Shopping the boutiques in St. Helena can make a man thirsty. A stop at Provenance can quench your thirst but also show you great, classic Bordeaux reds don't have to cost a fortune. I love exploring new varietals and tasting through different regions and experimental blends but every now and then I need to scurry back to the original wines that I fell in love with. The classics. Merlot and Cabernet are the two varietals that, when done right, can induce magic and has been know to harbor states of euphoria. They are varietals that have been made by almost every winery and the overabundance has created bland, boring wines making it difficult to find true gems and classic examples of these well defining grapes.
I had heard great things of Provenance Vineyards which sparked this visit. Mostly due to their their currant winemaker, Tom Rinaldi, was the founding winemaker for Duckhorn where he produced 22 vintages of critically acclaimed wines that many of my family and friends adore also.
Provenance is relatively new to the scene with their first wine release being in 1999, their Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. In August 2002, Provenance acquired the winery known formerly as Chateau Beaucanon, located on Highway 29, to become their new home in Napa Valley. Visiting the winery is unique unto itself.
Walk on where only wine has slept. The entire tasting room floor is made from over 900 barrel staves and was designed by MacRae Architects and created by general contractor Total Concepts. These companies are noted for their work with high-end wineries and residences. Constructed as a puzzle-piece floor design, you can actually see the inscribed cooper's marks and wine stains.
"Since provenance refers to a guarantee of a work of art's origin and authenticity, we wanted to display our wines in a space that feels more like an art gallery than a tasting room," explains Tom Rinaldi, winemaker AND general manager of Provenance Vineyards.
"So, we started from scratch and completely tore out the old tasting room. We soundproofed the room, installed museum-quality lighting and made good use of old barrels for the flooring. As far we know, no other tasting room in the U.S. has this kind of floor."
The afternoon was quiet. We were about to embark on a rediscovery of classic Bordeaux varietal wines with the California flare we've come to love. Mo Gragai, tasting room host, was more than gracious and hospitable. He was incredibly tentative and knowledgeable while pouring the wines. Mo explained the ins-and-outs of each wine with great clarity and detail without getting stuffy or boring. He gave us space while we tasted allowing us to form our own opinions then later provided his suggestions for food pairing and flavor descriptors when we inquired. Mo provided the ideal tasting experience - easy going with incredibly detailed knowledge of the wines at the mere inquiry without being pushy or assuming.
Provenance wines are excellent. Not only are they high quality but great values as well. Considering the neighborhood, good Merlot and Cabernet under the $50 price is hard to come by.
My notes for the wines I tasted that day are here:
2001 Merlot; Carneros $27
2002 Merlot; Mt. Veeder; Paras Vineyards $40
2000 Cabernet; To-Kalon Vineyard $40
2001 Cabernet; Rutherford $35
2000 Hewitt Vineyards Cabernet $75
The wines that really stood out to me were the Mt. Veeder Merlot, the Rutherford Cabernet, and Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet. All of them showed incredible quality and value. The Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet, a bit pricey but rich in flavors and an excellent, elegant wine for delicate dishes.
From what I understand and was told by Mo, Provenance also produce a Sauvignon Blanc at low production levels and created in the New Zealand style. It is completely sold out at the moment as people found it absolutely incredible. I'll be sure to check back when new releases make their way to the public.
Overall, Provenance was a refreshing visit back to the wines I love. Their tasting room is warm and wines exquisite in both quality and value. Give them a chance to dazzle your taste buds for these classic varietals can inspire when done right. And when you have the skills of Tom Rinaldi behind each bottle, you can rest assure each sip will cause you to reminisce of early days when these grapes were all the craze and caused you to search out for similar gems. Provenance sticks to the wines which, at one time or another, we have all had a love affair with and they continue to produce excellent reasons to take notice and fall back in love.
