The Hedonistic Taster | № 28 | Artesa Winery – Napa Valley
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.
" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg" style="border:0;height:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;margin:5px auto 10px;border-radius:2px;vertical-align:middle;" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="Tastevin" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="size-full wp-image-13244 aligncenter" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" />“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster*, an intimate showcase of artisan winemaker trade samples.
These tasting notes compliment binNotes | Affordable Burgundy and beyond.“Beyond” includes existing and emerging producers of Pinot Noir worldwide.
Artesa Winery has been making premium pinot noir and sparkling wine in California since 1991.
" data-orig-size="250,250" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" data-image-title="ArtesaSamples" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesasamples-e1505845284832.jpg?w=700" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.8","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 7","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1504707663","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.99","iso":"20","shutter_speed":"0.033333333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesasamples-e1505845284832.jpg?w=700?w=250" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/09/20/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-28-artesa-winery-napa-valley/artesasamples/" alt="" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesasamples-e1505845284832.jpg 250w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesasamples-e1505845284832.jpg?w=150 150w" class="wp-image-17599 size-full" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesasamples-e1505845284832.jpg?w=700?w=250" />Artesa Pinot Noir – Napa, CA.Today’s Tasting: Artesa Winery – Napa Valley, CA.
Quick – which Napa Valley boasts over four centuries of winemaking?
Answer: Artesa Winery. Their labels sums up it up succinctly: “Est. Barcelona 1151, Napa 1991.”
A new world scion of Spain’s prominent Codorníu family’s cava empire, Artesa Winery estate comprises 350 acres in Carneros, replete with a sleek guest facility designed by Barcelona architect Domingo Triay that sprawls hillside like an exotic odalisque, ornamented with a world-class art collection and recently revamped Tasting Salon. But Artesa’s wines emerge the real treasure in this haven to artistry.
‘Artesa’ means “hand-crafted’ in Catalan, and Portuguese-born Director of Winemaking Ana Diogo Draper imbues both still and sparkling wines with old world soul and new world attitude. My samples represent their 2015 pinot noir production, and a bonus sample of the Codorníu Cuvée Clasico cava from Barcelona as a textural/cultural contrast.
About the 2015 Napa Harvest: A fourth consecutive year of drought yielded small quantities but high quality fruit throughout Napa.
Artesa Winery crafts this 2015 Estate Pinot Noir from their 350 acre estate in the Los Carneros side of Napa Valley.
" data-orig-size="564,1800" sizes="(max-width: 94px) 100vw, 94px" data-image-title="Artesa_15_EV_PN" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="94" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png?w=94&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/09/20/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-28-artesa-winery-napa-valley/artesa_15_ev_pn/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png?w=94&h;=300 94w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png?w=188&h;=600 188w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png?w=47&h;=150 47w" class="size-medium wp-image-17615" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/artesa_15_ev_pn.png?w=266" />Artesa Winery 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, CA.Wine: Artesa Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir | Los Carneros – Napa Valley
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.6%
Suggested Retail: $45
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Clear, deep garnet hue.
Nose: Pomegranate, graphite, floral notes.
Palate: Cranberry, red cherry, wild berry bouche. Light/medium body, acids, tannins, finish. Surprisingly soft-spoken, elegant, deeply satisfying wine that belies its alcohol level. Excellent quality.
Suggested Pairings: Personally paired this with marinated wild Alaskan salmon and a late summer salad made from local farmer’s market organic little gems, purple cabbage, radishes, and scallions.
Rating: 93
Artesa Los Carneros Pinot Noir combines fruit picked from across the Carneros region in Napa Valley.
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Alcohol: 14.2%
Suggested Retail: $25
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Opaque garnet robe.
Nose: Cranberry, mulberry, herbaceous backnote.
Palate: Dark and red fruits predominate – blueberry, plum, cherry. Light body, acids, refined tannins.
Suggested Pairings: An approachable wine suitable for casual, soulful fare such as ratitouille or cassoulet.
Rating: 89.5
Codorníu Cuvée Clasico Cava is comprised of 34% Xarello, 33% Macabeu, and 33 % Parellada, all local Catalonian varietals.
" data-orig-size="250,250" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" data-image-title="CodorniuCava" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/codorniucava1-e1505859665182.jpg?w=700" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.8","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 7","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1503772650","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.99","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.25","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/codorniucava1-e1505859665182.jpg?w=700?w=250" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/09/20/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-28-artesa-winery-napa-valley/codorniucava/" alt="" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/codorniucava1-e1505859665182.jpg 250w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/codorniucava1-e1505859665182.jpg?w=150 150w" class="wp-image-17619 size-full" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/codorniucava1-e1505859665182.jpg?w=700?w=250" />Codorníu N/V Cuvée Clasico Cava – Barcelona, ES.Wine: Codorníu Cuvée Clasico Cava Brut
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 11.5%
Suggested Retail: $15
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Clear, pale gold hue.
Nose: Yellow apple, stone fruit.
Palate: Diffuse mousse, perlage; bright acids, green apple bouche.
Suggested Pairings: Personally paired with paella – the acids well complimented the briny seafood and saffron.
Rating: 88. Excellent quality/value.
Learn more about Artesa Winery here.
Artesa Winery | 1345 Henry Road, Napa CA 94559
More of The Hedonistic Taster here.
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*Author’s Note: The title “Hedonistic Taster” derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.
Copyrighted 2017 L.M. Archer | binNotes. All Rights Reserved.
