Domestic Wine News
" Napa Valley's Big Guns"
Every year around the time when Napa Valley’s finest wineries are abuzz with the excitement of harvest, we as consumers are treated to the fruits of their labor from vintages past. These are the wines with fabled histories, the wines from properties whose reputations precede them, the wines that become the backbone of the collectors’ cellar. Beltramo’s long standing relationships with these producers not only provides decades of perspective on why the wines have earned their stature, but allows us the privilege to bring to market a sufficient quantity to satisfy the needs of our customers.
Mondavi ‘Reserve’ Cabernet 2006 $108.99 – Mondavi’s portion of the historic To Kalon property in Oakville provides over 90% of the fruit for their flagship Cabernet bottling. Deep aromas of cassis and graphite lead to flavors of ripe black berry and subtle earthy notes. The suave power of this wine is supported by the firm, yet ripe and well-integrated tannins.
Shafer ‘Hillside Select’ Cabernet 2005 $209.99 – As the name implies, Shafer procures fruit for this 100% Cabernet bottling from their estate vineyards nestled along the steep, rocky hillsides of the Stag’s Leap District. Winemaker Elias Fernandez describes the wine as having “A striking balance of dark, elegant fruit and youthful power. These are the aromas and flavors our hillside vineyards have delivered for more than 30 years – loads of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate and black spice integrated seamlessly with vanilla and oak all drawn together by silky-textured, ripe tannins.”
Araujo ‘Eisele Vineyard’ Cabernet 2006 $274.00 – We’ve been buying wines made from the Eisele Vineyard since it was in the hands of Joseph Phelps winery. The current stewards of this remarkable 38-acre site have adopted organic and biodynamic farming practices and continue to produce some of the most vivid expressions of terroir that Napa has to offer. Beautiful loamy soil and dried sweet herb notes frame the elegant red currant and dark cherry fruit while fine, dusty tannins support these flavors through the finish.
Caymus ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet 2007 $108.99 – For lovers of big, opulent, fruit-driven styles of Napa Cabernet, this wine will be ultimately pleasing. Owner/Winemaker Chuck Wagner provides the following description. “The rich, deep ruby color reflects the magnificent depth this wine has to offer. Lush aromas of ripe black currant, black cherry and cedary oak add luxurious notes to the intense core flavors of fully ripe cassis, wild red berry, mocha and light vanilla. Polished tannins, a full-bodied mouthfeel and velvety texture weave seamlessly to support these vivid fruit impressions to the end.”
Beaulieu Vineyards ‘Georges De Latour’ Private Reserve Cabernet 2006 $79.99 – This wine is the granddaddy of California Cabernet, and the 2006 vintage marks its 70th anniversary of production. Sourced primarily from select blocks of Geoges de Latour’s original vineyard holdings on the Rutherford Bench, this wine represents Beaulieu Vineyards’ finest expression of the Cabernet grape. Enticing aromas of coffee, toast, roast meats, spice, licorice and cocoa lead to a palate of dusty black fruits, black coffee and baker’s chocolate. As usual, the key to this wine’s greatness is its balance and expression of pure, honest winemaking.
