Plumpjack Winery
As you drive along the Oakville crossroad in Napa, you’re bound to come across a number of well-known and high-quality wineries. Names like Groth, Rudd and of course Silver Oak standout, but I’ve found that Plumpjack towers above them all. This is not to say that Plumpjack isn’t a big name or widely known. Of course, it’s the product of the partnership between Gordon Getty, venture capitalist and philanthropist, and Gavin Newsome, current mayor of San Francisco. Starting a wine shop in San Fran, the empire quickly grew into a number of restaurants and both the Plumpjack Winery and newly opened CADE winery. The later is a “green”-focused wine making effort. You can try some of their wines at the location in Oakville.
What I do find interesting is that for all of the money and expansion that the Plumpjack group has done, you’d be hard-pressed to find any sense of extravagance at the winery and tasting rooms themselves. Instead of a large stone entrance, there is just a small sign indicating the wineries presence. A long gravel driveway leads down to an unassuming low-slung series of buildings. Even the tasting room has the feel of being in an old barn or farm building, and while it might be for effect, it works.
Tastings are $10, and when we last went, we tried four wines. It varies throughout the year based on availability so check before you go. We tried a CADE Sauvignon Blanc, Plumpjack Chardonnay, Plumpjack Syrah and they Estate Cabernet. Being the only ones there that day, it was a very relaxed experience chatting with the helpful staff. I’ve been a fan of their wines for a few years and these latest examples didn’t disappoint. Their standard estate quality can complete with the $100+ bottles on the market, and while they are not cheap by any means, they tend to provide a better high-end value.
Below are tasting notes from a recent bottle of the 2004 Plumpjack Estate Cabernet. After purchasing the 2007 on this last trip, I can only hope it to be just as good.
The nose was very large and rich, filled with raspberries and black fruit notes. There was some cedar and tea spice scents, along with an earthy lavender fragrance. Initially, the taste is tight even after 1 ½ hrs of decanting. After 3 hrs, the body becomes smooth with just a hint of tannins. The tannins are present as you swallow creating a rich powerful flavor with earth, smoke, and tar. Building on the mid-palette, the blue and black fruits wash away to a powerful dry finish coating the mouth and really amazing strength even after 4 hrs open. Bell pepper, mushroom and Asian spice are the dominate flavors. I’d say this wine had a number of years ahead of it, even if it was delicious already now.
Highly Recommended
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