The Napa Valley is the USA's most famous wine region. It is a north-south valley, running from San Francisco up to Mount St.Helena. It contains a huge variety of soil varieties and micro climates, which have in turn led to numerous AVAs being created.
"This bottling has been getting steadily richer and better over the years and has now reached the point where it’s an authentic Carneros beauty. The ’06 is a Pinot Noir to drink now, to savor its raspberry and cherry freshness, crispness and silky texture." — Steve Heimoff
Tasting notes: Fresh and vibrant, the 2008 Frog’s Leap Chardonnay abandons contemporary trends of big oak and butter for crisp acidity and a bright finish. Aromas of pear and white peaches are layered with delicate notes of honeysuckle and peach blossoms. The wine enters the palate with flavors of green apple, citrus, and a hint of vanilla; all underscored by its racier mineral-and-slate essence. With a finish that is clean and tart, it practically begs for the next sip-making it a great wine to pair with your meal.
Tasting notes: Sourced primarily from two Stags Leap Districts - the famed Hillside estate and the Borderline vineyard - this generation-and-a-half idea is a great selection for Shafer lovers who might not be able to indulge in the Hillside Select (or can't get their hands on a bottle). Sweet blackberry, plum and current fruit aromas and flavors are complemented by nuances of savory herbs, cocoa and cigar box (complete with cigars!).
"Bright, medium ruby-red. Expressive, rather wild nose melds cassis, black cherry, tobacco, iron, mocha, leather and brown spices. A bit less plump than the 2005 version, but suave and vinous, with good cut and life to the varietally typical flavors of currant, leather, mocha and tobacco leaf. This slightly restrained, soil-driven wine still needs time to unwind and will merit a higher score if time brings more pliancy. Finishes with firm, building tannins and sneaky length." (May/June '09) 90 points Wine Enthusiast.
Tasting notes: Aiming to make a very satisfying Napa Cabernet and not a showy one, winemakers John Williams and Paula Moschetti followed the lessons of many Bordeaux-style predecessors, the net result of which is a wine that is just as balanced and drinkable young as it is old. The 2007 carries a nose of black fruit and fresh herbs, followed by tastes of ripe plum and black currants, finished with hints of cedar and velvety tannins.
