The photo gives a reasonable impression of the spectacular sunset view last night from the backyard of Tenstone Estate, home of the "Kalein Does Napa Retreat". At Kalein, we celebrate all artisitic genres, including agriculture's highest art form, wine-making.
Yesterday, several of us enjoyed an extraordinary wine tasting at the home of Phifer-Pavitt Wines. Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt has created an exquisite Cabernet that garnered a 94 ranking by Wine Spectator. She also grew up in the same tiny, tiny community in North Georgia as my wife Chris.
The tasting was filled with nostalgia and memories of mutual childhood friends and experiences. It also provided us the opportunity to taste Suzanne's spectacular "Old World" Cabernet called Date Night. It is exquisite!
We then journeyed a few miles down Silverado Trail to one of my favorite wineries in the world-Failla Wines. Kathy gave us a beautiful tour of the property that is literally humming with the bottling of their new wines. We progressed into the sparkling brand new cave for a tasting of some of the most spectacular wines in Napa. Ehren Jordan (who is also the winemaker for the cult wine Turley) received Wine and Wine Maker of the year awards in 2008 from Wine Enthusiast. His 2007 Keefer Ranch Chardonnay, 2006 Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, 2006 Occidental Pinot Noir and the 2007 vintage of his 2006 "Wine Of The Year" Phoenix Ranch Syrah caused our palettes to sing the Hallelujah Chorus! The Syrah has a nose of lavender and is a beautiful wine. All are exceptional wines and highly recommended!
If that weren't enough magic for the day, Ehren Jordan, his wife Anne Marie Failla, Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt and her husband Shane joined us at Tenstone for a spectacular dinner created by our very own Chef Michael Sichel. They came bearing gifts of a magnum of 1996 Turley Zinfandel grown in a vineyard in our backyard, Failla Pinots, a magnum of Failla Viognier (which was mindblowing), and multiple bottles of Phifer-Pavitt Date Night Cabernet. These exceptional wines complemented Chef Michael's fare of Gnocchi made from scratch (the best I have ever had), sausages, fresh mussels & clams in a decadent sauce for appetizers poolside, and a homemade chocolate mousse topped with fresh strawberries, olive oil and pine nuts that was absolutely mind blowing when paired with the Date Night Cab. Oh my!
A perfect setting with great food, wine, friends and conversation. It just doesn't get any better!!
Oh wait, there's today...maybe, it gets better...
