Crocker & Starr Wines

Elite '08

12

112

Powell Y.

Napa, CA

Date: March 29, 2007
Winery: Crocker & Starr Wines
Winemaker: Pam Starr
Tasting: Tasting by Appointment
Contact: 707.967.9111 - Pam Starr

This is another winery that I've not visited for a while, specifically the last two years. Used to meet up with Pam at Napa Wine Company every few month and always been a fan of her work. These days, Pam is entertaining visitors at the Crocker Estate in St. Helena, beautiful property and much more pleasing than the crowded barrel room at NWC.
Located on the valley floor in St. Helena, this is definitely a stop to make while visiting in the area, don't miss out!

2003 Stone Place
Back in the days, Stone Place was a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot. However, as the vineyard matures, the Cabernet source has steadily increased, this current bottling is 84% Cabernet and 16% Merlot.
Wonderful aromatic lures you into the glass. Tremendous amount of black fruits accompanied by sweet anise, licorice and hints of chocolate. Layers of dark fruit on the palate, dominated with black cherries. Dense and chewy, good weight on mid-palate. Firm but well integrated tannin, balanced out by fat, luscious fruits. Good power, yet shows restrain.

2004 Cabernet Franc
So it seem like every time I taste wine with Pam, we run into the issue of cork influenced (but not TCA) wine. Pam opened a total of three half bottles of the Cab Franc.
First bottle opened got great aromatic, cinnamon stick was the headliner. While the wine showed good amount of fruit on the palate, there is this bothersome drying woody tannin. Pam suspected cork influence so off to fetch the second bottle. Cork popped on second bottle, we hit the classic TCA jackpot. Hoping for third time's the charm and it sure was.
Striking cinnamon stick nose, not that much different than the first bottle. But on the palate, it's where you can really see the difference. Gone is the drying cedar tannin, more raspberries and cherries took it's place, tannin is now firm and ripe. This is easily one of the top five Cabernet Franc made in the valley, if you like Cab Franc and has not tried Pam's, you are missing out.

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