Last year for our anniversary, C and I went to Napa for a lovely 5-day weekend. Neither of us had been before and being the oenophiles that we are (or think we are) we were so looking forward to it...wanting the romanticized experience of tasting fabulous wines, but with the authenticity of finding new, unknown vintners to bring home with us.
Our first night, we went to the Oxbow Public Market for "locals night" at Hog Island Oyster Company. We were enjoying a dozen oysters, as were many patrons that night, when we noticed our neighbors at the bar received their order with only TEN (gasp) oysters in their dozen. We noticed them counting, whispering, and looking overall perplexed, so we piped in and said "Yes, there are a few missing" and a friendship was born.
Little did we know, but we were sitting next to Tom Bardessano and Kristi Seitz - both winemakers, both unbelievably generous, both wanting to share their wine with us.
After days of double dates and wine tours, tastings and recommendations, we found ourselves quite smitten with the 13 Appellations label (of which Kristi is a partner). My opinion is that it is a true taste of Napa Valley, composed of the 'best of the best' from each sub-appellation in Napa (ex. Rutherford, Yountville, Carneros, Howell Mountain are all sub-appellations). Literally the best juice from each of the best growing regions in Napa? What a fabulous concept! And...a wonderfully complex wine.
We bought several bottles on the spot, followed up by a half case 2 months later. The best part is that the wine continues to impress us, as do the winemakers - since they've begun production there are now 14 appellations, with the addition of Oak Knoll, so we look forward to trying the next bottle of juice (w/ 15?) in the near future!
1 comment:
Can we go back?
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