Drink the Bottles

  Kit's Killer Cab from Clif Family Winery was first tasted twenty years ago from barrel.  It was Kit Crawford, co-owner and co-founder of the winery, who dubbed this Napa Valley Cabernet a "killer" wine, so naturally, it had to go into bottle! The family behind this label is also the pioneers of the incredibly popular and tasty Clif Bar, a portable and nutritious snack for on-the-go professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, busy moms... well, you get it.  Everyone loves a Clif Bar, right? Clif Family Winery started out as a small garden and a place to grow olives and fruit from planted trees.  Next, bring in the wine and eventually a tasting salon.  You want a food truck?  Check!  You want to be part of a Peloton riding club?  No problem!  There's nothing that these folks can't or won't do as long as it makes sense to their brand and goal to bring delicious products to life.  Today, Clif Family Winery grows nine grape varietals on 90 acres of...

  40 Years of Leadership: Kim Stare Wallace Celebrates Four Decades at Dry Creek Vineyard Second-Generation President Reflects on Legacy, Innovation, and Commitment to Place   HEALDSBURG, Calif. (February 11, 2026) – In an industry defined by constant change, longevity has become increasingly rare. Today, Kim Stare Wallace marks 40 years at Dry Creek Vineyard, a milestone that reflects the enduring power of family ownership, thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to Dry Creek Valley.   “In four decades, I’ve seen the wine industry evolve in remarkable ways,” says Wallace. “But our focus has remained the same: to make wines that honestly express where they come from. That kind of clarity only comes from taking the long view.”   Wallace formally joined Dry Creek Vineyard in 1986 as Director of Marketing, though her roots at the winery run much deeper. Raised in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, she grew up alongside the winery founded by her father, Da...

  If you threw a dart at the map of Napa Valley and hit the center, you would find Rutherford Ranch Winery.  Located on the historic and famous Silverado Trail at the site of the original Round Hill Winery, it has now been family owned by the Zaninovich family for nearly three decades with an empasis on Cabernet Sauvignon.  They also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot under the Rutherford label, showcasing that lovely Rutherford dust! The winemaking team has branched out into a total of seven labels, all with their own uniqueness and price points.  But today we are discussing the  2019 Rutherford Ranch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley .  Before we get into the details of this wine, we will say that this is one (as well as other stellar vintages) will age well for a very, very long time.  If you're considering this wine, consider multiple bottles.  We think this will continue to flourish and develop for the next 10-plus years. Dar...

  We need start this review with a small, albeit important disclaimer.  Your eyes are not deceiving you.  There is  wine missing from the bottle (it's in the glass!) and the capsule and cork are still in tact.  We bought a new Coravin wine system for Christmas and this was our first time using it. To say we are excited about everything in this bottle and behind the label is a huge understatement.  You know that our mouths water over 100% varietal wines, Napa Valley, family-owned wineries, and, of course -farmers!  The fact that the Smith Family (owners of Barlow Vineyards) use a John Deere tractor on their property tugs at our heart strings even more. But enough about that, right?  We are here for the WINE!  This family operation produces just over 1,500 total cases annually and they've been in the same location for over thirty years.  The  2021 Barlow Vineyards Petit Verdot is beautifully inked with dark purple colors and a medium...

  We have tasted a boat load of quality wines over the past year.  There has been everything from a $12.00 grocery store selection to a $250+ limited selection, single vineyard Cab.  So, when we decide on a WOTY (wine of the year) it is every bottle for itsself.  They must all stand on their own merit and each bottle has a fair shot of receiving this honor.  We take into consideration not only what is inside the bottle, but also the overall presentation, availability, price and label. For 2025, the Drink The Bottles  team has bestowed our "Wine of the Year" honor to the 2017 Maxville Winery Sacrashe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon .  This wine epitomizes Napa Valley fruit, body, complexity and the overall tasting experience.  Eggplant and berry jam color, this wine has lifting aromas of crushed black cherries, cocoa powder, scorched earth and wet cedar plank.  It's absolutely mouth-watering and the delicate tannins coat the mouth with black fruit...

  Napa Valley has been on our mind a lot these days with the Pickett Fire still burning.  Although 90% contained, at this writing the fire has been burning about 2 weeks.  There has been much discussion and speculation already about grape taint from the smoke, as was the case for many wineries that experienced repurcussions from the 2020 Glass Fire.  Fingers crossed for all! The  2019 Pope Valley Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a nearly textbook example of what we are looking for in a Napa Valley Cab.  Dark blackberry color in the glass, this wine has lifting aromas of blue and red raspberries, star anise, beef steak tomato and hints of blackcurrant.  This expression is unctuous, providing a lush and mouth-coating experience from beginning to end.  More dark fruits, freshly sawn timber, wisps of vanilla curd, dry earth, dried herbs and leather. This wine is another example of the talents of winemaker Michael Coode and a nod to Napa Valley....

  We had the pleasusre of visiting Pine Ridge Vineyards towards the end of the Covid pandemic, so times were much different than they are currently.  Being fans of PRV for many years, we can attest that the property, the people, the wines and the overall tasting experience at Pine Ridge is absolutely stunning and  very welcoming.  It is a "must visit" destination on your next Napa Valley wine adventure. Before we get into this wine, we have a confession to make and it might not be an easy one to hear.  We typically are NOT "wine with dinner" people.  Cue the moans, the eye rolls and horrible feedback.  We get it.  Wine accentuates your meal.  When paired properly, both the food and the vino compliment each other and the experience is beyond memorable.  In fact, one of our good friends who is a vintner in Napa Valley will talk your ear off about how lovely wine is with food and the importance of having quality in both. We aren't going to ...

  When Barb and Bart at a charity event a few decades ago, their love of wine was a bond that they shared that ultimlately led them to opening their owe winery in Napa.  A quarter of a century ago the duo purchased 33 acres of prime Napa real estate and eventually they began producing Bordeaux and Burdundian styles of wines that promote their sustainably farmed vineyard.  These "estate only" exclusive wines promote not only traditional styles, but also the passion that Barb and Bret share for each other after all of these years. Today we are tasting the  2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon .  As one would expect, it is memorable from cork pop to the finish with it's beautiful bottle and striking darker mulberry color in the glass.  Ripe berries, granite, wet stone, cigar paper and spice swim in the nose, creating a mouth-watering introduction that delivers.  Dark fruit, plum, spice cabinet, pencil shavings, cedar smoke and a hint of milk chocolate d...

The history of Pope Valley Winery goes back 1897, when it was founded as Burgundy Winery and Olive Oil Factory by Ed Haus.  One hundred years later, a new lease on life was granted to the property when the Eakle family purchased it.  Brother and sister David Eakle and Diana Eakle Hawkins took the reigns in 2009 as the forward thinking, next generation owners to build on the legacy that had been created.  Today, Pope Valley Winery is creating some stunning wines under the esteemed Director of Winemaking, Jean Hoefliger. We tend to sometimes provide spoiler alerts in our reviews and this one is no exception.  If this wine is any indication how 2025 is going to be, then we are in for a delicious and rewarding year!  First of all, if you're one of those people who turned their nose up to Merlot after watching Sideways  over twenty years ago, please move on.  You're missing out on one of the most versatile and rewarding grape varietals in existence. ...

  In St. Helena, California sits an unassuming property that is sans the flashiness, bells, whistles and modern architecture of many of its larger and more popular neighbors.  But that doesn't mean that what is inside is any less special.  Prager Winery & Port Works has been in the Napa Valley for an astounding forty-five years, quietly making very special fortified wines of differing varietals.  This family owned and operated establishment is now run by the second generation of family and they are eager to greet you and show you their pride and joy - port wines! The 2019 Aria White Port Wine is made of Napa Valley Chardonnay and it shows off honey gold colors in the glass.  Sweet on the nose with aromas of cooked pear, orange candy and baked apple crisp.  While most folks probably taste Port wines chilled, we opted to drink this at room temperature (about 67° F) from our favorite mini Beglian beer tasting glass.  The non-chilled tasting option al...

We are always delighted to taste and share Napa Valley wines from 2018 because that was overall an amazing and exceptional vintage across the board.  The 2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a prime example of the delicious juices that were born out of this vintage.   To appreciate all that is Merryvale, you really need to understand the history and humble beginnings of what originally started out as Sunnyhill Winery in 1933.  The Mondavi family got their start here, running wines by rail cars to northern California and other industrious cities.  Sunnyhill later became a co-op and the name because Sunny St. Helena and the building then because a wine storage facility in the 1970's.  It wasn't until 1983 when a group of investors/partners created the first Merryvale label.   In 1996, Switzerland navtive Jack Schlatter, who became a partner just 5 years prior, became the sole owner of Merryvale, along with his family and son René. ...

The long days of summer are here and that means it is white wine season!  Historically, we have only tasted red wines from Flora Springs Winery, so we were excited to have the opportunity to try something new to us and this one was timed perfectly with the hot weather.  The  Flora Springs Soliloquy White Wine  is a blend of primarily Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay and the lesser known Malvasia added for complexity and flavors.  This is one of Flora Springs flagship wines and it is quickly noticeable why it carries that identity. Pale gold in the glass with hints of greenish blue on the rim, this wine is immediately identifiable as primarily Sauvignon Blanc by the familiar meadow grass, floral and stone fruit aromas.  We tasted this slightly chilled to take advantage of the full tasting experience, but there is no doubt this would be a porch sipping or pool party wine served well chilled.  Citrus fruit, vanilla, and apples are dominant with honeycomb a...

  About ten years ago, Jeff blindly reached out to Krupp Brothers winery to introduce himself as a fledgling wine blogger.  The winery was kind enough to send Jeff a few bottles to review, and the rest, as they say, is history.  We have been very enthusiastic fans of Krupp Brothers wines and have enjoyed sharing these wines not only virtually with their readers, but in person with their friends.  And, just as it should happen, it did.  Those friend started buying Krupp Brothers wines and eventually some of them became wine club members.   In late August, we had the opportunity to travel with close friends to Napa and Sonoma for an amazing wine adventure.  This was our second visit to the Krupp Brothers estate in as many years and we were excited to share this special place with a new couple joining us on our trip this year. "Napa Scott" posing with the Porsche tractor outside of the tasting room.  We believe that this is an obligator picture ...

We all know that Napa Valley is home to some of the most amazing full-bodied red wines in the world.  But it would be a shame for wine lovers to overlook the throngs of high quality white wines that are also available from this region.  When we first visited Napa in 2009, we found one of our favorite wines (a Chardonnay from a now defunct winery) and we have again found one of our favorite Chardonnay in this bottle.  The  2017 Patland Estate Vineyards Chardonnay is a prime example of delicious and age-worthy Chardonnay that we feel is a "must have" wine for your portfolio.  Much of the fruit in this offering is from the Stagecoach Vineyard (one of our favorite) and the wine is absolutely singing right now! Vanilla, baking spices and pear on the nose with hints of lychee fruit.  As always, we tasted this wine at room temperature and were introduced to flavors of homemade apple pie, toasted marshmallow and almost no oak.  While we tend to lean towards m...