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When I look at this photo I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to fire up the Flux Capacitor, change my name to Calvin Klein and go back in time to be a fly on the wall at this meeting of the OG Napa Vintners
Inspiration
Was there something magical about that time? The 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Maybe not. But there was, undoubtedly, an esprit de corps that energized, galvanized, and formed the very foundation that we have the honor to stand upon. Whereas they were drawn to the idea of Napa as a world-class wine region and its future, we are called to harken back the very wines these fellas made.
Founding Members of the Napa Valley Vintners, including Robert Mondavi, Louis M. Martini, John Daniel Jr., Charles Forni and Louis Stralla
95 - 97 2022 Glass Rock Cabernet Sauvignon
“The single-varietal 2022 Glass Rock Cabernet Sauvignon is the first vintage of this new vineyard site for Pilcrow. Tasted as a barrel sample, it is being aged in French barriques, 40% new, and is due to be bottled in July 2024. Deep purple-black in color, it sails out of the glass with energetic notes of redcurrant jelly and freshly crushed blackcurrants followed by hints of violets, wild sage, crushed rocks, and damp soil plus a hint of mossy tree bark. The light to medium-bodied palate is bright and crunchy, with firm, grainy tannins and a lively line of wonderfully refreshing acidity, finishing with great length and a real skip in its step.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW - The Wine Independent
96 - 98 + 2022 Granite Lake Cabernet Sauvignon
“The single-varietal 2022 Granite Lake Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted as a barrel sample, due to be bottled in July 2024. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little closed and broody to begin, soon unfurling to reveal notes of plum preserves, baked black cherries, and blackcurrant cordial followed by wafts of charcoal, black truffle, and fertile loam. The medium-bodied palate delivers layer upon layer of ripe black fruits with a firm, grainy texture and wonderful tension to support, finishing very long and minerally. This is gorgeous wine in the making! It comes from a single vineyard on Howell Mountain at an elevation of 2,097 feet.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW - The Wine Independent
95 - 97 + 2022 Archer & Byrd Cabernet Sauvignon
“The single-varietal 2022 Archer & Byrd Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted as a barrel sample, due to be bottled in July 2024. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of wild blueberries, juicy blackberries, and cassis giving way to fragrant hints of lilacs, Sichuan pepper, moss-covered tree bark, and tar. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with vibrant black fruit and mineral layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. This comes from a biodynamic, dry-farmed single vineyard at an elevation of 1,020 feet on Mt. Veeder.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW - The Wine Independent
95 - 96 2022 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon
“The single-varietal 2022 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted as a barrel sample, due to be bottled in July 2024. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little swirling and shaking to wake up scents of ripe black plums, boysenberries, and blackcurrant jelly plus suggestions of clove oil, lavender oil, black peppercorns, and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with muscular black fruits supported by very fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and with a compelling chalkiness. This comes from an organic-certified single vineyard in Yountville.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW - The Wine Independent