Press

IT’S TIME FOR WINE
by Monty and Sara Preiser
November 29, 2010

Reynolds Family:
If you want a bit of Tuscan aura in Napa, then the ambiance at Steve and Suzie Reynolds’ winery is for you. Surrounded by 10 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, outdoor dining areas overlooking the water, and with an intimate tasting room, European style won’t seem too far away as you enjoy distinctly California wines.

So what is it at Reynolds that is especially fun? Why, it is Steve himself. Not only is this former dentist charming and funny, he gives one of the great personal tours and tastings in the Valley. Of course, he is not always at the winery since he is the best advertisement for his own products and frequently travels nationwide to represent and sell them. But when he is around (which is more often than not), then . . . look out. We have often thought there might be a cat in Steve’s past life, given his ability and penchant for climbing to the top of the barrels to find just the right wine that he wants you to taste. And while you sip from the barrels or the bottles, you learn about viticulture, winemaking, and maybe even some business considerations. All in all, what you find at Reynolds is that extra oomph that we all search for.

When we write about the wines below, you will see that a visit to Reynolds to sample them is worth the visit whether Steve is there or not. However, give a call when you are in the Valley to see what he can do to meet you or to set up a private tasting with a wine educator at the semi-private table off the wine bar. We like and recommend all the wines here, and depending on the tasting program chosen you can sample a number of them.

Estate Flight Tasting ($10):
-2007 Napa Chardonnay ($29): Citrusy with excellent minerality. Sara finds grilled pineapple and Monty gets some apple.
-2007 Carneros Pinot Noir ($45): Earth and spices all over the place, with the classic Carneros cherry profile and smoky finish.
-2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($45): Exhibits an interesting sweetness with a whiff of cherry vanilla, probably due to being aged in 50% French oak and 50% American. Leather and chocolate on the finish. One of the best under $50 in the Valley.
-2007 Persistence ($50): A wonderful blend of all five major Bordeaux varietals in a fabulous vintage. A raspberry opening, a blue fruit center, and some Hershey’s at the end.

Reserve Flight Tasting ($20):
-2007 Chard (see above)
-2007 Carneros Pinot Noir (see above)
-2007 Russian River Pinot Noir ($50): One of our favorite California Pinots, the excellent acidity influences everything about this wine, from its smooth black cherry mid palate to its long finish. Hints of the 20% new oak and a heavier than normal body make this outstanding.
-2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (see above)
-2007 Persistence (see above)
-2006 Reserve Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon ($89): What a wine. Concentrated blue fruit and plums, with chocolate throughout. We like Steve’s description – “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”