Good wine and wineryGood white wineI love their white wine
Mike T
Amazing cab and chard.
Fred T.
While Napa is dominated by legacy vineyards and wineries that deserve their reputations (or not as the case may be) there are smaller producers here and there that despite being unknown but to a small handful or people produce world beating wines not for the desire to profit but rather because it is their passion. Such is the case of the Shibumi Knoll Winery. Located in the heart of the Northern California wine country and on a small patch of land in Saint Helena, California, it is perhaps one of the most unheralded producers of cult Cabernet wine in the world. "Shibumi" which in Japanese translates to "the pursuit of perfection though simplicity" or "effortless perfection, perfectly describes their flagship red wine. They also produce and award winning Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. Sadly Don Ross passed away in 2016 but the winery continues to produce excellent wine and his wife remains at the helm continuing their growing legacy. As noted above this a cult winery. The wine is available directly and I have never seen it at retailers. That being said it is found in several of Napa and Sonoma's elite restaurants including the French laundry. While I have had the very limited 2004-2005 Cab, the bulk of my tasting has revolved around the equally impressive 2006 of which I was lucky enough to acquire in case quantity. Recently we opened a bottle: Despite 12 years of age on it, it still had a vibrant nose of jammy dark fruit and a whiff of tobacco. It had currant, more tobacco, and hints of saffron on the palate. It had a soft mouthfeel and a luxurious long finish. It still has not peaked IMHO and could go years more and continue to evolve. I cannot tell you how happy I am about my decision to pick up several magnums of this on release. It will be special for years to come. I was almost reluctant to actually write this review for purely selfish reasons. This is an under $100 cult cab that drinks far better than those costing 4 to 5 times that. I want to keep this quiet.....
Loredana Serafini
Winery is a private home, tastings are by appointment only. The view is almost as good as the wine!
Good wine and wineryGood white wineI love their white wine
Amazing cab and chard.
While Napa is dominated by legacy vineyards and wineries that deserve their reputations (or not as the case may be) there are smaller producers here and there that despite being unknown but to a small handful or people produce world beating wines not for the desire to profit but rather because it is their passion. Such is the case of the Shibumi Knoll Winery. Located in the heart of the Northern California wine country and on a small patch of land in Saint Helena, California, it is perhaps one of the most unheralded producers of cult Cabernet wine in the world. "Shibumi" which in Japanese translates to "the pursuit of perfection though simplicity" or "effortless perfection, perfectly describes their flagship red wine. They also produce and award winning Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. Sadly Don Ross passed away in 2016 but the winery continues to produce excellent wine and his wife remains at the helm continuing their growing legacy. As noted above this a cult winery. The wine is available directly and I have never seen it at retailers. That being said it is found in several of Napa and Sonoma's elite restaurants including the French laundry. While I have had the very limited 2004-2005 Cab, the bulk of my tasting has revolved around the equally impressive 2006 of which I was lucky enough to acquire in case quantity. Recently we opened a bottle: Despite 12 years of age on it, it still had a vibrant nose of jammy dark fruit and a whiff of tobacco. It had currant, more tobacco, and hints of saffron on the palate. It had a soft mouthfeel and a luxurious long finish. It still has not peaked IMHO and could go years more and continue to evolve. I cannot tell you how happy I am about my decision to pick up several magnums of this on release. It will be special for years to come. I was almost reluctant to actually write this review for purely selfish reasons. This is an under $100 cult cab that drinks far better than those costing 4 to 5 times that. I want to keep this quiet.....
Winery is a private home, tastings are by appointment only. The view is almost as good as the wine!
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