We enjoyed our visit to Envy Wines and want to thank Phillip for being such a gracious and helpful host. Although I preferred their red wines, they do offer several whites that are appealing. Envy Wines is across for Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga and is easy to locate. We highly recommend visiting them but, if you are unable to do so, you should check out their wines, especially the Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bee Bee's Blend. Reservations are required but may easily be made. The tasting fee of $15 is waived with the purchase of two bottles of wine. Photos may be viewed here: http://bachtobacchus.blogspot.com/2013/04/envy-wines.html
Our tasting began with the Envy Wines 2011 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($25). Light straw in color. After a good nose of mostly lemon there was a crisp, but not tart, lemon and Japanese pear on the palate with some minerality. It had a medium length but very pleasant finish of lemon and vanilla. A nice SB for the price.
Envy's Bee Bee's blend has been produced yearly and is named after Nil's now deceased dog. We tasted the Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Bee Bee's Blend ($41). Light ruby in color, it is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Sirah and has a nice aroma of red cherries with hints of cedar. Although rather fruit forward on the palate, it is not jammy or sweetish, and has red cherry, pepper and nicely integrated tannins followed by a lovely and long finish of cherry, spices and pepper. This is a very appealing red blend that is quite drinkable now. I liked it almost as much as the Cab and PS, and it is a rather unique and unusual blend. My friend liked it a lot.
Next up was the Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at $48. This is 100% Cab. An appealing bright purplish in color, it had a very nice aroma of black cherry, smoke and vanilla. Smooth and fresh on the palate, it was mostly black cherry with some vanilla. The finish was quite long with cherry, lingering tannins and spice. A very nice Cab and, along with the Petite Sirah, my favorite of the wines we tasted.
The Envy Wines 2010 Calistoga Estate Petite Sirah at $45 followed. 390 cases were produced. Dark ruby in color, it had a great nose, mostly spice and pepper. With very fresh fruit on the palate, I got mostly blackberries, pepper and some cola with very nicely interlaced tannins. Although this is a full bodied PS, it is not overwhelming and the varietal characteristics come through nicely. The length was medium plus with mostly cola and blackberries. Definitely a superior Petite Sirah, and, along with the Cab, my favorite of the wines we sampled. If you like Petite Sirah, you might want to check out the P.S. I Love You festival. http://bachtobacchus.blogspot.com/2013/02/ps-i-love-you-seventh-annual-dark-and.html
The final sample was the Envy Wines 2009 Envy Late Harvest at $45 a half bottle. This was all Semillon, with a flowery nose and a pleasant palate of mostly peach and apricot. Although easy to drink, it seemed rather simple and did not have the subtlety or complexity of a really good French Sauterne, but it will probably appeal to many persons who like soft, sweet white wines. read more