Five Napa Valley Wines You Should Try in 2016

As we enter 2016, a new year brings new beginnings and more wine choices for that special event as new vintages will be released.

While I typically will focus on local wine within the $10-$50 range, with the start of 2016, I wanted to put 5-wines and wineries on your radar for 2016 to try or visit. Due to the cost of these wines being in the $100+ range, by sharing them in January, it allows you some time to plan to purchase some high quality Napa wine.

These wine are perfect for that special event from an anniversary to an engagement, a birthday gift, a retirement or just for a quick day trip to Napa to to a break from the everyday grind known as life.

Here are five wines and wineries you should try this year in the Napa Valley area:

2012 Plumpjack Estate Cabernet
Price: $104
The long, mild growing season allowed for a long hang time with even ripening and outstanding flavor development and tannin maturity. The flavors coming out of our Estate vineyard in Oakville were absolutely amazing and these flavors have persisted throughout fermentation and aging. The fruit on the nose is intense and lively with aromas of black cherry and raspberry followed by iron, crushed granite, and sage, all laced with mocha and vanilla. This wine has a rich and concentrated palate with great structure and an enduring finish.

Editors Note – their 2013 Cabernet just received a 100 point score by Robert Parker.

To visit Plumpjack Cellars, they are located at 620 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville CA 94558.
They are open to the public daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

You may contact them at (707) 945-1220 or email [email protected]

For more information, visit www.plumpjackwinery.com

Photo by Silver Oak

Silver Oak 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet
Price: $110

The 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a seamless wine that expresses bright, fresh fruit characters from an unusually cool California vintage. It has a vibrant, ruby color and a complex nose of boysenberries, blueberries, sage, licorice and roasted chicory. It has a luscious mouthfeel with notes of fresh fruit and carnation flowers on the palate. It has fine-grained tannins and a velvety texture that leads to a long, fruit-filled finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2031.

To visit Silver Oak Cellars, they are located at 915 Oakville Cross Rd, Oakville CA 94562. (707) 942-7022. They are open Mon-Sat 9am – 5pm & Sun 11am – 5pm.

To make a reservation
Call (707) 942-7026 or email us at [email protected]

For more information, visit www.silveroak.com

Quintessa Red 2012
Price: $165
An inviting nose of fresh cherries, currants, and red plum accentuate the complex aromatics of crushed wet rock, sandalwood, and clove. A bright and silky entry is immediately accompanied by a vibrant layered juicy core, presenting beautiful elegance to this wine. The finish is lingering yet focused, showing striking definition, balance and finesse

To visit Quintessa, you may call (707) 286-2730 to request an appointment. Reservations are available to visitors by appointment only between 10am and 4pm daily. Appointments are reserved with a credit card to be charged the full reservation fee at the time of booking. Full refunds will be provided for cancellations with 48 hours advance notice.

Parties of over 10 will need to make special arrangements due to seating limitations. We apologize, but our permit does not allow for picnicking.

For more information on Quintessa, visit them at www.quintessa.com

David Arthur Elevation 1147
Price: $215
The 2013 Elevation is massive wine with a dense deep ruby color offering aromas of spicy brambled baked fruit of blackberry and current, that transition to earth driven aromatics of forest-wet soil, cocoa nibs, and spice tones like wild sage/bay laurel, bergamot/black tea and hints of cedar. The palate is rich, broad and fleshy with a seductively fine grain, yet rigidly built texture finishing with baked cherry, licorice candy and persistence. Best from 2016 to 2036.

To visit David Arthur Estate, its located at the top of Pritchard Hill where all visits are by appointment only. By reservation only, this 90-minute tasting is $50 per person. You may schedule a visit by calling the winery directly at 707.963.5190 ext. 1 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Editors Note: This winery has beautiful views and an amazing tasting room, but a real treat is their Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon listed at $175 a bottle. This wine is really tasty–a must try while visiting.

For more information on David Arthur Vineyards, visit them at www.davidarthur.com

Joseph Phelps Insignia
Price: $240
The 2012 Insignia ha s an inky dark hue and aromas of ripe blackberries, star anise, cigar box, clove and sweet mocha notes. Richly opulent with velvety texture and supple tannins, this full-bodied offering envelops the palate in luscious, lingering black plum and violets along with layers of baking spices.

According to the their website:

• 2012 Insignia receives 96 points from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate & Antonio Galloni’s Vinous (Oct. 2015)
• James Suckling awards 2012 Insignia 97 points & Top 100 Wines in 2015 (Nov. 2015)
• Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate awards the 2013 Insignia barrel sample (96-100) points (Oct. 2015)
• Decanter Magazine awards 2011 Insignia 95 points & 50 Star Buys of 2015 (Jan. 2016)

To visit Joseph Phelps, they are located at 200 Taplin Road, St. Helena, California 94574.

The winery just completed a major overhaul renovation which is breathtaking. They offer Terrace Tastings, Exceptional Wine Experiences and Private Tastings. Please call the winery directly at (800) 707-5789 or (707) 967-3720 to book your appointment. All visits require a prior appointment and groups are limited to six or fewer.

For more information on Joseph Phelps Vineyards, visit them online at www.josephphelps.com

Editors Note: We would highly recommend a tasting with Francoise Larum, wine educator, who provides great knowledge of wine and how to properly taste. She provides a perfect energy to the experience and she is fun.

Each week, East County Today will be doing a weekly write up on wine, wineries or folks within the wine industry. If you would like us to write about your winery or wine, contact ECT via email at [email protected]