Dec 30, 2022
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Molnar Family
| Owner(s) | Molnar Family |
| Web site | www.tricyclewineco.com |
| Link to this site |
Nicholas Molnar is a Hungarian refugee who escaped Communist rule in 1956. In the late 1960s, he discovered Napa Valley and the wines reminded him of those from his homeland. He began buying land and developing vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. In 1973, he planted Poseidon’s Vineyard at the confluence of Carneros Creek and the Napa River at the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay. This was one of the few vineyards in Carneros which at the time was largely composed of sheep ranches. Cooling winds blow through the Petaluma Gap from the Pacific Ocean and bring fog throughout the growing season to temper the heat. Over the next 30+ years, Molnar supplied grapes from his Poseidon Vineyard to notable wineries such as Joseph Phelps, Heitz Cellars, Sterling, Pride Mountain, Acacia, and Mumm Napa Valley. There is a rumor that local Carneros legend, Boonfly, is buried in Poseidon Vineyard.
The Molnar sons wanted their own label and so they partnered with Michael Terrien to make Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their own vineyards in the cool southern end of the Napa Valley. Michael Blaise Terrien is a University of California Davis trained winemaker who crafted wine at Acacia for a number of years and is now at Hanzell. He also makes wine for Kazmer & Blaise and Obsidian Ridge, which like Molnar Family, is part of the Tricycle Wine Company group.
The wines are sold through a mailing list with limited retail distribution.
Articles About Molnar Family
Reviewed Wines
2006 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $26.
This vineyard was planted by the Molnar family in 1973. It is located at the
confluence of the Napa River and Carneros Creek. Michael Terrien is the partner
and winemaker for the label. The wine is unique in that it is aged in 100%
Budapesti Kadar Tokaj oak.
·
The nose displays aromas of ripe grapes, raisin and
oak. The flavors carry over the ripe fruit theme with raisins and root beer evident.
There is plenty of tannin but the rich fruit hides it.
Reviewed June 16, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
13.9% alcohol, 1228 cases, $28. The label shows an 1860 Coastal
Survey of the distinctive bends of Carneros Creek which have been
used as landmarks. This Pinot Noir is unusual in that the cooperage
used was Budapesti Kadar Tokaj oak barrels from Hungary which is
also owned by the Molnar family. 34% new barrels were used and the
wine was aged for nearly a year. The aromatics are extremely subdued
with faint cherry and spice notes.
·
The flavors, however, are very delicious,
with cherry pie filling the most evident. Sleek and easy to drink, this lighter styled Pinot has appealing
style and grace. Hungarian oak is very tight grained and imparts little to no oak aromas or flavors.
It is said to offer a distinctive spice note to Pinot but I don’t have enough experience to detect that in
this wine. This Pinot Noir is a solid daily drinker that would pair well with simply grilled salmon or roast
chicken.
Reviewed January 22, 2007
ARTICLE »
2006 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $26. This vineyard was planted by the Molnar family in 1973. It is located at the confluence of the Napa River and Carneros Creek. Michael Terrien is the partner and winemaker for the label. The wine is unique in that it is aged in 100% Budapesti Kadar Tokaj oak. · The nose displays aromas of ripe grapes, raisin and oak. The flavors carry over the ripe fruit theme with raisins and root beer evident. There is plenty of tannin but the rich fruit hides it. Reviewed June 16, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
13.9% alcohol, 1228 cases, $28. The label shows an 1860 Coastal Survey of the distinctive bends of Carneros Creek which have been used as landmarks. This Pinot Noir is unusual in that the cooperage used was Budapesti Kadar Tokaj oak barrels from Hungary which is also owned by the Molnar family. 34% new barrels were used and the wine was aged for nearly a year. The aromatics are extremely subdued with faint cherry and spice notes. · The flavors, however, are very delicious, with cherry pie filling the most evident. Sleek and easy to drink, this lighter styled Pinot has appealing style and grace. Hungarian oak is very tight grained and imparts little to no oak aromas or flavors. It is said to offer a distinctive spice note to Pinot but I don’t have enough experience to detect that in this wine. This Pinot Noir is a solid daily drinker that would pair well with simply grilled salmon or roast chicken. Reviewed January 22, 2007 ARTICLE »