Dom is one of those things that I just can't get into. The old basement smell just doesn't so it for me. I second Krug, however. It's fantastic.

jh0400 said:

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Dom is one of those things that I just can't get into. The old basement smell just doesn't so it for me. I second Krug, however. It's fantastic.

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I enjoy aged Dom. It's. Much different experience.

But I enjoy aged Krug even more.

BSD said:

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jh0400 said:

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Dom is one of those things that I just can't get into. The old basement smell just doesn't so it for me. I second Krug, however. It's fantastic.

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I enjoy aged Dom. It's. Much different experience.

But I enjoy aged Krug even more.

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aren't the 08 and 12 Doms considered much better? I don't have much experience with Dom


Drank a Maurice Grumier Extra Brut Reserve Perpetuelle..... under $50 and really nice champagne

Yes, 2010 Dom isn't great right now. Probably won't ever be great. Dom needs 20 years to mellow out and be great, young Dom is nothing special in my book. Krug (due to age of blends used) and Cristal (different wine making philosophy then Dom) can be much better younger as can Comtes.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/wineries-are-moving-to-texas/

Believe this has been discussed before here, but here's a Texas Monthly article on it from yesterday.

I've been to Serrano twice, and loved their wines both times. Their Texas juice is pretty damn good. Those kids know what they're doing.

Need winery ideas! Spending next week in Petaluma CA for work. I will only be able to go tasting on Saturday and can't decide which ones! I'll be sticking close to the Alexander Valley region, close to Healdsburg/Geyserville.

There's just too many. Help!

Third on Ridge, and will second Arista. Hartford Family is on the square in Healdsburg and would be good to do before or after lunch. Aperture is there too, but do them last because their wines are huge and will blow your palate. Gary Farrell has an amazing view from their tasting bar, and their wines don't suck either.
It's been nearly 15 years since I've been to this part of the world. We need to go back soon.

I'll add to the rec on Arista (as long as you are a Pinot fan). There really are a ton of options. What kind of wine do you like or want to try?

Walt for Pinot. Bwise for Cabs, Syrah

I think it'll be Ridge! The website looks great and the location is perfect for the rest of my plans. I'm also planning to go to Foley Sonoma, it's a repeat for me but I really enjoyed the wine and my experience.

Thank y'all!!

I'm excited to get some CA wine again. I'm now working in the Walla Walla Valley and while the wine is very good, it's just not the same! I sure do miss Paso Robles and Santa Ynez.

You didn't ask, but I'll also plug Barndiva for lunch or dinner. Great food and wine list.

Also, Davis Family has a nice outdoor area overlooking the river in Healdsburg.

jh0400 said:

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You didn't ask, but I'll also plug Barndiva for lunch or dinner. Great food and wine list.

Also, Davis Family has a nice outdoor area overlooking the river in Healdsburg.

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Second Barndiva.


There's also a coffee shop on the square called Black Oak Coffee…I highly recommend a stop here if you enjoy coffee

jh0400 said:

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Flying Goat has great coffee as well.

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Blue star for you. It and Intellegentsia in Chicago are my two favorite espressos in the US.

Had a 2001 Ramey Jericho Canyon and a '04 Arietta Hudson H Block last night. Delicious

If you're into subtly spiced chocolate, the Aztec is a must get at Flying Goat. Such a good coffee drink.

Popped open a 2016 Beaujolais tonight. Interesting to see one with a little age. It's a Fleurie. Not as fresh of fruit flavor obviously, has a nice easy going earthiness to it.

My brother-in-law is planning a Napa trip for his 20th anniversary and is wondering what area he should focus on for a hotel. He's not sure whether he should be somewhere centrally located for easy access to both Napa and Sonoma, or if he should be more focused. I don't think he has any particular wineries or appellations in mind, I think he is wanting to find lodging that gives him the most options in terms of places he can get to easily from there for both dining and tasting/tour options.

Any advice to share? I did a search but nothing recent came up. Thanks!

Thanks gents! He is looking at staying somewhere between 3 and 5 days. Good tip re: the mountain tasting. I've never done that, but have heard it is a great experience. Are there any specific wineries with mountain views you'd recommend?

Mountain tastings:
Sonoma side - Repris (best views of the 30+ I've been to), and Kamen (if you get it at the house, not the tasting room on the square)

St. Helena - Schweiger, Pride, Seven Stones

Napa - Mayacamas, Coursey Graves

Coombsville - Caldwell (NSFW type tasting, in a cave, but views getting there are great)

Places to stay:
Sonoma/Glen Ellen: Gaige House, Kenwood Inn
St Helena: Wine country inn
Yountville: Vintage House (particularly great if you plan to eat all your dinners in Yountville)

Eat:
All the Thomas Keller restaurants in yountville, Bottega in yountville, Press, Evangeline, RH, lunch at Addendum

Get a drink at JCB just to see how over the top it is in yountville.

jh0400 said:

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For access to both Napa and Sonoma, I'd stay in Santa Rosa or near Calistoga. Napa and Sonoma appear close on a map, but you have to go through or around the mountains to get from one to the other.

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Healdsburg, plenty of really nice options for rooms and some great food. Plus you get a little less touristy feel than Yountville, IMO, but obviously still very touristy.

bularry said:

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jh0400 said:

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For access to both Napa and Sonoma, I'd stay in Santa Rosa or near Calistoga. Napa and Sonoma appear close on a map, but you have to go through or around the mountains to get from one to the other.

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Healdsburg, plenty of really nice options for rooms and some great food. Plus you get a little less touristy feel than Yountville, IMO, but obviously still very touristy.

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I love Healdsburg. If you want to go outside of the box for your brother-in-law, BigAg95, you might recommend it. Amazing food, beautiful town and area. If I wanted "Yountville light", it's where I'd stay. Stayed both there and Yountville on my honeymoon years back and loved both. (And now I'm a local, ha). Calistoga is definitely way more quaint than both if they're into that.

Healdsburg is my favorite place to stay, but it's not convenient to the Napa area unless you go north and cut through the Alexander Valley.

Calistoga is our preference. Great vibe and location. I'll never stay in Napa the city ever again.

Stayed in a nice VRBO partway to Healdsburg, great.

That's a fun tasting room