The 2015 Smith Wooton Melange, Napa Valley is a classic Right Bank Bordeaux blend composed of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This wine was carefully crafted by the Benton family to display elegance, finesse and age worthy gracefulness.
A first vintage from Smith Wooton. Deep purple in the glass. Our rich and opulent Petite Sirah offers aromas of blackberries, lavender and baking spices. Deep and complex flavors black cherry, plums and black pepper build on the palate. There is nothing petite about this wine as its well structured and firm tannins lead to a long lingering finish. The wine was produced to enjoy now but can be aged for many years to come!
2016 CROZE Cabernet Sauvignon follows the Croze philosophy of balance and elegance. Here is a wine with its roots deep in the Rutherford dust, and its pedigree is long. These grapes are organically farmed in one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Rutherford AVA.
Grapes for the 2016 Vintners Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon came from two distinct vineyards in Napa Valley. The lots were fermented separately and the resulting blend combined. The origin of these grapes is a closely guarded secret. The grapes were hand-picked, crushed and fermented in small lots to preserve fruit character and prevent extraction of harsh tannins. October 8, 2016, the wine was moved to barrel using 1/2new and 1/2 once filled French Oak barrels from the Nevers forest. The wine was racked twice yearly until bottling. After 24 months of oak aging, the wine was bottled. Since then it has rested in bottle, allowing the flavors to mature. The result is an elegant wine with a touch of classic Bordeaux married with Napa Valley style.
The Avatar represents winemaker Daniel Benton's dedication to handcrafting a Napa Valley wine using Old World traditions. Grapes for the 2015 Avatar came from three, diverse vineyards in two appellations within the Napa Valley.
The 2015 CROZE AVATAR shows layers of old-world style, structure & complexity. Hugely complex, the wine reveals a broad spectrum of briary blackberry, black cherry and currant notes, with nuances of violet and bittersweet chocolate. Muscular tannins support the plush, expansive palate, while impeccably balanced acidity adds vibrancy. This wine reflects the depth and complexity of the combined vineyards, enhanced by extended barrel aging.
