90+ Rated Wines

Vintners tasting dinners begin at 7:00 p.m., sharp. Doors open for registration and hors d'oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m.

     Thursday August 19, 2021

Reservations Closed

Course	Pairing / Description	Wine
Hors D’oeuvres	Pear, Brie and Prosciutto Tartlet Citrus Whipped Mascarpone in Cucumber cup and Wasabi Nuts Sourced predominately from the renowned Napa Valley, this Chardonnay showcases the charm and essence of this region. A small portion of the fruit hails from Sonoma County, adding further complexity, resulting in a beautiful, intriguing, well balanced wine. The 2019 Taken Chardonnay boast a beautiful nose of spice, citrus and lemon blossom. On the palate, Asian pear, grapefruit and Gravenstein apple are rounded out with hints of butterscotch and walnut. The mouthfeel is juicy, though not too heavy, with an uplifting, refreshing, crisp finish.	Taken Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019
Soup Course	Lobster Bisque and Sherry with Chives Fruit from five Napa Valley vineyards and one in Sonoma were selected to craft a vibrant, bright wine with depth and complexity. The warmer sites in northern Napa Valley provide layers of stone fruit and tropical notes, while the cooler sites in southern Napa and in Sonoma preserve the acidity and fresh fruit flavors. Fresh and lively, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc exhibits notes of sweet orange, apricot and passionfruit. True to the vintage, this wine is subtle and nuanced in its expression. Delicate cherry blossoms and rose petal accentuate a bright palate. A natural juiciness gives body and roundness with a touch of grapefruit peel on the finish adds length and complexity.	Ziata Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Poultry Course	Crispy Seared Chicken Thigh with Blackberry Ginger Sauce and Wild Mushrooms This wine is a blend of equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from vineyards on the left bank of Conn Creek as it flows through our ranch in Conn Valley. The soil is a deep outcropping of gravel, and the wine is striking example of organically grown fruit and our traditional winemaking practices. Refined, with a sleek texture to the raspberry, dark currant and blackberry flavors, this is filled with fresh acidity. Crushed green herbal and spice notes come in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2024.	Neyer’s Napa Valley Left Bank Red Blend 2018
Beef Course	Blackened Top Sirloin with Confit Fingerling Potatoes and Herb and Red Wine Butter Sauce Named for our pioneering founder Mario Trinchero, this rare jewel of a site surrounds our winery in St. Helena, along a narrow stretch of the valley floor formed by river erosion. A northwest exposure, coupled with a mix of gravel, loam and alluvial soils, makes Mario’s Vineyard ideally suited for opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with impressive structure and velvety tannins. This wine presents baked blackberry pie and vanilla on the nose, followed by cassis, caramel and integrated oak flavors. The mouthfeel of this well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and multidimensional, with elegant, refined tannins and a long, plush finish.	Trinchero Napa Valley “Mario’s” Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Dessert Course	Chocolate Cheesecake with Vanilla Chai Cream The 2018 Taken Red Blend is a careful balancing act of light and dark. At first glance, the nose is dominated by ripe notes of raspberry, blackberry, black currant, and plum, but careful consideration reveals soft, floral undertones. Delicate hints of jasmine and vanilla bean elevate the palate while the body is defined by flavors of quince, roasted fig, and extra dark chocolate with a dash of allspice. The texture is full and robust, but gives way to rich, supple tannins on the finish.	Taken Napa Valley Red Wine 2018
Chip Wine	The 2017 harvest in the Carneros region of Napa started with a purr but ramped up to a roar with sporadic dry heat spells. These were punctuated by longer periods of mild temperatures, which kept ripening rates in check, allowing the fruit to hang until the clusters reached optimum maturity while maintaining moderate sugar levels. The resulting wine is fresh and expressive, with enticing flavors and unrivaled aromas. This crisp wine tastes of lemon zest, grapefruit and tangerine, with lively, fresh acidity. Integrated oak contributes underlying richness and contrast, finishing on an apple skin note.	Ziata Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018