By Marian Jansen op de Haar, Fleming’s Director of Wine
January in Napa Valley is calm and quiet—the opposite of just a few months ago with the frenzy of tourist traffic, harvest and harvest parties, which was then followed by the hectic gatherings of family and friends during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now the traffic on Highway 29 is scant, the harvested vines are bare and the scent of wood burning in fireplaces is everywhere on these chilly Napa evenings.
All in all, the 2009 vintage was exceptional in Napa; it was a slow, cool growing season which tends to develop great aromas and flavors in the grapes and helps retain brightness in the wines. Many wineries picked Cabernet grapes just before the rain that came to the valley in November and even when they didn’t, there was enough of an Indian summer to dry everything out and develop more flavors.
This is the time of year to think red comfort wines. Something you know will be great with winter dishes and provide the perfect foil to quiet relaxing evenings with family and friends. Here are three Napa wines from family vineyards that come to mind—all satisfying, flavorful and wonderful, especially with Fleming’s Prime Rib on a Sunday evening.
FROG'S LEAP, Merlot Rutherford, 2006
The proprietors, the Williams family, have a long-standing commitment to organic practices. This luscious textured Merlot has plum, cedar and currant flavors with a touch of dried herbs and plush tannins.
TREFETHEN, Double T Red Napa Valley, 2006
Trefethen Family Vineyards has been around for 40 years in Napa Valley. A tasty Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, this medium style wine is an easy-to-drink blend with blackberry, raspberry and currant fruit flavors accented by cocoa.
CHATEAU MONTELENA, Cabernet, Napa Valley, 2005/2006
Run by the Barrett family since the 1970s, this winery is well known for both Cabernet and Chardonnay. Try this classic, comfy Cab with ripe dark cherry, sweet chocolate, cinnamon and pie spice and notes of leather on the round, ripe finish.