Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/101724
DEPARTMENT HEADER Legends of Napa Valley W hat if you decided to put on a tasting to illustrate the evolution of Napa Valley—from sleepy backwater to the epicenter of the American wine industry? That was the idea and for nearly six months THE TASTING PANEL ofice along with the staff of Karlitz & Co. in New York wheedled, cajolled and begged Napa's most historic and important wineries to open up their cellars to us. We planned a chronological look at historic wines on the irst day, leading into current superstars on the second day. We cadged two bottles of each of 77 target wines for the tasting, enough for 36 lucky tasters.Along the way, we discovered that many of the top wines were grown in vineyards owned by Andy Beckstoffer and that many of them were made by Heidi Peterson Barrett, so it made sense to feature a special tribute to each of these Napa giants as part of the event. The tasting took place over two rainy days at the Rudd Center at Greystone, California headquarters of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. I was the moderator, assisted by a stellar panel that included Karen MacNeil, Director of the CIA's Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies; Nicolas Jackson, ine wine expert from Sotheby's ; and Alder Yarrow, America's top wine blogger. The tasting cost $3500 per taster, with proceeds going to the CIA Scholarship fund. What follows are my tasting notes for this historic tasting. It was deinitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 104 / the tasting panel / january 2013 TASTING THE HISTORY OF AMERICA'S MOST CELEBRATED WINE REGION by Anthony Dias Blue DAY 1, SESSION 1 2001 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs, Late Disgorged Bright and juicy with yeast; vibrant, lush and crisp with a hint of oak and minerals; complex, layered and quite stunning. Disgorged November 2011. 94 presented by Keith Hock, Winemaker 2004 Stony Hill Chardonnay Silky smooth, mellow and balanced with lovely intensity; lush and clean; ripe; pure Chardonnay. 91 presented by Peter McCrea, Principal 1976 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Creamy and deep; clean and juicy pineapple; toasty and elegant with burnished color and rich lavors; stunning and timeless. 94 presented by Bo Barrett, Winemaker 2010 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay, Paris Tasting Tribute Bright, fresh, juicy and smooth; elegant minerality and inesse; lovely. Biodynamic. 92 presented by Ivo Jeramaz, Vice President of Vineyard and Production 1957 Louis M. Martini Pinot Noir , Carneros Fresh! Smooth and toasty; elegant and lovely with maturity and depth; vibrant and alive; a revelation!. 93 presented by Mike and Jacque Martini, Winemaker and wife 1966 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage Selection Smooth and lush; elegant with earthy minerals and herbs; lovely depth and seamless cedar; red plum and spice; long, lovely and balanced. 93 presented by Alycia Mondavi, Mondavi family 1967 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Rich and spicy; mature, smooth and toasty; elegant and balanced. (This wine was not sanctioned by the winery. It was purchased from a private collector.) 90 1968 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Georges de Latour Powerful, intense, rich and luscious; sweet plum and red meat; spicy and mature. 93 1977 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve Rich and powerful; luscious, supple and vibrant; meaty, minty, concentrated and minerally with great depth and length. The irst Beringer Private Reserve. 94 1978 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Rich and spicy with lovely maturity; long, seamless and very vibrant; graceful soft tannins; notes of earth and plum. 94 presented by Bo Barrett, Winemaker