We tasted simply delightful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Hartford Court is delivering on the promise of their advantageous microclimate. Their wines express Pinot Noir and Chardonnay almost purely, with subtle nuances. Hartford calls their approach "High Personality".

The single vineyard offerings are rare, but offer even more depth. Typically these limited edition wines are unfiltered.

We tasted:

> Hartford Chardonnay 2002 Sonoma Coast: Bright, lively style with layers of crisp tart fruit, mineral and a hint of spicy oak.

> Hartford Court Chardonnay 2002 Three Jacks Vineyard Russian River Valley: Bright, ripe, complex, citrus, mineral, smoke, with a long firm finish.

> Hartford Court Chardonnay 2002 Seascape Vineyard Sonoma Coast: Bright, lively, and intense aromas of citrus, tree fruit and mineral, followed by nice tartness and a long finish.

> Hartford Pinot Noir 2002 Sonoma Coast: Moderately full, aromatic, juicy, lively, tart and complex. Shows berry, cherry aromas and mineral on the palate.

> Hartford Court Pinot Noir 2001 Velvet Sisters Vineyard Anderson Valley: Complex, purple flavors, blackberry, violet, minerals, some smoke, and plenty of structure.

Lunch was a find. On the way back from Hartford Court to Terra Valentine (Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley), we stopped in the town of Graton. We dined at Willow Wood Market. The food was artistic, delicious and plentiful.

Terra Valentine is just on the Napa County side of the Mayacamas Mountains separating Napa and Sonoma Counties. They are making elegant big reds worthy of their Spring Mountain address and proximity to Pride, Barnett and others. Their cabernets are bold, complex, rich and polished, especially for the reasonable prices ($50 or less).

Originally, legend has it that the winery and stone villa were hand-built by the property’s founder, a reclusive inventor named "Fred". His claim to fame was "inventing curb feelers". He made a wine there called "Yverdon", until he no longer wanted to deal with the regulatory agencies. Fred continued to work on the buildings until his death.

In 1999, Angus and Margaret Wurtele purchased and began restoring the artisan winery. Angus Wurtele’s father was named "Valentine"; hence the new name for the property. The entire staff is relatively young, with most not yet 30, including Winemaker Sam Baxter, and our host Kathy Berez.

We tasted:

> Terra Valentine Russian River Pinot Noir 2002 (very limited and nice)

> Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Spring Mountain District

> Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Wurtele Vineyard

> Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 Wurtele Vineyard

> Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 Wurtele Vineyard

This flight of wines showed a very high level of quality, which is still evolving with the young-at-heart Terra Valentine. With their unique Mayacamas mountain elevation/location, they can make great wine and still keep an eye on the valley.

Just West of Terra Valentine, on the opposite side of the road, sits Barnett Vineyards. They have a breathtaking view of the northern end of Napa Valley. The cabernet sauvignon vines are planted in widely spaced rows on steep slopes of very rocky soil. The vines are usually above the fog line, often resulting in several more hours per day of sunshine. The result is big bold mountain reds, with rich dark fruit, mineral, and toasty oak.

We tasted:

> Barnett Vineyards Pinot Noir 2002 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey

> Barnett Vineyards Merlot 2001 Spring Mountain District

> Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Spring Mountain District

> Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Spring Mountain District

> Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Rattlesnake Hill Spring Mountain

The Cabernets were layered with flavors and texture, complex and long finishing. Dark fruit, toasty spice and firm tannins form the basis for all of them. The Rattlesnake Hill is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and saw more new French Oak.

The Merlot was of the powerful and complex style, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon was blended in for more structure. The Pinot Noir was a very good example from cool Monterey.

The Barnett Vineyards maybe release 6000 cases total per year, so their wines aren’t easy to find, but worth the price for sure.