Whitehall Lane winery in California’s Napa Valley will be featured at a wine dinner on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Bistro 1860, 1765 Mellwood Ave. Erica Weber, Eastern Regional Manager of Whitehall Lane, will be guest speaker at the four-course meal paired with Whitehall Lane’s wines. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7. Dinner is $65 per person; call the restaurant, 618-1745, for reservations.
Here are extended fact sheets on the wines. I’ve asked for info on the dinner courses, and will post it when I get it.
2013 Sauvignon Blanc, BLEND: 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Semillon, 15.98
The 2013 growing season was spectacular in Napa Valley with ideal weather from bud break to harvest. Our Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested two weeks ahead of normal with unbelievable flavor and ripeness. 70% of the fruit was fermented in stainless steel tanks and 30% in new French Oak barrels. This wine is full of zest with loads of citrusy lemon, lime and grapefruit aromas and flavors. It is nicely balanced with some tropical notes of pineapple and kiwi.
2012 Napa, merlot, 26.36
BLEND: 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% SyrahThe grapes were grown in the winery’s Estate Vineyard in Rutherford and select vineyards throughout Napa Valley. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 18 months. Whitehall Lane has always utilized the art of blending to make a Merlot with layers of flavors, complexity and balance. The bright flavors of plum, blackberry and black cherry are at its core and deliver a soft, fruity and smooth mouth-coating texture. It is precisely balanced all the way to its finish.
2012 Tre Leoni Red Blend, $21.52
Three generations of the Leonardini Family (Tre Leoni) are responsible for this expertly made proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and other grapes. This 2012 marks the third release of the Tre Leoni. It remains a fun yet serious blend of some of the Leonardini Family’s favorite barrel lots. This 2012 is a full-bodied wine with plenty of structure on the mid-palate and soft tannins on the nish. The Tre Leoni is a wine for all occasions including casual BBQ's and weeknight dinners.
2012 Napa Cabernet, $35.09
The 2012 growing season was quintessential Napa Valley. The fruit was hand sorted and fermented in small lots at an average of 85°F with gentle pump-overs for excellent flavor and color extraction. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 18 months and blended to attain balance. Merlot increased softness on the mid-palate while Malbec added texture and additional layers of ripe flavors to the wine.
Bistro 1860
1765 Mellwood Ave.
618-1745
http://bistro1860.com