Day 6 - Oakville If you are planning to visit Napa Valley, CA (one of the greatest wine regions in the world), then let The Wine Snob show you the way with The Wine Tour Series. Should you be traveling in the Napa Valley vicinity this series will assist you with deciding which wineries to visit. You are provided with three to five recommended wineries,with contacts and within close proxcimity to visit. Enough for one day of fun.. Robert Mondavi Winery 7801 St. Helena Highway Oakville, CA 94562 Ph: (707) 226-1395 Fax: (707) 963-4033 Toll-free: (800) 666-3284 Winery Hours: Daily, May-Oct.: 9-5; Nov.-April: 9:30-4:30

The Wine Snob 4th Annual Blind Zinfandel Tasting Vintage 1999 Spring Blanc! Tasting Report Visit my brother's site, Kevin: Hair Dresser to the Stars! www.themanething.com This would be an area for secondary navigation

Tom Daly What a nice treat! Located on the side of the mountain with magnificent views, sits a new member of the Mondavi family. Although the Mondavi tour was an excellent experience & the Mondavi Reserve Cabernet is "Yummy" the Wine Snob is not ordinarily a staunch advocate of the Mondavi wines, especially the Woodbridge line. Given that disclaimer, the wine offering at LaFamiglia was quite impressive! Five of Six tasted wines were "Yummy"! And obviously, from the name of the winery, one can guess that the wines are Italian varietals and style somewhat unique to the Napa Valley. Beginning with the whites, the Pinot Grigio was splendid with an inviting nose followed by a complex and full body palette, filled with syrupy pears and apples. Next, three reds, Sangiovese reserve, Barbera & Nebbiolo. Each red achieved the European style quite impressively. The Sangiovese reserve offered lively fruit in a dynamic palette that transformed from sweet to slight spice, and then to a delightful oak finish. The Barbera wows the palette up front with peculiar fruit then flows broadly through the mouth with red cherries, some acidity & spice then mildly transcends to the oaky finale. Finally, the Barolo provides a tease through a curious bouquet. The first sip delivers dominating red cherries with an assortment of other fruit and oak dancing on the tongue! As one would expect, the Barolo is a bit tight yet and it will be best when experienced with hearty food! Favorite Wine - Pinot Grigio & Barbera

Tom Walsh On the heels of Robert Parker, the Wine Snob sauntered into Silver Oak to experience 3 wonderful years of both the Alexander Valley and Napa Valley vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (94, 95, & 96)! All six wines were quite "Yummy" however the 96 Alexander Valley displayed some amazing characteristics for such a young wine. This one is sure to be a winner when it is released in two years. The favorite was the 94 Napa that took immediate command of the palette with an abundance of generous fruit, tremendous complexities and all while still being quite young and tight. It will surely develop considerably in the coming years "Yummy"! Favorite Wine - 94 Cabernet Sauvignon -Napa Valley

Cosentino Winery 7415 St. Helena Highway Yountville, CA 94599 Ph: (707) 944-1220 Fax: (707) 944-1254 Winery Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Marie Smith Although they did not taste the M.Coz, the tasting experience was delightful. Marie manages the tasting room in a professional and friendly manner. All wines were good, yet not necessarily the Wine Snob style. The 96 Napa Valley Cabernet was "Yummy" with a captivating nose as an appropriate prelude to the robust texture. The cab displayed a broader style palette followed by a long finish. The big surprises this visit were the late harvest Viognier and VinSanto dessert wines. Both of these wines were "Yummy" and the latter can serve as a great alternative to Grand Marinier (with less alcohol). Favorite Wine - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Ron Haskell Many may be aware that Cardinale is the premier wine offered from the Kendall Jackson family of wines/wineries. Formerly, the Cardinale property was a Robert Pepi winery where now the Pepi wines have been integrated into the Kendall Jackson product line. Also integrated into the product line at this winery are olives, oil, vinegar, caponata and the like. Ron, our passionate pourer and talker was excited about the new products he can now offer for sale! The Pepi wines, all Italian varietals, were half interesting and half quite awful (specifically the whites)! The Pepi 96 Sangiovese & 95 Due Baci were very nice reds and show promise for the future. A second line of wines, Lokoya, is also offered for taste at Cardinale. Lokoya is an upscale Cab line from designated vineyards, Mt Veeder, Howell Mountain & Diamond Mountain (95 vintage -retailing for $80). The later two were "Yummy" . The favorite was the Diamond Mountain for its great balance and opulent fruit, augmented with memorable spice and oak. The Howell Mountain had a double burst of fruit that engaged the senses accompanied by an endless finish that left the taster yearning for more. The Mt. Veeder , although good, had a single burst of fruit and intense flavor but overall appeared a tad thin for a California Cab. The finale included the 92 & 95 Cardinale (cab blends). The 92 & 95 were distinctly different in style & character (varietal percentages: 95-76% Cab 24% Merlot; 92-70%Cab, 25%Merlot, 5%Cab Franc). The 95 was more fruity than the 92 and therefore the favorite, deserving of a "Wicked Yummy", while the 92 was certainly "Yummy", but the less preferred style. Favorite Wine - 95 Cardinale

Day 1- Napa/Yountville Tour

Day 2 - Alexander Valley Tour

Day 3 - St. Helena Tour

Day 4 - Rutherford/Calistoga Tour

Day 5 - Heldsberg/Dry Creek Tour

Day 6 - Oakville Tour

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