On March 2, at the beautiful Beverly Hills Peninsula hotel, once again organizer Ian Blackburn of WineLA.com brought together the most acclaimed STARS of the Napa Valley wine scene. And, as we all know how stars can be bright or fade from view, leave it to Blackburn to select shining stars year in and out in all of his STARS events, including STARS of California Wine, STARS of Pinot Noir, STARS of Italy, STARS of Cabernet…
Now, for this current STARS event I attended the media and trade “pre-show” that had all of the same vintners the public would taste from later in the evening. Some of which, like Del Dotto Vineyards, are rarely seen at tasting events.
With my wine glass and cell phone camera in tow (see the event via this YouTube slideshow in under 2 minutes) I made my way through much of the incredible lineup below. And, as usual, I bolded the wines that I loved, some of which I was told I couldn’t miss by Sommelier/Wine Distributor/Consultant George Skorka (Schweiger Vineyards) and wine critic/author/ radio personality Anthony Dias Blue (AVE Winery).
Wine List
Acumen Wine
Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Acumen Red Wine 2011
Acumen Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mt. Brave
Mt. Brave Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
La Jota
La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
COHO Wines
Pinot Noir, Stanly Ranch 2013
Headwaters (Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot) 2012
Merlot, Michael Black Vineyard 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon, SummitVine Ranch 2012
Round Pond Estate
Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Kith & Kin Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Fisher Vineyards
Mountain Estate, Chardonnay 2013
UNITY, Pinot Noir 2013
Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
AVE Winery
Mt. Veeder “Crouse Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Beckstoffer G111 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Mt.Veeder “Crouse Vineyard” Merlot 2014
Del Dotto Vineyards
2013 Cave Blend
2009 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Ft. Ross Seaview
2013 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Ft. Ross Seaview
2013 Piazza Del Dotto Pinot Noir
2013 Piazza Del Dotto Chardonnay
Eleven Eleven Winery
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Laki’s Vineyard, Oak Knoll AVA, Napa Valley 2013
Pinot Noir, Bacigalupi Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2013
Chardonnay, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley 2013
Estate Syrah, Oak Knoll AVA, Napa Valley 2013
Neal Family Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet 2011
Rutherford Dust Cabernet 2006
Rutherford Dust Zinfandel 2013
Rutherford Dust Petite Syrah 2010
Patland Estate
Sauvignon Blanc, Tench Vineyard 2013
Rosa 2014
Proprietary Red Wine, Stagecoach Vineyard 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard 2013
Raymond Vineyard
Raymond Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Sommelier Select 2013
LVE Cabernet 2012
Generations 2012
Coup de Foudre
Pinot Noir 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Cuvee 2012
Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Alpha Omega Winery
ERA 2012
Alpha Omega Chardonnay 2012
Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Alpha Omega Proprietary Red 2012
JH Collection
Clark Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Clark Claudon “Eternity” Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The Debate 2012
Michel Rolland Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Krupp Brothers Wines
Krupp Brothers Chardonnay 2014
Krupp Brothers M5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Krupp Brothers Black Bart’s Bride 2014
Krupp Brothers “The Doctor” 2013
Oberon Wines
Oberon Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Oberon Los Carneros Chardonnay 2014
Oberon Napa Valley Merlot 2013
Oberon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Michael Mondavi Family
M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Animo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Emblem Oso vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2011
Kenefick Ranch
Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Calistoga’ 2012
Merlot ‘Calistoga’ 2012
Pickett Rd White 2014
B Cellars
Blend 23 (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier Blend) 2013
Maldonado Chardonnay 2013
Blend 24 (Cabernet, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah Blend) 2011
Ehrlich Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Tres Sabores
Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Tres Sabores Por que no? Napa Valley Red Wine 2012
Tres Sabores Zinfandel, Rutherford Estate, Napa Valley 2013
Tres Sabores Petite Sirah, Guarino Vineyard, Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012
Frank Family Vineyards
Chardonnay, Lewis Vineyard 2013
Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013
Pinot Noir, Carneros 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012
Petit Sirah 2012
Schweiger Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Chardonnay 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Dedication 2011
Bougetz Cellars
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
2013 Jovana Merlot/Cabernet Franc
2012 Eminence Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Amaryllis Cabernet Sauvignon
Merryvale Family of Wines
Merryvale 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Starmont 2013 Chardonnay, Carneros
Starmont 2013 Pinot Noir, Carneros
Forward Kidd 2012 Napa Valley Red Wine
Oakville East
Oakville East Exposure – Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Oakville East Core Stone – Red Blend 2012
Oakville East Franc ‘N Stern – Cabernet Franc 2012
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
