as well that these should be similar to a lot of Napa wines being made pre 94. I thought the Merlot was outstanding although a bit pricey. I took one of my bottles with me to try again later in the trip. I think a 90 min decant would have really made the wine show even better but it was very impressive. It’s really built to last.
Glad to see you enjoyed the visit, please post on the rest of your stops too!
The reds are not cheap, but that’s the economics in Napa these days as a negotiant I’m afraid. I’m relatively impressed they can offer the reds for $80 (or less) given the quality. Wine club membership does get you 15-20% off on all purchases. Free shipping too at their top level.