As rain clouds gathered overhead, we curtailed the vineyard walk and headed underground. The caves of Pine Ridge, lying 130 feet below the vineyard, are a labyrinth of new and old tunnels, lined with 4,600 French Oak barrels, and featuring a gorgeous tasting cave featuring bright lemon yellow Chihuly glass. We were seated to an exquisitely displayef wine and cheese tasting and finally got to taste the famed Pine Ridge Cabs. Pine Ridge founder Gary Andrus’ pioneering efforts to make Bordeaux style blends were met with tremendous success as the Bordeaux varietals he planted – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot. The wines embody the unique characteristics of the Napa Valley appellations in which its 200 acres of estate vineyards are located. Since the Pine Ridge winery was founded in 1978, its old world traditions have been fused with innovative viticultural and winemaking practices to yield powerful yet balanced Bordeaux-style red wines with classic aromas, rich textures and lingering flavors.
2010 Chenin Blanc - $12.99
This light wine gives off a bouquet of light aromatic fruit and orange blossom. The wine has nice acidity and flavors of asian pear, white peach, green mango, and white chai tea. The crisp and slightly off-dry flavor profile lasts well through the clean and refreshing finish. With its balanced acidity, this versatile wine would pair perfectly with light salads, seafood, and foods with a hint of spiciness — and it’s a great summertime apertif as well.
2008 Cave 7 Cabernet Sauvignon - $65.00 per bottle
This blend has a mesmerizing nose of ripe blackberry and cassis. The wine boldly meets the palate with ripe cherry, black raspberry, earthy brambleberry and undertones of green olive, ground coffee, dark cocoa, and cinnamon. The wine holds its intensity through a lengthy, toffee-caramel finish.
2007 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon- $80.00 per bottle
This big, powerful wine offers aromas of black plum, cherries, toasted pecans and vanilla. On the palate, the wine maintains its solid core of dark fruit with mouthwatering acidity and a velvety texture that balances the muscular tannins. Savory coffee, caramel chocolate linger on the finish.
2007 Fortis - $140.00 per bottle
This wine displays an intensity of aromas including a blend of blackberries, plum, currant, and candied fig. This bold wine explodes on the palate with rich dark cherry and cassis balanced with baking spices, caramelized brown sugar and cocoa with hints of espresso and toast that carry through the unrelenting finish. The firm tannins and robust structure give this wine tremendous aging potential.
2007 Onyx - $60 per bottle
This dark wine boasts a complex nose abounding in black cherry, plum and berries with intriguing notes of smoke, rose petals, creamy chocolate, tea and leather. The palate offers red cherry, cola and roasted plum flavors alongside brisk acidity and dry, chocolatety tannins that sustain the lengthy finish. Three to five years in the cellar will allow for the palate to open up and match the nose in complexity. Decanting for up to an hour is also recommended.
Wines we tasted paired with the following cheeses:
- Abbaye de Belloc
- Fiscalini, San Joaquin Gold
- Vintage, 5 Year Old Gouda