Of the icon producers, be it traditionalists like Heitz or cults like Screagle, which ones if any will actually give you a pour of their top bottlings or mature vintages? When I visited Corison three or four years ago, they had a couple of back vintages years old open and available for sale. Does anyone have any hookups to visit smaller producers e. Schrader, Harlan etc. Check with Phil Ente. He did some research on a similar topic. Yes, I am indifferent between Napa and Sonoma.
Any excuse to take that drive over the mountain range on Trinity and Dry Creek Roads between the valleys is greatly appreciated. Generally, wineries you can walk into without an appointment will result in the most current selections being poured. Older vintages will likely be limited out of the library and not available for tasting, or expensive if Coravin has changed this last situation, yet doubt you would find many libraries of much depth.
Seavey does release them to their club rooms. We tasted at Forman and Bressler last week and had the 06 from both and both have them and Bressler also has the 05 for sale. A few years ago, at least, Freemark Abbey had a tasting that went back to the 70s and you could purchase old library wines at reasonable prices. Why would people open old vintages of expensive wine for someone they never heard of?
Because if you were special, would you be asking for help from unknown folks on a wine board? So you kind of have to sell yourself. You seem to know the area, so why not just go with that? Both Beringer and Mondavi have reserve tastings and they offer library wines on occasion.
If you want to try some of the young guns, go to Acme or If you have a helicopter, you can arrange to land it at Screaming Eagle. Oh, I was thinking more like the period.
