Grin & Barrett

A retrospective of Heidi Peterson Barrett’s wines

 Storyline and photos by califusa
 Left Coast Correspondent 
 to the Gang of Pour

Never Spit!



Left Coast Correspondent Index:

Bacchus Does Sonapanoma
Cal-Italia 1998
Cal-Italia 1999
Family Winemakers 1998
ZAP '98

Heidi Peterson Barrett Retrospective Index

Introduction
Side Trip to Napa
Pre-Tasting Intro
The Tasting
Afterwards





THE WINES

  • 1998 Saddleback Viognier

  • 1997 Venge Family Reserve - Scout’s Honor

  • 1997 Venge Family Reserve Merlot

  • 96 Colline de Sassi - Napa Valley Sangiovese

  •  96 Pepi California Sangiovese

  • 1992 Cardinale

  • 1995 Cardinale

  • 1996 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain

  • 1995 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder



 

 

Nils is excited about his new releases, and he has good reason.


TASTING NOTES

1998 Saddleback Viognier - pale straw color, hints of honeysuckle and wildflowers in the nose, but not as effusively floral as other Viogniers I’ve had. Dry and crisp on the palate, with pleasing mineral characteristics. Refreshing as a quaffer, or perfect for shellfish.

 1997 Venge Family Reserve - Scout’s Honor - named for a departed canine pal. Nils turned it up a notch with this huge, jammy California fruit bomb. 85% Zinfandel and 15% Charbono with 0.7% residual sugar - this wine is an absolute knockout! Rich and super-ripe, it has all the flash and appeal a Left Coast fruit lover could want. 280 cases produced - actually less than that available after I called Michelle. The mailer says this wine will get better with age, but I don’t see how. I would drink it now, and enjoy it for what it is: one incredible kick-ass V-bomb.

 1997 Venge Family Reserve Merlot - last pour from a bottle opened two days previously - just didn’t show well. No comment.

Many thanks to Nils for taking time out to share a few tastes with us.

We then rolled south a bit to the Cardinale / Pepi / Lokoya tasting room. These labels are owned by K-J, but fall under the Artisans group, and are producing some excellent wines. Our friend Dave Pramuk was there, and led us through an enjoyable tasting.

We started with the 96 Colline de Sassi - Napa Valley Sangiovese, and the 96 Pepi California Sangiovese. The Colline has been one of my favorites of the Cal-Italia tasting for two years running, and I like the less than $20 price tag even better.

We then moved on to the Cardinale, and Dave was gracious enough to pour two vintages for us, each crafted by a different winemaker, and showing their stylistic preferences as well as the change in direction of the program.

TASTING NOTES

1992 Cardinale showed interesting spice and restrained Bordeaux-like character. It’s an elegant and well made wine, but just didn’t ring my bell.

1995 Cardinale demonstrates the change in vineyard sources, as well as the shift in style toward the more fruit driven California model. Certainly a delicious wine, but hardly worth the hefty tariff.

1996 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain showed some good mountain fruit and varietal character, but lacked the special "something" to warrant the asking price.

1995 Lakoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder had wonderful structure, intensity and finesse. Although almost prohibitively tannic right now, this wine has the goods, and was by far the most impressive of the high priced spreads we tasted here.

Many thanks to Dave Pramuk for treating us so well.

The clock was ticking, so we left the Valley, and headed up I-80 towards Sacramento.

We had a date with Heidi.



G a n g   O f   P o u r | ©
 December, 1999

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