My October Wine of the Month
Elyse Winery
Jacob Franklin
#33 “Mon Chou”
Napa Valley
2006
Ray Coursen (former head winemaker for Whitehall Lane) and his wife Nancy founded Napa Valley’s Elyse Winery in 1987. Jacob Franklin is the “brother” brand of Elyse Winery, which is very appropriate as Elyse is the name of their daughter and Jacob Franklin the name of their son.
I had heard of this winery’s Zinfandel for years before first visiting. I don’t know why it took me a few Napa excursions before setting up a tasting appointment, but boy I’m glad I finally did. They do a lot more than Zinfandel now, and their wines are some of the best in the valley. I am a member of VERY few wine clubs (3 to be exact), but I’m a member here!
As if that’s not enough, I’m also a lover of all things French and it seems as if they may be as well. They name some of their wines with French sayings. This month’s Wine of the Month “Mon Chou” literally means “my cabbage”, which is a French endearment expressing “My Sweetheart” or “My Darling”!
The Wine – Jacob Franklin’s “Mon Chou” is a Bordeaux blend. The 2006 is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, with the balance being mostly Merlot and a splash of Petit Verdot. The nose is very aromatic with black cherry, black raspberry, some coffee and a hint of cedar. The palate has delicious chocolate covered cherry along with some nice earthiness. This lush wine is beautifully balanced and has a nice long finish. The 2006 Mon Chou is a very good wine and definitely worth seeking out!
My Experience Visiting the Winery – Elyse Winery is by appointment only, which really makes the experience personal and a lot of fun. I have visited here several times now, and John has always given us a fabulous tasting. He is extremely knowledgeable and spends the perfect amount of time on each wine. Plus he’s a really nice guy. The tasting room is small and intimate. It’s a far cry from the big, commercialized tasting rooms that many people imagine when they think of Napa. I always advise my friends and clients that this is a must-hit winery to visit!
The Journey – Elyse’s tasting room is a bit off of the beaten path, but very easy to find. Right off of the major drag Highway 29, Hoffman Lane is an adorable little country road. Surrounded by vineyards, you’d never know you were in the heart of Napa.
Visit their website at: www.elysewinery.com