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MILAT
VINEYARDS
1091 Saint Helena Hwy. So., California
by Sergio Sismondo
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Milat is a
charming family vineyard ideally located on the west side
of the St. Helena Highway (Route 29), just north of
Zinfandel Lane. Mike Milat is both owner and winemaker,
and, with the assistance of Mrs. Milat, attendS to the
public as well. Recently his brother Bob has also joined
the business. The tasting room is friendly, cool,
comfortable and inviting. We heartily recommend a visit to
this quintessential family winery and vineyard to those
who have not stopped here before. Having stopped once, we
will always stop again. A friendlier place is hard to
imagine.
OUR CHOICES. |
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Joyce, Bob, Carolyn and Mike Milat in 2005 |
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We tasted their Chardonnay,
Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and the much awaited "Zivio".
Following is a list of the wines sampled with our ratings for
each. |
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Mike Milat and Liane Sismondo |
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| Cabernet - Sauvignon |
Estate |
2000 |
89 |
| Cabernet - Sauvignon |
Estate |
2001 |
89 |
| Cabernet - Sauvignon |
Estate |
2002 |
89 |
| Cabernet - Sauvignon |
Estate |
2003 |
89 |
| Chardonnay |
Estate |
2002 |
87 |
| Chenin Blanc |
Estate |
2004 |
87 |
| Chenin Blanc |
Estate |
2005 |
88 |
| Merlot |
Estate |
2002 |
88 |
| Merlot |
Estate |
2005 |
89 |
| Red Table Wine - Pine Station |
Estate |
2002 |
88 |
| Red Table Wine - Pine Station |
Estate |
2003 |
88 |
| Rose - Pine Station |
Estate |
2004 |
86 |
| Zinfandel |
Estate |
2001 |
89 |
| Zinfandel |
Estate |
2002 |
88 |
| Zinfandel |
Estate |
2003 |
88 |
| Zinfandel |
Estate |
2004 |
88 |
| Zinfandel |
Estate |
2005 |
88 |
| Zivio "Zinfandel-Port" |
Estate |
2001 |
90 |
| Zivio "Zinfandel-Port" |
Estate |
2002 |
90 |
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- Our choice of best wine tasted
goes to the Estate Cabernet-Sauvignon of 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, now priced at $36.00, and with our ratings of 89.
- Our choice for "best value
for money" goes to the Pine Station Red Table Wine,
priced at $ 18.00, and with our rating of 88.
- Another winner! Early in 2005
was the second release of the "Port-style" dessert
wine, fortified with Brandy, crafted from 2002 vintage
Zinfandel grapes grown on the property (with 5% of Touriga
Nacional grapes), with 8% residual sugar and 18.6% alcohol. It
goes by the name "Zivio" which means "Cheers!"
in Croatian.
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RETROSPECTIVE.
This year we tasted white and red
wines: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon and
Zinfandel. All the wines were good and we rated them in the high
80's.
- Our choice of best wine in this
season goes to the Cabernet-Sauvignon, 2000, made from
100% Westside Napa Cabernet-Sauvignon fruit. It is priced at $35
per bottle, and received our rating of 90.
- Our "Best value for money"
choice goes to the Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay blend, 2002,
which is priced at $15 and which we rated 88. A good buy, in our
opinion.
The Zinfandel sampled is included
in the extensive Zinfandel listing in this web site, in the
section "Wine Listings / California - Zinfandel". |
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