97 Points - Bonfort's Wine & Spirits Journal
Grapes for this gem were meticulously handpicked from Napa Valley's Kenefic Ranch in Calistoga, aged in French oak barrels for 22 months. The result is a harmoniously intricate flavor profile that exudes sophistication.
Very approachable now, and has plenty of depth, structure, and complexity to lay down for another 5-8 years.
Less than a hundred cases EVER MADE and we have just enough to share with you today. While it lasts!
Pairings include Bone-in pork chop, duck confit, earthy cheese, slow-roasted prime rib, chocolate truffle, even a fine cigar by the fireplace.
Winemaking
Teaming up with veteran Napa Winemakers, Mark Jessup (Opus One, Mondavi) and Michael Quinn (Charles Krug, BV, Michael-Scott Wines). Recent vintages as well have received 94 to 96 Points by Christopher Sawyer, collected Gold Medals from the prestigious London Wine Competition, and featured in Napa Valley Life Magazine and Bonfort’s Wine & Spirits.
Vintage
In 2019, warm days and cooler nights in late August and early September were ideal for ripening the grapes and produced big, bold wines with huge fruit and tons of richness. We're pleased with this vintage and only wish there was more!
VINTAGE: 2019
VARIETAL: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
APPELLATION: Napa Valley, Calistoga
VINEYARDS: Kenefic Ranch in Calistoga
AGING: 22 months in 30% New American and French Oak barrels
pH: 3.61
TA: 6.11 g/L
ALCOHOL: 14.9%
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, and warm cassis with hints of cherry, black olive, currant and a touch of black pepper.
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
92 Points
With aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
93 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. Its rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
Deeply wild and floral with cherry, raspberry bramble, and dried cranberries layered with notes of baking spice and satsuma. Hints of cherry bark and dried violets carry through with touches of herbs and spice, lending a savory balance to silky layers and juicy, red core.
Gold Medal
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
95 Points
Cool-climate vineyard that keeps things light and layered in a bright and effusive nose. Blueberry, plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, spice, and toasted vanilla notes leap from the glass. Chewy and lush with impressive structure, finishing long with a dark fruit and a leathery note on the back palate.
95 Points
Aged in 50% new French oak, this wine opens up with aromas of red rose, black raspberry, and cherry cola notes that explode from the glass, with secondary components of sandalwood, cedary herb, and shaved chocolate. Black cherry flavors take center stage on the palate with notes of strawberry fruit, leather and sweet toasted baking spices on the finish.
Exceptional
Aromas of blackberry, rose hip, dried cranberries and hints of boysenberry followed by notes of violets and crushed spices. The palate opens with a dense and lush tannin structure supported by flavors of red berry fruit, subtle acidity and a long flavorful, vanilla finish.
Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.
Big & Rich!
Dark purple-black color with a crimson edge. The nose gives classic Syrah notes of pepper and black cherries and blueberries with a slight hint of smoke and tobacco. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by roasted espresso, and Mediterranean spice.
Bold & Spicy!
Savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry with notes of cedar and spice and a rich complex finish with just a hint of chocolate.
Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest. Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.
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