95 Points - Hot 100 Wines - Bonfort's Wine & Spirits Journal
Grapes for this gem were meticulously handpicked from Calistoga in the Napa Valley, 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.
VINEYARD NOTES
Sustainable Farming Practices | Napa Valley
Set on the sun-drenched valley floor of Calistoga, this vineyard is rooted in well-drained, volcanic soils shaped by the northern reaches of Napa Valley. Warm daytime temperatures drive full ripening, while cooler evenings rolling in from the surrounding hills help maintain balance and freshness in the fruit.
The site consistently produces bold, expressive wines with ripe blackberry and dark plum flavors layered with hints of spice, earth, and subtle minerality. Firm yet approachable tannins and a rich, structured profile make this vineyard ideal for crafting powerful, fruit-forward wines with depth and character.
HARVEST NOTES
Hand Harvested & Hand Sorted, the 2023 vintage in Calistoga and throughout Napa Valley unfolded as a long, late-season harvest marked by exceptional quality. Abundant winter rains replenished the soils, setting the stage for healthy, vigorous vine growth. A consistently cool growing season followed, allowing for extended hang time that enhanced phenolic development while maintaining balanced, moderate sugar levels.
With minimal heat spikes, fruit ripened gradually and evenly, enabling a deliberate, methodical harvest pace. Despite the wet start to the season, mildew pressure remained manageable, avoiding the early-season challenges often associated with higher rainfall years. Ultimately, harvest extended into the final week of October, yielding fruit of remarkable depth, structure, and balance.
VINTAGE: 2023
VARIETAL: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon / 5% Petit Verdot
APPELLATION: Napa Valley, Calistoga
AGING: Aged 22 months in French Oak barrels / 30% new
pH: 3.81
ALCOHOL: 15.5%
Download Full Technical Sheet & Cellar Notes
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
95 Point Vintage
Opens with explosive aromatics of cassis, black plum, and sweet tobacco leaf, layered with warm baking spices (cinnamon and cardamom) and a light, complex ferrous mineral note. The Palate and mouthfeel is broad and sumptuous, bursting with flavors of juicy cherry pie, dark raspberry, and boysenberry compote.
The Finish carries a luxurious, savory presence showing undertones of leather, mocha, and milk chocolate, framed by supple, superfine tannins that melt into a long, polished finish.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
95 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
