WinoTripping.com

Home » The Vine » A Surprise Visit To Meteor Vineyard in Napa

A Surprise Visit To Meteor Vineyard in Napa

» posted by Rich on 2011-04-19 06:19:40

Meteor Vineyard in Coombsville Region, Napa

While up in Napa to meet with CellarPass, an online reservation service that helps you match your wine preferences to the perfect wine country destination, I decided to cash in on an offer from Meteor Vineyards for a tour and tasting. Jason Alexander, who WinoTripping readers will know as a regular instructor at the SF Wine Center, is the General Manager and maker of the open invitation to the private estate. According to the pamphlet I snagged while I was there, Meteor Vineyard was "planted in 1999 by internet pioneer Barry Schuler and his wife Tracy... (in) an area popularly know as Coombsville", in Southeastern Napa Valley.

Speaking of Coombsville, Jason informed me that the region is on the cusp of obtaining its own AVA status. Coombsville's history goes back to the very beginnings of the town of Napa, and its soil is made up of the ancient lava ash from Mount George. Coombsville wineries are almost all family-run outfits, a refreshing contrast to corporate mega-wineries up the road in Napa Valley proper. Because of this, they almost always require an appointment to visit. Jason recommends Caldwell Vineyard and Sodaro Estate Winery.

Anyway, while I was there Jason was nice enough to pour me a 2007 "Perseid" Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark wine with aromas of blackberries and some smokey tobacco. I loved the way it smelled so much that I sat for a long time sniffing it before I sipped. And when I did it got even better. This Cab is like an enormous cuddly bear. By that I mean it has a solid backbone with a velvety soft touch. Very nice mineral tones, and solid acid. I polished it off when I got home, and I have to say that it opened up and became even smoother. Thanks, Jason!