
Napa Valley Wine California
Learn about Napa Valley wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
One of the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. Napa whites are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth red wines with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.
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Dominus Estate (bin soiled label) 1987Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Silver Oak Napa Valley Bonny's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (corroded capsule) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Opus One (signs of past seepage) 1987Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Sterling Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Pahlmeyer Caldwell Vineyard Napa Valley 1987Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (torn label - 1.5L Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Silver Oak Napa Valley Bonny's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
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La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1987Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP