Frazier Winery was located in the Coombsville region for many years which was awarded its own sub appellation of Napa after Frazier sold their winery here. From 1990 (when Frazier planted their first vineyards through 2011 the grapes for their wines came from this estate. In 2011 the winery sold and now Frazier will be sourcing fruit from premium vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. They specialize in premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Bill Frazier, a former pilot for United Airlines and a Virginia Tech alum purchased property here in the early 1980’s; he started making wine as a hobby which then turned into a full time operation. His original vineyards were planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – at the time he was somewhat of a pioneer in this regards as Cabernet was not often planted in this cooler growing region. Additional acreage was purchased and a cave was then built. This is truly a family run operation. Even Bill’s kids have jumped into the wine business with a passion. His daughter is in charge of their marketing and his son is the vineyard manager.
Their well-known wine maker is Kirk Venge. The wine making process here is very hand driven and non automated. Unlike large wineries who often pick an entire vineyard with one pass Frazier always picks many times during harvest, ensuring they are only picking the fruit that has the most flavor. After the fruit is picked it is then sorted 4 separate times, ensuring only the ripest highest quality berries go to fermentation.
They have two labels, Frazier and their second label, Lupine Hill. Their Frazier Memento Cabernet Sauvignon due to its very limited production is typically barrel tasted and is only available for purchase at the winery (not even through the website). Only the highest quality fruit from the property is used to make this wine. The 2004 Memento vintage is extremely dark which is your first indication at how big this wine will be. Considering the juice sat on the skins for 42 days, this wine has great layers of flavor and good tannin structure on the finish. Buy enough of this wine to be able to cellar a few bottles!
This was the first winery we tasted at upon resuming our Napa Wine project after being out of the country for two months. It was so good to get back to Napa Cabernets. There is a reason Napa Valley is famous for its Cabernets and it is wineries such as this one that do no harm to that good image. Both Cabernet Sauvignons under the Frazier label we are like drinking liquid velvet; they are big wines yet still very well balanced and are wines meant to be paired with food (all wines we tasted were paired with cheese). Their Frazier Cabernets & Merlots are made solely with 100% free run juice, the highest quality juice you can get out of a grape. Visit: www.frazierwinery.com
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