Wines Featured on McNees.org WineSite Journal

Featured Producer & Wine (s) on Rick's WineSite Journal

Producer:

Fisher Vineyards

Appellation:

Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley

Featured Wine (s):

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Blends

Website:

http://www.fishervineyards.com

Family winery of Fred and Juell Fisher of the famous 'Body by Fisher' industrial family from Detroit. They first purchased 100 acres in the Mayacamas Mountains on the western slope of Spring Mountain in 1973 followed by 57 acres on the Silverado Trail Napa Valley which is the source of their now famous Coach Insignia Cabernet fruit and single vineyard designations Lanb Vineyard Cabernet and RCF Vineyard Merlot, named after their son Robert Charles. The Fishers are joined in the crafting of their wines by daughter Whitney working with the advice of consulting winemaker Mia Klein and Consulting Vineyard Manager David Abreu. We met the delightful Juell at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour in Chicago in May 2003.

Journal entries: Date, Wine, Rating, Price, Comments

Sept 29, 2004 - Fisher Coach Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - RM 90 - WS 92-93 barrel tasting and 87 bottle tasting. Medium bodied sharp currant and plum fruit with leathery finish. Tasted at Golden Sheaf Restaurant in Harrisburg Hilton while at IIM Council meeting. Tremendous value on winelist at less than retail price.

Jan 4, 2004 - Fisher Napa Valley RCF Vineyard Merlot 2000 WS 90 RM 90 $45 Medium firm chewy blackberry and a touch of plum and smokey cedar on the finish. Single vineyard bottling from property along Silverado Trail of named for Fisher's son from this family oriented producer. A nice discovery from the producers of favorite Coach Insignia Cabernet blend.

Nov 19, 2003 - Plumpjack Napa Valley Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 RM 91WS 91 $55 Tasty full bodied firm currant and blackberry with oakey cedar long finish with slighly rough tannins. Label Web; Nickel & Nickel Rock Cairn Oakville Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon WS 90 RM 90 $85 Firm currant and berry laced with smokey tannins. Label Web ; Fisher Vineyards Coach Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 WS94 RM 93 $75 Consensus best of class again in this mini tasting with Jamie R., Mark Y. Ken and Todd Mc at Gianni's in Wayzata.

Apr 17, 2003 - Fisher Coach Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 RM 88 WS 89 $60 Ripe plum, black cherry, and earthy cedar, finishing with firm but soft tannins. Lacks the fruit and polish of the 99. Well priced on the winelist at at Bistro Bis in WDC. Chateau Tirecul La Graviere 1998 Thick unctuous and dark, sweet carmelized orange and vanilla. RM 88 Vouvray Chenin Blanc Moelluex 1990 RM 87 peach, citrus with a honey essence finish. Light colour and body. Both desserts by the glass to complement the Bistro Bis excellent selection cheese course. Well considered - thoughtful wine list with many delectable premier Reserve Wines - nice coverage across all pricepoints - carefully selected and presented by Sommelier Ted Wynot, formerly of WS Wine School.

Mar 12, 2003 - Fisher Coach Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 RM 93-94 WS 94 Cellar Selection - An encore of the highlight of the recent DG Wineshop tasting. Shared w/ Rick C at Cab's. Forward mouthful of delicious currant, blackberry and plum flavors with a smooth polished finish. Blend: Bordeaux Style - Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc, Merlot from Cameron Vineyard on Silverado Trail; Cabernet Sauvignon from Stagecoach Vineyards above Oakville, and Merlot from Feingold Vineyard in Sonoma. WS says its Fishers finest - awarded it a Cellar Selection.

Feb 22, 2003 - Summary highlights of California Cabernet tasting event at DG Wineshop - Flight included: Caymus Special Select 1998, Dominus 1999, Fisher Coach Insignia 1999, Heitz Trailside 1997, Justin Isosecles 1999, Mayacamas 1997, Showket 1998, Stonehedge 1997, Ristow 1998/99, and Rodney Strong Symmetry 1998. Several of the group of 40+ tasters favored the Isosceles and the Mayacamas. My ranking was topped by the Caymus, clearly the most sophisticated wine with a broad symphony of polished and well balanced flavors of currant, blackberry, leather and plum with a huge long smooth finish - RM 93-94. Competing with it for best in class was the Fisher Insignia with forward mouthful of currant, blackberry and plum flavors with a smooth polished finish. Next in my ranking was the Showket with currant mocha chocolate finish. RM 93. Next in class was the Symmetry with its spicy berry. Perhaps the best value at $45. Next I ranked the Ristow 98 at 91 with berry, cherry, smoky and earthy leather finish. Dominus typically resembled a young Bordeaux needing much more time to reveal its fruit. See pictures of the evening and more comments on my FORUM.