(Originally published October 2007)

Whenever people ask me about a good bottle of wine to buy and hold for a while… or what would be a good wine to buy now to mark a birth or wedding year… or, frankly, about a favorite California winery — it seems like I always mention the same handful of wineries. And one of those is always Mayacamas.

Wine Skinny readers are probably already familiar with Mayacamas, given the regular glowing reviews on this site. But for newcomers, here’s a quick recap:

Located in the Mayacamas Mountains that divide the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the winery makes wines from 50 acres of mountainside estate vineyards. The winery was built in 1889 by John Henry Fisher, a German immigrant, who first worked as a sword engraver in Philadelphia and then became a pickle merchant in San Francisco. The winery was also used by his family as a summer home and as a ranch to raise and care for the horses he used to deliver pickles to his clients in San Francisco. He sold his wine by the barrel. The barrels were loaded onto horse drawn wagons, driven fifteen miles to the Napa River, and then transferred to ferry boats which took the wine to San Francisco where it was bottled and sold.

Today, the winery is owned by Robert and Elinor Travers, who have enlarged and improved the winemaking facilities while making some spectacularly good, cellar-worthy wines. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are Mayacamas’ main wines, but small blocks of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are also planted.

As I said, these wines age beautifully. But they’re also awfully tempting to open now — just be sure to decant them well in advance of serving.

Finally, although we have these featured as “splurge” wines — they are great values — worth every penny!

Mayacamas Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($35). Sleek and stylish, with elegant pear accented with nuances of dried pineapple, mineral, lemon zest and fresh herbal notes that fold together on a complex finish. Tempting now, but best after a few years of bottle age.

Mayacamas Vineyards 2001 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($50). Here’s how we described this wine three years ago when it was released:

Tightly wound citrus and stone, mineral, green apple and just a touch of clean tropical flavor. Pure and fruit-driven, almost austere, with practically no oak character. Excellent choice for cellaring. Best from 2007-2012. (Weekend Wine, 08/04)

Available again now as a library release from the winery, the wine has actually gained fruit intensity, with more citrus and ripe tropical flavors at the forefront. The stone and mineral notes are still there, but more in the nose and finish. And a burst of mouthwatering acidity seems to indicate that there are still years of life in this delicious wine.

Mayacamas Vineyards 2002 Merlot Napa Valley ($35). What Merlot can be — smooth and supple, with feminine, perfumed red berry and cherry flavors that pick up rich spices through the lingering finish. Tempting now and should age beautifully for at least seven or eight years.

Mayacamas Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($75). Another library selection, this wine is evolving nicely since our first review a few years ago:

Just a baby at this stage, but still offering an impressive measure of richness to go along with the tight, concentrated structure. Perfumed blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors are accented with earth, cedar, anise and sage. Good length. Decant and enjoy now, or drink from 2007-2014. (Weekend Wine, 10/04)

It is still quite concentrated, with intense fruit, nice acidity and great balance, with that appealing aromatic earthy character. Still seems quite fresh and should continue to age nicely — at least another five or six years.