Amici Cellars is a Napa Valley-based winery. They make Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines include AVA blends and single-vineyard productions, with fruit from the Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, Rutherford, Oakville, Carneros, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs. The reviews below, based on samples, are all appellation blends.

Tony Biagi and Jesse Fox are the winemakers at Amici Cellars. Biagi is a Napa veteran, who has made wine for CADE, Clos du Val, Hourglass, Paraduxx, Plumpjack, and Sinegal Estate in the past. Fox is a formally-trained chef who once worked in the kitchen at the French Laundry. His past winemaking stints include Harlan Estates, The Napa Valley Reserve and Ram’s Gate Winery.

Amici Cellars’ winery is in the eastern hills of Calistoga. Visits are available by appointment.

2017 Amici Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 91 13.7% 750ml $25

Immediately engaging with a friendly, tropical nose that includes mango and guava, along with peach and dabs of white flowers and mineral. It’s dry on the palate with medium body, generous acidity, and sophisticated texture. Flavors are fruit-centric: mango, guava, peach, and peach pit. The lengthy, mouthwatering finish is distinctly mineral.

There’s a dash of Semillon in the blend here. The juice was primarily fermented and aged in stainless, but about 10% was in French oak.

Note: This wine is still in the market, but the current vintage at the winery is now 2018.

2016 Amici Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 90+ 13.9% 750ml $25

This wine, 100% Chardonnay, was fermented and aged entirely in French oak barrels, 40% new. The nose is lively with ripe green apple and lime, apple leaves, lemon and a subtle note of lightly toasted hazelnut. Nearly full-bodied, the palate is quite juicy and very finely textured. Sweet, toasted oak and baking spices, especially cinnamon, complement the tasty core of green apple and lime. The finish is satisfying, but leaves you wanting to take another sip. Very good value. Drink now through 2021.

2017 Amici Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 92 14.1% 750ml $40

Ruby-purple in the glass with a rich nose of black cherry, potting soil, drying flowers, spice, and oak. That balance of fruity and savory continues on the palate with flavors that are tightly intertwined, but take turns popping their head up to say “look at me.” There’s dark earth, juicy black cherry, Chambord, tarragon, blood orange, and more—all framed by soft, very fine-grained, chocolate milk-like texture. Body is medium-plus and the lengthy finish offers a touch of tannic grip. The wine drinks well on its own, but will also hold up to a tender filet mignon. Drink now through 2024.

The juice, 100% Pinot Noir, fermented entirely in stainless steel, then aged 13 months in French oak. Based on the flavors and aromas, I believe a good measure of the oak was previously used.

2016 Amici Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 92 14.5% 750ml $50

Aromas of ripe black currant, black cherry, toasted oak, vanilla, spice, and a whisper of dried bay leaf rise gently from this dark purple blend of Bordeaux varieties. It’s full-bodied in the mouth with plenty of very fine-grained tannins providing persistent structure, but not to excess. Dark chocolate and black currant lead the flavors, with oak, dark spice, graphite, and grilled herb adding interest. The finish is long and savory. Excellent value, drink now through 2028.

The mix is Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Malbec (6%), Merlot (6%), Petite Verdot (3%), Cabernet Franc (3%). It aged 20 months in 70% new French oak barrels.

2015 Amici Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93+ 14.7% 750ml $85

The Reserve is focused and takes body, intensity, and structure up a few notches. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 90% of the blend, with Cabernet Franc accounting for the balance. It’s opaque purple in glass and swirls with black currant syrup, cocoa, and subtle accents of dried bay leaf and coconut. The full-bodied palate has structure for days, with toothsome tannins that are fine-grained and chalky. Flavors are a mouth-filling melange of black fruit and savoriness, especially espresso and dark mineral. Definitely drinkable now but will be best 2021-2030.

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Photos courtesy of Amici Cellars. All rights reserved.