Last night, Wednesday Nov. 5th, was the kickoff reception for the 2003 Napstravaganza. Held in one of the conference rooms at the Napa Valley Marriott, the facility was well suited to the event and the staff very accommodating and friendly. A nice array of grilled veggies, charcuterie, and cheeses made a fine accompaniment to the terrific wines that were brought in by those in attendance. It was terrific to see familiar faces again and to meet new friends – already very much looking forward to the Saturday dinner! Here are my notes from the evening:

2001 De Ponte Cellars, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2001 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Pinot Noir

2002 Loring Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir

2000 Cedarville Syrah

2001 Ritchie Creek Blaufrankish

2001 D’Arenberg Laughing Magpie
I got to this wine late in the tasting and didn’t make many notes. Just suffice to say that the Viognier is prominently displayed on the palate of this wine, and I love it – the perfume it adds to the Syrah is lovely and intriguing, and the wine is soft and imminently drinkable now.

2001 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel

1997 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon

2001 Dutch Henry Reserve Zinfandel

2001 Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel

2001 Turley Pesenti Zinfandel
Another wine tasted late in the event and thus reflected by a lack of notes in my book. From memory however, I love this stuff. Ripe and rich, with purity and focus. Yum.

1988 Doisy Dubroca Sauternes

Eric,

Mahalo for the great list of tasting notes as always.

You gotta love it. Eric_W doing play by play. Excellent!!!

Thanks, Eric.

Eric:

Nice notes. Hopefully the notes will continue throughout the Napaextravaganza.

Oh yea, what I want to know is how did the pinots fair compared to say the '00 Failla Keefer. (I have to have a reference point, you know.)

Good question Lafon. I'd put the Failla above the Bondi, but the 2002 Loring? Now that's another story - Currently I'd put them on par, but the Garys' has the potential imo to take the lead (proper air time and/or a little more time in the bottle).

I love the play by play, too, Eric, keep it up!

I wish I could guys, but I'm out until the closing event on Saturday. I didn't sign up for any of the event in between (damn day job).

Eric- nice notes;waiting for more

Jones and others have also commented negatively on the Martinelli Jackass (and other) Zins from '01. Do you think something bad happened in the vineyard or the barrel?

Great notes, Eric. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

We had a grand time at the tasting. Many extremely good wines and good company. Thanks to Brent for organizing an extremely good event weekend.

We are about to leave for our dinner at Roux very soon so I can't stay online very long.

Onward to Roux!!

sounds like you guys are having a grand ole time out there. keep up the good work.

Winetex...

Looks like you may have to sub for Eric as the VC roving reporter until he gets back!!!!
Please frustrate us by telling us all that we're missing!!!!

I greatly enjoyed Roux while I was out in Napa, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Roux was very good. Stellar food, service and atmosphere. More on the wines later as Brent has us running off to the bus to visit more wineries.

Briefly - a huge thank you for Bressler for arranging this dinner and bringing wines that little ole me might never have a chance to try again. It was terrific from start to finish. More notes to come after we get back from our tours today.

Thank goodness for hi-speed Internet access at hotels.

Hey little ole you!!!
Keep that ticker tape full of juicy insider info on the Napstravaganza for us wannabies!!!

Any word on the stemware yet Saturday night? Bulky, heavy glass/bring your own OR ??

MM - bring your own stemware if you can. They think we are a bunch of strange winos but it helps.

Another good dinner at Bistro Jeanty. Working on notes now.

yes MM, if you can bring your own stemware to the dinner do so - the hotel's stemware is REALLY crappy. I'll have a few extra stems I can share, but not many.

We have 2. In fact we are warming them up as I type with a 2000 Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch chardonnay with brie and crackers.