Bernard Magrez’s 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeous. It is made in a much more restrained style than the wines of the past. There is plenty of natural Napa Valley richness, but not the heaviness that marked some earlier vintages. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, licorice, spice and chocolate unfold first, followed by brighter floral overtones and redder fruit that develop with aeration. Bright, salivating acids give the 2017 a real sense of poise. This is by far the most elegant and refined wine Bernard Magrez has made in Napa Valley. Superb.
Wine Profile
Region
:
California, Napa Valley
Classification
:
AVA
Appellation
:
California
LWIN
:
1342277
Flavours
Chocolate
Spice
Licorice Arise
Leather
Dark Fruits
Food Pair
Veal
Cheese
Lamb
Venison
Beef
Boeuf bourguignon
Filet mignon
Duck
About this WINE
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate, vanilla, black currant, cedar, pepper and high tannins Cabernet Sauvignon is the jet setter of grapes. It travels all over the world, but being a late bloomer, it thrives in warm climates. When it matures, it is famous for intensity and depth of taste, balanced with a solid acidity due to the gentle ripening.The tiny, thick-skinned grape is packed with flavour, dark blue colour and tannins. Grown all over the world, the flavours vary. In France, it is often blended with the softer Merlot or the cooler Cabernet Franc, and is usually a bit higher in acidity.In the southern spheres, su
About this WINE
The Producer
A life’s combat Bordeaux,1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him. At 16, he left school and went into the wine trade. As a completely self-taught young man, his greatest allies were his self-discipline, riAgour and the knowledge he acq...
A life’s combat Bordeaux,1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him. At 16, he left school and went into the wine trade. As a completely self-taught young man, his greatest allies were his self-discipline, riAgour and the knowledge he acquired from his books. Bernard Magrez was already the Bernard Magrez we know today. life’s combat Bordeaux, 1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him.Bordeaux, 1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him. At 16, he left school and went into the wine trade. As a completely self-taught young man, his greatest allies were his self-discipline, rigour and the knowledge he acquired from his books. Bernard Magrez was already the Bernard Magrez we know today. life’s combatBordeaux, 1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him. A life’s combat Bordeaux, 1936. War hadn’t yet broken out in France, but it wouldn’t be long before it reared its ugly head. It was during these troubled times that Bernard Magrez was born. A strict upbringing taught him his first lessons in life. But being taught lessons without properly learning from them served no purpose for him. Amidst the turmoil, his vision was clear, and an extraordinary inner strength took root in him. At 16, he left school and went into the wine trade. As a completely self-taught young man, his greatest allies were his self-discipline, rigour and the knowledge he acquired from his books. Bernard Magrez was already the Bernard Magrez we know today.At 16, he left school and went into the wine trade. As a completely self-taught young man, his greatest allies were his self-discipline, rigour and the knowledge he acquired from his books. Bernard Magrez was already the Bernard Magrez we know today.
The Region
There are several reasons for Napa Valley's global renown as a wine region. Most obvious is that the wines are produced to high standards, in a popular style, and are very well marketed. Then there is the region's accessibility from San Francisco. This draws millions of wine tourists to the valley each year to sample its wines and world-class gastronomy. And no less important (even after almost four decades) is the triumph of Napa Valley wines over their rivals from Bordeaux and Burgundy in the 1976 Paris Judgement. Wine has been made in Napa Valley since the 19th Century, but it is only since...
There are several reasons for Napa Valley's global renown as a wine region. Most obvious is that the wines are produced to high standards, in a popular style, and are very well marketed. Then there is the region's accessibility from San Francisco. This draws millions of wine tourists to the valley each year to sample its wines and world-class gastronomy. And no less important (even after almost four decades) is the triumph of Napa Valley wines over their rivals from Bordeaux and Burgundy in the 1976 Paris Judgement. Wine has been made in Napa Valley since the 19th Century, but it is only since the 1960s that wine of any particular quality has been produced. The founding pioneers of Napa Valley winemaking were George C. Yount, and John Patchett and his winemaker Charles Krug, founder of the eponymous winery. Also of note are the Beringer brothers Jacob and Frederick, whose Beringer Vineyards (est. 1875) is one of California's oldest continuously operated wineries and features on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Robert Mondavi, who established his winery in 1966, is considered to be one of the pioneers of Napa's modern wine industry, as well as being one of the first proponents of varietal labeling.The range of grape varieties grown in the Napa Valley has evolved steadily over the 150 years since Yount planted his first vines. Cabernet Sauvignon has risen confidently to become Napa's star performer and is the most widely planted grape in almost all of the valley's sub-regions. The notable exception to this rule is Carneros, whose cool, breezy microclimate is better suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Merlot is also prominent, although since its fall from favor in the 1990s it is now used mostly as a blending component for Napa's Meritage wines and Bordeaux blends. Although it represents only a small proportion of the valley's vineyard area here, Zinfandel remains significant in the Napa wine portfolio. Hillside sites above the valley floor provide exactly the kind of warm, dry environment in which Zinfandel (California's signature variety) performs best, particularly on rocky, free-draining slopes.White wines are strongly outnumbered here, but play a valuable supporting role, bringing an element of diversity to the valley. Once upon a time, Riesling was the variety of choice but has now been replaced almost completely by Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.Climate, geology, and topography are three essential components that make Napa Valley such a first-rate viticultural area. The combined influences of San Pablo Bay and the hills of the North Coast Ranges are responsible for the valley's very particular Microclimate. The bay generates morning fog, and the hills channel it inland, up into the valley. Without this fog that comes rolling in from the bays, the valley's climate would be substantially warmer than it is, making it difficult to achieve structure and balance in the wines. The fog doesn't reach the higher parts of the valley, however, leaving these to rely on the cooling effects of altitude to keep their vines in balance. Winery, offering summertime concerts and year-round tastings. The region is also famed for its gourmet food, showcased in the stalls of Oxbow Public Market in the city of Napa.
