Aged in French barrels for about 27 months. Sloan's second selection, which has been made since 2004. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Made in the same way as Sloan, this asterisk barrel selection is done after Sloan barrel selection. Expresses the terroir and Sloan in an easy-to-understand way. It has a more juicy and seductive image, with fruit aromas and flavors that spread widely, making it the first introduction to Sloan.
Asterisk: *←This star symbol. Used as a footnote. The original meaning is Latin for "little star."
Sloan's second selection, produced since 2004, is a proprietary red wine called "Asterisk," which is primarily a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
It is made in the same way as Sloan, and barrel selection for this Asterisk takes place after barrel selection for Sloan.
A wine that clearly expresses the terroir and flavor of Sloane Estate. Juicier and more seductive.
We hope you will enjoy this wine as your first introduction to Sloan, imagining a wine with a vast expanse of fruit aromas and flavors.
Vintage Information
There was ample rainfall during the winter, allowing the soil to retain plenty of moisture.
Temperatures were low in spring, and bud break and flowering were two to three weeks later than in the past two years.
The summer was warm, allowing the grapes to make up for a late start to growth.
There was only a two-day heat wave in mid-August, but from late August to early September, daytime temperatures were high and nights were cold, with large diurnal temperature differences creating ideal conditions for ripening, resulting in a well-balanced year with average yields, good acidity, and moderate ripening.
Technical information
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 30% (Sloane is a blend of CF and PV, but Asterisk is a simple blend of the two.)
Winemaking: After a long fermentation period (50-60 days), the wine is aged for 27 months in French barrels.
It has one of the longest fermentation and aging periods in Napa Valley.
Therefore, like other wineries produced by Martha, as of fall 2023, the latest release is from 2019.
evaluation
98P Jeb Dunnuck.com February. 2023 by Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Asterisk is a full-bodied, gorgeous second selection with plenty of appeal.
The aroma of black cherry, raspberry, and dark chocolate is complemented by a subtle hint of earth.
It has a blood-like iron taste and I always wonder how well it goes with game meat.
Full-bodied and rich, it is dense and concentrated on the palate, yet has enough fruit freshness to lead to a long, surprisingly lively finish.
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Cabernet Sauvignon approx. 70%
Blended varieties: Merlot approx. 30%
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVAs, Others: Rutherford
Vineyard: Sloan Estate
Notes: 98P Jeb Dunnuck.com February. 2023 by Jeb Dunnuck
Winemaker: Martha McLellan
Fermentation: 50-60 days
Aging: 17 months in French barrels
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 15.7%