Cellar Pruning: A Daunting Task But Someone Has To Do It!

During the week of July 11, 2014 we had two official functions at The Hilltop Winery, A Lawyer Visits The Hilltop and the 8th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner, click the links or scroll down to review those outings.

For those of you who have been to the cellar in the past, you know it could use a good thinning from time to time and when the outlaw from the East Coast comes to town he does his best to play that role.

The wines listed below were pulled throughout the week by the in-house Sommelier, Mike Wojo.  Most of these wines were pulled earlier in the week and put on the table for a quick "see something, pull something" mindset.

Please note the table in the middle of the cellar and the amount of wine selected for immediate tasting HERE.

While we tried our best this trip to clear the table, we can never keep up with the new wine that gets delivered each year.

I must also say we didn't have a bad bottle in the list below.  May your summer trip/s be enjoyable and may your path/s cross a bottle of white or red of your choosing.

White

• 2009 Ramey Chardonnnay, Napa Valley
• 2010 Aubert Chardonnay (multiple bottles)
• 2011 Staglin Chardonnay, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2012 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros

Red

• 1984 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Hillside Select
• 1988 Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1990 St Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
• 1992 Moraga Red Table Wine
• 2000 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2001 Casanova di Neri, Tenuta Nuova
• 2002 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2002 Araujo Syrah
• 2005 Hunnicut Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2006 Chateau Les Grans Marechaux
• 2010 Chateau Haut-Surget Bordeaux

For a slideshow of the wines and random pictures of our week long stay at The Hilltop Winery go HERE.

California to France: Two Great Venues on The Hilltop!

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 The Hilltop Winery, once again hosted the wayward relative from the East Coast, and you know the deal, he brought the old and some new folks to enjoy the latest grape to hit the market (the old timers know who you are).

And obviously, they got carried away and went deep into the cellar, and with the Sommelier's permission, were allowed to pull some incredible wines from around the world dating back to 1979.

The evening also reunited the wayward relative with Monrose Catering.  Thank you Richard and your staff for taking care of us again with an excellent selection of appetizers for all to enjoy!

Mav was the bomb with her incredible chocolate flour-less tart/cake.  I'm not sure what it was or where it came from but it was delicious!

From a Ph.D. on the East Coast to a Ph.D. on the West Coast, "while the economy may go up and down, a visit to The Hilltop Winery is always an up day!"

So from all the East Coast folks Mike, all we can say is thank you for allowing us to enjoy the following wines from your cellar.

White

• 2011 Golden Slope Liquid Farms Chardonnay
• 2011 Four Liquid Farms Chardonnay
• 2012 Kobalt Sauvignon Blanc

Red

• 1979 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
• 1982 William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1982 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (bottled 1986)
• 1986 Chateau LaGrange, Saint-Julien
• 1988 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1989 Clos du Bois Marlstone Vineyard
• 1994 Chateau Lynch Bages
• 1996 Araujo Syrah, Eisele Vineyards
• 2001 Fratelli Revello Barolo, Vigna Giachini
• 2002 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
• 2003 Clarendon Hills Merlot, Brookman
• 2005 Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2008 Arns Syrah, Napa Valley
• 2011 Bjornstad Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Port

• 1983 Dow's Vintage Port

For pictures of the evening swirl click HERE.

7th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 18, 2013 The Hilltop Winery hosted 26 Institute staff, faculty and volunteer wine enthusiasts to a great wine tasting event.

We even worked with the local chamber of commerce to make sure the weather was as great as the wine.  And it was a chamber of commerce kind of day!

This year we had a dozen newbies to the hilltop.  The other 14 (and you know who you are) are seasoned veterans who made the annual pilgrimage, once again, to the hilltop.  We enjoyed the following wines:

White

• 2009 Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay
• 2011 Muirwood Chardonnay
• 2011 Rombauer Chardonnay
• 2012 Natalie Brander Cuvee Chardonnay

Red

• 2003 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
• 2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2003 Frasier Cabernet Sauvignon, Momento
• 2003 Hunnicut Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Surh Luchtel Cabernet Sauvignon

And once again, our special guest and faculty member Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery brought three special bottles to taste.

• 1985 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

We couldn't help ourselves and then we did a see something, pull something!  These wines were added to the list of magnums we took to Sam's by the Beach.

• 1970 Barolo Marcheri de Barolo
• 1979 BV Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled
• 1989 Chateau Lynch-Bages Bordeaux
• 1993 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

Now it was finally time to pull the magnums and head off to our favorite restaurant, Sam's by The Beach in Santa Monica, CA with proprietor Sam Elias.  He always takes great care of us each year.

The Magnums lifted from the cellar and taken for a ride to Sam's included:

• 1993 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
• 1996 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
• 2007 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (Magnum - two bottles)
• 2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Magnum

Sam and his incredible staff served us a wonderful three course meal that complimented the wines.

As the evening came to a close we said our goodbyes, piled into our cabs, headed back to the hotel, and were off to LAX airport in the morning.

For a complete slideshow of the event click HERE.

Chamber Hilltop Wine Reception

On September 25, 2012, The Hilltop Winery held a special wine reception for their friends in the chamber industry. The format was - see something, pull something!

The following bottles of wine were tasted throughout the afternoon and evening with the exception of: 

 
• The Pedestal and Feather Magnums;
• The Araujo Syrah;
• The HDV Chardonnay; and
• The LaFollett Chardonnay.

...they were properly packaged and taken to dinner at Sam’s by the Beach, one of our favorite boutique restaurants in Santa Monica, CA.

Thank you Mike and Mav for a wonderful wine tasting afternoon!

White

• 1995 Kistler Cuvee Cathleen
• 2006 HDV, Chardonnay
• 2009 Copain Chardonnay
• 2009 LaFollette, Chardonnay

Red

• 1982 Heitz Cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1984 Insignia, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
• 1986 Cain Five, Napa Valley
• 1986 Chateau Lagrange, Saint-Julien
• 1986 Groth, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1989 Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac
• 1989 Brander Bouchet, Santa Ynez Valley
• 1990 Chateau Pichon Longueville, Pauillac
• 1993 Von Strasser, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
• 1994 Talley, Pinot Noir
• 1995 Araujo, Syrah, Eisele Vineyard
• 1998 Dunn Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
• 2003 Raymond, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St. Helena
• 2006 Surh Luchel, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
• 2006 Pedestal (Magnum), Merlot, Columbia Valley
• 2006 Feather (Magnum), Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
• 2008 Alto Moncayo, Veraton, Garnacha
• NV, Barbi, Brunello, di Montalcino

For a complete slideshow of the wine tasting go HERE.

6th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 12, 2012, we held our 6th Annual West Wine Reception at The Hilltop Winery. And of course, we finished with our annual dinner at Sam’s by the Beach with our good friend Sam.

What a special evening. Upon arrival on a hot and humid day in Los Angeles, we started off with a quick cup of Sangria. Attendee choice:

• Traditional Red Sangria
• Strawberry Mojito Sangria

After a quick taste, we moved on to our official wine tasting. The following three conducted tastings were incredible.

First Conducted Tasting:

10 Year Old California Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2002 Araujo, Eisle Vineyard
• 2002 Dunn, Howell Mountain
• 2002 Dunn, Napa Valley
• 2002 Staglin, 20th Anniversary
• 2002 Dalla Valle
• 2002 Chateau Montelena
• 2002 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
• 2002 Brander

Second Conducted Tasting:

A comparison between 2000/2001 Barolo and 2006/2009 Barolo

• 2000 Marchesi di Barolo
• 2001 Stefano Farina
• 2001 Fratello Revello
• 2001 Paolo Scavino
• 2006 Argiano
• 2006 Camigliano
• 2009 Lughere di Frassinello

Third Conducted Tasting:

Chardonnay

• 1996 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2001 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2006 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2009 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon

• 1999 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 2002 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 2009 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

For a slideshow of the evenings event go HERE.

The Hilltop Before Ojai

On September 24, 2010, Bill and I had the privilege of making a trip to The Hilltop Winery before our major conference in Ojai.

We were treated very well by our hosts and the following bottles were tasted before dinner at Casa Nostra.

• 1981 Pahlmeyer, Estate Bottled, Napa Valley
• 1995 Havens Bourriquot, Napa Valley Red Table Wine
• 1997 Araujo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley
• 2003 Pahlmeyer, Red Wine, Napa Valley

For a slideshow of the evening click HERE.