After a long fermentation period (50-60 days), which is a characteristic of Martha McClellan's winemaking, it is aged in French barrels for 27 months. It is a very long fermentation and aging period even in Napa Valley. The latest release was in 2012. This flagship wine is a blend of Bordeaux varieties, and has a wonderful complexity, concentration, and luxurious tension that balances elegance and power. The wonderful fruit, the minerality that reflects the soil, and the complex flavor that spreads throughout the mouth.
This flagship wine is a blend of Bordeaux varieties, just as it was for the first vintage in 2000, and careful attention has been paid to the cultivation, vinification and blending to ensure that each variety fully expresses the individuality of our own vineyards.
It has remarkable complexity and concentration, a luxurious tension and a balance of elegance and power.
This wine has wonderful fruit, minerality reflecting the soil, and a complex flavor that fills the mouth.It is lively and vibrant when young, and has great aging potential.
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
Winemaking: After a long fermentation period (50-60 days), characteristic of Martha McClellan's winemaking, the wine is aged in French barrels for 27 months.
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
A monster wine that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of Napa Valley's 2019 vintage.
Aromas of blackberry, truffle, earth, chocolate, iron and black olive emerge one after the other, and the palate is full-bodied, deep, rich and incredibly concentrated.
The nuances of the barrel are beautifully blended, the fruitiness is more than ample and rich, and the mouthfeel is wonderful with velvety, fine tannins.
Incredible richness and depth, yet extremely balanced, with plenty of ageing potential for 20 years or more.
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 1500ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend: The remaining 20% is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
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: 27 months in French barrels
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 15.8%