Right here’s Hoping it Turns into a Sample with Chimney Rock

Somewhat over a 12 months and a half in the past, we hosted a wine dinner at our humble little abode right here in Houston. That, in and of itself, is just not all that exceptional; now we have hosted numerous wine dinners over time and can (hopefully) proceed to take action.

What pushed that dinner again in January, 2023 into the “barely completely different” class (please discover I didn’t say “barely distinctive” please don’t get me began) was that the winemaker was right here to speak about her wines.

Once more, now we have had winemakers and vineyard homeowners be part of us earlier than at our modest dinners, however on that chilly (at the very least for Texas) January night time, mentioned winemaker was Elizabeth Vianna of esteemed Napa Valley producer Chimney Rock. 

By all accounts, that dinner (to which we invited a handful of different Houston-based wine writers and some native wino buddies of mine) was a smashing success. Even the meals, ready by yours really, was apparently edible.

I figured that it was like a lot of our “sponsored” wine dinners a one-off, happenstance, if you’ll. This previous spring, nonetheless, the high-quality of us at Chimney Rock contacted me and requested if we wish to “run it again” (basketball parlance for “do it once more”). It appeared that Elizabeth was going to be on the town as soon as once more and she or he needed to do a few mini-verticals this time.

Sure please.

It turned out that it we’d be tasting three consecutive vintages of Elizabeth’s unimaginable Elevage Blanc (on the threat of sounding hyperbolic, it’s doubtless my favourite white in all of Napa Valley) and three vintages of the improbable Tomahawk Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, one of many winery designate wines from Chimney Rock. 

Chimney Rock dates again to 1980 when a very long time Pepsi govt, Hack Wilson and his spouse Stella bought a golf course on the east facet of the Silverado Path. They promptly planted vines on the again 9 of the course (protecting the opposite 9 holes open, at the very least initially), largely to Cabernet Sauvignon.

The primary classic was 4 years later, in 1984, and the wine obtained instantaneous accolades. The vineyard and tasting room have been constructed within the early Nineteen Nineties and in 2000, the Terlato household joined as buyers in Chimney Rock. Just a few years later, when the Wilson have been able to retire, the Terlatos turned sole homeowners of the property and have since strived to keep up its place as one of many high Cabernet producers in Napa Valley.

Elizabeth walked us via 8 completely different wines that night time in our eating room (together with the Sauvignon Gris and the flagship Stag’s Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon).

 

2022 Chimney Rock Sauvignon Gris, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $45. Heavy Bottle (675g; 23.8oz). Below cork. You don’t see a whole lot of Sauvignon Gris. Actually, you most likely don’t see any of it in any respect. However at Chimney Rock, it isn’t solely the primary driver in Elizabeth Vianna’s improbable white, Elevage Blanc, however she additionally makes a few of it as a singular varietal wine. And it’s scrumptious. Not a lot shade, however loads of Bosc pear and minerality on the nostril. The palate is tart, tangy, and terrific, with loads of fruit (however removed from ostentatious) and an angular acidity that begins on the first sip and drives via all the best way to the prolonged end. Implausible. Excellent. 93 Factors.

2020 Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $56. Very Heavy Bottle (786g; 27.6oz). 78.5% Sauvignon Gris, 21.5% Sauvignon Blanc. Picked earlier than the fires (didn’t make any reds) the fruit is extra reserved however there may be loads of tree fruit (pear and peach) and a white flower side. The palate is spherical and full however carried by the acidity. Yowza. Excellent. 94 Factors.

2021 Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $56. Very Heavy Bottle (796g; 28oz). 71% Sauvignon Gris, 29% Sauvignon Blanc. Comparable nostril to the primary wine with tropical and citrus fruit and a noticeable creamy side, however nuttier with some guava and hyacinth. Wealthy and intense mouthfeel with close to excellent steadiness from the bounce. Creamy, wealthy, and multi-layered. Whoa. All three of the Elevate wines have been spectacular, however that is my favourite (however solely barely). Excellent. 96 Factors.

2022 Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $56. Very Heavy Bottle (789g; 27.7oz). 63% Sauvignon Gris, 37% Sauvignon Blanc. One among my favourite whites that is once more, completely beautiful. A bit chilly however a improbable nostril of tropical and citrus with a creamy spine. The palate is euphoric with an preliminary wave of fruit, adopted by a tangy creaminess and finishes with a mineral, floral notice. Excellent. 95 Factors.

Subsequent, we moved on to Cabernet, beginning with the present launch of the Stag’s Leap District Cab earlier than three classic of Tomahawk.

2021 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $110. Heavy Bottle (686g; 24.1oz). Below cork. “91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and minuscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec.” A mix of all 26 blocks on the property. Nice pink and blue fruit on the nostril with an natural side “Jam is for toast” declared Elizabeth Vianna once I talked about how full of life this was for a Napa Cab. Wealthy and great on the palate with loads of fruit and a mocha spicy side that’s beautiful. Tart and full with silky however current tannins. Very good. Excellent. 93 Factors.

2014 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Winery, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $170. Heavy Bottle (666g; 23.4oz). Below cork. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Minty with black olive and considerably refined but brooding fruit on the nostril. Beautiful. Nice weight and viscosity with that mint side that’s actually compelling. The fruit is subdued, in contrast with the others within the flight, however that is maybe extra elegant because of this. Whoa. Excellent. 93 Factors.

 

2019 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Winery, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $170. Heavy Bottle (672g; 23.6oz). Below cork. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky darkish. A beautiful blackberry compote on the nostril with violet and a touch of spice. Extra reserved than the 2021, however extra expressive than the 2014. Fantastic steadiness of fruit and acidity with silky tannins and a chalky end. Excellent. 95 Factors.

2021 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Winery, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $170. Heavy Bottle (679g; 23.9oz). Below cork. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Whoa. Lovely darkish fruit with plum and blackberry. Yowza. Floral and highly effective. On the palate whoa. Silky easy and but additionally highly effective that is, in my thoughts, what Napa cab must be. All in unison and beautiful. Extraordinary. 97 Factors.

So one other wine dinner with Chimney Rock within the books, however this second occasion appeared like rather more than a “coincidence”. Regardless, right here’s hoping that it turns into a sample!