Page 25 - GV2020 Portfolio Master
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Ashes & Diamonds
With a focus on single vineyard
wines from the cool southern
AVAs of Napa, the wines of
Ashes & Diamonds harken back
to wines of the 1960s. Lower in
alcohol and PH, without
sacrificing phenolic ripeness; the
OAK KNOLL wines are particularly suited to
being enjoyed with food but are
Oak Knoll is the “Goldilocks” of Napa’s AVAs; not too cold and not too hot, the marine fog from nimble enough to be enjoyed on
San Pablo bay blankets and shields the grapes from the morning sun. Temperature in Oak Knoll can their own. Winemakers Steve
Matthiasson and Diana Snowden
be as much as 10° cooler in the afternoon than in St. Helena. This creates the longest growing teamed up to create these
season in the valley, providing early bud break and a long, leisurely growing season for optimal, remarkable wines. “We took risks
balanced ripeness. The cooler nights and slowly rising daytime temperatures create a naturally long and accepted no concessions to
hang time for fruit to achieve bright acidity, great texture, fruit-forward aromas and elegant flavors. make the exact wines we’d like to
drink” Diana Snowden Seysses
Granted AVA status in 2004, soils are a blend of fluvial river deposits, clay and volcanic rock. The
west side of the AVA lies atop a large alluvial fan created by the Dry Creek that provides optimal Blackbird
drainage for Cabernet. Elevations range from sea level to 800ft. In French patois Merlot means
little blackbird. It is therefore
fitting that the Blackbird Vineyard
Ashes & Diamonds (Napa) ashesdiamonds.com in the Oak Knoll AVA was planted
to Merlot in 1997. In 2003 the
Ashes & Diamonds Blanc Napa 2016 $443.90 vineyard was purchased and
Blackbird Vineyards was born.
The goal is to create world class
A&D Cabernet Franc Napa 2015 $731.00 “Right Bank” inspired wines
A&D Grand Vin No.1 A&D Vineyard Oak Knoll 2014 $923.90 92 WE from the Napa Valley. Blending
A&D Cabernet Sauv. Red Hen Vyd Oak Knoll 2016 $923.90 92 VN fruit from 5 additional AVAs
including Spring Mountain, St.
A&D Mountain Cuvée Saffron Vyd. Mt Veeder 2016 $731.90 90 VN Helena, Rutherford, Carneros and
A&D Mountain Cuvée Bates Ranch Santa Cruz Mtn. 2016 $1019.90 93 VN Atlas Peak; winemaker Aaron
Pott creates wines of
A&D Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Peak Vyd. Atlas Peak 2016 $1211.90 92 VN uncompromising quality.
(please inquire about back vintages) Darioush
Founded in 1997 by Darioush
Blackbird Vineyards (Oak Knoll) blackbirdvineyards.com Khaledi he and winemaker Steve
Blackbird Vineyards Rosé 2017 $239.90 Devitt made the choice to plant at
the southern end of the valley. The
(60% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc) winery owns three vineyards in
three AVAs. The oldest vines
Blackbird Vineyards Arise 2016 (6pk) $539.90 92 WA , 91 VN come from immediately around
the property at the southern end
(55% Merlot, 25% Cab Franc, 17% Cab Sauv) of the Silverado Trail where Cab.
Blackbird Vineyards Illustration 2016 (6pk) $540.00 92+ WA Merlot and Shiraz are planted.
(78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc) The volcanic laden soil of the 22
acre Sage Estate Vineyard sits
Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian 2016 (6pk) $570.00 94 VN , 92+ WA atop Mt. Veeder at 1800-2200ft
(70% Cab Sauv, 29% Cabernet Franc) and is planted to Bordeaux
Blackbird Vineyards Paramour 2016 (6pk) $570.00 94 VN varietals. Finally the 33 acre
Ashley Estate Vineyard in the cool
(56% Cab Franc, 41% Cabernet Sauv) Oak Knoll AVA sits atop alluvial
soil deposited by the Napa River
Darioush (Napa) darioush.com and produces Chardonnay,
Viognier, Shiraz, Merlot and Cab.
Darioush Chardonnay 2017 (6pk) $264.00 Franc.
Darioush Viognier 2018 (6pk) $234.00 90 WS Krupp
Jan Krupp a doctor by trade in
Caravan Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $474.00 San Francisco, moved to Napa in
Darioush Merlot 2016 (6pk) $282.00 92 WS, 93 JS 1991. He and his brother Bart
planted 3 vineyards over the next
Darioush Pinot Noir 2017 (6pk) $342.00 10 years. The infamous
Darioush Cabernet Franc 2016 (6pk) $360.00 Stagecoach vineyard located
above the marine layer within the
Darioush Shiraz 2016 (6pk) $413.90 94 WA, 92 WS Vaca Mountain range has become
Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (6pk) $498.00 90 WA synonymous with great Napa
Cabernet. Planted in 1995 at the
Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon Darius II 2014 (6pk) $1122.00 southern end of the Silverado
(please inquire about .375ml and 1.5L availability) Trail, the brothers were forced to
remove over 1 million tons of red
volcanic rock in order to plant
Krupp Brothers (Napa) kruppbrothers.com the vineyard. With over 600 acres
Krupp Bros Chardonnay 2015 (6pk) $323.90 95 WA it is Napa’s largest contiguous
single vineyard. In 1998 Jan sold
his medical practice and in 1999
Krupp Bros Water Witch Stage Coach Vineyard 2015 (6pk) $347.90 Krupp Brothers Winery was
Krupp Bros The Doctor Stage Coach Vineyard 2015 (6pk) $491.90 93 WA founded.
Krupp Bros Cab. Sauvignon Veraison Stage Coach Vyd 2016 (6pk) $456.00 94+ WA
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