[Date
Night] was chosen as one of the Top 100 Wines of 2008 in the December
7 San Francisco Chronicle. Jon Bonné, the
wine editor, wrote in his introduction that the wines he chose "...
are showing their mettle at a time when it's hard to stand out. There
are more West Coast wineries than ever before.... The proliferation of
new names can be dizzying. And yet the competition is propelling the
most talented vintners to do their very best. ...every wine in the Top
100 shows the virtues of that quest to stand apart." Here's
what he said about the 2005 Date Night: "The
name and the cowgirl label of this Napa newcomer belie an impressively
serious effort made from Pope Valley grapes. Defined by a gorgeous, deep
nose: blackberry, violet, mint and a perfume overtone. Black fruit on
the palate is just plain lovely -- bold, pitch-perfect and ripe, with
broad, finessed, seductive tannins. Ready to drink." Link
to article.(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/wine/top100-2008/intro)
Suzanne pours the 2005 AND 2006 Date Night, adds in Veré chocolates,
and wows Gary and the Vayniacs.
View the episode.
February 29, 2008
PHIFER
PAVITT Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Date Night 2005
"A rich, plush style, with a mix of currant, herb, olive, sage and
light mocha-laced oak. Balanced, intense and concentrated, this offers
depth and focus and should reward near-term drinking. Drink now through
2012. 300 cases made. "–JL Link
to notes.
Lynne Char Bennett, San Francisco Chronicle, November 14, 2008
"Rating: THREE AND A HALF STARS 2005 Phifer Pavitt Date Night Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) The eloquent, complex nose sells this wine. Delicate and perfumed with mushroom, loam, violet, sweet blackberry and mint. Generous, almost fat, juicy fruit flavors - plum, cassis and black fruit - combine with bold tannins on the finessed finish." Complete article.
By David Stoneberg St. Helena Star, February 07, 2008
After a while, Phifer Pavitt opened a bottle of Date Night, to let it
breathe a little. She said the 2005 vintage is nearly 100 percent cabernet
with “just a whiff of petite verdot.” The grapes were grown by Arthur
Spencer at his Temple Family Vineyards in Pope Valley and were harvested
on a “nearly ice cold October morning,” according to the tasting notes.
The winemaker is Ted Osborne, assisted by Phifer Pavitt’s father-in-law,
Gary Warburton. "Shane’s parents are very involved in the wine making,"
Phifer Pavitt said. "It’s a family affair and Gary loves Ted and wants
to make a good wine." She adds the grapes are grown organically. Complete
article
by Julie Brosterman (CEO & Founder of Women & Wine)
"The Hunt is On – My Personal New Favorites: Phifer-Pavitt
Date Night Cabernet 2005"
http://fineliving.glam.com/articles/detail/five_cult_wines_you_havent_heard_of/
Posted by Fredric Koeppel under Cabernet sauvignon, Best Wines
http://www.biggerthanyourhead.net/
When I wrote about cabernet sauvignon wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma
County last week, I omitted one because I thought it deserved mention
by itself.
The first vintage from this new winery, the Phifer Pavitt "Date
Night"
2005, Napa (more...)
http://goodwineunder20.blogspot.com/2008/08/finding-wine-you-love-priceless.html
Posted: 20 Aug 2008 07:30 AM CDT " Finding a bottle of wine that you love, that astounds you, that leaves you tingling and wanting more is something you should do at least once in your life. For me, and for many other Americans, that wine often turns out to be Cabernet Sauvignon." ... "Another wine that deserves a following is the 2005 Phifer Pavitt "Date Night" Cabernet Sauvignon. The husband and wife team of Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and Shane Pavitt decided to take no half measures when they got into the wine business. They hired Ted Osborne to be their winemaker, and selected the very best organic Napa Valley fruit from Arthur Spencer's Temple Family Vineyards. Together they wanted to make a wine that was worthy of being shared on a special night with someone you love--even if that special night involves sitting at home and eating In 'n Out burgers. The important thing for Phifer Pavitt is that you enjoy their wine as it's meant to be enjoyed: with family, friends, and food. They even have a place on their site where you can tell them how you enjoyed their wine--and yes, they do read the submissions. I assure you that you will not need the lasso that the lady on the label carries to get someone to share this wine with you, if you are lucky enough to have a bottle."
http://wine.about.com/b/2008/08/29/wine-of-the-week-phifer-pavitt-date-night-cabernet-sauvignon-2005-ca-75.htm,
8/29/2008
"...Being a big fan of weekly "Date Nights" myself, I
absolutely loved the story behind the Phifer Pavitt "Date Night" Cab.
This is an exceptional red wine find that holds your attention and claims
your palate. Lovely, ripe fruit - mainly dark cherry and juicy plum are
well supported by a rugged earthiness in the form of garden herbs, a
layer of mocha and wisps of smoke. The attack is engaging, the evolution
is full of dense fruit and earth and the finish is strong, persistent
and well played. This particular wine was founded on a "date night" and
stakes its claim for inspiring many future date nights for its partakers.
Phifer Pavitt presents a fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon that would be a
versatile addition to your own date night, or keep in mind as the holidays
start rolling in for hostess or Christmas gifts. Give it a go with smoked
or braised meats, your favorite cut of steak or a well seasoned pork
roast."
http://www.winefairy.com/WandDR733b.mp3
"Suzanne Phifer Pavitt, Co-Founder, Phifer Pavitt Wine, Calistoga. Intoxicating... Date Night Rules at Organic Phifer Pavitt Wine in Napa. Phifer Pavitt Napa Valley 'Date Night' Cabernet Sauvignon has it all... dark chocolate, cut hay, wild herbs, toasty oak, tobacco, tea leaves, leather... A huge fruit-forward organic monster. According to Southern born country girl Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and Southern California city boy Shane Pavitt, the most important decisions in their lives have been made on their cherished Date Nights: The new job, starting a family, purchasing property for a winery!" Show 733b mp3 format
http://www.vinfolio.com/freerunjuice/2008/07/roped-in-by-phifer-pavitt-cabe.jsp,
7/24/2008
"...Among the best newÊrelease of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
to cross my desk in the last year is the 2005 Phifer Pavitt Cabernet
Sauvignon Date Night. I had the chance to taste this wine for the first
time last week after hearing about it from a friend who had tried it
a couple months ago. As it stands, the label presents some challenges
to fully illustrate the important design elements since it wraps around
270+ degrees of the bottle (which is a good explanation for the images
spliced above). (more...)
http://www.luxist.com/2008/07/22/date-night-wine/
"...Can sharing a bottle of wine keep a couple together? Businesspeople turned wine couple, Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt and her husband Shane Pavitt, have created Date Night, a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon as a nod to their marital happiness. The couple hatched the plans for their own winery dream after several years of wine-fuelled date nights. And they hope that their Date Night wine will inspire other couples to open a bottle and share dinner, conversation and closeness. Phifer Pavitt Wines has become known for its annual Pick-Up Party when customers arrive to collect their purchases and enjoy food, friends and music by local musicians. Customers enjoy adding their favorite 'date night' experience on the chalkboards that adorn the winery's barn wall. Now website customers can add their date night experiences online at the Date Night Wine website. The grapes are sourced from Arthur Spencer's Lakespring Vineyard in Pope Valley, the winemaker is Ted Osborne. The 2005 Phifer Pavitt 'Date Night' Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a release of just 300 cases. The wine spent 17 months in barrel (65% new French) before being bottled."
Randall Franks 04/03/08 Catoosa News
"Every country girl that has ever successfully worked her way out
of the country life has worked exponentially harder than any city boy
could imagine,” Suzanne said. “What you probably already know is that
every idealistic city boy has absolutely no clue just how challenging
country life can be." Complete
article.
http://www.courtneycochran.com/blog/2008/03/date_night_only_no_thanks.html
"...When I first met Suzanne Phifer Pavitt at a recent conference in Napa, I knew I liked her immediately. Tall, blonde and friendly with a self assuredness amiably matched by a good dash of down-home southern Charm (from Georgia, this one), Suzanne was thrilled to tell me about her new wine - Phifer Pavitt (Date Night) - that she lately launched with her husband, Shane Pavitt. And when I tasted (Date Night) - named for the weekly date nights during which the couple devised the plan for their own label - I was thrilled to find it equally charming.
Brimming with lovely aromas of toasty oak, caramel-and-chocolate-covered coffee beans, black cherries, star anise and cocoa, the full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon delivers big on the palate, too, with delicious flavors of ripe black fruits, cocas nib, brown sugar and blackberry jam. In spite of its heft, the wineÕs super-rich, almost dessert-wine-like concentration is in balance, and the finish is looooong. I scored it 92 points. One to check out, although I donÕt recommend waiting around for a date night - this wine will win you over ANY NIGHT."