Platinum Wines

The Poetry Vineyard, carved into a steep west-facing hillside, reaches from the highest elevations of the Stags Leap District appellation to the valley floor. This vineyard draws its uniqueness from shallow, volcanic soils atop fractured shale. Due to the stressful nature of the site, planted with high vine density and farmed to very low yields, the vines develop slowly and produce small flavorful berries.  The vineyard was designed by David Abreu and planted to legendary, proprietary heritage selections of Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process, which includes our cutting edge optical sorter and a slow, individual berry hand sort. The fruit was gently gravity-delivered to small tanks by our unique crane system, which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. Following twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 80% of which were new, the blend was selected from our best lots of the Poetry Vineyard.

Our Grand Vin was sculpted in a vintage where only the smallest of clusters and berries were produced by the hillside vines.  That chiseled concentration is reflected in its tightly wound character.  Youthful and primary, the nose on the fledgling 2015 Poetry is all crushed rock and cool slate.  There are pretty violets among the mineral aromas with black currant, lavender, and spice box notes unfurling out along the bouquet.  The summer blackberry and licorice flavors pour over the palate in a well delineated fashion and persist long after each taste.  This wine tastes like it will last forever.

-Christopher Tynan, Winemaker

Songbook is sourced from two of acclaimed viticulturist David Abreu’s personally-farmed properties: Thorevilos Vineyard, situated between the St. Helena and Howell Mountain AVAs, and Madrona Ranch, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas mountain range. These vineyards produce grapes of exceptional character resulting from proprietary clones, extremely low yields, and meticulous farming. The result is a winemaker’s dream.

In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process, which includes our cutting edge optical sorter and a slow, individual berry hand sort. The fruit was gently gravity-delivered to small tanks by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. This wine underwent twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 86% of which were new.

2014 Songbook is a fascinating combination of transcendent perfume and multitudinous flavors derived from these two celebrated vineyards. They intertwine in a way that makes a wine so complex that it defies traditional descriptions of Cabernet-based wines from Napa Valley. The volcanic soils of the Thorevilos Vineyard bring talc, melted dark chocolate, crème de cacao, and a core of red and black licorice aromas. The Madrona Cabernet Franc brings notes of fresh tobacco, coastal sage, pebbly rock, and dried berry. As the aromas are echoed in the flavors, essence of pine forest floor and espresso bean build seamlessly on a richly textured palate. A long crescendo of black licorice envelops the finish with accent notes of graphite and violets. -Christopher Tynan, Winemaker

Situated on the western Oakville bench, the vaunted Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has gravelly loam soils with high mineral content derived from sedimentary deposits of the volcanic Mayacamas Mountains and the alluvial fan of the Napa River. The vineyard has low organic matter content and thorough drainage, which devigorates the vines and produces small berries that are ideal for wines with intense concentration. The site is warm and sunny throughout the day, but cooled by late afternoon breezes, producing ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with lovely acidity. The blocks that make up our blend represent a diverse array of the Beckstoffer To Kalon terroir and clonal selection, creating a unique and extraordinary wine from this praised site.

In the cool darkness of night, grapes were hand-picked into twenty-five pound bins to minimize crushing. By early morning, the grapes were subjected to rigorous selection by our three-tiered sorting process which includes our cutting edge optical sorter, and a slow, individual berry hand sort. The fruit was gently gravity-delivered to small tanks and wooden cuves by our unique crane system which kept the berries intact. Cold soaks lasted from five to eight days, and fermentations were managed through a combination of pump overs and délestage. Extended maceration of up to six weeks ensured exceptional extraction and fine-tuning of tannin profiles. This wine underwent twenty-one months of élevage in French oak barrels, 88% of which were new.

The majesty of the To Kalon vineyard’s signature aromas of violets, gravel, and dark cassis form the ambrosial scents emanating from the first pour.  With time, gobs of delectable blackberry, lavender, and an earthy minerality arise and coalesce in the glass.  Flavors of blueberry, marionberry preserves, warm currants, and luxardo cherries spring forth along the sultry palate.  The vintage’s fresh acidity carries the unctuous flavors along gracefully and the richness of the lively tannin make this a candidate for long term aging.