2014 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Light rains over the winter gave way to a somewhat normal spring and a smaller than average crop.The summer ended on a much cooler note causing us to harvest in mid September. The fruit was a bit drier this year which lends itself to some additional structure in the wine.
This well balanced, bramble style of zinfandel has a spicy palate, caramel on the nose with a hint of black pepper on the long, subtle finish. Red fruits are on the nose and on the tongue, framed by soft tannins. This wine would love to be paired with grilled fare and should be on your table to be shared before the end of 2023.
Specs
Vintage: 2014
Varietal: Zinfandel
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 224 cases
2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
The estate produced a terrific vintage in 2015. Juicy fruit and concentrated tannins dominate the palate. Brown sugar notes on the nose along with pleasant spices are framed by sweet caramel from American oak barrel ageing. Enjoy by 2024.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: Zinfandel
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa - Valley
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 331 cases
Vineyard Notes
Nestled at the foot of Calistogaās Oat Hill, Laura Michael Wines is redefining the meaning of limited-production wines with each vintage of its estate Zinfandel. Rich in rocky-gravelly volcanic soil, the estate provides ideal growing conditions for its carefully tended two acres of Zinfandel.
Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
The estate vineyard was planted in 1996, just before Laura took ownership in 1999. The vineyard sits on the west side of the Oat Hill Mine Road, planted at the base of the hill. Michael carefully tends the plants and has renovated the vineyard planted in 1980 with new plantings in 2007, 2010 and 2014. As the new plantings get to full production, the rest of the vineyard continues to give us great complexity and a zinfandel flavor that just hints at some black pepper on the palate while remaining quite fruity and food friendly.
Included in the Box
3-bottles:
2x 2014 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
1x 2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Case:
8x 2014 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
4x 2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding, yet delicious, journey from fledging winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.
A long-time wine enthusiast, Owner and Proprietor Laura Swanton purchased the Calistoga winery estate that would become Laura Michael Wines from the Traulsen family in 1999. At the time, Laura was a sales specialist with Cisco Systems in San Jose. It was a career that required intimate knowledge of high-tech product application. Knowing how the technology worked was critical to her success in selling the product.
At the time Laura purchased the winery, Michael had embarked on an independent career in power generation and services, a career that spanned nearly two decades. When they came together in 2006, their current journey started and continues to this day.
Today, their tenacity for learning systems and science is directed at running their small winery and vineyard estate dedicated to limited-production, premium red wines. Since 1999, Laura has managed all winemaking processes from grape sourcing to the logistics of launching and operating a winery. Her zeal to understand winegrowing at its root has her pruning, picking, irrigating and collecting samples in the vineyard. A thirst for winemaking knowledge encourages her participation in crush, pump-overs, racking and bottling.
āWe do it all,ā says Laura. āItās so important that we work alongside every member of our team from the temporary harvest help to our consulting winemaker. We are not ones to stand on the sidelines, and fortunately because we are as small as we are, we can be actively involved in every aspect of this business.ā
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014/2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel - $50 = 17.85%
Laura was my first buy at woot (Looooong time ago), and Iāve purchased everything sheās sold since. Not about to break the chain! In for at least one case.
Upon opening, some very nice berry and pepper aromas. A deep yet translucent reddish purple color and light legs quickly running down the side of the glass. First taste, slightly acidic, lots of berry and red plum up front, chewy in the mid-palate and a slightly tannic finish.
An hour in the glass. Being from Dry Creek, I had high expectations, and this Zin did not disappoint! The fruit emerges, with everything meshing together well! I am tasting this Sunday afternoon, before heading out, so I could not pair this wine with food. It drinks well standing alone, and I am sure it will pair nicely with the typical Zin matches. Fruit forward and several layers hit the senses. The finish could be longer but no complaints here!
End of the evening, poured a glass when I got home. It rounded out a bit, the tannins smoothing out. Not a lengthy finish for a Zin with the fruit dissipating after about 5 seconds.
I would recommend this to all Zin lovers. it is well crafted, āelegantā ( I usually would not normally use that term for zins), and would be pleasing to all west coast red fans! I picture a lazy sunset outdoors or in front of a fire pit with perhaps charcuterie, cheese, baguette, and accompaniments.
Iāve yet to be disappointed by a Laura Michaels wine. But, Iām not much of a zin drinker (blasphemy, I know). For those who like zins, Iād expect this to be a high QPR offering.
I havenāt bought on casemates since the switch to UPS but I love, love, love Laura Michael Wines and Iām willing to drive through bad neighborhoods at night to get to the UPS center and deal with crappy UPS service for her wine. Iām buying a case and not sharing.
I found this wine to be woody, hint of peppery. I could almost say this wine was masculine. I couldnāt get any fruity feels from it, and I want to say it made me crave a steak. I am not a red drinker, but this was interesting to try at least.
Pop n pour - deep opaque purple plum color; spicy nose, light strawberry notes;
thin smooth mouth feel, some alcohol bite during and after.
No noticeable tannins (strange)
Mild honey and strawberry flavors
Went well with spaghettiā¦made mah wife want Gouda for dessert.
Update: we donāt have any gouda. It WOULD go well with Gouda or Gruyere
End of the glass and Iām trying to figure out this finish. Itās gotten sweeter, with some tart green apple
Corked it and let it sit
Day 2:
No more spice, nose has more of a floral note, but put a gun to my head and I couldnāt name a specific flower.
Palate is sweeter with sour cherry, all the alcohol spice is gone. The fruit, sweetness and light palate feel make this seem more like a pinot noir than a zin
Retail guess is ~$20-25
Iād buy a couple bottles ~$13
2014 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
Vineyard Notes
Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$577.76 at Laura Michael Wines for 8 2015 Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel and 4 Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
About The Winery
Winery: Laura Michael Wines
Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding, yet delicious, journey from fledging winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.
A long-time wine enthusiast, Owner and Proprietor Laura Swanton purchased the Calistoga winery estate that would become Laura Michael Wines from the Traulsen family in 1999. At the time, Laura was a sales specialist with Cisco Systems in San Jose. It was a career that required intimate knowledge of high-tech product application. Knowing how the technology worked was critical to her success in selling the product.
At the time Laura purchased the winery, Michael had embarked on an independent career in power generation and services, a career that spanned nearly two decades. When they came together in 2006, their current journey started and continues to this day.
Today, their tenacity for learning systems and science is directed at running their small winery and vineyard estate dedicated to limited-production, premium red wines. Since 1999, Laura has managed all winemaking processes from grape sourcing to the logistics of launching and operating a winery. Her zeal to understand winegrowing at its root has her pruning, picking, irrigating and collecting samples in the vineyard. A thirst for winemaking knowledge encourages her participation in crush, pump-overs, racking and bottling.
āWe do it all,ā says Laura. āItās so important that we work alongside every member of our team from the temporary harvest help to our consulting winemaker. We are not ones to stand on the sidelines, and fortunately because we are as small as we are, we can be actively involved in every aspect of this business.ā
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, February 6th - Monday, February 10th
Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014/2015 Laura Michael Wines Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel - $50 = 17.85%
Laura is an auto buy. Iāve not had anything from her that is less than spectacular. In for a case.
/giphy noiseless-receptive-toast
Laura was my first buy at woot (Looooong time ago), and Iāve purchased everything sheās sold since. Not about to break the chain! In for at least one case.
Laura Michael Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel 2015
Upon opening, some very nice berry and pepper aromas. A deep yet translucent reddish purple color and light legs quickly running down the side of the glass. First taste, slightly acidic, lots of berry and red plum up front, chewy in the mid-palate and a slightly tannic finish.
An hour in the glass. Being from Dry Creek, I had high expectations, and this Zin did not disappoint! The fruit emerges, with everything meshing together well! I am tasting this Sunday afternoon, before heading out, so I could not pair this wine with food. It drinks well standing alone, and I am sure it will pair nicely with the typical Zin matches. Fruit forward and several layers hit the senses. The finish could be longer but no complaints here!
End of the evening, poured a glass when I got home. It rounded out a bit, the tannins smoothing out. Not a lengthy finish for a Zin with the fruit dissipating after about 5 seconds.
I would recommend this to all Zin lovers. it is well crafted, āelegantā ( I usually would not normally use that term for zins), and would be pleasing to all west coast red fans! I picture a lazy sunset outdoors or in front of a fire pit with perhaps charcuterie, cheese, baguette, and accompaniments.
Iāve yet to be disappointed by a Laura Michaels wine. But, Iām not much of a zin drinker (blasphemy, I know). For those who like zins, Iād expect this to be a high QPR offering.
Thank you for all the great input. I continue to stay true to my style and true to the vine!
/giphy garbled-grumpy-peacock
I havenāt bought on casemates since the switch to UPS but I love, love, love Laura Michael Wines and Iām willing to drive through bad neighborhoods at night to get to the UPS center and deal with crappy UPS service for her wine. Iām buying a case and not sharing.
Her Zins are good but her Cabs are to die for-Iām still holding onto 5 of her cabs from like 6 years ago
Laura Michael Oat Hill Estate Zinfandel 2014
I found this wine to be woody, hint of peppery. I could almost say this wine was masculine. I couldnāt get any fruity feels from it, and I want to say it made me crave a steak. I am not a red drinker, but this was interesting to try at least.
Definitely do not need more wine, but - like a bower in Euchre - it is hard to take a pass on. So, in for a case.
@woopdedoo āTurn down a bower bad luck for an hourāā¦man I havenāt had a chance to say that in yeeeeaaars.
We got the 2014
Pop n pour - deep opaque purple plum color; spicy nose, light strawberry notes;
thin smooth mouth feel, some alcohol bite during and after.
No noticeable tannins (strange)
Mild honey and strawberry flavors
Went well with spaghettiā¦made mah wife want Gouda for dessert.
Update: we donāt have any gouda. It WOULD go well with Gouda or Gruyere
End of the glass and Iām trying to figure out this finish. Itās gotten sweeter, with some tart green apple
Corked it and let it sit
Day 2:
No more spice, nose has more of a floral note, but put a gun to my head and I couldnāt name a specific flower.
Palate is sweeter with sour cherry, all the alcohol spice is gone. The fruit, sweetness and light palate feel make this seem more like a pinot noir than a zin
Retail guess is ~$20-25
Iād buy a couple bottles ~$13
*so I was off on the pricing guesses lol