2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

PARALLEL

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
I’ll be honest, we’re always looking for top quality Cabernet, and sometimes the devil is in the details. For instance, Parallel’s 2017 Napa Cabernet includes more than 60% fruit from Andy Beckstoffer’s iconic Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford, one of the best in Napa Valley. It’s balanced with fruit from Renteria’s stunning Oakville Vineyard on Skellenger Lane, near Plumpjack and Turnbull’s Fortuna Vineyards. Then add that the wine is made by Philippe Melka, whose experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus, and at around $100, this is one of the best values in upper echelon Napa Cabernet. 
 
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and Parallel’s 2017 is a stunning portrayal of the best qualities of the vintage. The fruit achieved optimal ripeness, and they harvested on 9/28 and 10/2, which is about a week before the wildfires. 
 
The 2017 vintage has an intensely captivating style that draws you in with a powerful bouquet of dark fruits, blue violets, dried herbs, and espresso. The Oakville fruit contributes the dark and supple berries, and intense black currants, while the Rutherford grapes offer the floral characteristics and signature dusty tannins. 
 
PARALLEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $110
 
 
 
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon displays notes of prunes, spice cake, plum pudding and blueberry preserves with touches of red currant jelly, dried herbs, tobacco and olives. Full-bodied, firm and chewy and with tons of fruit at the core, it finished long and spicy.”  92 Points
 
 
 
“Savory, herbal and thick in brawny concentration, this powerful wine is darkly layered in blackberry, black currant and wild raspberry. Clove, dried herb and a twist of sage figure into the midpalate, adding complexity and welcome intrigue as generous oak layers throughout.”  92 Points
2017 Vineyard 36 Foundation Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2017 Vineyard 36 Foundation Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaOak KnollProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

VINEYARD 36  2017 Vineyard 36 Foundation Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2017 FOUNDATION
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 

 
Each year we make a handful of discoveries that are so inspiring, that the guys on our tasting panel can sometimes sell the wine completely out the instant it arrives in our warehouse.  Vineyard 36 is one of those wines, and when we tasted their 2016 Thirty Six Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard earlier this year, the wine disappeared in an instant.  As luck would have it, we just tasted their 2017 Foundation Proprietary Red, which includes 14% Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer George III heightened with Merlot from Oak Knoll.  We kept the wine hidden in our warehouse, just long enough to send you this note, (we hope). The wine was made at Vineyard 29, which is one of Napa Valley’s most innovative wineries with everything from gravity flow tanks to an optical sorter that can be programed algorithmically…  It was crafted by Keith Emerson who also makes Vineyard 29’s Cabernets…  At this price, you might want to skip straight to the order button.
 
Vineyard 36 is a partnership between professional athletes Cam Ward and Tim Gleason and their friend Jason Earnest.  With a shared goal of producing exceptional wines sourced from premier estates that express the diversity of Napa Valley’s finest terroirs, this is truly a winery to watch.  Wines of this quality and caliber at this price don’t not come around often, so I highly recommend grabbing what you can for your cellar, before this one disappears. 
 
VINEYARD 36 
2017 FOUNDATION
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $55/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Explosive red and black fruit aromas are complimented by hints of violets, perfume, baking spices and vanilla.  Bright Bing cherry, hints of sandalwood and clove with a mouthwatering acid profile, medium-full body and velvety tannin structure.  A slight mineral, slate component adds a nuance to this fresh, approachable red blend.  Drinkable upon release, will age gracefully for 10+ years.”