On Saturday March 20, Napa branch members headed out to the famous Stag’s Leap District  along the Silverado Trail in Napa for a 6 year vertical tasting at Chimney Rock Winery.

Chimney Rock Winery is a 137 acre estate at the southern end of the Stag’s Leap District and grapes grown only on the estate are used to make their wines.  Winemaker Doug Fletcher captures the estates unique terrior through his innovative vineyard management.  Chimney Rock wines are impeccably balanced, with full ripe fruit and silky tannins that age beautifully.

Tom Trzesniewski, the estate’s general manager, guided members through a 6 year vertical tasting of the  2000-2005 vintages of Chimney Rock’s outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon describing the unique characteristics of each wine.

Members were then treated to tastings of Chimney Rock’s 2006 Elevage Red and 2007 Elevage White wines.  Elevage Red is a Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet and the white is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and rarely used Sauvignon Gris, a blend based on the great white wines of France’s Bordeaux Region.

This was a tasting members enjoyed as evidenced by their substantial purchases of wine to close out a beautiful spring day in Napa Valley.