Hello from Los Angeles Airport! About to take off from LA where I was with the Celebrity Wine Review TV, I didn’t have time tell you all about my trip to the NAPA Valley!
For me, winemaker’s daughter, American lover and californian fan, going for a trip to the US most famous wine region seemed just like a dream.
A dream came true when I arrived to St Supéry: a family owned winery close by Beaulieu vineyard right in the centre of Napa Valley.
After a magic ferry ride to Larksbur, Rick Bakas came to pick me up for a ride in the Napa Valley.
Rick is the
social media guy for St Supéry, a winery I got to know on my trip to New York last December. I was desperate to find a good and not so expensive bottle of wine for a dinner, going through the shelves, my eyes stopped on the
Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from St Supéry: the perfect deal! My French friends where happily surprised by the fruity juice and it really made it happen on this lovely snowy day. Simple and easy drinking, it is balanced and fruity with peach aromas predominant. I find it
the perfect exemple of a wine to drink with friends on the aperitif.
Later on in the year, Rick organised the
#Chardonnay tasting on Twitter that we all got excited about in Burgundy…
Rick was our hero of the day and as any hero, your eyes sparkle if you get the chance to meet them. I felt lucky to meet Rick. He is authentic, smart and passionate about his wines.
Not so strange that Rick ended up working at St Supéry: a winery that you feel is just like one
big warm family. I felt very at ease in this friendly atmosphere and walked around by myself, meeting people and watching the few visitors hanging around comfortably. Laying down on the grass, I felt home… never I would have imagine they manage more than 200ha.
Napa Valley is the US most famous wine region so you would never guess how small it is: only 5 miles wide et 30 miles long with each square mile is beautiful and different.
In such a tiny area, the climate and soils vary as much as you can possibly imagine. Nice wind from the ocean blows in between the 2 montains lines that are bording the valley. It allows grapes to have some freshness and keep some acidity. At the same time, hot days give them perfect ripeness and fruit. The climate is Mediterranean, as it is in some places in France and in 2% of the world : it is a little paradise in America where Cabernet Sauvignon is the King and Sauvignon Blanc Prince.
At Saint Supéry, they understood these grapes well and have different wines ranging from bold ripe fruit flavors to more earthy and structured combinations. I particularly liked their sauvignon blanc from Dollarhide situated further out in the centre of Napa where they make their best wines. This wine is refined with a delicate palate a vegetal touch and some minerality. It would go well with seafood and for me at anytime of the day 
.
The 100% Malbec 2006 also got my attention for its gourmand toffee like palate twisted with ripe red cherries. Add up to this a hint of black pepper and you have a very well balanced wine. Rich but soft.. careful:you may soon forget the 14,3% of alcohol content it is hiding!
There are many other wines to see from this winery that are as delicious and unique. If you want to know more, you’ll have my tasting notes coming soon on Corkd. Not to say that some of the wines are
sold at St Supéry only and are very confidential.
Ever though of visiting a winery?
So Rick… when are you shipping to France?
Soon back for more !
Cheers !
3 Comments
Nice Miss Vicky Wine USA 2010 Tour!
Cheers to you and Rick!
Cheeeeeeeers back, i have your BOOK!
Malbec! This is a grape that's getting around. I recently had one from south Africa that was very interesting (and good!). Just a little bit jealous of your Napa trip but next time you MUST visit Sonoma Valley, way better then Napa, IMHO! :D