2021 Haute Montagne Cabernet Franc Napa Valley

2021 Haute Montagne Cabernet Franc Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet FrancKevin VogtNapaPritchard HillUSA

Haute Montagne

Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Haute Montagne Cabernet Franc Napa Valley

The Haute Montagne Cabernet Franc was the brightest shining light at our recent tasting. Its seamless blend of dark fruit, intricate complexity, and striking elegance immediately captivated everyone present. Winemaker Douglas Danielak has skillfully captured the unique terroir of Pritchard Hill. The high-altitude terrain and cool microclimate produce wines of remarkable depth and character. Minimal intervention allows the vines to flourish in a natural balance, resulting in exceptional purity.

Danielak’s expertise is the product of extensive experience. With a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and training at the Lycée Agricole et Viticole de Beaune in Burgundy, he has dedicated decades to perfecting his craft. His work at Knights Bridge has earned significant critical acclaim, and Wine Spectator recognized him as a “Winemaker to Watch” for his visionary approach. Each bottle he crafts showcases a rare harmony of technical skill and artistic inspiration.

Crafted using traditional French oak and the time-honored Bordeaux method, this wine elegantly combines the classic refinement of old-world winemaking with the opulent character of California fruit. The resulting Cabernet Franc possesses power and grace—a compelling and sophisticated expression of this distinguished varietal.

Haute Montagne
Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at:$90

Your Price: $75

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“This Pritchard Hill Cabernet Franc possesses a captivating allure. The nose unfolds with briary red and black berries, their vibrant fruitiness entwined with a mineral core of crushed granite and a hint of iron. Licorice adds a touch of intrigue, while cocoa powder and dried sage contribute to the complex aromas. A subtle lavender perfume lingers, adding a unique floral note. On the palate, the wine delivers a powerful yet refined expression of mountain fruit. Intensely penetrating flavors of concentrated boysenberry and black currant are complemented by the brisk acidity of Darjeeling black tea. Dusty tannins provide a firm yet elegant structure, while a touch of espresso bean adds complexity. The wine is incredibly focused and balanced, with a brilliantly orchestrated interplay of fruit, acidity, and tannin. The finish is remarkably long and mouth-watering, leaving a lingering impression of dark fruit and savory spice. This Cabernet Franc is a truly exceptional wine that beautifully showcases the unique terroir of Pritchard Hill.”

97 Points

2013 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

2013 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

MINER

2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STAGECOACH VINEYARD

2013 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard
Miner has consistently produced powerfully elegant wines since the late 90s, under the guidance of Gary Brookman, who had honed his skills at Joseph Phelps and Grace Family. In excellent years like 2013, their Cabernets can perform at an exceptionally high level after around five years in the bottle, where they become even more enchanting and powerfully hedonistic. Their 95 Point 2013 Stagecoach Cabernet is a prime example of this, and now it drinks like it should be double the price.
 
Stagecoach Vineyard was developed in 1995 by Dr. Jan Krupp, and it took more than seven years to clear over one billion pounds of volcanic rock. The vineyard stretches from Pritchard Hill to an area overlooking Miner Winery in Oakville, and the well-drained soils produce powerful berries laced with volcanic subtleties. 
 
This wine emerges from a vintage unanimously recognized for its unrivaled quality, and one that Robert Parker alerted readers that it “…may turn out to be the finest vintage I have experienced in tasting North Coast varietals over the last 37 years.” After 21 months in premium French oak barrels and more than five years of development inside the bottle, this wine is stunningly brilliant right now.  
 
MINER
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STAGECOACH VINEYARD
Retails at: $110
 
 
“Aromas of blackberry, walnut and light, wet earth follow through to a full to medium body, light chocolate and a long finish. Refined and polished. Classic style. Better in 2019”
95 Points
 
“An impressively elegant wine from this rugged mountain top vineyard on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley. With black cherry and licorice flavors, flanked by firm yet lush tannins. A wine as special as this undeniably unique vineyard.”
2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaPritchard HillUSA

GANDONA 2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
When considering a list of the most noble terroirs in Napa Valley, Pritchard Hill is always near the top of my list.  Composed of compacted volcanic rock, with iron-red soils, the area has been hailed by some as as Napa’s Grand Cru.  Apex producers Chappellet, Bryant Family, Colgin, Continuum and David Arthur all call the area home.  A rapidly rising producer on Pritchard Hill is Gandona Estate.  The wines are expertly made by Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus… 
 
Encosta Cabernet remains a stunning value for Pritchard Hill. Carved into the steep terrain, the Estate vineyard was planted in small blocks, each with its own distinct personality.  The vineyard was planted by Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like Hundred Acre, Grace Family and Barbour to list a few… The best Pritchard Hill wines are memorable with profound sense of place, balance and primal intensity.  Gandona’s Encosta has all of this and more, and it’s a fraction of the price of what you’d expect to pay for a great wine from this Iconic area.  
 
GANDONA
2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $89.99/btl
 
 
From Vinous: “Gandona’s 2014 Encosta is a gorgeous second wine. Bright, aromatic and intense, the Encosta possesses striking purity in its flavors. Dark cherry, chocolate, mocha and licorice infuse the super-expressive finish. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha and espresso. The Encosta clearly offers the pedigree of many top labels, but perhaps just not the depth. This is an impressive showing.” 91 Points
From James Suckling, “Aromas of dark berries and basil follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Builds nice at the end with some raspberry character...” 92 Points
Customers who enjoy Gandona’s Encosta may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds… 
2013 Jones Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Keever Inspirado Napa Valley Proprietary Red
JONES FAMILY 
2013 THE SISTERS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl

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With nearly two dozen perfect 100 Point wines, Thomas Brown is a dominating force in Cabernet Sauvignon and he’s truly at the top of his game Packed with supple, concentrated red cherry, deep black raspberry, pomegranate, graphite and a touch of sweet vanilla oak, this absolutely ready to drink Cabernet will thrill you from first sip to last. The vineyard is managed by Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like  Hundred Acre, Grace Family and Barbour to list a few… 
KEEVER
2013 INSPIRADO
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $74.99/btl