Tasting notes

↓ MT. BRAVE MT. VEEDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2013 / $184

Mt. Brave’s Chris Carpenter (who is also the winemaker at nearby Cardinale) produces wines from the elevated Mount Veeder area, which draws cool air off San Pablo Bay. The 2013 cabernet sauvignon has perfumes of blueberry and black plum with hints of tobacco and toasted walnut. Its substantial palate cries out for a rare T-bone steak.

↓ ROBERT BIALE BLACK CHICKEN ZINFANDEL

2015 / $107

The Biale family emigrated from Italy in the 1920s and chose zinfandel as the preferred variety to plant on their Napa ranch. This classic zin spiced with plum cake and red berries has loads of flavour, abundant energy and a surprisingly adroit finish. Try it with venison pie.

↓ SCHRAMSBERG BLANC DE BLANCS

2014 / $80

Founded in the 19th century by German immigrant Jacob Schram and revitalised in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies, the Schramsberg label is reserved for méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines. The 2014 blanc de blancs is pure chardonnay in an apéritif style, its fresh grapefruit flavours enhanced by a touch of yeasty complexity. Pair it with oysters.

↓ MATTHIASSON NAPA VALLEY WHITE

2013 / $95

Steve Matthiasson consulted to names such as Duckhorn before he and his orchardist wife,

Jill Klein, planted a minuscule vineyard. He has crafted this exotic blend using sauvignon blanc, sémillon and the obscure Northern Italian varieties friulano and ribolla gialla. Its flavours of lemon pith, almond skin and ripe melon would suit a seafood risotto.

↓ RAMEY NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2013 / $136

David Ramey cut his teeth at Dominus Estate before venturing out on his own in 1996 to make chardonnay. His other love is cabernet sauvignon and this vintage combines fruit from hillside and valley-floor sites. It has a bouquet of blackcurrant and mulberry spiced with cedar. Its density and intensity would be perfect with beef stroganoff.