Elizabeth Loves Wine

Chateau Montelena in my backyard

Popped into Chateau Montelena Winery last week for a taste. The 2006 estate Zinfandel is a good, but not a buy at $30.00. I loved the 2005 Montelena Estate Cabernet, but it's out of my price range at $135 a bottle. The finish on this wine is just beautiful. The only special here was a "Bottle Shock Gift Pack"  for $35.00. This includes an autographed DVD of Bottle Shock, by Bo Barrett with a half-bottle of the 2006 Chardonnay, a descendant of the 1972 Chardonnay that won the Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976. If you  have a friend who is a Chardonnay nut and likes history, this might not be a bad deal.

St. Clement is where it begins

 The weather is perfect right now and St. Clement is a great place to picnic. The terrace overlooks the upper Napa Valley and Howell Mountain. Current specials include a "Grab and Go" selection of the 2008 citrusy Sauvignon Blanc paired with a rich 2006 Merlot in a hefty canvas bag for $43.00. Also on sale is the 2003 single vineyard Cabernet from Diamond Mountain. Regularly $80, this earthy wine is now $56! Worth the trip.